Holidays in English-speaking countries

Holidays Holidays ::

• Christmas• New Year• St. Valentine's Day• Mother's Day• Easter• Halloween• Other holidays

Jingle bells, jingle bellsJingle all the way,

Oh, what fun it is to rideIn a one-horse open sleigh.

ChristmasChristmasIn the UKIn the UK

• Christmas decorations in homes start to appear at the beginning of December and shops hang Christmas decorations at the same time, if not earlier. Some people have lights on the outside of their houses and shopping streets will have light displays. Over the last several years London has traditionally received a Christmas tree as a gift which stands in Trafalgar Square.

• Some houses are decorated with evergreens (plants which do not lose their leaves in winter);

a wreath of holly on the front door and garlands of holly, ivy and fir indoors. Bunches of mistletoe are often

hung above doorways - any couple passing underneath must exchange kisses!

• Christmas Day is normally spent at home with the Christmas Day is normally spent at home with the family. Christmas Dinner is traditionally consists of roast family. Christmas Dinner is traditionally consists of roast turkey, vegetable, roast potatoes and cranberry sauce turkey, vegetable, roast potatoes and cranberry sauce followed by Christmas pudding. Everyone has their own followed by Christmas pudding. Everyone has their own favourite recipe, but they’re all packed full of spices, favourite recipe, but they’re all packed full of spices, nuts, dried fruit and brandy.nuts, dried fruit and brandy.

ChristmasChristmasIn the UKIn the UK

Christmas treeChristmas tree

BBoxing oxing DDayay

• Boxing Day is so-called because it’s a time when Boxing Day is so-called because it’s a time when trades people receive a ‘Christmas Box’ - some trades people receive a ‘Christmas Box’ - some money in appreciation of the work. This money money in appreciation of the work. This money was called their Christmas Box - hence the name.was called their Christmas Box - hence the name.

• Boxing Day is still part of Christmas and many Boxing Day is still part of Christmas and many people now use this day as an opportunity to visit people now use this day as an opportunity to visit the other half of the family. the other half of the family.

• Boxing Day is a popular day for football matches, Boxing Day is a popular day for football matches, polo and other sporting plays. The day is a public polo and other sporting plays. The day is a public holiday, so shops and banks are closed. holiday, so shops and banks are closed.

• On Christmas Eve may hear the warm strains of a On Christmas Eve may hear the warm strains of a “White Christmas”, “Jingle Bells”, “Silent Night”, “White Christmas”, “Jingle Bells”, “Silent Night”, “We wish you a Merry Christmas” and other carols. “We wish you a Merry Christmas” and other carols.

• Most children dream of what they will find gifts Most children dream of what they will find gifts under the tree when they wake up. They believe that under the tree when they wake up. They believe that a magical person named Santa Claus will visit them.a magical person named Santa Claus will visit them.

Christmas Christmas in the USAin the USA

The story of Santa arriving in his The story of Santa arriving in his reindeer-drawn sleigh and descending reindeer-drawn sleigh and descending down the chimney to fill children’s down the chimney to fill children’s stockings with presents derives from the stockings with presents derives from the USA.USA.

In Canada New Year’s Day has a long tradition of celebration. New Year’s Eve in French Canada was is marked by the custom of groups of young men, to dress in colorful attire and go from house to house, singing and begging gifts for the poor.

The early Governors held a public reception for the men of the community on New Year’s morning, a custom preserved down to the present day. While New Year’s Day is of less significance in English Canada than in French Canada, it’s a public holiday throughout the country.

Wide spread merry-making begins on New Year’s Eve with house parties, dinner dances and special theatre entertainment.

Christmas Christmas in Canadain Canada

Christmas in Australia

• Christmas has got an Australian identity. The publishers print Christmas cards with native Australian bush.

• On Christmas day you’ll find a large percentage of kids on the beach playing with their new surfboards, building sandcastles rather than snowmen. Indeed one of the most typical Australian Christmas presents is a beach towel.

• It’s not only with food and gifts Australian Christmases different from European ones. Because of the weather, the atmosphere of Christmas is different.

• Australians are usually outdoors in shorts and T-shirts, to a friend’s barbecue. There are loads off summer festivals with people celebrating Christmas in carnival style.

Christmas in Australia

Christmas festival

NNew ew YYear in ear in EEnglandngland• In the south of England, the festival of In the south of England, the festival of

Christmas, lasting 12 days from December Christmas, lasting 12 days from December 25th, runs into the New Year. 25th, runs into the New Year.

• On the evening of December 31st, people On the evening of December 31st, people gather in clubs, in pubs, in restaurants, and gather in clubs, in pubs, in restaurants, and hotels, in dance halls and institutes, to "see hotels, in dance halls and institutes, to "see the New Year in". The bells chime at midnight. the New Year in". The bells chime at midnight. The people join crossed hands, and sing "Auld The people join crossed hands, and sing "Auld Lang Syne".Lang Syne".

NNew ew YYear in ear in ScotlandScotland• In Scotland the Year is known Hogmanay. At the stroke

of midnight people gather at Edinburgh’s Tron Kirk and Glasgow’s George Square and greet the New Year singing ‘Auld Lang Syne’.

• There is the tradition called "first foot". This means opening your door to anyone who knocks it after midnight, and who will then enter the house, carrying a piece of coal or wood, bread and a bottle of whisky. He must place the fuel on the fire, put the loaf on the table and pour a glass for the head of the house, all normally without speaking or being spoken to until he wishes everyone ‘A Happy New Year’.

• At the Jolly parties on New Year's Eve and also on Burn's night, the Scottish people enjoy eating their famous Haggis. This is a pudding, made from the heart, liver and lungs of sheep or calf, minced suet, onions, oatmeal and seasoning, and cooked in the animal's stomach.

NNew ew YYear inear in the the USAUSA• On January 1st some people hold an “open house” inviting

neighbors, friends and relatives. It is another special day in the calendar of football fans, as the college football championship called the Rosebowl is played out and televised from coast and coast.

• Besides champagne, streamers and noisemakers, other symbol of the New Year celebration include an old man symbolizing the old year, and a new baby symbolizing the new years. This may be an allusion to the ancient Roman god Janus. Legend has it that Janus had two faces, one looking into the past and the other looking into the future.

• Many people hope that a new and better year comes. Many Americans even write down their “New Year resolutions” to do specific things like giving up smoking, going on a diet, getting up earlier, etc. Even though such resolutions are rarely kept, at least they make for a good laugh when the next New Year comes.

NNew ew YYear inear in CanadaCanada• In Canada New Year’s Day has a long tradition of In Canada New Year’s Day has a long tradition of

celebration. New Year’s Eve in French Canada is celebration. New Year’s Eve in French Canada is marked by the custom of groups of young men, to marked by the custom of groups of young men, to dress in colorful clothes and go from house to dress in colorful clothes and go from house to house, singing and begging gifts for the poor. house, singing and begging gifts for the poor.

• New Year’s Day is a time for paying calls on friends New Year’s Day is a time for paying calls on friends and neighbors. The early Governors held a public and neighbors. The early Governors held a public reception for the men of the community on New reception for the men of the community on New Year’s morning, a custom preserved down to the Year’s morning, a custom preserved down to the present day. While New Year’s Day is of less present day. While New Year’s Day is of less significance in English Canada than in French significance in English Canada than in French Canada, it’s a public holiday throughout the Canada, it’s a public holiday throughout the country. country.

It is hard to imagine the American holiday calendar without the expressions of love exchanged on that day between sweethearts, good friends and even spouses of many years. Whatever the reasons, Americans of all ages love to send and receive valentines, and sing thousands love songs. Songs like “You are my Sunshine”, “My Love”, “I’ll have to say I love you in a song”, reach the ears of a public.

School children make valentines for their teachers and classmates and put them in a large decorated mailbox. When the big day arrives, the teacher opens the box and distributes the valentines into eager hands.

Mailbox with valentines

You can write a short rhyme inside You can write a short rhyme inside the heart:the heart:

Roses are red,Roses are red,Violets are blue,Violets are blue,Sugar is sweet,Sugar is sweet,And so are you!And so are you!

• Cupid or Eros is the unquestioned favorite in personifying the spirit of the day. According to Greek (and later Roman) tradition, Cupid was the eternally child-like son of Venus, the goddess of love. Although he remained a baby, he could fly and was equipped with a tiny bow and countless golden arrows forged for him by the god of fire Vulcan. His mother gave the arrows special power, and that is why if Cupid shot you with his arrow, you would fall in love with the first person you met.

Eros-Cupid-AmoEros-Cupid-Amouur r

MY LOVE IS LIKE A RED, RED ROSEMY LOVE IS LIKE A RED, RED ROSEby Robert Burnsby Robert Burns

O my Luve’s like a red, red rose,That’s newly sprung in June;O my Luve’s like the melodieThat’s sweetly play’d in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,So deep in luve am I;And I will love three still, my Dear,Till a’ the seas gang dry.

Till a’ the seas gang dry, my Dear,And the rocks melt wi’ the sun;I will love three still, my Dear,While the sands o’ life shall run.

And fare three weel, my only Luve!And fare three weel, a white!And I will come again, my Luve,Tho’ it were ten thousand mile!

In Britain, the United States and Canada Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May. On that day sons and daughters visit their mothers and bring them presents. Flowers and cakes are still traditional gifts. Violets and primroses are most popular

flowers.

On this day children give thanks for the On this day children give thanks for the support, love, care and guidance.support, love, care and guidance.

Mother’s Day must be a day of rest for Mother’s Day must be a day of rest for the mother of the family, so her the mother of the family, so her daughters cook the dinner on that day daughters cook the dinner on that day and the sons help to wash the and the sons help to wash the

dishes.dishes.

Easter is a Christian religious holiday, which Easter is a Christian religious holiday, which celebrates the resurrection of Christ on Easter celebrates the resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday following his crucifixion and death, Sunday following his crucifixion and death, according to the Bible, on Good Friday. Its according to the Bible, on Good Friday. Its exact date varies from year to year because it exact date varies from year to year because it depends on the moon’s cycle, but the earliest depends on the moon’s cycle, but the earliest possible date is March 22, and the latest is possible date is March 22, and the latest is April 25.April 25.

The Easter Bunny is symbol of Easter. This pre-The Easter Bunny is symbol of Easter. This pre-Christian mythical figure symbolizes the abundance of Christian mythical figure symbolizes the abundance of new life. Give him or her a basket of eggs (fertility new life. Give him or her a basket of eggs (fertility symbol) to deliver, and you’ve got a pretty potent symbol) to deliver, and you’ve got a pretty potent spring tonic. The story of the first Easter Bunny who spring tonic. The story of the first Easter Bunny who hid colored eggs for young children to find on Easter hid colored eggs for young children to find on Easter morning was first recorded in fifth-century Germany. morning was first recorded in fifth-century Germany. The custom of elaborately decorating Easter eggs and The custom of elaborately decorating Easter eggs and exchanging them as gifts was begun by the ancient exchanging them as gifts was begun by the ancient Egyptians, and is still very popular among the Slavs of Egyptians, and is still very popular among the Slavs of Eastern Europe.Eastern Europe.

chocolate eggschocolate eggs

Easter Easter BunnyBunny

British settlers brought a fun Easter custom British settlers brought a fun Easter custom with them to the New World. In England with them to the New World. In England children rolled eggs down hills on Easter children rolled eggs down hills on Easter morning, symbolizing the rolling away of the morning, symbolizing the rolling away of the rock from Christ’s tomb. This custom became rock from Christ’s tomb. This custom became institutionalized in the United States by Dolly institutionalized in the United States by Dolly Madison, wife of the fourth American Madison, wife of the fourth American president, who organized the first hard-boiled president, who organized the first hard-boiled Easter Egg Roll down the hilly lawn of the Easter Egg Roll down the hilly lawn of the newly built Capitol building. newly built Capitol building.

basket

chicken

HalloweenHalloween

You should be very careful on the You should be very careful on the night of October 31. This is the night night of October 31. This is the night when witches and ghosts come out! when witches and ghosts come out!

Symbols of Halloween:

pumpkin

ghost

bat

witch

BlackBlack catscats

HalloweenHalloween• Children in the USA, Great Britain and Ireland like Children in the USA, Great Britain and Ireland like

Halloween very much. In the weeks before October Halloween very much. In the weeks before October 31, they decorate the windows of their houses and 31, they decorate the windows of their houses and

schools with pictures of witches, black cats and schools with pictures of witches, black cats and bats. On October 31, children dress up as ghosts bats. On October 31, children dress up as ghosts

and witches, skeletons and Dracula, and have and witches, skeletons and Dracula, and have noisy parties. noisy parties.

• Sometimes they go to the people’s houses and ring Sometimes they go to the people’s houses and ring at the door, shouting “Trick or treat!” The person at the door, shouting “Trick or treat!” The person

who opens the door must give the children a treat – who opens the door must give the children a treat – some sweets or cookies. If not, the children play a some sweets or cookies. If not, the children play a trick on them. For example, they can throw flour at trick on them. For example, they can throw flour at the window or draw a funny picture on the door.the window or draw a funny picture on the door.

Other HolidaysOther Holidaysof the USAof the USA

HolidayHoliday DateDate

Independence Independence DayDay

The 4The 4thth of of JulyJuly

Memorial Day Memorial Day Last Monday in Last Monday in MayMay

Thanksgiving DayThanksgiving Day The fourth The fourth Thursday in Thursday in NovemberNovember

Jewish Jewish Sign Sign Holy DaysHoly Days

MardiMardi GrasGras

Patriot’s Patriot’s DayDay

St. St. Patrick’s Patrick’s

DayDay

USAUSA

HOLIDAYS HONORED MAINLY IN CERTAIN AREAS OF THE:HOLIDAYS HONORED MAINLY IN CERTAIN AREAS OF THE:

Other holidays Other holidays of the UKof the UKBank Holidays:Bank Holidays:

The part of the UKThe part of the UK HolidaysHolidays

England, Wales New Year’s Day, Easter Monday, May Day, Spring and Late Summer Holidays at the end of May and August respectively, Boxing Day

Scotland New Year’s Day, January 2, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Day, Spring and Summer Holidays at the end of May and the beginning of August respectively, Christmas Day and Boxing Day

Northern Ireland New Year’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter Monday, May Day, Spring and Late Summer Holidays at the end of May and August respectively, Boxing Day

St. St. George’s George’s

DayDay

St. St. Patrick’sPatrick’s

DayDay

St.St. David’sDavid’s

DayDay

St.St. Andrew’sAndrew’s

DayDay

UKUK

HOLIDAYS HONORED MAINLY IN CERTAIN AREAS OF THE:HOLIDAYS HONORED MAINLY IN CERTAIN AREAS OF THE: