Christmas

Christmas Day, 25th December • Most Families Decorate Christmas Tree • The Tradition of Giving Gifts • Children Leave a Long Sock or Stocking for Presents, Fruit and Nuts -Boxing Day, 26th December

If you try to catch a train on 24th of December you may have difficulty in finding a seat. This is the day when many people are traveling home to be with their families on Christmas Day, 25th December. For most British families, this is the most important festival of the year, it combines the Christian celebration, of the birth of Christ with the traditional festivities of winter.

On the Sunday before Christmas many churches hold a carol' service where special hymns are sung. Sometimes carol-singers can be heard on the streets as they collect money for charity. People are reminded of Charles Dickens' story 'Christmas Carol'. Most families decorate their houses with brightly-colored paper or holly, and they usually have a Christmas tree in the corner of the front room, glittering with, colored lights and decorations.

There are a lot of traditions connected with Christmas but perhaps the most important one is the giving of presents. Family members wrap up their gifts and leave them bottom of the Christmas tree to be found on Christmas morning. Children leave a long sock or stocking at. the end of their beds on Christmas Eve. 24th December, hoping that Father Christmas' will come do the chimney during the night and bring them small presents, fruit, and nuts. They are usually not disappointed! At some time on Christmas Day the family will sit down to a big turkey dinner followed by Christmas pudding. They will probably pull a cracker with another member of the family. It will make a loud crack and a colored hat, small toy and joke will fall out!

In the afternoon they may watch the Queen on television as she delivers her traditional Christmas message to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. If they have room for even more food they may enjoy a piece of Christmas cake or eat a hot mince pie. 26th December is also public holiday, Boxing Day, and this is the time to visit friends and relatives or watch football.