Holidays in Great Britain

Holidays are the part of every countries’  culture.

To understand other people better

it’s not enough to know their language

but it’s very important to study

their history and traditions.

Christmas is a family holiday. Relatives usually meet for the big Christmas dinner of turkey and Christmas pudding. And everyone gives and receives presents. In

Great Britain Christmas celebrations continue until the Twelfth Night.

On Christmas morning presents are opened up and a grand feast is served just after midday.

On Christmas Eve younger kids hang up their stockings on the ends of the beds or by the chimney for the Father Christmas.

The most common type of celebration is a New Year party, either a family party or one arranged by a group of young people. This usually begins at about eight o’clock and goes on until the early hours of the morning.

Some people send New Year card and give presents but this is not a widespread custom. This is the traditional time for making “New Year resolutions”, for example, to give up smoking, or to do morning exercises and etc.

In the UK Easter is one of the major Christian festivals of the year. It is full of

customs, folklore and traditional food. The Friday before Easter Sunday and the

Monday after are a bank holiday in the UK. Over Easter schools in the UK are closed

for for two weeks.

For centuries Halloween is celebrated in the United Kingdom. People ate traditional dishes  including cabbages, apples, potatoes, nuts. Games, fortunetelling, disguises, and tricks are all the part of the Halloween celebrations in much of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The American custom of trick-or-treating has also become popular in many areas. In the United Kingdom children ask “Anything for Halloween?” rather than demand “trick or treat!”

St Valentine’s Day 

is celebrated with enthusiasm and charm in Britain. Just as

in many other countries, people in Britain express love for their beloved on this day

by presenting them flowers, cards, chocolate and other special gifts.