Слайд 1 Christmas and New Year
in Great Britain
Слайд 2 Customs and traditions
Every country has its own customs and
traditions. English people are proud of their traditions and they keep them up. It is difficult to speak about England without speaking about its holidays.
Слайд 3 Christmas
All English people celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December.
What kind of holiday is it? It is the yearly celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Слайд 4 Christmas
This holiday means the beginning of the new year and
the new life.
Слайд 5 Christmas
English people celebrate this festival with evergreen tree – the
fir - tree. Children posting Christmas stockings near their beds, and Santa Claus is coming through the pipe to bring them gifts.
Слайд 6 Christmas
Christmas Day is the greatest holiday in England. It
is interesting to visit the shops before this holiday. There are a lot of nice Christmas cards and presents there.
Слайд 7 Christmas
English people like this holiday very much and
prepare for it beforehand. They buy presents for each other, try to send Christmas cards for their relatives and friends.
Слайд 8 Christmas
It is interesting to visit London during this
holiday. There is a Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square. One can see many lights, toys and sweets all over this tree.
Слайд 9 A Merry Christmas
and a
Happy New Year!
Everywhere you can see slogans "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!».
Слайд 10 In Wales
In Wales, the back door releases the
Old Year at the first stroke of midnight, it is then locked "to keep the luck in", and at the last stroke the New-Year is let in at the front.
Слайд 11 New Year's Day
It is commonly believed that New
Year's Day is less important in England than Christmas. It is true in the southern and eastern parts of the country.
Слайд 12 New Year
However, even there, the welcoming of the New
Year is growing in popularity, particularly among younger people who prefer to spend Christmas with kin, but New Year with friends. New Year's parties go all night through.
Слайд 13 New Year
The most famous places of festivities are Piccadilly
Circus and Trafalgar Square in London where crowds of people greet the New Year with the linked-arm singing of "Old Lang Syne", kissing total strangers, blowing whistles and automobile horns and shooting firecrackers.
Слайд 14 January 1st
Unfortunately for all these midnight celebrators, January
1st is not a public holiday in England.
Слайд 15 In Scotland
In Scotland, New Years celebration is the greatest
festival of the year, where it even has a special name, Hogmanay. Nobody, however, can successfully explain where this word comes from.
Слайд 16 After midnight
After midnight, people visit their friends. They
bring cakes to wish the owners good year.
Слайд 17 The first visitor
The first visitor should bring a special
gift - a piece of coal, and to wish good luck to the house and heat. It's an old Scottish tradition.
Слайд 18 White bread
The first footer may also bring a loaf
of white bread. On entering he must place the coal on the fire, put the loaf on the table, all normally without speaking or being spoken to until he wishes everyone "A Happy New Year“.
Слайд 19 Silver coin
He may also carry a silver coin to
wish wealth.
Слайд 20 Marry Christmas
and a Happy New Year!