Julie is a hot mess. NO ONE in the US makes a Birthday cake for baby Jesus! (And I agree- it's eggnog, or just copious amounts of scotch/bourbon/gin after having spent a day dealing with one's relatives are more traditional- and for the non-alcohol crowd, it is hot cocoa with copious amounts of whipped cream. Very few Yanks drink cider- a few, but not many.) In the US- one leaves sugar cookies, cocoa (or milk) for Santa, and carrots and sugar cubes for the reindeer (ironically, Julie was raised in Illinois, but vey, she'd think she was raised on another planet. I'd forgive her for being a Bears fan- American football, but don't misquote Yank traditions!) SMH.