According to the book “Christmas In American in the 1700’s and 1800’s” (World Book, Inc), which is where George Washington’s Egg Nog recipe is published, Christmas in Texas was primarily celebrated with a dance. Since there were few women in the area until the 1800’s ranchers would sometimes ride up to 200 miles to go to a dance where there were women. Cowhands stayed home and had “heifer brand” dances where a few of the cowboys would ties bandanas around their arms and dance the ladies parts. There is a wonderful story about Andrew Jackson–Old Hickory. His wife died soon after his election and his neice, Emily Donelson, acted as the White House hostess. One Christmas week a number of his young relatiives pestered the staff to find out if there really was a Santa Claus. 6-year-old Johnny Donelson asked the president himself who replied they would have to wait to find out. The children insisted President Jackson hang a stocking too. The next morning it is reported, the President wept as he pulled out small gifts from his own stocking. Why? As it turns out, Jackson’s mother died when he was quite young. Growing up he never knew there was a Santa Claus and never had received any gifts.