Christmas in the USA (Topic: Christmas)
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Christmas in the USA
People like to decorate their houses for Christmas. It's very dark at this time of year, so most people hang up holiday lights or put candles in their windows, and sometimes they decorate trees in their yards as well. It's also very popular to hang a wreath on your front door.
The four weeks before Christmas are called Advent, and some people have an Advent calendar. It looks like a pretty picture, and every day you open a little window in the calendar to see a new part of the picture. Some Advent calendars have chocolate in them as well.
People send Christmas cards to each other during this time and go shopping for presents. There are also a lot of special events, such as concerts or ballets. One of the most famous Christmas ballets is called The Nutcracker.
Before Christmas comes, you have to buy a tree. Some people go into the woods and cut down a tree themselves. The Christmas tree is set up inside the house and decorated with all sorts of pretty ornaments, tinsel, and lights. At the top of the tree you often hang a star or an angel.
According to tradition, Santa Claus comes down the chimney on the night of December 24th and leaves presents for the children. If stockings are hung by the fireplace, they will also be filled with sweets and small gifts in the morning, but most of the presents are left under the Christmas tree.