[Keep in mind that Emily’s views come from an orphanage and are not always reflective of Russia, in general. Also, it will help you to understand more if you know that St. Nicolas (The Russian patron Saint of Christmas and children) was a huge part of the Russian Christmas culture before the USSR and communism. When the communists “put a wet blanket” on religion, they substituted “Dyed Morose” (Grandfather Frost) and his granddaughter, Snegurochka (The Little Snow Girl) for St. Nicolas. Since that time, Dyed Morose and Snegurochka have left gifts and candies for children for the New Year. Now, since the fall of the USSR, for many, the two holidays (Christmas and the New Year) kind of run together.]

Beginning, in Russia Christmas is not a real Christmas because in Russia Christmas is not very special. But [in] reality people open presents in the Christmas. They eat like a chicken and lots of bread. In the Christmas they have Snegurochka and Dyed Morose. We never have Christmas Eve but we did have Christmas Day. We have school day on Christmas. I went to Natasha’s house, sometimes and I open gifts like apples and oranges. We not have as many presents because nobody can afford it.

Sometimes American people come and give us toys. It’s very cold in Russia in the Christmas Day. Sometimes it’s sunny, but it’s still cold. We sometimes sing a song about Snegurochka and Dyed Morose and also people dance.

Christmas different in America than Russia because America have more holidays. They have oldies clothes and music. We decorate a tree like old tree and we have sometimes potatoes and we have Solyanka and Pelmeni and Borsch and we eat sometimes more. People need help like get Christmas because kids need decorations, also. In the Christmas Day kids sometimes help with cook food. They have old houses. They have old church by Natasha’s house. They decorate Christmas tree like with oranges and apples. But [in] reality some countries is different. They bake sometimes cookies in Russia like Russian creamy cookies. And also they may bake orange rolls. They have in the Christmas Day white milk with hot chocolate.

In the Christmas Day we have put on the tree ornaments and sometimes I go to Natasha’s house and put ornaments to her tree. We cut Christmas tree like with saw and it’s hard for everyone in the orphinige on Christmas Day. We have a bag, it looks like a stocking.

America different than Russia because they have a stockings and Christmas trees and open differently presents. We have lots of snow in Russia and also we sled in the snow. My friend, Natasha, she have a sled to go in the snow. In Russia they have more snow than in the America. They drink white egg nog in Christmas Day in Russia. They have different names for Santa Claus. In Russia name is Dyed Morose. We take pictures and also reading a children’s Christmas story.

I don’t know if we ski in Russia or [have] snowmobiling. I never saw it. They have ushanka hat [typical Russian fur hat] and we have a beanie hat. Children been excited for Christmas Day because some kids drink more often white milk and some with creamy cookies.

I love Christmas because in Russia never have a time more good [than] in Christmas Day. I love my family adopted me and that I come to the America to celebrate the Christmas Day.

Thank you reading my thoughts about me and my family. Thank you so much for helping me.

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