Polina: Since ancient times, Christmas has been one of the most significant holidays. This is a worldwide holiday, which is celebrated in Catholic countries. Thanks to Christmas, people gather in families from all over the world to celebrate it together. They usually exchange gifts, prepare a festive dinner and just have fun. Actually, it's a great opportunity to forget all quarrels and improve relationships, since Christmas is mostly a cosy family holiday. Thus, Christmas unites people because there is nothing better than bright and kind events that could contribute to this. Christmas in the United Kingdom Families in the UK (or Great Britain) often celebrate Christmas together. Most families have a Christmas Tree (or maybe even two) in their house for Christmas. The decorating of the tree is usually a family occasion, with everyone helping. Christmas Trees were first popularised in the UK by Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria. Prince Albert was German and thought that it would be good to use one of his ways of celebrating Christmas in England. Holly, ivy and mistletoe are also sometimes used to decorate homes or other buildings. Most villages, towns and cities are decorated with Christmas lights over Christmas. The most famous Christmas lights in the UK are in Oxford Street in London. Every year they get bigger and better, and thousands of people go to watch the big 'switch on' around the beginning of November. Children believe that Father Christmas or Santa Claus leaves presents in stockings or pillowcases. These are normally hung up by the fire or the children's beds on Christmas Eve. Children sometimes leave out mince pies and brandy for Father Christmas to eat and drink when he visits them. Children write letters to Father Christmas listing their requests, but sometimes, the letters are tossed into the fireplace instead of putting them in the post. The draught carries the letters up the chimney, and Father Christmas reads the smoke. In the UK, the main Christmas Meal is usually eaten at lunchtime or early afternoon. It's normally roast turkey and vegetables like carrots, peas, Brussel sprouts, and bacon and sausages (called "pigs in blankets"). It's often served with cranberry sauce and bread sauce. Dessert is often Christmas Pudding. Mince pies and lots of chocolates are often eaten as well. The dinner table is decorated with a Christmas Cracker for each person and sometimes flowers and candles. It doesn't snow very often in the UK, but people always want to know if it will be a 'White Christmas'. Statistics show that in the UK it happens about once in 10 years. Catherine: Based on the story of our director Sokolova Nataly Leonidovna, we found out that in our Institute of foreign languages there were some traditions too. On the eve of the New Year, festive concerts were held for all students and teachers in the recent past. The theme and atmosphere of the performances were "New Year". Unfortunately, at the moment, due to antiviral measures, such events are being held online. This year we are extremely lucky. We have an opportunity to get together with our group to celebrate the New Year in a cosy, almost homely atmosphere. So we congratulate everyone on the upcoming holidays. Let's have a great time today!
