American Christmas

Maria E. Kennedy American Corner Da Nang, Vietnam December 20, 2011

Outline
General Information Vocabulary

Traditions

General Information
December 25 Two Holidays
Religious
Birth of Jesus Christ Celebrated by Christians Celebrated by Christians and many non-Christians

Secular (Non-religious)

Colors: Red, Green

General Information
National holiday

Spend time with family

Christmas Eve or Christmas Give presents to each other

Eat a feast (big, fancy meal)

Christmas Vocabulary
Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve: the night before Christmas.

Angel: a messenger of God. Seen as a human with wings.

Elf: a small creature with pointed ears and magical powers. Helps Santa prepare presents. (Elves)

Mistletoe: a plant with white berries. Hung up, and people kiss under it.

Ornament: a decoration hung on a Christmas tree. Often ballshaped.

Reindeer: a deer with large antlers. The creature that pulls Santas sleigh.

Old St. Nick: another name for Santa Claus

White Christmas: a Christmas with snow.

Traditions
Santa Claus
Jolly (happy), fat, bearded old man Wears a red suit Gives presents to good children and coal to bad children Climbs down the chimney to deliver presents.

Traditions
Christmas Tree
Evergreen Tree Decorated a few weeks before Christmas
Ornaments Lights

Christmas presents (gifts) are placed underneath it

Traditions
Gift Giving
Give gifts to:
Friends Family Co-workers

Love and friendship, not the quality of the gift, is whats important.

Traditions
Decorating the House
Inside and Outside Lights Stars Wreaths Santa Claus Snowmen
Wreath

Snowmen

Traditions

Traditions

Traditions
Going to Church
Christians will go to church to celebrate the birth of Jesus Sing songs Midnight Mass

Candles, songs, prayer

Go to church at 12am

Traditions
Foods
Christmas Ham Eggnog Gingerbread Men Fruitcake Candy Canes Christmas Cookies

Christmas Ham: Ham (Pig) with a sweet, crunchy coating

Eggnog: a traditional Christmas drink made of eggs, milk, and alcohol.

Gingerbread Men: Cookies made with ginger and cinnamon

Fruitcake: Sweet bread with fruit baked inside

Candy Canes: a traditional Christmas candy. Striped, curved, sweet and minty.

Christmas Cookies: Sugar cookies decorated with Christmas symbols

Traditions
Christmas Carols
Carols: Songs sung at Christmas Religious Secular Carolers: People who go to others homes and sing songs

We Wish You a Merry Christmas We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Good tidings we bring to you and your kin; Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year. We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Oh, bring us a figgy pudding; Oh, bring us a figgy pudding; Oh, bring us a figgy pudding and bring it right here We won't go until we get some; We won't go until we get some; We won't go until we get some, so bring it right here We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Jingle Bells Dashing through the snow In a one horse open sleigh O'er [Over] the fields we go Laughing all the way (ha ha ha) Bells on bob tails ring Making spirits bright What fun it is to laugh and sing A sleighing song tonight Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh

A day or two ago I thought I'd take a ride And soon Miss Fanny Bright Was seated by my side The horse was lean and lank Misfortune seemed his lot We got into a drifted bank And then we got upsot
Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh Repeat