Gift-giving became extermely popular in 1100, when St. Nicholas brought presents to children on the eve of his feast day, December 6th. Many people attend church services on Christmas Eve or morning. The Christmas Eve service is usually called midnight Mass. Churches are decorated with evergreen branches, red poinsettias, and scenes of the Nativity. After a family goes to a Christmas morning church service, or finishes opening their presents, they start the big feast. A traditional Christmas dinner includes stuffed turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and a variety of other dishes.
Some families have ham or roast goose instead of turkey.
Favorite desserts include fruit cake, plum pudding, pumpkin pie, and mince pie. Also, eggnog is a very popular beverage in many homes during Christmas. The excitment of Christmas dies down by evening. Children can be found gathered together, showing each other what they received that day. The family takes the time on Christmas night to relax.