Sunday, December 14, 2008

US Christmas Holiday Traditions


By now, most of our students and you are taking a very much deserved break from school. My guess is you and I need a break from serious posts as well. The picture I used here came from a public domain site.

In this post, I've collected sites about some of the holiday traditions and commercialism that has become part of our history and culture in the US. Whether you like it or not, the holidays have become big business and are successful for a reason. As a child, I remember looking forward to each season with its unique holiday fun, and now as a parent I look forward to them even more. I also worked in retail in high school and college, and I recognize that among all the bustle and purchase of things, the meaning of the holidays is sometimes lost. However, I believe that no matter how out of control we get with shopping, decorating, and activities, we are united by the holidays as a family, community, and nation. As you might expect, some of these sites contain advertisements and silly fun.


For the history of Christmas and Santa in the USA as well as other countries. After all many our American traditions originated in other countries.








Here is a reading list on Christmas from the Smithsonian Institute



Finally, your kids will love this one, but it doesn't have much to do with history, Northpole.com
Happy Holidays everyone!

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