No doubt, Christmas is the most popular holiday in Great Britain. It is one of the public holidays celebrated on the 25th of December.
In Christian religion, Christmas is connected with the birth of Jesus Christ. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, three Wise Men of the East (the Magi) came to worship him. They gave him gold, frankincense and myrrh as presents. Since then people have been giving each other presents at Christmas. Before Christmas, churches hold a carol service where special hymns praising Christ, are sung. In streets, one can also see carol-singers. They go from house to house and collect money for charity.
In London, streets are beautifully decorated. In Trafalgar Square, there is a big Christmas tree, a present from the people of Norway. Before the holiday, people decorate their houses with brightly-coloured paper or holly wreaths and put a Christmas tree also decorating it with toys, bright glass balls and little coloured lights.
On Christmas Eve, children hang a stocking at the end of their beds or on the fireplace hoping that Father Christmas, called Santa Claus in the USA, will fill it with toys and sweets. Children believe that this fat and merry person in red robes with a long white beard lives in the North Pole and travels in a sleigh pulled by reindeer. He goes down the chimneys of houses to leave presents for children who have been good. In the morning, children check whether the stocking is filled.
Christmas is a family holiday: everybody tries to come home before the holiday, and on Christmas Day, relatives usually meet for the big dinner of roast turkey or goose as the main dish followed by Christmas pudding and exchange presents. In the afternoon, the British listen to the Queen’s traditional Christmas message on TV. If they have room for more food, they may enjoy a piece of Christmas cake or eat a hot mince pie.
Christmas Day is followed by Boxing Day on the 26th of December (the word “boxing” refers to the boxes of Christmas presents or to the boxes for donations placed in churches). It is time to visit friends and relatives or to watch TV for it is also a public holiday.
On the 1st of January, New Year’s Day, another public holiday is celebrated. However, New Year’s Day is more popular with the Scots who call it “Hogmanay”. It is not clear where this word comes from, but it is connected with the provision of food and drink for all visitors to your home on the 31st of December. On New Year’s Eve, in Scotland and in some parts of northern England the custom of “First Footing” is still observed.
It is believed that the first person to visit your house on New Year’s Day can bring good or bad luck. Therefore, people try to get the “right” person during the first minutes of the New Year. Usually, a man with dark hair is chosen, never a woman, for she is supposed to bring bad luck. This person is called “the first foot” or “the first footer”. He is required to carry three articles: a piece of coal to wish warmth, a piece of bread to wish food and a silver coin to wish wealth. The traditional New Year’s song is “For auld lang syne” (“In memory of past times”) whose words were written by Scotland’s most famous poet, Robert Burns.
In England, the commonest type of celebration is a New Year party - either a family party or one arranged by a group of young people. It begins at about 8 p.m.and goes on until morning. There is usually a buffet supper of cold meat, pies, sandwiches, cakes and biscuits. The hosts make a big bowl of punch, consisting of spirits, fruit juice and water. At midnight, the radio is turned on, so that everyone can hear the chimes of Big Ben, and a toast is drunk to the New Year. Then, the party goes on.
Another way of celebrating is to go to a New Year’s dance organized by clubs, dance halls and hotels.
In Piccadilly Circus in London, crowds of people gather round the statue of Eros. They sing to welcome the New Year. In Trafalgar Square, there is also a big crowd, and some people take a shower in the fountains.
Some Englishmen prefer to stay at home and watch other people celebrating on TV.
The custom of sending cards and giving presents on New Year’s Day is not very widespread. The 1st of January is the time for making New Year resolutions, for example, to give up smoking or to eat less. However, few people keep these resolutions.
In New York City, the centre of New Year’s festivities is Times Square where crowds of people gather on New Year’ Eve to see the Old Year out and the New Year in. At midnight, they kiss, hug, sing and shout “Happy New Year!” People stay up all night. They blow horns and whistles, ring bells, throw confetti, shoot off firecrackers, dance… Many parties are given on this night. Restaurants and night clubs are crowded. Buildings and streets are beautifully decorated. The top 30 stories of the Empire State Building are illuminated with lights of traditional holiday colours - red and green. One of the favourite decorations, both in America and in Europe, is the poinsettia popularly known as Christmas flower whose bright red petals and green leaves match the traditional colours.