Although the Christmas is celebrated all round there are few places that pour in as much time, effort and money as the United States.
And it has paid off, with many popular features of the winter holiday from Christmas lights to the jolly red Santa Claus finding their origins in North America.
It also provides a big boost to the US economy. Holiday retail sales are forecast to exceed about $940 billion (£760bn) this year, a steady year on year rise.
