American Christmas Traditions
American Christmas traditions are similar to other traditions in one basic way. They are activities or actions we perform every year around or at a particular time. They can be performed either individually or collectively in a group.
Because we do it consistently and everyone who knows us does too, we refer to it as a “custom.” Every single year. Never fails.
Of course, in this case, we’re referring to Christmas as the particular day or time when we perform these actions. Thus, “Christmas Tradition” was coined.
Every family has its own unique, lengthy family customs that date back several generations. Others create their own for the enjoyment of future generations.
All customs, whether recent or ancient, are carried out in large part according to what each family or individual feels is appropriate or preferable.
Family Fun
Traditions might be straightforward or intricate. Consider this scenario. You and your family decide that each year a new Christmas tree ornament should be purchased to commemorate the occasion. It provides both a keepsake and a connection to the time when your family was united and everyone was together. Simple, but noteworthy, for certain. Our family hung the ornaments that the kids made at school. It was great to look at them every year. Now that we are empty nesters, we are very happy to have those ornaments from the kids.
Emotional Investment
Other times, it could be a little trickier. if you like, something like to a ceremony.
Consider the following illustration. One family might have lost a beloved family member two days before Christmas or even on Christmas. So every year, before doing anything else, this is what they do. The family travels to the cemetery to pay their respects to the person who has been laid to rest there. They pay their respects by placing fresh flowers or a burial blanket on the grave.
Maybe they say a family prayer or just talk to their loved one. They tell them all that has transpired over the course of the year. Perhaps they focus on the family plans at Christmas.
They then might light a candle. Following this, they depart from the cemetery and head back to a different relative’s house for a great Christmas celebration to further honor their loved one’s life,
Personally, i have a drink of whisky and toast my Dad. He used to pour us a shot glass of Crown Royal as soon as I got home for Christmas. Now I pour him the drink and say a toast to my dear departed friend and father. It works for me, and that is what counts.
Keep Christ in Christmas
Or perhaps someone who doesn’t frequently go to church or hasn’t in a long time only goes on Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning. Some families really try to downplay the commercial aspects of Christmas and emphasize the religious aspect. Jesus Christ is the central figure in Christmas, of course. However, many feel as though Christ’s significance in holiday has been hijacked by the economics of the season.
Christmas Presents and Gifting
Some people might exchange gifts with one another. Some people might take donating gifts to a whole new level by exclusively giving them to people who are living in poverty. Others, however, may only accept presents that have been “hand-made” by their loved ones and refuse to give any store-bought items.
Whatever that “something” may be, the key is that a tradition is something that people do annually at the same time. In this instance, we’re talking about a Christmas tradition, which is something you only do throughout the holiday season.
Other Popular Traditions
See if you participated in the following activities as a kid, or organize them now for your kids. Things like putting up the Christmas tree, hanging the stockings, and wrapping presents. How about visiting relatives and friends you don’t usually see during the year? Taking your kids sledding, attending school plays or pageants, or going Christmas caroling? Do you raise money for a local charity, bake cookies or homemade candies, sip (and maybe spike with rum!) egg nog,? These activities all come into play at Christmas Time.
Of course, some of the things we do have a deeper religious, historical or emotional significance than others. But whether a practice is new or has been passed down from one generation to another, everything has ir will have a history. The significance of Christmas traditions lies in that.
The thing that makes them an essential part of our life isn’t exactly the act of doing them. It actually has to do with how they make us feel on the inside and outside.
You might be asking yourself, “Why do I put up that Christmas tree every year?” as you sit there. To chop down a tree and bring it inside does seem absurd. However, this custom has a lengthy history. Along with a number of other activities that are done by people every year across America, and around the world.
The history of some other well-known and observed Christmas traditions will also be covered in this article, so click here to view it. Very cool background to Christmas that I am certain you will enjoy.
Click here to access an article about origins of Christmas presents. It’s a very good read, and hey who doesn’t like Christmas presents !
