Traditions and customs

traditions.
In Britain traditions play a more important part in

life of people than in other countries.
Englishmen are proud of their traditions and carefully keep them up. Some traditions are rather formal, such as the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.
Holidays are especially rich in old traditions and are different in Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England.

Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December. For most

British families this is the most important day of the year, it combines the Christian celebration of the birth of Christ with the traditional festivities of winter.

list of elements of Christmas gathered from a poll over

two thousand people.
Food & drink
Parties
Television and the Queen’s Speech
A Walk after Dinner
Midnight Mass& Carol Services
Children’s activities
Shopping in the dark, fairylit streets
Sending out cards
Playing Games
Carol-singing
Decorating

usually have a Christmas tree in the corner of the

room. Early green trees were symbols of life.

People believed that their light helped him to forget the

darkness of winter.

the fire-place. They are told that Santa Claus arrives at

night from the North Pole and fills each stocking with presents.

The traditional lunch consists of a roast turkey with vegetables,

goose, Christmas pudding, mince-pies, the roast beef, nuts and oranges .

The first Christmas card was made in 1842 by an

English painter John Calcott Horsley who sent that card to one hundred of his friends.

In England it is called Boxing Day. In past times

it was the traditional day to give presents to servants. This day is called Boxing Day because the presents were put in boxes. Usually Boxing Day is December 26, but if Christmas Day falls on a Saturday, Boxing Day is on December 27.