Christmas in America: a mixture of rites and traditions. American house decorations for Christmas American Christmas

In general, they go full out. Look at the photos, and from myself I can say that I have seen even more abruptly. Photos, however, are not mine, but here it can be seen quite often.

In general, we recently visited Dyker Heights - this, for those who do not know, is an area New York, where people live who are a little peek-a-boo at the expense of decorating their homes for Christmas and New Year. Decorate your home with garlands yourself? - no, have not heard. Invited designer LOL

I have never seen anything like this before 🙂 Of course, not all houses there are directly decorated, decorated. There are very modest ones. But this area is definitely different from others.

Photographed by hand, without a tripod. ?

Dyker Heights is sometimes referred to as the "Undisputed Capital of Christmas Chic".

Or the Kingdom of Christmas Lights. Now not one house and not one block, but the whole district takes part in this “flash mob”.

Somewhere in the middle of our walk it started to rain 🙁 Imagine how beautiful it would be to walk along such a street if there was white snow around?

This house was a favourite. The crowd of people did not let me come closer.

Can you imagine what their electricity bill will be next month?

And here the decorators really tried, because everything was hung with garlands. It's not even clear where the house is.

Majority holiday decorations in Dyker Heights are not installed by homeowners, but by local decorative companies that do it professionally.

The cost of hiring a decorator can range from $1,000 to $20,000 or more, depending on the scale. Many companies also provide additional services such as set removal and storage until next Christmas.

They say this whole thing started back in the 1980s.

The two most famous houses on 84th street, between 11th and 12th avenues. Directly opposite each other. And this is the intersection of 12th Avenue and 83rd Street. We passed another block: it was already a little more serious in terms of people walking around. The police even blocked the road.

culture

Christmas is one of the most beloved and long-awaited Christian holidays, celebrated all over the world, although on different dates. For many, this holiday is associated with happiness, fun and good mood, and this is at a time when the weather outside the window can leave much to be desired. At Christmas, it is customary to gather with family, friends and relatives and prepare delicious dishes, which will be discussed. Find out what dishes Christians prefer to pamper themselves at Christmas from different countries peace.

1) Eastern Europe

In the countries of Eastern Europe, on Christmas Eve, it is customary to cook lean dishes without meat, since before that it is customary to keep the Christmas fast. The next day you can cook meat dishes. At Slavic peoples on Christmas it is customary to commemorate the deceased relatives and loved ones and even leave a place at the table with food for them.

Traditional Christmas dishes in the Czech Republic are fried carp and potato salad. This tradition appeared when the country began to breed fish in large quantities in the 17th and 18th centuries. It is also customary to prepare different Christmas cookies that are distributed to guests. Preparations for Christmas begin long before the holiday itself.

2) Peru

On Christmas Eve, the whole family usually gets together for a hearty dinner of turkey stuffed with minced meat and nuts and garnished with fresh pineapple slices and cherries, fried potatoes and applesauce. For dessert, marzipan, raisins, almonds and panettone pie with a cup of hot chocolate are served. At midnight, someone says toasts, people exchange wishes, hug. Then they take their places in the living room and begin to sing Christmas songs.

3) Finland

The Christmas table in Finland is rich in various dishes, most of which, however, are related to the season. The main dish is usually the Christmas ham, which is eaten with mustard or bread, not forgetting about other dishes. Fish can be served - lutefisk (fish soaked in alkali) or gravlax (salted salmon), as well as liver casserole with raisins, potatoes, rice and carrots. From drinks - mulled wine (warmed wine with spices).

4) Canada

In the English part of Canada, Christmas dinners are not much different from English or American ones. Traditionally, a stuffed turkey with mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, vegetables is put on the table, and for dessert - raisin pudding. Eggnog - a milk punch with beaten eggs and alcohol - is a very popular drink during the winter holidays. They also serve cakes with butter cream, shortbread cookies, which are traditionally baked on the eve of Christmas.

Immigrants brought with them many of their dishes and traditions. In the French part of Canada, as you might guess, French customs are most followed.

5) Denmark

In Denmark, the traditional Christmas table is set on December 24th. They serve either baked pork or goose. The meat dish is served with potatoes, red cabbage or sauce. For dessert - rice pudding, often with almonds inside. Anyone who gets a nut will be lucky next year. Traditional Christmas drinks are mulled wine and beer, which is specially made for Christmas. These drinks have a high alcohol content.

6) Holland

Christmas dinner in Holland is somewhat different from the traditions in neighboring countries. One of the Dutch traditions is "gourmet". Small groups of people get together, each brings his own frying pan and cooks his dish in small quantities. The owner prepares chopped vegetables in advance and different types meat and fish, shrimp. All dishes are complemented by different salads, fruits and sauces. The tradition probably came to Holland from Indonesia, a former colony.

The Dutch love to cook traditional European dishes for Christmas, including roast beef, rabbit, pheasant, or glazed ham. The meat is served with various vegetables and salads. IN last years in Holland, the traditions of the Anglo-Saxon countries became very popular. As in England, they began to cook turkeys for Christmas.

7) France

In France and some French-speaking countries, Christmas begins on the evening of December 24th. The French call this holiday reveillon(Dinner on Christmas night) from the word reveil– "awakening", as traditionally the participants have to stay up virtually all night or at least until midnight. Traditional dishes: goose or duck liver, oysters, smoked salmon, lobster, roast duck, goose or turkey with chestnuts. For dessert, a traditional Buch de Noel Christmas cake with chocolate or nut flavor, which is made in the shape of a log. From drinks usually prefer to drink champagne.

8) New Zealand

Due to the fact that New Zealand was a colony of Great Britain for a long time, many traditions of celebrating Christmas came here with the British. For Christmas, they cook a baked turkey with vegetables, sometimes stuffed, poured with cranberry sauce. Roasted ham can sometimes be served as a main dish, and lamb is also very popular here.

One important difference from English Christmas feasts is the absence of a goose, since these birds are not raised in New Zealand, and the government prohibits the import of foreign meat products. For dessert, in almost all cases, Christmas pudding (or raisin pudding) and sweet butter with brandy are prepared. These dishes also came from England. Many other dishes can also be found on the New Zealand Christmas table, including German muffins, the French Buch de Noel log cake, and the Italian panettone pie. However, these dishes are the exception rather than the rule. Since New Zealanders are forced to celebrate Christmas not in winter, but in summer, they like to celebrate it in nature, seasonal fruits and berries are served on the table. Also a very popular Christmas dessert is Pavlova cake made from whipped egg whites with fruit.

9) UK

For the British, Christmas celebrations begin in the afternoon. For a festive dinner, a baked turkey or goose (sometimes a duck, but this depends on the number of guests) is served. Sometimes they offer a baked ham or piglet, fried potatoes, boiled or steamed vegetables, especially Brussels sprouts, sausage stew, cranberry sauce. For dessert, pudding and sweet butter with brandy.

In England, the tradition of cooking a turkey for Christmas was born quite quickly. In the beginning, in medieval England, either peacock or wild boar was cooked as a main dish. After the French Jesuits brought turkeys to England, these birds have been a staple at Christmas since the 18th century.

In the UK, according to tradition, the sternum of a bird is divided at Christmas, thus predicting the future. This bone in the form of a slingshot is taken by 2 people who begin to pull both ends of it in different sides. As a result, after it breaks, the person who has a long bone in his hand remains the winner, he will be lucky all year, the other - on the contrary.

10) USA

Many Christmas traditions in the United States were borrowed from England and other European countries, however, this is not surprising, since the first settlers were Europeans. The main dishes for Christmas in America will be turkey, cranberry sauce, corn, pumpkin and green beans. Dessert is what the family likes according to ethnicity, but pumpkin pie, marzipan, biscuits, panettone pie, fruit cake, apple pie, carrot pie and others are often served. Roast beef can be substituted for turkey, as turkey is the main Thanksgiving meal in November.

In different states, it is customary to cook different dishes, for example, in Hawaii - teriyaki sauce, in Virginia - oysters and ham pie, and in the Midwest - dishes of the Scandinavian peoples - lutefisk, turnip dishes. In the southwest, especially in New Mexico, pozole soup, tamal (meat stewed with corn), bizcochito biscuits and others.

Any country can boast of its own peculiarities of festive national cuisine. And yet there is one general trend: on New Year's Eve or around Christmas, symbolic dishes should appear on the table in strict order.

Now let's get acquainted with what goodies adorn holiday tables in different parts of the world. New Year or Christmas menu of different countries:

Italy

Italy, like most of Europe, celebrates Catholic Christmas. Here it is customary to meet New Year and Christmas with approximately the same menu. The only difference is that the Christmas menu does not contain meat products; Italians cook fish for hot dishes.

Well, after Christmas, Italian housewives personally make Kotekino pork sausage, serving it to the table with lentils. The latter has long symbolized long years, health and all the benefits in the family.

England

The British traditionally prepare a stuffed turkey for the Christmas holidays, serving it along with a vegetable side dish. Dessert is 100% pudding.

The preparation of this sweet is special, since bread crumbs, flour, lard with raisins, eggs and various spices are involved. Before serving, the dessert is sprinkled with rum and set on fire. Such a burning pudding symbolizes an active life position.

France

The Christmas menu in France is very different depending on the region. For example, in the north-east of the country they prefer to cook a goose, in Burgundy they love a turkey, in Provence the obligatory treat is bûche de Noël - a traditional dessert that people managed to fall in love with outside of France.

Parisians celebrate the main holidays of the year with oysters. This is a mandatory attribute of the Christmas table. The housewives also make sandwiches with foie gras and cheese. All this exoticism is washed down with French wine.

Among the typical French dishes are smoked ham, salads, sausage.

Germany

Traditional German Christmas treats are fondue and raclette. The tradition of serving carp to the New Year's table is gradually becoming a thing of the past.

Of the drinks, the Germans prefer champagne, punch or the traditional punch.

Czech

Czech apple strudel is an indispensable dish on the New Year's table. This very tender roll with apples on puff pastry will not leave indifferent any of the relatives and guests.

Strudel is eaten with ice cream, cream or jam. Czechs usually prepare a simple festive table with quite hearty dishes for the New Year. Be sure to roast carp and eat it with potato salad. Dessert dishes are gingerbread and cookies.

Portugal

The Portuguese love to eat grapes on New Year's Eve. They believe that wine berries are a symbol of prosperity and happiness in the family. As soon as the clock starts chiming 12 times, the Portuguese try to contrive to eat 12 grapes. How many grapes, so many desires. The same custom exists in Italy.

Among the traditional dishes of Portuguese cuisine on the Christmas table, you can often find octopus in rice, roast lamb or goat meat. The Portuguese pay special attention to pastries. Bolorei Christmas cake - this dessert should be tried by every guest of this beautiful country who finds himself here during the Christmas holidays.

Denmark

A classic Danish dish is roast goose stuffed with dried fruit. This dish is put on the table with a golden crust. An alternative would be roasted pork. It is served with potatoes and red cabbage salad.

A traditional Danish dessert, grutze, is rice porridge seasoned with toasted almonds and a very thick berry jelly. The Danes drink, as a rule, mulled wine or beer.

Iceland

Icelanders traditionally roast venison and ferment herring. The latter is mainly consumed in a restaurant or ordered already cooked at home, since the room may smell bad during cooking.

Also often on the Christmas table of the Icelanders you can find a baked turkey, leg of lamb or pork.

Poland

Polish housewives prepare exactly 12 different treats for the New Year's table. The main condition of the dishes is the absence of meat. The queen of the table is fish cooked in different ways: baked, aspic, fried.

For Poles, fish symbolizes family well-being. And the fish is one of the symbols of the Christian faith. Fish is served with soups, cereals, potatoes, kutya, dumplings, apples, nuts and various pastries.

Netherlands

The Dutch consider donuts, which are deep-fried and sprinkled with powdered sugar, the main New Year's dish. In addition, all the main main dishes contain salted beans, which are considered to be the traditional food of the Dutch.

But dishes of traditional European cuisine are also obligatory on the festive table of the Netherlands. This is fried beef, pheasant, glazed ham. American culture has also made its own adjustments to the Christmas menu, supplementing it with roast turkey.

From the former Dutch colony - Indonesia, one interesting New Year's custom came to the country. Each guest, coming to the house for the holidays, brings with him a small frying pan with some kind of festive dish, which is laid out on the common table.

The Nepalese New Year takes place in April. This holiday has a unique name - Bisket Jatra. Nepalese do not so much pay attention to a rich table as to spectacles. Noisy musical theatrical shows are popular. When the Nepalese get to the table, there are usually dishes from the cuisines of India and Tibet. The most common lentil dish is dhal baht.

Mexico

Residents of Mexico prefer spicy dishes. That is why romeritos appear on the festive table of Mexicans as an obligatory attribute.

This exotic is prepared from dried shrimp, potatoes and a plant similar to rosemary. In addition, according to tradition, stuffed turkey is eaten, a lot of corn and beans and sweet bunuelos pancakes. Mexicans like to drink tequila, punch or light wine.

Vietnam

The Vietnamese call the New Year Tet and they celebrate this holiday on lunar calendar. Each year, New Year's Day falls on a different date between January 20 and February 20. The ingredients of the festive dishes are rice and meat.

Vietnamese delicacies include pork in coconut milk and banh chung pie. The technology for preparing banh chung is as follows: mixed rice with pork is wrapped in bamboo leaves, after which it is all fried.

Japan

Unlike European countries and America, where Christmas is considered the main winter holiday, New Year is such here.

The Japanese New Year's table here is noticeably different from the rest of the world. The Japanese call their New Year's dishes in one word - osechi-ryori. These are usually boiled seaweed, fish cake, sweet potato puree with chestnuts, and sweet soy.

It's hard to imagine New Year's festivities without traditional Japanese mochi cakes made from glutinous rice. There are a lot of varieties of mochi, the Japanese love to give them as gifts to relatives and friends.

The symbolic food of the Japanese is chestnuts. In Japan, it is believed that by eating chestnuts, a person will be successful in all his affairs. For this reason, chestnuts are added to many New Year's dishes: side dishes and desserts. Chestnuts, as ingredients, are also in mochi cakes made from boiled rice. New Year's table Japanese will be incomplete if it does not have seaweed, beans and herring caviar.

America

In the USA, as in many other countries, they prefer to cook a turkey stuffed with vegetables or apples for Christmas. The cooking method is special. The festive bird is stuffed with everything that is in the refrigerator.

Some Americans prepare a drink called eggnog for the holiday, which consists of eggs, powdered sugar, brandy and milk.

Canada

Canadians celebrate the New Year just like the British or Americans do: with stuffed turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, vegetables, and raisin pudding for dessert. Sweet treats on Canadian holiday tables include buttercream cakes and shortbread cookies.

Australia

Here, Christmas is celebrated in the middle of summer (in the Southern Hemisphere of the planet December and January are the summer months), so, according to tradition, the family goes out into the countryside and barbecues. Favorite dessert is strawberry meringue or ice cream.

And you can find out about the most in one of the articles on our website.

Argentina

Argentines also celebrate the New Year with Christmas in the summer. The main course is veal and tuna seasoned with sauce or mayonnaise. You can't do without capers. Europeans do not understand such an explosive combination, but the Argentines assure that it is very tasty.

Each country celebrates Christmas and New Year in its own way, sacredly adhering to the ancient traditions inherent in the nation. Things are quite different in the so-called "state of emigrants" - the United States of America. Native American traditions and rituals have undergone significant changes over time due to the multinationality of the state. Today, during the Christmas holidays, Americans combine secular and religious customs with family customs. The mixture of rituals and traditions makes Christmas in the USA special.

Every child knows what date Christmas is celebrated in America. It is celebrated on December 25th. The date of this holiday is unchanged. This is the most beloved, bright and significant holiday. Today, on this day, the streets, buildings, houses and trees are sparkling with decorations, store shelves are bursting with gifts, and children are looking forward to Santa Claus. But it was not always so. The mass holiday began to be celebrated only from the end of the 19th century. Prior to this, its celebration in the New World was completely banned.

Christmas became an official holiday in the United States only in 1870. The first National Christmas tree decorated the square in front of the White House only in 1891. And Christmas was recognized as a national holiday in 1895.

We celebrate like everyone else, but in our own way

Christmas in the USA can be safely called an international holiday, since the custom of decorating a Christmas tree came from Germany, and the Americans learned to sing Christmas carols from the British. The traditions of other nations, which were to the taste of the majority, turned over time into pan-American ones. But there are also those that are truly family or national in nature, they are honored and observed by representatives of certain nationalities.

So, Poles living in the states, on the eve of the holiday, put hay on the floor and under the tablecloth, as a symbol of the bed in the barn where Jesus was born. On the festive table this evening there are: beetroot soup, various dishes of fish, vegetables, mushrooms, and a mixture of honey and poppy seeds, which is called "sweet meat", serves as a dessert.

Hungarians pay special attention to the church service and cannot imagine a holiday without Christmas carols. For dinner that evening they prepare dumplings, rolls with nuts and poppy seeds, spiced biscuits and much more.

In the southern states, Christmas traditions are much more fun: Christmas Eve is celebrated there with salutes and fireworks. This is due to a belief that says that the roar from volleys scares away evil spirits. Hawaiian Santa Claus comes to children not on reindeer, but sails on a boat, in California - on a surfboard. And in New Mexico, houses, or rather their roofs, are lit up with lights that illuminate the path of Christ.

How do northern regions celebrate this magical holiday? Everything is a little more original there, not at all like in America. In Alaska, for example, on the night of December 25, children walk in groups from house to house with songs and lanterns, they hold large stars made of shiny materials in their hands. The owners treat them with various sweets. The next day, these same evangelists, disguised as Herod's retinue, look everywhere for the baby Jesus in order to destroy him.

Christmas dishes

In America, the holiday begins with a family dinner: almost all Americans celebrate Christmas Eve with the whole family and always in the parental home. They sit down at the table only after the appearance of the first star in the sky. Before the start of the meal, prayers glorifying God are usually read. Then everyone should eat a piece of sacred bread.

At Christmas, Americans drink red wine, eat traditional dishes: cabbage and bean soup, homemade sausages, fish, potato pie. On the Christmas table there are certainly prunes and green peas - essential attributes. The main Christmas dish for Americans with Scottish roots is stuffed turkey.

For dessert, they eat sweet pudding or pie. In addition to wine, rum punch, brandy and an egg-nog cocktail are served on the table - a drink with the addition of cream, mashed yolk, and, if desired, something alcoholic.

About gifts

In America, gifts are one of the most important family traditions- Americans with great pleasure spend a lot of time in shopping and special centers in search of a cherished surprise.

The Christmas sales period begins on the fourth Thursday of November, after Thanksgiving. It is followed by the well-known Black Friday. For many, this day is a day off, and people rush headlong to the shops in order to have time to buy gifts for all their relatives, relatives and friends.

What can be gifts? Various: from greeting cards with the image of New Year and Christmas symbols and sweets to souvenirs and serious presents, often associated with hobbies or the field of human activity. Americans exchange gifts after the gala dinner.

And the New Year?

The week after Christmas is much calmer, as many US residents may have only one or two days off during this holiday period, everyone is looking forward to the New Year.

On this magical night, Americans are walking to the fullest. The main places of celebration are restaurants, clubs and theaters. Around is noisy and fun. Fireworks sparkle in the air, sirens and cars sound announcing the New Year, shots of champagne corks are heard everywhere, and residents have fun and congratulate each other on a festive event.

Vocabulary on the topic "Christmas"

• Christmas (abbr. Xmas) ["krɪsməs] - Christmas (Christ's)
• Christmas eve ["krɪsməsˌiːv] - Christmas Eve
• Jesus ["ʤiːzəs] - Jesus Christ
• new year [ˌnjuː"jɪəˌ-"jɜː] - new year
• New Year's Day [ˌnjuːˌjɪəzˈdeɪ] - January 1
• New Year's Eve [ˌnjuːˌjɪəzˈiːv] - December 31
• Santa Claus [ˈsæn.təˌklɔːz] - Santa Claus
• sleigh
• reindeer ["reɪndɪə] - reindeer
• (Christmas) holiday ["hɔlədeɪ] - holidays
• Christmas tree ["krɪsməsˌtriː] - Christmas tree
• fireplace ["faɪəpleɪs] - fireplace
• mistletoe ["mɪsltəu] - mistletoe (traditional home decoration for Christmas)
• holly ["hɔlɪ] - holly (holly, evergreen with red fruits, Christmas decoration)
• present ["prez (ə) nt] - gift
• Father Christmas - Brit. Santa Claus, Santa Claus
• Christmas stocking - stocking for Christmas gifts for children
• Christmas cracker - cracker; Christmas-tree decorations - Christmas decorations
• Christmas card - Christmas card
• mince pie - sweet stuffed pie (from raisins, almonds)
• Christmas pudding - Brit. Christmas pudding with candied fruits and spices
• Christmas cake - Christmas cake (fruit)
• turkey - turkey; candy cane - lollipop in the form of a stick
• tinsel - sequins, tinsel;
• ornament - decoration, ornament
• candle - candle
• chimney - pipe, chimney
• jolly - cheerful, joyful, festive
• jingle bell - bell, bell (in a horse harness)
• firework - fireworks, salute.

A kaleidoscope of New Year and Christmas traditions from different countries can be viewed for hours. Of course, it is best to compile it on your own experience, but while each of us has a collection of such observations, the Just There portal invites you to see the colorful world of traditions of other countries through the eyes of those who represent them.

With questions about new year holidays and Christmas secrets we turned to Alexe Landrum, a girl who studied for several years in Vladivostok and then returned to her native Texas.

Alexa, hello! We wish you a Merry Christmas and, at the same time, a Happy New Year! How is Christmas and New Year traditionally celebrated in your country and state?

In the US, Christmas is much more important than the New Year, because for many it is, first of all, a religious holiday that symbolizes the birth of Christ. Christmas is celebrated on December 25th. On the eve of this day, on Christmas Eve, theatrical performances showing the birth of Jesus are held in all churches. Also on this day, people get together, sing carols and arrange Christmas readings. Santa Claus and gifts are just an amazing added bonus to the celebration of Christmas, the main essence of the holiday for the people of the USA is, of course, not in this.

Christmas is considered a family holiday, so on the eve of Christmas everyone usually goes somewhere to spend time with our relatives and friends. On December 25, we gather with the whole family in order to exchange gifts and have dinner.

Each family has its own traditions, many of which have been passed down from generation to generation. So, how we celebrate Christmas can be very different from how other families celebrate this holiday.

The Christmas tree, for example, is decorated by most people I know, including my family, at the very beginning of December.

What is the menu holiday table, what dishes should be obligatory? What is usually cooked in your family on this day?

My family usually cooks turkey, ham, salad, sauce or gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, corn casserole, cranberry sauce, lettuce, and mac and cheese for Christmas. A holiday is not complete without desserts: pumpkin, cherry and walnut pies, fudge and cookies - this is what we usually treat ourselves to at Christmas.

My family is quite large, about 30 people, and December 25 is held at my great-grandfather's house.

This year, for Christmas, we decided to cook not only traditional dishes for this holiday, but also dishes such as lasagna, spaghetti, meatballs and garlic bread.

Have you ever celebrated New Year in Russia? Did you like it?

Yes, of course, I celebrated the New Year in Russia! I can say that this celebration was very different from how they celebrate the New Year in America. In Russia I spent the night with my Russian friends and with my family. That was great! We ate Olivier salad and sardines on bread and butter. In Texas, we never even tried that. And also, Santa Claus came to us, he gave us gifts. It was an amazing night. Celebrating the New Year in Russia is one of the things I miss in the States right now.

What is usually served for breakfast in an American family?

During the holidays, breakfast on our table is completely different. My father is very fond of waking up early and preparing morning meals for the whole family. As a rule, he prepares breakfast, which consists of an omelet, cheese and bacon wrapped in a tortilla - Tex-Mex. Many Texans and other Americans like to add hot sauce or salsa to their tortillas, whichever they prefer. On other holidays, there are usually pancakes on the table, cereals or oatmeal.

Reference: "Tex-Mex", Tex-Mex cuisine, also Techno - a local variety of American cuisine in the Southwestern United States of America, in which food products available in the United States are combined with Mexican culinary traditions.

As for national dishes, what do you think is a must-try when visiting America for the first time? What to bring as a gift? Where to visit?

If you are planning to visit America for the first time, then barbecue is something you should definitely try! Each state has its own, special taste of barbecue.
If you want to bring something as a gift to your American friends, then you should know that we love chocolate, alcohol, as well as your traditional souvenirs: nesting dolls, amber and Khokhloma.

In the USA, indeed, there is something to see. I know that many Russians dream of visiting New York and California, but there are actually many more wonderful places in America! New York and California are just a small part of the USA. I would advise all tourists to rent a car and drive through those places in America that are not so often talked about. Look at our villages, national and state parks. I know I'm talking about this emotionally because I live in Texas and I love my state, my country very much. Dallas also has some great museums, including the Kennedy Museum.

I like traveling very much. One of the secrets I learned during my travels was the secret to properly packing bags. Many airlines require you to pay for excess baggage if the passenger has too much big bag. I want to tell you that in America, as in Russia, there are pharmacies and grocery stores on almost every corner, which means that many items can be bought right there, upon arrival. I used to take too many pairs of trousers, skirts, sweaters with me. Now I take with me as few clothes as possible and I always buy myself a couple of things in the place where I came to visit.

I think that for me all these clothes are great souvenirs, because every time I wear something from what I bought in another country, I mentally return to the place where I felt so good.

I hope that if you want to celebrate the winter holidays in America, then now you are definitely fully equipped. Happy New Year!