Spending the holiday season in the United States feels magical as holiday decorations pop up all over cities, holiday music is played on repeat, and everyone is filled with holiday cheer. Immerse yourself in American holiday festivities to deepen your knowledge of American culture and share with Americans your favorite holiday traditions from your home country.

Tree Decoration

Whether you chop it down yourself, buy it at a tree farm, or purchase an artificial one, a holiday tree brings the magic of the holidays inside your home. Decorating a tree is a festivity that many Americans enjoy. Join in the fun by choosing a tree with your roommates and setting it up in your living room. Big, small, real, fake – it doesn’t matter! There are many beautiful ornaments to choose in local shops and take back to your home country as a souvenir, or you can craft your own tree decorations. There are countless DIY ideas to choose from! For example, popcorn garland, pom pom garland, felt ornaments, pipe cleaner ornaments, popsicle stick sleds, 3D paper snowmen, salt dough ornaments, and origami ornaments.

Holiday Lights Displays

During the holidays, millions of lights adorn homes, businesses, and downtown areas. Seeing the sparkling lights is a magical experience for anyone of any age, and each city has unique offerings. In San Diego, California, there is annual boat parade featuring 80 holiday decorated boats. In Atlanta, Georgia, their botanical gardens brilliantly shines with thousands of lights. In Key West, Florida, a trolley tour takes you through residential neighborhoods to see award-winning light displays while playing holiday music. Explore your city’s event page to see what wonderous light events are near you! You can also create an enchanting display of your own with holiday lights inside or outside your home.

Holiday Movies

Watching holiday movies based in the United States is cozy way to learn about American culture during the holiday season. Curl up with hot cocoa and transport yourself into American life with favorites like Christmas with the Kranks, The Santa Clause, and The Family Stone. 

Cookie Decoration

Gingerbread, snowballs, white chocolate peppermint, shortbread, sugar cookies - there are so many wonderful cookies to gobble up during the holidays. Our personal favorite is sugar cookies because you can add your own artistic flare onto them. They can be decorated as simple or as elaborate as you like. Bake cookies, pop on some holiday tunes, and host a cookie decorating party with your friends! It’s exciting to see how many different designs everyone creates. If CDC guidelines don’t allow gatherings, then make the party virtual – safe and just as fun! 

Snow

Snow is a simple way to enjoy the holiday season! Lie in the snow and do a jumping jack motion with your arms and legs. This will leave an imprint of you in the snow that mimics an angel. For more fun, gather snow in your hand and roll it into a ball. Do this two more times, with the balls decreasing in size. Assemble them one on top of the other, with the larger at the bottom. Collect a couple of stick for arms, and you’ll have a snowman! Once you’ve mastered a small snowman, graduate to making a larger snowman – one your size! Finally, arguably the most excitment you can have with snow, a snowball fight! Gather balls of snow in your hands and launch it at your friends. Of course, this is all in good fun, so make sure your friends are as willing to play this game as you are before the first throw!

Are you living in a warm environment? Sand can work just as well for sand angels and sandmen. However, we don’t recommend sandball fights!

Holiday Sweater 

A holiday sweater is a fashion staple that should be in everyone’s closet. With styles ranging from classically cute reindeers to humorously ugly homemade, there’s a sweater for each personality. If you can’t find a sweater you love, it’s the perfect opportunity to show your creativity and create your own holiday sweater. All you need is a glue gun and imagination. Host a holiday sweater party with friends and co-workers and have all guests vote for their favorite! Again, this can be done virtually to adhere to CDC guidelines!

We look forward to seeing how our participants embrace the holiday season and engage with American traditions.

Share your activities with us on social media - @wwceusa!