为了纪念圣-尼古拉斯，按照欧洲传统，12月6日就是交换圣诞礼物的 日子，也标志着圣诞假期开始。
THE ORIGIN OF SANTA CLAUS


Dutch immigrants to the United States brought with them their version of the giftgiving St. Nicholas, known as Sinter Klass. Americans, unaccustomed to the Dutch pronunciation, turned this into Santa Claus, who is beloved as a symbol of Christmas by children of all ages.


Jingle bells jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh Hey

英国，圣诞老人也叫“ Father Christmas ”。圣诞节前几周，孩子们就 开始写信给圣诞老人，告诉他自己想要什 么礼物。然后他们把信扔进壁炉的火里。 他们相信，如果上升的气流把灰烬顺烟囱 带了上去，他们的愿望便会得到满足。
CHRISTMAS DINNER

Stuffed turkey （火鸡） , mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce （越橘 酱） , and a variety of other dishes. Some families have ham or roast goose instead of turkey.


“圣诞节”这个名称是“基督弥撒”的缩写。 弥撒是教会的一种礼拜仪式。耶诞节是一个宗 教节。我们把它当作耶稣的诞辰来庆祝，因而 又名耶诞节。
THE ORIGIN OF SANTA CLAUS

St. Nicholas was born in Asia Minor in 280 A.D. He was known as a kind, benevolent man
MERRY CHRISTMAS
THE ORIGIN OF CHRISTMAS
Christmas Eve（Silent Night）, December 24, is the night before Christmas Day. Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. No one knows the exact date of Christ's birth, but most Christians observe Christmas on December 25. On this day, many people go to church, where they take part in special religious services. The word Christmas comes from Cristes maesse, an early English phrase that means Mass(弥撒) of Christ.
荷兰移民把他们关于赠送礼物的圣尼古拉斯的形式带到了美国，他们的 发音是“Sinter Klass”。 美国人不习惯于荷兰发音，把他改为 “Santa Claus”，这就是广受孩子 们喜爱的、圣诞节标志性的圣诞老人。


TRADITIONS
Wait for Santa Claus Decorate Christmas tree Receive and send the presents Christmas Stocking Send Christmas cards Have Christmas dinner Sing Christmas carols

GIFT EXCHANGING

One of the most important Christmas traditions is receiving gifts from Santa Claus. According to the story, Santa Claus travels through the air from somewhere near the North Pole in a sled drawn by reindeer （驯鹿） and comes down the chimney to leave the presents.
美国人关于圣诞老人的概念源于圣-尼古拉斯，他生于公元280年的小 亚细亚。众所周知，他是个和蔼、慈善的人

In honor of St. Nicholas, December 6 became the traditional day in Europe for the exchange of Christmas gifts and the beginning of the holiday season.
Favorite desserts include mince pie or pumpkin pie, plum pudding and fruitcake. Eggnog(蛋奶酒) is a popular Christmas beverage （饮 料） in many homes. In Britain, Christmas dinner is eaten at noon, and the dinner usually includes roast turkey or goose, Christmas pudding with mince pies, and accompanied by wine.
据说圣诞老人从北极附近的某地 出发，驾着驯鹿拉的雪橇从空中 飞到各家，从烟囱进入屋内，留 下礼物。


GIFT EXCHANGIN, Santa Claus is also called Father Christmas. During the weeks before Christmas, children write letters to Father Christmas and tell him what presents they would like to receive. They then throw these letters into the fire. Children believe that if a draft draws the letter up through the chimney, their wishes will be fulfilled.