BRITISH HOLIDAYS1 JANUARY – НОВЫЙ ГОД (NEW YEAR) The most famous Christmas tradition in Britain - a tradition first

guest. If after the clock strikes 12 and announce the beginning of the New Year, the first guest in the house is a young man with dark hair - year will be successful. In England, a guest brings with bread, a piece of coal, a pinch of salt, as symbols of food, warmth and well-being. Usually the first guest came into the house, silently passes to the fireplace - the heart of the house - and throws a piece of coal, and then heard congratulations and best wishes. First it is necessary to treat a guest. More like a holiday in Scotland.

1 MARCH - День святого Дэвида (Saint David's Day) — patron saint of Wales - one of the most important festivals for the people of Wales and is celebrated as a patriotic and cultural festival of Wales across the world. On this day, everywhere visible image of St. David with a dove on his shoulder - a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Many Welsh attached to clothing national symbols - daffodil or leek. In Cardiff, the capital of Wales, festive events, and on the tables in each of the Welsh family is a traditional soup of leeks. Children come to school that day dressed in national costumes. And teenagers are usually fine choral singing contests.

10 MARCH - ДЕНЬ МАТЕРИ in the UK (Mother's Day or Mothering Sunday) similar to March 8th in Russia. Its roots go back to Victorian times when children are in a very early age to work away from home , and the money earned by them , were sent to the family budget . Then one day , the children were allowed to spend at home with their parents. Usually they bring mothers and grandmothers small gifts - bouquets of flowers or fresh eggs .Today British children in this day give mothers flowers and operate them for homework.Today, Mother's Day passes pretty quietly. Woman relaxing , and their men do housework and cook dinner. Traditionally this day is usually served the same Simnel cake (simnel cake), decorated with 12 marzipan balls . The tradition began in 12 balls still pre-Christian times , they symbolize the 12 signs of the zodiac . The name of this cake is associated with the Latin name of fine flour (simila).

5 NOVEMBER– ДЕНЬ ГАЯ ФОКСАNovember 5, 1605 by hackers was planned conspiracy against King James I and members of Parliament. In the cellars of Parliament were found 36 barrels of gunpowder and Guy Fawkes, intending any minute burn wick leading to the basement filled with gunpowder under the House of Lords.Londoners in gratitude for deliverance from death became king burn bonfires on the streets. Over time, this tradition has grown into a big event, and in the fires began to burn effigies of Guy Fawkes, the symbols «Gunpowder Plot».In England «Bonfire Night» decided to invite guests to a gala dinner, where the highlight of the program is the burning of effigies of Guy Fawkes. All the guests are located on site, is launching firecrackers ignited effigy, burn fire and cute communicate with each other. Traditionally, November 5, prepare mashed potatoes with thick English sausages, grilled and baked potatoes in the coals, and eat it with a pinch of salt. There is another dish on Guy Fawkes Day - BBQ chicken drumsticks with a bit of sugar cabbage - carrot salad «coleslaw», mayonnaise, and for dessert apples, toffee syrup used to make toffee. Children paint the coal face "camouflage" and happily running around the fire, unaware of the true purpose of the holiday.

25 DECEMBER – КАТОЛИЧЕСКОЕ РОЖДЕСТВОAdd custom gifts in a stocking or sock associated with England. For him, there is an explanation of the " Father Christmas " traveled through the air and got into the house through the chimney . Down in one of the houses he dropped a few gold coins in a sock , which hung over the fireplace to dry . Since then, on Christmas Eve at the fireplace began to hang socks and stockings in the hope that something will fall there. The British were the first to decorate the house and give a gift hanging plants such as holly ivy and mistletoe . This custom is very old and existed in pagan times . Plants had to cleanse the house from evil spirits and remind us that spring is not that far off. Royals in the middle of the last century took over the German custom decorate the tree the first Christmas tree was installed at Windsor Castle in 1841.