How Do Americans Celebrate Christmas? And What Are Their Family Get-Togethers Like? đ
Yesterday we went to a family party to celebrate Christmas and New Yearâ¨
There were about 20 people from my host dadâs side of the family.
Honestly, I was really nervous about how theyâd welcome me, but it turned out absolutely perfect! I fell in love with their family â¤ď¸. The atmosphere was so warm and homey.
First, we cooked together (while I was meeting everyone, haha), then we had what I would call ârealâ 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 wasnât the end of the games! Turns out, all the gifts the family members had bought were also part of a game called âDirty Santa.â You pick any gift bag and open it â one person got a plunger, another got home dĂŠcor, I got candles â BUT then someone else can âstealâ your gift.
My candles got stolen, so I had to choose: âstealâ 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 âstolenâ from you once.
And that still wasnât the end of the gifts! I also got a mug, a hoodie, a thermos, a bag of sweets, and a card with money đ.
Apparently, they have gatherings like this almost every weekend! They told me Iâm now part of their family đĽşâ¤ď¸
Try it yourself â share this kind of holiday experience and become an exchange student!