BRITISH HOLIDAYS, FESTIVALS AND CUSTOMS

CHRISTMAS In England Christmas is the most important holiday. During this time families traditionaly go to church. Children love Christmas very much. A few weeks beforehand they write letters to Santa Claus – telling him what presents they want.Then on the night before Christmas they hang stockings at the end of there beds. Santa Claus arrives from the North Pole and fills each stocking with small presents. Then the spesial Christmas pudding is made – a rich pudding containing dried fruits. Children also like decorating the Christmas tree. The highlight of Christmas Day is the Christmas lunch. This usually consists of roast turkey with vegatables. The family pull crackers. Inside each cracker is a joke, a paper hat and a small present.

BOXING DAY On December 26, the Boxing Day, traditionelly people give each other Christmas presents, which used to come in boxes. This is the day when one visits friends, gose for a drive of a long walk or just sits recovering from too much food. It is a very pleasant custom.

NEW YEAR`S DAY In England the New Year is not as widely marked as Christmas. Many Britons do not celebrate it at all. The most common type of celebration is a New Year party. At midnight a toast is drunk to the New Year. Another popular way of celebrating is to go to a New Year`s dance. The most famous celebration is in London in Picadilly Circus.

EASTER The Easter is a festival, when Christians remember the death and resurrection of Christ. The symbol of Easter is the Easter Egg – a chocolate egg, usually filled with sweets. Traditionally, the Easter habbit brings every child an egg, and hides it somewhere in thr houde for the child to find. It is a time for giving and receiving presents.

SPRING AND SUMMER BANK HOLIDAYS Some of the holidays in Britain are called Bank Holidays because on those days the banks are closed. Some of the holidays in Britain are called Bank Holidays because on those days the banks are closed. Spring Bank Holiday is the day after the seventh Sunday after Easter. Spring Bank Holiday is the day after the seventh Sunday after Easter. The Summer Bank Holidayis the most popular holiday, because it comes at a ti The Summer Bank Holidayis the most popular holiday, because it comes at a ti

BONFIRE NIGHT Anothe big festival is Bonfire Night. This festival celebrates the day whrn Guy Fawkes was caught when he tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London. This was November 5 th, Now, every November 5 th, Children and adults light bonfires, burh a and light fireworks. Anothe big festival is Bonfire Night. This festival celebrates the day whrn Guy Fawkes was caught when he tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London. This was November 5 th, Now, every November 5 th, Children and adults light bonfires, burh a and light fireworks.

REMEMBRANCE DAY This day is observed thoughout Britain and dates backto November 11, 1918 when all fighting in the First Warld War ended. It now commemorates British soldiers. Sailors and airmen who gave their lives in the two World Wars. This day is observed thoughout Britain and dates backto November 11, 1918 when all fighting in the First Warld War ended. It now commemorates British soldiers. Sailors and airmen who gave their lives in the two World Wars. On that day thousands of Londoners gather to observe the two-minute silence and take part in the remembrance ceremony. The silence begins at the first strike of Big Ben at 11 o`clock. On that day thousands of Londoners gather to observe the two-minute silence and take part in the remembrance ceremony. The silence begins at the first strike of Big Ben at 11 o`clock. On that day artificial poppies, a symbol of mourning, are traditionally sold in the streets everywhere, and people where them in the buttonholes. On that day artificial poppies, a symbol of mourning, are traditionally sold in the streets everywhere, and people where them in the buttonholes.

TROOPING THE COLOUR The Queen is the only person who has two birthdays every year. There is her real birthday which she celebrates with her family, and her official birthsday in June in honour of which her own spesial soldiers, the Household of Devision, take part in a big parade, Truuping the Colour – the is the flag of each regiment and they or march with their flag past the Queen. The Queen is the only person who has two birthdays every year. There is her real birthday which she celebrates with her family, and her official birthsday in June in honour of which her own spesial soldiers, the Household of Devision, take part in a big parade, Truuping the Colour – the is the flag of each regiment and they or march with their flag past the Queen. This is the most colourful of all London`s annual events. This is the most colourful of all London`s annual events.

HALLOWEEN Halloween is on 31 st October. The children empty space inside a pumpkin and cut holes in it to imitate a nose, mouth and eyes and put a lighted candle inside. Then the children take a big bag and walk around every house, knock at the door and ask the question Either you give a treat – an apple, a sweet, or a piece of pie, or they will play a trick on you.

SAINT VALENTINE`S DAY. In all English speaking contries, 14 th February, is a spesial day for people in love. It is not a holiday, but it is a very good day for flower shops, chocolate shops and card shops. Boys send cards to their girlfriends and girls send cards to their boyfriends. But the name of the person sending the card is a secret – that`s tradition.

APRIL FOOL`S DAY  On the morning of 1 st April, you must try and make someone belive something that is not true. If they belive it, they are the fools, if the do not, then you are!  Most newspapers have at least one unlikely story written in a serious way.

THANK YOU!!! Masha Samarina 7-1