HOLIDAYS IN GREAT BRITAIN!
NEW YEAR!
England celebrates the New Year from the evening of December 31st into January 1st. Traditionally it is not as widely celebrated as Christmas. As soon as the clock in the midnight rings twelve, everyone present in the party, on the road, in the house hoot, shout, whistle, and create noise to mark the arrival of the New Year. It is followed by greeting everyone around by hugs and kisses. There is another tradition in the Northern England, which is called as ‘First Footing’. More so, if that person carries coal, money, bread, or salt with him, then it is considered to be a sign of a good luck and prosperity for the rest of the year.
InScotland celebration of the New Year is very popular. It has a special name – Hogmanay. Customs vary throughout Scotland, and usually include gift-giving and visiting the homes of friends and neighbours, with special attention given to the first-foot, the first guest of the New Year. Torch light parades and fireworks displays are always held in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland.
People in Walesbelieve that you should pay off all debts before the New Year begins. Tradition states that ending a year in debt means a whole new year of debt. On New Year’s Day in Wales the children get up early to visit their neighbors and sing songs. They are given coins, mince pies, apples and other sweets for singing. This stops at midday.
InLondonhundreds of people come to the river Thames at midnight on December 31 to see the gorgeous fireworks display. On the 1st of January a traditional New Year’s Day Parade takes place. Thousands performers take part in the parade, including acrobats, cheerleaders, musicians, high school groups, marching bands, etc.
CHRISTMAS!
Christmas is a favourite time of the year for many Christian people. It is celebrated by many cultures and religions. This is the holiday when families come together and celebrate the birth of Jesus, love, peace and kindness. Catholic Christmas is celebrated in Europe, Australia and America on the 25th of December. However all preparations for this day start long before the date.
Christmas is rich in traditions which make this holiday very special for everyone. One of the most favourite traditions among children is decorating their houses, gardens and Christmas trees with colorful garlands, mistletoe wreaths, ornaments, gingerbread men, dazzling stars and artificial snow. Evergreen trees are symbols of eternal life, and mistletoe traditionally symbolizes love. The next tradition is writing a letter to Santa Claus and waiting for him and his reindeer with a bag full of presents in a sleigh. Children hang up stockings near their beds or by the fire-place hoping that Santa Claus will come at night and fill them with sweets, fruits and nuts.
On Christmas Eve people send holiday cards and visit their friends in order to exchange presents and good wishes. In the centre of London, in Trafalgar Square British people gather around the huge Christmas tree. Many of them attend church services on Christmas Eve. Singing Christmas carols to commemorate Christ’s birth is also one of the oldest Catholic traditions.
A big festive dinner is the most delicious meal of a year. People enjoy traditional plum puddings, stuffed turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pies.
The warmth and joy of Christmas makes people much better. A lot of people help the poor, they organize festive dinners for the homeless.
Boxing day!
Boxing day is a day after Christmas in England. For many years in Britain the day to give presents was December 26th and not Christmas Day as it is today.
In the old days, servants, shopkeepers and other people who performed a service for the rich used to come to their houses. They came a box and they were given presents and sometimes money. The custom still exists in a way with milkmen, postmen, newspaperboys and dustmen.
On each boxing day, a lot of English children are taken out to a pantomime or a circus. A pantomime is a kind of comedy based on a well-known fairy story or folk-tales such as «Cinderella». The audience is often asked to join in and children love it. They sings popular songs. Of course, pantomimes have a happing ending.
