ManydepartmentstoreshirepeopletowearaSantaClauscostumeandlistentochildrensrequests.在英国，圣诞老人也叫“FatherChristmas”。InGreatBritainSantaClausisalsocalledFatherChristmas.圣诞节前几周，孩子们就开始写信给圣诞老人，告诉他自己想要什么礼物。DuringtheweeksbeforeChristmas,childrenwriteletterstoFatherChristmasandtellhimwhatpresentstheywouldliketoreceive.然后他们把信扔进壁炉的火里。Theythenthrowtheselettersintothefire.他们相信，如果上升的气流把灰烬顺烟囱带了上去，他们的愿望便会得到满足。Childrenbelievethatifadraftdrawstheletterupthroughthechimney,theirwisheswillbefulfilled.

在美国，圣诞节宴席上的传统食物有填馅的火鸡、土豆泥、越橘酱等。AtraditionalChristmasdinnerinAmericaincludesstuffedturkey(火鸡),mashedpotatoes,cranberrysauce(越橘酱),andavarietyofotherdishes.烤火鸡不但在美国，在加拿大、澳大利亚和新西兰也是圣诞宴席上最普遍的主菜。RoastturkeyisthemostpopularmaincoursenotonlyintheUnitedStates,butalsoinCanada,Australia,andNewZealand.也有的人家不吃火鸡，而吃火腿或烤鹅。Somefamilieshavehamorroastgooseinsteadofturkey.人们最喜欢的饭后甜点包括甜馅饼或南瓜馅饼、李子布丁和水果蛋糕。Favoritedessertsincludemincepieorpumpkinpie,plumpuddingandfruitcake.蛋奶酒是许多家庭喜欢的饮料。EggnogisapopularChristmasbeverage(饮料)inmanyhomes.在英国，圣诞宴在中午举行，传统食品有烤火鸡或烤鹅、圣诞布丁、甜馅饼和葡萄酒。InBritain,Christmasdinneriseatenatnoon,andthedinnerusuallyincludesroastturkeyorgoose,Christmaspuddingwithmincepies,andaccompaniedbywine.