My First Christmas in America - Discovering New Traditions and Snow

In December 2022, I came to Texas to start my graduate school journey, just in time to experience my first Christmas in the United States. 

The Christmas traditions here completely differed from the ones I knew and cherished in India. In India, Christmas was celebrated with quiet church services, intimate family meals, simple decorations and gift exchanges. 

However, in Texas, everything is bigger in Texas. Christmas here was grand and vibrant. The streets were decorated with sparkling lights, Christmas gifts were brought, and there were parades and photo opportunities with Santa. It was like living in a winter fairy tale. 

In India, the focus was on the decorations and having communal gatherings at churches. But in the U.S., Christmas celebrations were usually centered around the family with lots of food and Christmas gifts. 

The most enchanting moment was when I experienced snow for the first time on campus. In that moment, I felt like I was in a movie. 

Spending Christmas with my friends was such a wonderful experience. The twinkling lights, the warmth of exchanging “Merry Christmas” with strangers, visiting streets adorned with lights and decorations, it all made my Texan Christmas unforgettable. 

As we enter the holiday season and welcome in the new year, looking back on my first American Christmas, I learned about beautiful new traditions I had never seen before. From dazzling light displays to cookie exchanges to carolers strolling the streets, I have come to appreciate the unique cultural differences that make each celebration special across countries. 

I am excited to celebrate future Christmases and create even more cherished moments with my loved ones here.  

We’d love to hear about your first Texas Christmas. So, if this is your first Christmas in Texas, or you would like to tell us about your first Christmas experience in Texas, please leave a comment below.  

- This column was written by Amulya Yakkala, who is an Editorial Assistant with the UTA Libraries Marketing and Communication Department.