How Do Americans Celebrate Christmas? And What Are Their Family Get-Togethers Like? 🎁
Yesterday we went to a family party to celebrate Christmas and New Year✨
There were about 20 people from my host dad’s side of the family.
Honestly, I was really nervous about how they’d welcome me, but it turned out absolutely perfect! I fell in love with their family ❤️. The atmosphere was so warm and homey.
First, we cooked together (while I was meeting everyone, haha), then we had what I would call “real” American dishes, played guitar, listened to a Christmas story, and afterwards played a game where you draw a treat or a gift card from a bag. I got gummy candies.
But that wasn’t the end of the games! Turns out, all the gifts the family members had bought were also part of a game called “Dirty Santa.” You pick any gift bag and open it — one person got a plunger, another got home décor, I got candles — BUT then someone else can “steal” your gift.
My candles got stolen, so I had to choose: “steal” from someone else or pick a new gift. I went for a new one, and it was adorable stationery. By the way, a gift can only be “stolen” from you once.
And that still wasn’t the end of the gifts! I also got a mug, a hoodie, a thermos, a bag of sweets, and a card with money 🎁.
Apparently, they have gatherings like this almost every weekend! They told me I’m now part of their family 🥺❤️
Try it yourself — share this kind of holiday experience and become an exchange student!