"Markets and streets stand deserted, every house quietly illuminated. Pondering, I walk through the alleys, everything looks so festive." Eichendorff would also have his quiet joy in the Christmas decorations in the USA. The houses and apartments not only receive a Christmas touch inside, but many homeowners do not miss the opportunity to wrap their houses in strings of lights or transform their front yards into a Christmas paradise. Especially in the suburbs, there are unofficial competitions to see who can decorate their house the most beautifully or display the most strings of lights. In our neighborhood, Noe Valley, on 21st Street between Church and Sanchez Street, homeowners Tom and Jerry transform their house into a Christmas paradise for children (and adults) every year. A toy train circles around, and under an approximately 8-meter-high fir tree, which is decorated with huge ornaments, there are also huge wrapped gifts and various stuffed animals. To bring the house into the Christmas state, the owners rent a construction crane every year.
Wreaths made of fir branches, but without candles, also decorate many houses, often the doors. However, you don't see Advent wreaths; at least we haven't discovered them among our American acquaintances and friends, and I always have to explain at length what the four candles on the wreath are all about when we have American visitors during the Advent season. On the other hand, everyone here knows the mistletoe, which hangs in the doorframe. Those who meet under the branch are allowed to kiss, so it's a kind of hidden spin the bottle.
We are increasingly seeing purchased Advent calendars in American households. I have a strong suspicion that companies like the supermarket chain Trader Joe's and Lego are not entirely blameless in this. Because at 'Trader Joe's' (Rundbrief 09/2005) The chocolate advent calendar costs a mere 99 cents. However, the chocolate tastes rather awful, and what child can resist the Lego advent calendar, no matter where they are in the world?
Traditionally, turkey or baked ham is served. However, many families have their own Christmas dishes. Christmas cookies are extremely popular and must not be missing from any Christmas celebration. In terms of drinks, there is eggnog (Rundbrief 12/2009) and apple cider as a specialty. The latter refers to unfiltered apple juice, which is heated and refined with spices as needed.
The exchange of gifts and the sending of Christmas cards (or more neutrally called "Holiday Cards" here) also hold significant importance in the USA. The Friday after Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday in November) officially opens the Christmas season, at least in terms of the commercial aspect. Since most employees have the Friday after Thanksgiving off, many stores entice customers with super special offers. Many retailers or department stores open their doors extremely early; four o'clock in the morning is not uncommon. The name "Black Friday" refers to the fact that the stores, due to the high sales, return to profitability.
We wish you a reflective Christmas and hope that you will remain loyal newsletter readers in 2011 as well. If you have an unusual or particularly nice Christmas tradition, just write to us.
Merry Christmas from the land of Santa Claus!
Angelika und Michael