What do Americans do over the Christmas break?

[Trahna]

Thank you to those who helped with my query on the grooms parents role in a wedding, which I posted on the FAQ/new member forum. Aussie mother is now feeling a 'little' less stressed.
Have another query for you all?
American Mom is coming to visit her daughter, future son-in-law and the Australian in-laws for Christmas.
What traditions do Americans have over Christmas? They want to show her an aussie Christmas but would like to add a little American touch to make her feel at home.
What do you suggest?
We open presents on Christmas morning, I have heard that Americans often open their presents on the evening of Christmas Eve.
Also she is Catholic, we have a midnight mass she could attend, do you have midnight mass in the 'states'?
Thanks

[theweddinghelper]

We have always opened our gifts on Christmas morning but if it's a good Christmas, we will pick one gift under the tree to open on Christmas Eve. :)
I am not Catholic myself, but I have heard of Midnight Masses here as well.

[WebLady]

It sounds like your Christmas is pretty much the same as most here.

We open gifts from out family on Christmas Eve, when we were little we opened big gifts on Christmas morning. Now we spent Christmas day with the in laws.

You have a Christmas tree? I can't really think of any other things right now.

As for Catholic mass, I am not Catholic myself, but I know the Midnight Masses is common here.

[theweddinghelper]

Oh yeah, Christmas trees are a must! LOL! :)
I also like to make homemade Eggnog and bake Christmas cookies for friends and family as well.

[WebLady]

Oh yeah, Christmas trees are a must! LOL! :)
I also like to make homemade Eggnog and bake Christmas cookies for friends and family as well.
I bake cookies too, though I usually buy the mix ;)

[Trahna]

Eggnog, is not traditional here in OZ. Do you have a recipe?
Christmas Cookies - are they a basic cookie that is then shaped in Bells/trees/angels or is it a particular recipe?
Thanks for your help

[ladymelissa]

I have heard of midnight mass.

Christmas cookies are a general term for all cookies, make what ever you like: choc. chip, sugar cookies (can be rolled and cut with Christmas cookie cutters), peanut butter, or those snowball like cookies sometimes referred to as Russian tea cakes or sometimes wedding cakes.

We always opened our gifts on Christmas, usually we would open just one on Christmas eve. If there are any children involved they will most likely be hoping for presents from Santa to be found under the tree Christmas morning as well as a fully stocked stocking.

We also leave out cookies and milk for Santa and a carrot for the reindeer before we go to bed on Christmas eve and our parents would eat the cookies, drink the milk and take a bite or two out of the carrot, so we thought Santa had been there.

We also have an elaborate meal on Christmas usually a prime rib roast or sometimes turkey or ham and a bunch of complimentary side dishes.

[MOB Karen]

First I would like to say how thoughtful this is of you. This is really going out of your way to make these Americans feel welcome in your country. I think that is very kind of you. Thank you! :)
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We Americans usually just buy a carton of Eggnog from the corner grocery store. But since it doesn't look like you're going to be able to do that, I found this recipe from the Food Network (it has the best recipes).

Mama's Eggnog
Recipe courtesy Paula Deen
Show: Paula's Home Cooking (http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_pa/0,1976,FOOD_10234,00.html)
Episode: Christmas (http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_pa/episode/0,1976,FOOD_10234_21190,00.html)

http://images.scrippsweb.com/FOOD/2003/09/29/pa1a04_eggnog_e.jpg

6 egg, separated*
3/4 cup sugar
1 pint heavy cream
4 pints milk
1/2 pint Bourbon
1 tablespoon vanilla
Nutmeg

In a bowl beat the egg yolks with the 1/2 cup of sugar until thick. In another bowl beat the egg whites with 1/4 cup of sugar until thick. In a third bowl beat the cream until thick. Add the cream to the yolks, fold in the egg whites, and add the milk, Bourbon, vanilla, and a pinch of nutmeg, if desired. Chill in freezer before serving.
Serve eggnog in a large punch bowl.

*RAW EGG WARNING
Food Network Kitchens suggest caution in consuming raw and lightly-cooked eggs due to the slight risk of Salmonella or other food-borne illness. To reduce this risk, we recommend you use only fresh, properly-refrigerated, clean, grade A or AA eggs with intact shells, and avoid contact between the yolks or whites and the shell.

[BriansBride07]

I am catholic and Yes most all churches in all states will celebrate midnight mass it is truely beautiful to say the least.

Me and the kids bake cookies of all kinds.
We open one presant the night before christmas,
Then on christmas morning they open there presents and we have a big breakfeast. Then we are off in the afternoon to celebrate christmas with my parents and have a big christmas dinner.

[theweddinghelper]

I will get my Mother's recipe for Eggnog as well, She makes the BEST Eggnog!
(We usually make one w/ alcohol and one w/out.) As far as our cookies go, we do a basic sugar cookie and cut them out in Christmas shapes, we make some gingerbread men, lemon bars, butterscotch chip, and anything else we like. :)