by Kathleen Hamblen

The most commonly celebrated holidays in the United States are the 25th of December, Christmas; Thanksgiving which falls on a floating Thursday in November; Halloween on the 31st of October; and Independence Day, the Fourth of July. The last Thursday in November is when the official start of the holiday season in the United States begins. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the most travelled day of the year and is also the day that most people find themselves in their hometown bars reminiscing on childhood friendships and memories. After gobbling down a feast of typical Thanksgiving food, a marketing-based holiday has emerged, Black Friday. Some stores open their doors at midnight on Thanksgiving night, while the customers anticipate the opening to embark in the hottest shopping day of the year and finally snag the products they have eagerly been watching.

The extended weekend of Thanksgiving is taken advantage of by travelling and also to prepare for the holiday-filled month of December. In the northern states, like Indiana, many families travel to the nearest Christmas Tree Farm to choose the ideal real evergreen tree for their home. That 's right! It is officially time to pull out the Christmas decorations, hanging mistletoes in the doorways for the unexpected to share a kiss under, tinsel and ornaments on the tree, and a wreath on every front door. To entice the Christmas spirit, there should be the smell of cookies baking and songs like ¨White Christmas¨ or ¨Jingle Bell Rock¨ playing in the background. A popular news outlet airs the special ¨The 25 Days of Christmas¨ movies, which plays a famous Christmas film each night at 8:00 pm.

By the time Christmas rolls around, your grandparents already have the hams or turkeys bought in the freezer, sweet desserts baked like an array of sugar cookies or fruit pies.The 24th of December, Christmas Eve, is celebrated by having a meal with your large, extended family. Then on the morning of Christmas, children are greeted by the Christmas presents left by Santa Claus and his 12 reindeer friends that guide his sleigh. It is taunted by their parents that the children ́s behavior depends if they are placed on the naught list and will receive coal as their present or the nice list. A modern Christmas is called the ¨Elf on the Shelf,¨ who is supposed to represent one of Santa's helpers and watch their behavior and report it back to Santa, as incentive for the children to receive nice presents.

When I was younger, I spent Christmas in Indiana with my family. I especially enjoyed when it snowed, making the day into a winter wonderland and a better excuse to stay at home, having a warm glass of hot chocolate with marshmallows, eating all the delicious food, and playing with all your newly unwrapped Christmas toys. After celebrating the Christmas traditions with your family, it is not unheard of to return to work until New Year's Eve. Although, education institutions have an extended vacation period for three weeks more or less.

After all the excitement of Christmas approaches another entertaining holiday, New Year's Eve. On New Year's Eve, the party-goers or people 21 and over find a group of their closest friends to partake in having a large dinner then head out to the bars and clubs awaiting the clock to strike midnight with a glass of champagne in hand. With the audience at home, also, partakes in a large meal serving the children sparkling grape juice, watching the news in New York waiting to watch the ball drop, with confetti poppers in hand. As the countdown begins starting from 10 seconds ¨...3...2...1.¨ People shout, hug their loved ones and share a New Year's kiss. The next day, my grandmother always made a typical dish called ¨Pigs in a Blanket,¨ stuffed ground meat and spices in wrapped cabbage with a tomato sauce. No matter where you spend your holidays, I think it is universally agreed that its a magical time of year spent with your loved ones.