Does Santa visit the Amish?

No, Santa Claus generally does not visit Amish homes; their Christmas focus is entirely on the religious meaning of Christ's birth, avoiding secular figures like Santa, extensive decorations, and big piles of gifts, though they do celebrate with simple traditions like family feasts, handmade cards, and small, practical gifts.

Do the Amish do Santa?

No Christmas trees. No evergreen wreaths. No Santa Claus.

Do Amish kids get Christmas presents?

2. Do the Amish give gifts at Christmas? Some families exchange gifts, and some do not. It's a purely personal preference of expressing love to one another and celebrating the joy and hope that comes with Christmas Day and the birth of Christ.

Do Amish accept Jesus?

Yes, the Amish are devout Christians who believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Savior, and part of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Their faith centers on Jesus's teachings, sacrifice for sins, and resurrection, but their expression of this belief heavily emphasizes a separated, simple lifestyle and obedience to church rules (the Ordnung) as a path to salvation, differing from some modern Protestant views that focus solely on grace.
 

Do Amish celebrate Christmas on December 25th?

Amish actually celebrate Christmas twice, once on the standard date of Dec. 25, and again on Jan. 6, commonly referred to as Old Christmas. In higher religions, that day is known as Epiphany.

5 Ways the Amish Celebrate Christmas

Why do Amish remove their teeth?

Amish people sometimes have teeth removed, often by unlicensed local "dentists," to avoid the high costs of modern dental care, view dentures as a simpler, cheaper solution, or as a cultural practice (like a rite of passage or pre-marriage), but this is often due to poverty, isolation from mainstream healthcare, and traditional practices, leading to poor oral health and reliance on extractions rather than fillings or crowns. 

How do Amish say "Merry Christmas"?

To say "Merry Christmas" in the language often spoken by Amish communities, you say "Frehlicher Grischtdaag!", which is Pennsylvania Dutch (Deitsch) for Merry Christmas. You might also hear variations like "Halakish dog," but "Frehlicher Grischtdaag" is the common translation, blending German and English roots for a joyous holiday greeting, according to this Facebook video. 

Can Amish use condoms?

While generally discouraged or forbidden by religious doctrine (Ordnung) in most Old Order Amish communities, as children are seen as blessings from God, some Amish individuals, especially in less traditional groups or facing health/financial hardships, may quietly use natural family planning or even modern contraception, though this isn't openly endorsed and can vary. Condoms, as a modern birth control method, fall under these general restrictions but exceptions occur, particularly in more liberal communities or where economic pressures mount. 

At what age do Amish girls marry?

Amish girls typically get married in their early 20s, often between ages 20 and 22, usually shortly after being baptized into the church during their late teens or early twenties, with dating starting around 16 and partners found at social events like Sunday singings. 

Do Amish have SSN numbers?

No, most Amish people do not have Social Security Numbers (SSNs) due to religious objections to government welfare and numbering systems, but they can get an exemption from paying Social Security taxes by filing IRS Form 4029, allowing them to live and work without an SSN, though some may get a special ID number for banking/identity purposes. They still pay other taxes like income, sales, and property taxes, fulfilling their "render unto Caesar" duty. 

How many wifes can Amish have?

Amish men can only have one wife at a time, as polygamy is not practiced in their faith; marriage is seen as a permanent, monogamous union, though remarriage is common if a spouse dies, and divorce is strongly discouraged but allowed in extreme cases like abuse. They emphasize lifelong commitment, focusing on large families within their community, not multiple spouses, though they do allow marrying cousins.
 

Do Amish parents hug their children?

Yes, Amish parents hug their children and show affection, but it's often more private and less demonstrative in public, focusing on quiet care, loyalty, and acts of service as primary expressions of love, while overt emotional displays are generally reserved for the family setting. They express love through nurturing, providing, and building strong family bonds, with physical touch like hugs being common within the home. 

What must an Amish bride do on her wedding night?

On their wedding night, an Amish woman and her new husband spend their first night at the bride's home, where they sleep, often with pranks from friends, and wake early to help clean up after the large wedding feast, with their "honeymoon" being a series of weekend visits to relatives to receive gifts and start their new life, living with parents until they set up their own home. 

How often do Amish people shower?

Amish bathing frequency varies by community but often involves weekly baths in a tub, especially in stricter groups, due to less modern plumbing, with some taking baths on Saturday nights, while other, more progressive Amish might bathe or shower more often, even daily if facilities allow, as hygiene is still a priority, just managed differently than in mainstream culture. 

Can Amish eat at McDonald's?

The short answer: yes, Amish people do eat fast food. McDonald's, Burger King, Pizza Hut, and Wendy's too (and not just those).

Do Amish decorate Christmas trees?

It is customary for Amish families to decorate their homes simply with greens and candles. Although they don't decorate trees in their homes, Amish men will sell Christmas trees and homemade Christmas wreaths throughout Lancaster County. Learn more about the Amish and their traditions on one of our tours.

Do Amish ladies wear bras?

Yes, most Amish women wear bras, but they are typically plain, functional cotton styles (not lacy or fancy), and in some very conservative communities, a hand-sewn alternative garment might be used instead of a store-bought bra for modesty and nursing needs. The specific undergarments vary by community, but the general principle is simplicity and practicality, not adornment. 

What's the average lifespan of an Amish?

Amish life expectancy is generally similar to the U.S. average (around 70s-80s), but with better health in old age, though a century ago they lived significantly longer than other Americans. While lifestyle factors like high physical activity contribute to good health, some specific Amish communities have a rare genetic mutation (in the PAI-1 gene) that slows aging and boosts longevity to the mid-80s, making them an exception rather than the rule for overall longer lives.
 

Do Amish girls get pregnant during Rumspringa?

Rumspringa is a period that begins at age sixteen and ends with the promise of baptism, during this period young Amish are exposed to the outside world. Another problem the Amish community faces during the Rumspringa period is unexpected pregnancy.

Do Amish females shave?

No, Amish women typically do not shave; it's generally forbidden by their community rules (Ordnung) as it's seen as vanity and too worldly, though some former Amish women have mentioned secret attempts to shave out of curiosity for "English" (non-Amish) lifestyles, finding it difficult and impractical. Their focus is on modesty, with long hair covered by prayer coverings (kapps), and body hair is usually left natural, contrasting with the Amish men who shave their faces but grow beards after marriage.
 

Do Amish men wear underpants?

Yes, most Amish men wear underwear, typically simple, practical styles like boxers or briefs, similar to store-bought basic cotton ones, though some very traditional groups might have rules against them or prefer homemade versions, with a focus on modesty and plainness rather than modern, fancy designs. 

Are Amish men circumcised?

It depends on the community. We are currently working with a Mennonite community and all the boys that have been born were circumcised. There is an Amish community downstate that doesn't circumcise. So it really depends on the community as to what they practice.

What do Amish call their grandparents?

Amish children call their grandparents sweet, affectionate Pennsylvania Dutch terms like Mammi/Grossmammi (Grandma/Grandmother) and Dawdie/Grossdaadi (Grandpa/Grandfather), often with variations like "MawMaw/PawPaw," while some use German-rooted "Oma/Opa" or simple "Nana/Papa," reflecting both their heritage and a desire for closeness, notes Cindy Woodsmall. 

Do Amish buy Christmas gifts?

Yes, many Amish families give gifts at Christmas, but it's much simpler and less commercialized than in mainstream culture, focusing on practical items like handmade goods, useful clothing (gloves, socks), or simple toys, often exchanged within families or through games like drawing names, with the emphasis on celebrating Christ's birth, not extravagant presents. 

What do Amish call non-Amish?

The Amish primarily call non-Amish people "English" (or Englischer in Pennsylvania Dutch), a term that historically distinguished them from the German-speaking immigrants, meaning anyone outside their community, regardless of actual ethnicity or nationality. They might also use terms like "Yankee" (especially in Ohio) or describe people as "worldly," but "English" remains the most common term for outsiders.