Christmas for New Americans

December 25, 2002

Source: The Seattle Times

On December 25, 2002 The Seattle Times reported that "newcomers face many adjustments as they begin new lives here. Learning about American Christmas customs is one of them. Depending on their heritage and religion, some enjoy blending American traditions with their own. Others from non-Christian backgrounds may simply watch from the sidelines. For some of the approximately 1 million immigrants and refugees who enter the U.S. each year, the festivities embody the American dream they harbored for years before they arrived. Many are awed by the profusion of lights, trees and decorations, and by the abundance of food and gifts."