Christmas in
the UK is the biggest holiday of the year. Family gatherings, turkey, presents
and parties are just some of the things that come to mind when we think about
Christmas time.
Christmas
can mean different things to different people. For many people it means eating
a lot and spending time with family and visiting relatives and friends. For
children it often means presents, presents and more presents!
The origins of Christmas
In ancient
times people had mid-winter festivals when the days were short and the nights
were very long. They believed that their ceremonies would help the sun’s power
return. The Romans decorated their homes with green plants in December to
remind Saturn, their harvest god, to return the following spring. In CE440 the
Christian church decided that the birth of Christ should be celebrated every
year on December 25th. Some of these ancient customs were adopted by early
Christians as part of their celebrations of the birthday of Jesus Christ. Green
plants are still used to decorate many British homes in December. At Christmas
we cover trees (real ones or reusable synthetic trees) with shiny balls and
flashing lights!
Cards and presents
It’s very
common to send Christmas cards to friends, family, colleagues, classmates and
neighbours in the weeks leading up to December 25th. Christmas is traditionally
a time for helping other people and giving money to charities. Many people send
charity cards; where a percentage of the cost of each card goes to charity.
People send fewer cards than in the past as they now send Christmas greetings
by email or via Facebook. Christmas presents are reserved for close friends and
family. Traditionally the giving of a gift is symbolic of the Three Wise Men
giving their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus. Popular
presents for young people in the UK in recent years include a Smart phone, a
Playstation Move and 80s retro fashion.
Father Christmas (aka Santa Claus)
Every year small
children tell Father Christmas (also known as Santa Claus) exactly what
presents they would like to receive. They can write him a letter with a list of
requests or they can visit him personally in one of the large department stores
across Britain in the weeks before Christmas. On the night of December 24th
Father Christmas travels through the sky on a sleigh pulled by magic reindeers
and delivers presents to children across Britain. How does he enter the
children’s houses? Via the chimney, of course!
The Christmas number one
Every year,
for a few weeks around Christmas time, the UK music charts go mad. Groups and
singers who normally make cool music create a song that they hope will be
number one on Christmas Day. The Christmas number one single is written about
in newspapers, talked about on the radio and people can even bet money in
betting shops to see which song will win the race. In the last ten years, the
Christmas number one has been dominated by singers who have won reality
television competitions. Recently the band ‘Rage Against the Machine’ started a
Facebook campaign to be the first group with a Christmas number 1 with a
download-only song. They won their anti-corporate campaign with the song
‘Killing in the name’.
Snow
Snow at
Christmas is part of British culture. You often see it on Christmas cards, you
can buy fake snow to decorate your house and there are even songs about snow at
Christmas. There was lots of snow last winter in the UK so many people enjoyed
a white Christmas. People can bet on whether it will snow or not on December
25th at betting shops around the country.
Turkey and crackers
Christmas
dinner is usually eaten at midday or early afternoon. It traditionally includes
roast turkey, vegetables and potatoes. There are also lots of alternatives to
the turkey dinner for vegetarians who prefer a meat-free Christmas. Dessert is
a rich, fruity cake called Christmas pudding. Traditionally a Christmas cracker
is placed next to each person. When you pull the cracker with the person next to
you, you hear a loud ‘bang!’ and a paper hat, a joke and a small gift fall from
the cracker. You have to wear the hat, tell the joke to the other people at the
table and keep the gift.
Does
everyone like Christmas? These comments from young Brits reflect some of the
wide range of opinions about Christmas in the UK:
Christmas to
me means catching up with your family and having a laugh. Last of all opening
your presents.
- Yasmeen, 20, Liverpool
- Yasmeen, 20, Liverpool
It’s too
commercial. There are too many adverts trying to get everyone to spend their
money.
- Ruby, 15, London
- Ruby, 15, London
Bringing all
your family together, having a laugh, giving presents and eating loads of
delicious foods. YUM! YUM!
- James, 13, Crediton
- James, 13, Crediton
The shops
start selling Christmas cards in September! That’s 3 months before Christmas.
Ridiculous!
- Tony, 18, Bakewell
- Tony, 18, Bakewell
I work for a
charity that gives food to homeless people every Christmas. These people have
no home or family so we try to make December 25th a happy day for them.
- Claire, 22, Derby
- Claire, 22, Derby
I think Xmas
is as much about giving as it is getting. I also think it's a time for the
whole family to get together and enjoy being with each other.
- Charlie, 15, Canterbury
- Charlie, 15, Canterbury
I think that
Christmas is a religious time, not just for Christians but for Jews and Muslims
too. I celebrate the season the Christian way.
- Alisha, 16, Manchester
- Alisha, 16, Manchester
Nguồn: learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org
Christmas
can mean different things to different people. For many people it means
eating a lot and spending time with family and visiting relatives and
friends. For children it often means presents, presents and more
presents!
The origins of Christmas
In ancient times people had mid-winter festivals when the days were short and the nights were very long. They believed that their ceremonies would help the sun’s power return. The Romans decorated their homes with green plants in December to remind Saturn, their harvest god, to return the following spring. In CE440 the Christian church decided that the birth of Christ should be celebrated every year on December 25th. Some of these ancient customs were adopted by early Christians as part of their celebrations of the birthday of Jesus Christ. Green plants are still used to decorate many British homes in December. At Christmas we cover trees (real ones or reusable synthetic trees) with shiny balls and flashing lights!Cards and presents
It’s very common to send Christmas cards to friends, family, colleagues, classmates and neighbours in the weeks leading up to December 25th. Christmas is traditionally a time for helping other people and giving money to charities. Many people send charity cards; where a percentage of the cost of each card goes to charity. People send fewer cards than in the past as they now send Christmas greetings by email or via Facebook. Christmas presents are reserved for close friends and family. Traditionally the giving of a gift is symbolic of the Three Wise Men giving their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus. Popular presents for young people in the UK in recent years include a Smart phone, a Playstation Move and 80s retro fashion.Father Christmas (aka Santa Claus)
Every year small children tell Father Christmas (also known as Santa Claus) exactly what presents they would like to receive. They can write him a letter with a list of requests or they can visit him personally in one of the large department stores across Britain in the weeks before Christmas. On the night of December 24th Father Christmas travels through the sky on a sleigh pulled by magic reindeers and delivers presents to children across Britain. How does he enter the children’s houses? Via the chimney, of course!The Christmas number one
Every year, for a few weeks around Christmas time, the UK music charts go mad. Groups and singers who normally make cool music create a song that they hope will be number one on Christmas Day. The Christmas number one single is written about in newspapers, talked about on the radio and people can even bet money in betting shops to see which song will win the race. In the last ten years, the Christmas number one has been dominated by singers who have won reality television competitions. Recently the band ‘Rage Against the Machine’ started a Facebook campaign to be the first group with a Christmas number 1 with a download-only song. They won their anti-corporate campaign with the song ‘Killing in the name’.Snow
Snow at Christmas is part of British culture. You often see it on Christmas cards, you can buy fake snow to decorate your house and there are even songs about snow at Christmas. There was lots of snow last winter in the UK so many people enjoyed a white Christmas. People can bet on whether it will snow or not on December 25th at betting shops around the country.Turkey and crackers
Christmas dinner is usually eaten at midday or early afternoon. It traditionally includes roast turkey, vegetables and potatoes. There are also lots of alternatives to the turkey dinner for vegetarians who prefer a meat-free Christmas. Dessert is a rich, fruity cake called Christmas pudding. Traditionally a Christmas cracker is placed next to each person. When you pull the cracker with the person next to you, you hear a loud ‘bang!’ and a paper hat, a joke and a small gift fall from the cracker. You have to wear the hat, tell the joke to the other people at the table and keep the gift.Christmas means ...
Does everyone like Christmas? These comments from young Brits reflect some of the wide range of opinions about Christmas in the UK:Christmas to me means catching up with your family and having a laugh. Last of all opening your presents.
- Yasmeen, 20, Liverpool
It’s too commercial. There are too many adverts trying to get everyone to spend their money.
- Ruby, 15, London
Bringing all your family together, having a laugh, giving presents and eating loads of delicious foods. YUM! YUM!
- James, 13, Crediton
The shops start selling Christmas cards in September! That’s 3 months before Christmas. Ridiculous!
- Tony, 18, Bakewell
I work for a charity that gives food to homeless people every Christmas. These people have no home or family so we try to make December 25th a happy day for them.
- Claire, 22, Derby
I think Xmas is as much about giving as it is getting. I also think it's a time for the whole family to get together and enjoy being with each other.
- Charlie, 15, Canterbury
I think that Christmas is a religious time, not just for Christians but for Jews and Muslims too. I celebrate the season the Christian way.
- Alisha, 16, Manchester
Christmas
can mean different things to different people. For many people it means
eating a lot and spending time with family and visiting relatives and
friends. For children it often means presents, presents and more
presents!
The origins of Christmas
In ancient times people had mid-winter festivals when the days were short and the nights were very long. They believed that their ceremonies would help the sun’s power return. The Romans decorated their homes with green plants in December to remind Saturn, their harvest god, to return the following spring. In CE440 the Christian church decided that the birth of Christ should be celebrated every year on December 25th. Some of these ancient customs were adopted by early Christians as part of their celebrations of the birthday of Jesus Christ. Green plants are still used to decorate many British homes in December. At Christmas we cover trees (real ones or reusable synthetic trees) with shiny balls and flashing lights!Cards and presents
It’s very common to send Christmas cards to friends, family, colleagues, classmates and neighbours in the weeks leading up to December 25th. Christmas is traditionally a time for helping other people and giving money to charities. Many people send charity cards; where a percentage of the cost of each card goes to charity. People send fewer cards than in the past as they now send Christmas greetings by email or via Facebook. Christmas presents are reserved for close friends and family. Traditionally the giving of a gift is symbolic of the Three Wise Men giving their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus. Popular presents for young people in the UK in recent years include a Smart phone, a Playstation Move and 80s retro fashion.Father Christmas (aka Santa Claus)
Every year small children tell Father Christmas (also known as Santa Claus) exactly what presents they would like to receive. They can write him a letter with a list of requests or they can visit him personally in one of the large department stores across Britain in the weeks before Christmas. On the night of December 24th Father Christmas travels through the sky on a sleigh pulled by magic reindeers and delivers presents to children across Britain. How does he enter the children’s houses? Via the chimney, of course!The Christmas number one
Every year, for a few weeks around Christmas time, the UK music charts go mad. Groups and singers who normally make cool music create a song that they hope will be number one on Christmas Day. The Christmas number one single is written about in newspapers, talked about on the radio and people can even bet money in betting shops to see which song will win the race. In the last ten years, the Christmas number one has been dominated by singers who have won reality television competitions. Recently the band ‘Rage Against the Machine’ started a Facebook campaign to be the first group with a Christmas number 1 with a download-only song. They won their anti-corporate campaign with the song ‘Killing in the name’.Snow
Snow at Christmas is part of British culture. You often see it on Christmas cards, you can buy fake snow to decorate your house and there are even songs about snow at Christmas. There was lots of snow last winter in the UK so many people enjoyed a white Christmas. People can bet on whether it will snow or not on December 25th at betting shops around the country.Turkey and crackers
Christmas dinner is usually eaten at midday or early afternoon. It traditionally includes roast turkey, vegetables and potatoes. There are also lots of alternatives to the turkey dinner for vegetarians who prefer a meat-free Christmas. Dessert is a rich, fruity cake called Christmas pudding. Traditionally a Christmas cracker is placed next to each person. When you pull the cracker with the person next to you, you hear a loud ‘bang!’ and a paper hat, a joke and a small gift fall from the cracker. You have to wear the hat, tell the joke to the other people at the table and keep the gift.Christmas means ...
Does everyone like Christmas? These comments from young Brits reflect some of the wide range of opinions about Christmas in the UK:Christmas to me means catching up with your family and having a laugh. Last of all opening your presents.
- Yasmeen, 20, Liverpool
It’s too commercial. There are too many adverts trying to get everyone to spend their money.
- Ruby, 15, London
Bringing all your family together, having a laugh, giving presents and eating loads of delicious foods. YUM! YUM!
- James, 13, Crediton
The shops start selling Christmas cards in September! That’s 3 months before Christmas. Ridiculous!
- Tony, 18, Bakewell
I work for a charity that gives food to homeless people every Christmas. These people have no home or family so we try to make December 25th a happy day for them.
- Claire, 22, Derby
I think Xmas is as much about giving as it is getting. I also think it's a time for the whole family to get together and enjoy being with each other.
- Charlie, 15, Canterbury
I think that Christmas is a religious time, not just for Christians but for Jews and Muslims too. I celebrate the season the Christian way.
- Alisha, 16, Manchester
the
the
Christmas
can mean different things to different people. For many people it means
eating a lot and spending time with family and visiting relatives and
friends. For children it often means presents, presents and more
presents!
The origins of Christmas
In ancient times people had mid-winter festivals when the days were short and the nights were very long. They believed that their ceremonies would help the sun’s power return. The Romans decorated their homes with green plants in December to remind Saturn, their harvest god, to return the following spring. In CE440 the Christian church decided that the birth of Christ should be celebrated every year on December 25th. Some of these ancient customs were adopted by early Christians as part of their celebrations of the birthday of Jesus Christ. Green plants are still used to decorate many British homes in December. At Christmas we cover trees (real ones or reusable synthetic trees) with shiny balls and flashing lights!Cards and presents
It’s very common to send Christmas cards to friends, family, colleagues, classmates and neighbours in the weeks leading up to December 25th. Christmas is traditionally a time for helping other people and giving money to charities. Many people send charity cards; where a percentage of the cost of each card goes to charity. People send fewer cards than in the past as they now send Christmas greetings by email or via Facebook. Christmas presents are reserved for close friends and family. Traditionally the giving of a gift is symbolic of the Three Wise Men giving their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus. Popular presents for young people in the UK in recent years include a Smart phone, a Playstation Move and 80s retro fashion.Father Christmas (aka Santa Claus)
Every year small children tell Father Christmas (also known as Santa Claus) exactly what presents they would like to receive. They can write him a letter with a list of requests or they can visit him personally in one of the large department stores across Britain in the weeks before Christmas. On the night of December 24th Father Christmas travels through the sky on a sleigh pulled by magic reindeers and delivers presents to children across Britain. How does he enter the children’s houses? Via the chimney, of course!The Christmas number one
Every year, for a few weeks around Christmas time, the UK music charts go mad. Groups and singers who normally make cool music create a song that they hope will be number one on Christmas Day. The Christmas number one single is written about in newspapers, talked about on the radio and people can even bet money in betting shops to see which song will win the race. In the last ten years, the Christmas number one has been dominated by singers who have won reality television competitions. Recently the band ‘Rage Against the Machine’ started a Facebook campaign to be the first group with a Christmas number 1 with a download-only song. They won their anti-corporate campaign with the song ‘Killing in the name’.Snow
Snow at Christmas is part of British culture. You often see it on Christmas cards, you can buy fake snow to decorate your house and there are even songs about snow at Christmas. There was lots of snow last winter in the UK so many people enjoyed a white Christmas. People can bet on whether it will snow or not on December 25th at betting shops around the country.Turkey and crackers
Christmas dinner is usually eaten at midday or early afternoon. It traditionally includes roast turkey, vegetables and potatoes. There are also lots of alternatives to the turkey dinner for vegetarians who prefer a meat-free Christmas. Dessert is a rich, fruity cake called Christmas pudding. Traditionally a Christmas cracker is placed next to each person. When you pull the cracker with the person next to you, you hear a loud ‘bang!’ and a paper hat, a joke and a small gift fall from the cracker. You have to wear the hat, tell the joke to the other people at the table and keep the gift.Christmas means ...
Does everyone like Christmas? These comments from young Brits reflect some of the wide range of opinions about Christmas in the UK:
Christmas
can mean different things to different people. For many people it means
eating a lot and spending time with family and visiting relatives and
friends. For children it often means presents, presents and more
presents!
The origins of Christmas
In ancient times people had mid-winter festivals when the days were short and the nights were very long. They believed that their ceremonies would help the sun’s power return. The Romans decorated their homes with green plants in December to remind Saturn, their harvest god, to return the following spring. In CE440 the Christian church decided that the birth of Christ should be celebrated every year on December 25th. Some of these ancient customs were adopted by early Christians as part of their celebrations of the birthday of Jesus Christ. Green plants are still used to decorate many British homes in December. At Christmas we cover trees (real ones or reusable synthetic trees) with shiny balls and flashing lights!Cards and presents
It’s very common to send Christmas cards to friends, family, colleagues, classmates and neighbours in the weeks leading up to December 25th. Christmas is traditionally a time for helping other people and giving money to charities. Many people send charity cards; where a percentage of the cost of each card goes to charity. People send fewer cards than in the past as they now send Christmas greetings by email or via Facebook. Christmas presents are reserved for close friends and family. Traditionally the giving of a gift is symbolic of the Three Wise Men giving their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus. Popular presents for young people in the UK in recent years include a Smart phone, a Playstation Move and 80s retro fashion.Father Christmas (aka Santa Claus)
Every year small children tell Father Christmas (also known as Santa Claus) exactly what presents they would like to receive. They can write him a letter with a list of requests or they can visit him personally in one of the large department stores across Britain in the weeks before Christmas. On the night of December 24th Father Christmas travels through the sky on a sleigh pulled by magic reindeers and delivers presents to children across Britain. How does he enter the children’s houses? Via the chimney, of course!The Christmas number one
Every year, for a few weeks around Christmas time, the UK music charts go mad. Groups and singers who normally make cool music create a song that they hope will be number one on Christmas Day. The Christmas number one single is written about in newspapers, talked about on the radio and people can even bet money in betting shops to see which song will win the race. In the last ten years, the Christmas number one has been dominated by singers who have won reality television competitions. Recently the band ‘Rage Against the Machine’ started a Facebook campaign to be the first group with a Christmas number 1 with a download-only song. They won their anti-corporate campaign with the song ‘Killing in the name’.Snow
Snow at Christmas is part of British culture. You often see it on Christmas cards, you can buy fake snow to decorate your house and there are even songs about snow at Christmas. There was lots of snow last winter in the UK so many people enjoyed a white Christmas. People can bet on whether it will snow or not on December 25th at betting shops around the country.Turkey and crackers
Christmas dinner is usually eaten at midday or early afternoon. It traditionally includes roast turkey, vegetables and potatoes. There are also lots of alternatives to the turkey dinner for vegetarians who prefer a meat-free Christmas. Dessert is a rich, fruity cake called Christmas pudding. Traditionally a Christmas cracker is placed next to each person. When you pull the cracker with the person next to you, you hear a loud ‘bang!’ and a paper hat, a joke and a small gift fall from the cracker. You have to wear the hat, tell the joke to the other people at the table and keep the gift.Christmas means ...
Does everyone like Christmas? These comments from young Brits reflect some of the wide range of opinions about Christmas in the UK:Christmas to me means catching up with your family and having a laugh. Last of all opening your presents.
- Yasmeen, 20, Liverpool
It’s too commercial. There are too many adverts trying to get everyone to spend their money.
- Ruby, 15, London
Bringing all your family together, having a laugh, giving presents and eating loads of delicious foods. YUM! YUM!
- James, 13, Crediton
The shops start selling Christmas cards in September! That’s 3 months before Christmas. Ridiculous!
- Tony, 18, Bakewell
I work for a charity that gives food to homeless people every Christmas. These people have no home or family so we try to make December 25th a happy day for them.
- Claire, 22, Derby
I think Xmas is as much about giving as it is getting. I also think it's a time for the whole family to get together and enjoy being with each other.
- Charlie, 15, Canterbury
I think that Christmas is a religious time, not just for Christians but for Jews and Muslims too. I celebrate the season the Christian way.
- Alisha, 16, Manchester
Christmas
can mean different things to different people. For many people it means
eating a lot and spending time with family and visiting relatives and
friends. For children it often means presents, presents and more
presents!
The origins of Christmas
In ancient times people had mid-winter festivals when the days were short and the nights were very long. They believed that their ceremonies would help the sun’s power return. The Romans decorated their homes with green plants in December to remind Saturn, their harvest god, to return the following spring. In CE440 the Christian church decided that the birth of Christ should be celebrated every year on December 25th. Some of these ancient customs were adopted by early Christians as part of their celebrations of the birthday of Jesus Christ. Green plants are still used to decorate many British homes in December. At Christmas we cover trees (real ones or reusable synthetic trees) with shiny balls and flashing lights!Cards and presents
It’s very common to send Christmas cards to friends, family, colleagues, classmates and neighbours in the weeks leading up to December 25th. Christmas is traditionally a time for helping other people and giving money to charities. Many people send charity cards; where a percentage of the cost of each card goes to charity. People send fewer cards than in the past as they now send Christmas greetings by email or via Facebook. Christmas presents are reserved for close friends and family. Traditionally the giving of a gift is symbolic of the Three Wise Men giving their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus. Popular presents for young people in the UK in recent years include a Smart phone, a Playstation Move and 80s retro fashion.Father Christmas (aka Santa Claus)
Every year small children tell Father Christmas (also known as Santa Claus) exactly what presents they would like to receive. They can write him a letter with a list of requests or they can visit him personally in one of the large department stores across Britain in the weeks before Christmas. On the night of December 24th Father Christmas travels through the sky on a sleigh pulled by magic reindeers and delivers presents to children across Britain. How does he enter the children’s houses? Via the chimney, of course!The Christmas number one
Every year, for a few weeks around Christmas time, the UK music charts go mad. Groups and singers who normally make cool music create a song that they hope will be number one on Christmas Day. The Christmas number one single is written about in newspapers, talked about on the radio and people can even bet money in betting shops to see which song will win the race. In the last ten years, the Christmas number one has been dominated by singers who have won reality television competitions. Recently the band ‘Rage Against the Machine’ started a Facebook campaign to be the first group with a Christmas number 1 with a download-only song. They won their anti-corporate campaign with the song ‘Killing in the name’.Snow
Snow at Christmas is part of British culture. You often see it on Christmas cards, you can buy fake snow to decorate your house and there are even songs about snow at Christmas. There was lots of snow last winter in the UK so many people enjoyed a white Christmas. People can bet on whether it will snow or not on December 25th at betting shops around the country.Turkey and crackers
Christmas dinner is usually eaten at midday or early afternoon. It traditionally includes roast turkey, vegetables and potatoes. There are also lots of alternatives to the turkey dinner for vegetarians who prefer a meat-free Christmas. Dessert is a rich, fruity cake called Christmas pudding. Traditionally a Christmas cracker is placed next to each person. When you pull the cracker with the person next to you, you hear a loud ‘bang!’ and a paper hat, a joke and a small gift fall from the cracker. You have to wear the hat, tell the joke to the other people at the table and keep the gift.Christmas means ...
Does everyone like Christmas? These comments from young Brits reflect some of the wide range of opinions about Christmas in the UK:Christmas to me means catching up with your family and having a laugh. Last of all opening your presents.
- Yasmeen, 20, Liverpool
It’s too commercial. There are too many adverts trying to get everyone to spend their money.
- Ruby, 15, London
Bringing all your family together, having a laugh, giving presents and eating loads of delicious foods. YUM! YUM!
- James, 13, Crediton
The shops start selling Christmas cards in September! That’s 3 months before Christmas. Ridiculous!
- Tony, 18, Bakewell
I work for a charity that gives food to homeless people every Christmas. These people have no home or family so we try to make December 25th a happy day for them.
- Claire, 22, Derby
I think Xmas is as much about giving as it is getting. I also think it's a time for the whole family to get together and enjoy being with each other.
- Charlie, 15, Canterbury
I think that Christmas is a religious time, not just for Christians but for Jews and Muslims too. I celebrate the season the Christian way.
- Alisha, 16, Manchester
Christmas
can mean different things to different people. For many people it means
eating a lot and spending time with family and visiting relatives and
friends. For children it often means presents, presents and more
presents!
The origins of Christmas
In ancient times people had mid-winter festivals when the days were short and the nights were very long. They believed that their ceremonies would help the sun’s power return. The Romans decorated their homes with green plants in December to remind Saturn, their harvest god, to return the following spring. In CE440 the Christian church decided that the birth of Christ should be celebrated every year on December 25th. Some of these ancient customs were adopted by early Christians as part of their celebrations of the birthday of Jesus Christ. Green plants are still used to decorate many British homes in December. At Christmas we cover trees (real ones or reusable synthetic trees) with shiny balls and flashing lights!Cards and presents
It’s very common to send Christmas cards to friends, family, colleagues, classmates and neighbours in the weeks leading up to December 25th. Christmas is traditionally a time for helping other people and giving money to charities. Many people send charity cards; where a percentage of the cost of each card goes to charity. People send fewer cards than in the past as they now send Christmas greetings by email or via Facebook. Christmas presents are reserved for close friends and family. Traditionally the giving of a gift is symbolic of the Three Wise Men giving their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus. Popular presents for young people in the UK in recent years include a Smart phone, a Playstation Move and 80s retro fashion.Father Christmas (aka Santa Claus)
Every year small children tell Father Christmas (also known as Santa Claus) exactly what presents they would like to receive. They can write him a letter with a list of requests or they can visit him personally in one of the large department stores across Britain in the weeks before Christmas. On the night of December 24th Father Christmas travels through the sky on a sleigh pulled by magic reindeers and delivers presents to children across Britain. How does he enter the children’s houses? Via the chimney, of course!The Christmas number one
Every year, for a few weeks around Christmas time, the UK music charts go mad. Groups and singers who normally make cool music create a song that they hope will be number one on Christmas Day. The Christmas number one single is written about in newspapers, talked about on the radio and people can even bet money in betting shops to see which song will win the race. In the last ten years, the Christmas number one has been dominated by singers who have won reality television competitions. Recently the band ‘Rage Against the Machine’ started a Facebook campaign to be the first group with a Christmas number 1 with a download-only song. They won their anti-corporate campaign with the song ‘Killing in the name’.Snow
Snow at Christmas is part of British culture. You often see it on Christmas cards, you can buy fake snow to decorate your house and there are even songs about snow at Christmas. There was lots of snow last winter in the UK so many people enjoyed a white Christmas. People can bet on whether it will snow or not on December 25th at betting shops around the country.Turkey and crackers
Christmas dinner is usually eaten at midday or early afternoon. It traditionally includes roast turkey, vegetables and potatoes. There are also lots of alternatives to the turkey dinner for vegetarians who prefer a meat-free Christmas. Dessert is a rich, fruity cake called Christmas pudding. Traditionally a Christmas cracker is placed next to each person. When you pull the cracker with the person next to you, you hear a loud ‘bang!’ and a paper hat, a joke and a small gift fall from the cracker. You have to wear the hat, tell the joke to the other people at the table and keep the gift.Christmas means ...
Does everyone like Christmas? These comments from young Brits reflect some of the wide range of opinions about Christmas in the UK:Christmas to me means catching up with your family and having a laugh. Last of all opening your presents.
- Yasmeen, 20, Liverpool
It’s too commercial. There are too many adverts trying to get everyone to spend their money.
- Ruby, 15, London
Bringing all your family together, having a laugh, giving presents and eating loads of delicious foods. YUM! YUM!
- James, 13, Crediton
The shops start selling Christmas cards in September! That’s 3 months before Christmas. Ridiculous!
- Tony, 18, Bakewell
I work for a charity that gives food to homeless people every Christmas. These people have no home or family so we try to make December 25th a happy day for them.
- Claire, 22, Derby
I think Xmas is as much about giving as it is getting. I also think it's a time for the whole family to get together and enjoy being with each other.
- Charlie, 15, Canterbury
I think that Christmas is a religious time, not just for Christians but for Jews and Muslims too. I celebrate the season the Christian way.
- Alisha, 16, Manchester
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