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Christmas traditions in North America are a mixture of the old world traditions handed down to families and a blend of new ones. From decorating and lighting the tree to Christmas dinner with family, North Americans have certain ways of doing things.
The Christmas tree is a tradition brought over from Europe to represent Christ in the home. The decorations and lights represent the various aspects of the birth story with the star or an angel placed at the top of the tree to represent the signs that lead the faithful to Christ’s cradle. The evergreen represents his ever presence in people’s hearts. Even the timing of the Christmas tree is a tradition with the tree going up at winter’s solstice and staying up until the Epiphany. Today the Christmas tree has become a symbol of a child’s dreams at Christmas time. Children wait in hopes of that special present being under the tree from Santa Claus.
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Christmas decorating in America: festive both inside and out
Winter in North America is a time of year when things typically slow down, the weather is cold and clear and Christmas day memories are made. It is a time for decorating: the yard, the exterior and interior of the house; even cars get decorated for the holidays!
Some outdoor ideas for Christmas decorating would include lovely pre-lit holly garland for both the threshold of the front door and the porch banisters. Artificial metal trees trimmed in different colored lights add a festive touch for night-time visits. Silken Christmas wreaths offer a more permanent solution for seasonal decorating, and strands of lights can be woven through that operate on battery power to cut-down on dangerous cords.
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