Traditional Christmas Greeting: "Merry Christmas"
Location: North America
Tree Type: Cultural

Christmas celebrations in the United States comprise a wide variety of traditions from many different areas. In Alaska, men take the Star of Bethlehem from door to door and are pursued by Herod's men, who to try to snatch it away. Carol festivals are popular in Boston, and many households in New England hang a pineapple over the door as a sign of hospitality. Santa visits Hawaii in a red canoe, and a Christmas ox decorated with Holly is paraded around the streets of New Orleans.

In spite of these large variations, several aspects of the holiday season are seen as decidedly American. The approach of Christmas is felt months before December 25. Radio stations play holiday music, advertisements center around a Christmas theme, and store windows are decorated in red and green, traditional American Christmas colors. Families and friends send and receive scores of Christmas cards, spreading good wishes to almost everyone they know. Determined not to be left out on Christmas Day, children usually write letters of their own to Santa Claus telling him what presents they want. In case their letters get lost in the mail on their way to the North Pole, children can go to malls and department stores and talk with Santa directly. In most homes, Santa enters through the chimney to deliver presents on Christmas Eve, and they are waiting under the Christmas tree when children wake up the following morning.

Christmas lights are another conspicuous element of Christmas celebrations. They adorn stores, avenues, and trees, not to speak of thousands of residential homes. When combined with snowmen, plastic figures and wreaths, these lights seem to illuminate every inch of some houses. Decorations often remain up until after New Year and the parties it brings, and help to keep the holiday spirit alive.

Since the events of September 11, 2001, the Museum now decorates the American tree with patriotic colors in remembrance.