Фестиваль итальянской культуры (стр. 4 )

23)  Ведущий 1: Do you know that Ireland is also called the Emerald Isle?

Ведущий 2: Yes. Rain makes Ireland’s grass so green, that it is known as the Emerald Isle; and the main colour of this

country is green.

24)  Ведущий 1: The Irish have the gift of song and poetry. Bards and poets are highly respected in Ireland. The harp used to be the most popular musical instrument…..

Ведущий 1: ……and it even became the national symbol.

The well-known Irish poet Thomas Moor wrote a poem “Those Evening Bells”, which was translated into English and

became one of the most popular songs in Russia. Let’s listen to this song. ( хор)

25)  Ведущий 2: As for poetry, they say that practically all Irishmen are good at writing poems and Russian people are good at translating them. ( Р. И.2 стиха с переводом)

26)  Ведущий 1: Probably the gift of music, poetry and story-telling comes to the Irish because their land is so beautiful with its fine lakes, mountains, and green fields.

Ведущий 2: Another thing the Irish are famous for is their hospitality. Ireland is sometimes called ………..

the Land of Hundred Thousand Welcomes. St Patrick Day is the ideal time to acquire at least a taste of Ireland. Here are some of the old and new favourites:……….. ( печенье гостям)

27)  Ведущий 1: An Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

28) видео + музыка + песня

1)  A-1: St Patrick was born in the 4th century, in the 5th century he brought Christianity to Ireland.

2)  A-2: He built more than 50 churches.

3)  A-3: People say that Patrick also drove all the snakes out of Ireland.

-

4)  A-4: Religion has always been important in Ireland. Almost all the churches are Roman Catholic.

5)  A-5: Irish monks were once famous all over Europe for their excellent schools.

-

6)  A-1: Three candles that illumine every darkness- truth, nature, knowledge.

7)  A-2: Three keys that unlock thoughts- drunkenness, trustfulness, love.

8)  A-3: Three things best for a chief - justice, peace and an army.

9)  A-4: Three worst things for a chief - sloth, treachery, evil counsel.

10)  A-5: Three things that ruin wisdom-ignorance, inaccurate knowledge, forgetfulness.

-----

Интеллектуально-тематический праздник «Halloween» (для учащихся 5х классов, подготовлен учащимися 7х классов - в плане проекта «Enjoy English»)

Halloween

CHARACTERS:

Three witches, a Black Cat, a Bat

Some horrible tune is heard. The three witches come in running ( rolling) and stop in the middle of the stage.

1) Three Witches:

1st witch: Dead leaves, seaweed, rotten eggs too;

Stir them in my witches brew.

All: We got magic, ala-ka-zama-ka-zoo.

2nd witch: Spider web, mouldy bred, mucky mud, too;

Stir them in my witches brew.

All: We got magic, ala-ka-zama-ka-zoo.

3rd witch: Ooh, what’s it gonna do to you? Boo!

All: We got magic, ala-ka-zama-ka-zoo. All go away.

2) Black Cat: Hey, hey, for Halloween!

Then the witches shall be seen,

Some in black, and some in green,

Hey, hey for Halloween!

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

4)   Cat: It is said that Halloween is the children’s New Year’s Eve. They dress up with special costumes. * What are the most common costumes? (witches, ghosts, skeletons, TV and book characters)

5)   Bat: Homes and classrooms are decorated in the traditional colours. *What are the traditional colours? ( black and orange) . Usual decorations are witches, black cats, ghosts, skeletons and lanterns.

6)   Cat: People make lanterns out of pumpkins. They are called jack-o’-lanterns. *What does the pumpkin symbolise? ( the human skull or head)

7) Terrible Voice: It’s Halloween! It’s Halloween!

The moon is full and bright.

And we shall see what can’t be seen.

On any other night:

Skeletons and ghosts and ghouls,

Grinning goblins fighting duels,

Werewolves rising from their tombs,

Witches on their magic brooms.

8)   Witches appeared catching the teacher to ransom.

1st Witch: We’ve caught your English teacher . We’re holding her to ransom!

9) All Witches: Trick or treat, trick or treat,

Give us something good to eat.

Give us candy, give us cake,

Give us something sweet to take.

Give us cookies, fruit and gum,

Hurry up and give us some.

You had better do it quick

Or we’ll surely play a trick.

All: Trick or treat, trick or treat, Give us something good to eat!!!!!!

10) 2nd Witch is locking the classroom.

11) 3rd Witch : We won’t let you go out if you don’t solve our tasks. Let’s solve my task.

Task1: What words do you associate with being scared? What words may appear in the horror film?

(on the blackboard)

Tricks, a witch, candles, evil spirits, bowls of water, hats, ghosts, guns, apples, a broomstick.

12) Cat: Let’s solve my problem. Which is the correct word?(on the blackboard)

Task 2: 1) On Halloween pumpkins are ( carved, costumed, scary) to look like a face.

2)   Some children dress like television ( groups, characters, sets)

3)   Children dress up to look like (tricks, saints, ghosts)

4)   On Halloween you can see (collect, trick, scary) movies on TV.

5)   Halloween means (evil, holy, scary) evening.

6)   Children wear colourful (ghosts, characters, costumes) on Halloween.

7)   Some children may play (tricks, treats, carve) on Halloween.

8)   Some children in Britain (carve, trick, collect) money for UNICEF on Halloween.

9)   People put scary decorations in front of their doors to scare (sacred, holy, evil) spirits away.

10) People give children (treats, tricks, costumes) when they come to the door.

13) Bat: During the holiday people not only solve different problems, but do a lot of tricks. The first trick is to put a tail on the donkey in the right place. (A big picture of a donkey with no tail is on the board; A student has to put a tail in the right place.

14) 2nd Witch: Halloween was first celebrated many centuries ago in Ireland and Scotland by Celtic Priests called Druids. Halloween celebration is closely connected with apples. * Why apples?

(The Druids believed that eating apples bring good luck)

15) 1st Witch: The second trick is : Bob for apples! Try to catch an apple in your mouth when it’s bobbing about in the water. With your hands behind your back, it is not as easy as you think.

16) Cat: Do you know, that we, black cats are part of Halloween. *Why? ( They were humans who were changed into animals because they did evil things). Do you know that in Britain it is good luck to see a black cat but in Russia it is bad luck.

17) Bat: Let’s watch video how British children celebrate Halloween.

18) 2nd Witch: Ghosts, spirits and watches come out to harm people on Halloween!

19) All: Today is Halloween!

20) 3rd Witch: People place jack-o’-lanterns and scare decorations to scare evil spirits away.

21) All: Today is Halloween!

22) Cat and Bat: Now we give you some gifts.

Интеллектуально-тематический праздник « Christmas and New Year Around the World » (для учащихся 7х классов, подготовлен учащимися 7х классов - в плане проекта «Enjoy English»)

Christmas and New Year Around the World

Characters: Three angels, two queens.

1.   (a big ship comes sailing, three angels are singing a song «I saw three ships come sailing in»)

A song «I saw three ships come sailing in»

I saw three ships come sailing in,

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,

I saw three ships come sailing in,

On Christmas Day in the morning.

And what was in those ships all three?

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.

And what was in those ships all three?

On Christmas Day in the morning.

It was Joseph and his fairy lady,

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,

It was Joseph and his fair lady,

On Christmas Day, in the morning.

2.   Angel 1: I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

3.   Angel 2: Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born. He is Christ the Lord.

4.   Angel 3: Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.

5.   Angel 1: Jesus will save his people from their sins. God with us. (three angels together)

6.   Queen 1:. Christmas is a religious holiday. It is the day on which Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a happy holiday. Families come together to share their happiness, attend church and exchange gifts. The Christmas story comes from the Bible

7.   Queen 2: When do people celebrate Christmas? When do Russian people celebrate Christmas?

8.   Angel 3: In Egypt... Christmas for the Coptic Church is on 7 December. For 40 days before this, people should not eat meat. On Christmas Eve everybody goes to church. Then, at home, they eat a special meal called fata.

9.   Angel 1: In Belgium..... Christmas begins on 6 December, when St Nicholas brings gifts for the children. The Christmas meal is usually turkey and famous Belgian chocolates.

10. Angel 2: In Britain, children are given their presents on 25 December. In the Netherlands..... they put out their shoes for presents on the night of 5 December. In Greece..... they have to wait until 1 January.

11. Angel 3: In Japan... there is no Santa Claus. But there is a priest, Hoteiosho, an old man who carries a bag full of presents for children.

12. Angel 1: In China... Christians light up their houses and put decorations on Christmas Tree. These are called ‘Trees of Light’. Children hang up their stockings. They hope that Santa Clause (Dun Che Lao Ren) will fill them in the night.

13. Queen 2: Before Christmas groups of singers go from house to house. They collect money and sing traditional Christmas songs or carols. There are a lot of very popular British Christmas carols. One of the most popular is «White Christmas»

White Christmas

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas

Just like the ones I used to know,

Where the tree tops glisten,

And children listen

To hear sleighbells in the snow.

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas

With every Christmas card I write.

May your days be merry and bright,

And may all your Christmases be white!

14. Queen 2 : What does ‘carol’ mean? Do you know any carols?Queen 1: The most popular of all the Christmas evergreens is the fir-tree. People in Britain used to grow many kinds of trees in pots for indoor decoration at Christmas.

What do you know about the idea of bringing a fir-tree indoors at Christmas? In London a big Christmas Tree stands in Trafalgar Square every year. Who gives this present to the city of London?

15. Queen 2: Do you know any other symbols of Christmas?

Look at these words. In each group there is a word which does not go with others. Find this word, please! (words written on the blackboard)

a)   Turkey, goose, pudding, nuts, Easter eggs, mince pie

b)   Sleigh, Santa Claus, snow-flake, winter, Christmas tree, butterfly, holly.

c)   Cracker, wreath, gifts, pumpkin, candles, stocking, present, mistletoe.

16. Angel 1: Christmas has always been a great time for eating! In Britain, Christmas would not be Christmas without........ what?

a)   Christmas pudding. Each person in the family should help to mix the pudding. This brings good luck.

b)   Mince pies. Today mince pies are round and full of sweet and dry fruits. Some people say, «if you eat 12 mince pies in 12 different houses during the 12 days of Christmas, you will have a happy 12 months in the coming year.

c)   Turkey or goose. Turkey is the most popular bird for Christmas dinner. It first came from America. Perhaps its name comes from the sound that it makes: ‘Turk! Turk!’

17. Angel 2: Goose is also the favourite meat for Christmas dinner in Germany. In Norway, pork is the usual meat for the main Christmas meal. In the Czech Republic and in Poland fish is the main meal. What do Russian people eat on Christmas Eve?

18. Queen 1/2: Let’s watch video how British people celebrate Christmas.

19. Queen 1: Now I’d like to give you one exercise: Choose the correct answer to complete the sentences.

1)   Christmas is the day on which Christians celebrate...........

a)   the beginning of the new year

b)   the birth of Jesus Christ

c)   the birth of Santa Claus

1)   At Christmas all offices are.........

a)   open all day round b) open till 10 p. m. c) closed

3)   Another name for Father Christmas is........

a) Saint Peter b) Saint George c) Saint Nicholas

4)   Father Christmas arrives in a sleigh pulled by........

a)   an engine b) reindeer c) wild animals

5)   Father Christmas leaves presents for children in......

a)   a stocking b) a schoolbag c) a big boot

20. Queen 2: Christmas won’t be Christmas without fairy-tales. A long time ago in Japan there lived a King. One day he decided to invite 12 animals to a party. The animals were very happy and all the animals enjoyed the party very much. The King was pleased and he said to himself: « From now on I will call each year with the name of an animal. Then I’ll be able to remember all twelve of the good animal friends who came to my party». So, every year is assigned an animal name.

What animal name will 2004 have?

21. Angel 1: Celebrating the first day of a new year is an old custom. We gather at midnight on New year’s Eve to drink a toast to the coming year. We all hope that the coming year will bring luck to our families and friends and wish the Happy New Year to everyone.

22. Angel 2: People all over the world mark the coming of a new year. They celebrate the New Year on different dates and in different ways.

In which country was there a custom to tie the feet of people sitting at the table on New Year’s

Eve? ( Germany, Denmark, Russia or Spain)

23. Angel 3: Today, New Year’s celebrations are rich in old traditions. In Nepal, a decorated wooden post is burnt, which represents the burning of the body of the Old Year. In one country, when people meet on New Year’s Eve they throw water on each other. What country is it? (Nepal, Morocco, China, Thailand)

24. Angel 1: In which country is it a custom to eat 12 grapes at midnight? ( Greece, Spain, Japan, Scotland)

25. Angel 2: In Scotland, New Year’s celebration is the greatest festival of the year. After midnight people visit their friends. The first visitor or the footer must bring a special present - What present must he bring? It is believed in Scotland that the house will be lucky if the first footer is......Who? (a beautiful woman, a tall blond, a dark tall man, a fat boy)

26. Angel 3: In many countries the clock strikes or the bell rings at midnight. How many times does the bell ring at midnight in Japan? ( 100, 12, 108, 60)

27. Queen 1: New Year has a lot of traditions. It’s a tradition to play tricks, to guess riddles and solve funny puzzles.

Puzzle 1: What does it mean? (written on the blackboar

give give and give give

get get get get

Puzzle 2: This looks like some strange mathematical calculation, but can you work out what it

means?

UR 2 GOOD

2 ME

2 BE

4 GOT

10

Puzzle 3: Rebus

Puzzle:4: You can see such an advert on one of the cafes in the USA. What does it mean?

28. Queen 2: Look at the four drawings and answer the questions about them.

29. Queen 1: Now let’s guess the riddles:

a)   A little old woman with 12 children, some short, some long, some hot. What is it?

b)   There are 12 brothers, who march in single file, but can never overtake one another.

c)   Fat and gay, on a winter day.

He came here with us to stay.

People meet the guest with cheer,

For he brings another year.

d)   In what month do people talk the least?

e)   I can tell you all the day: time to sleep and time to play.

30. Queen 1: Now let’s watch how British families celebrate New Year.

31. Queen 1: (after watching) Let’s do the tasks.

Exercise 1. Match the words to their definitions.

1)   Big Ben 2)   bangers 3)   chime 4)   go round to 5)   Auld Lang Syne

a)   a song which is sung on New Year’s Day b)   the bell in the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament in London c)   ring d)   small, cheap, loud fireworks e)   visit

Exercise 2. Answer the questions.

1)   What kind of food do British people have at a New Year’s party?

2)   Why do they put the television on?

3)   What happens in Trafalgar Square in London?

4)   What time do they sing Auld Lang Syne?

5)   What do people do on New Year’s Eve?

Exercise 3. Say if these sentences are true or false.

1)   Kate likes it when her father dances.

2)   Normally people stay in on their own for New Year’s Eve.

3)   You know it is New Year when Big Ben rings.

4)   Big Ben is another name for the Houses of Parliament.

5)   At 12 o’clock in Trafalgar Square, everyone enjoys themselves.

Exercise 4. Complete these with the correct form of MAKE, HAVE or DO.

1)   We often.........a street party.

2)   My mother always......all the food.

3)   What do you usually.......on New Year’s Eve?

4)   We all.......... a wish that we want to come true.

5)   Parties always.......me feel happy.

6)   After the party, someone must........the washing up.

Exercise 5. Choose the correct definition of the highlighted words.

1)   I go round to my friend’s house. 2)   Everyone let off bangers. 3)   Many people go to Trafalgar Square to see in the New Year. .

a)telephone a)throws a)watch

b)walk around b)explodes b)welcome

c)visit c)enjoys c)go crazy in

32. Queen 2: It’s a tradition to write and to recite New Year poems. Who can do it?

And a new task: Read the sentences. Put the sentences in the correct order to make a poem

written by Rachel Field.

1.   Last night, while we were fast asleep,

2.   The old year went away.

3.   It can’t come back again because

4.   A new one’s come to stay.

33. Queen 1: Another tradition is making of New Year’s resolutions. You think what you will or won’t do in the coming year. For example:

1. You won’t get home late and trouble your parents.

2. You won’t scatter photos or CD’s everywhere.

3. You won’t eat many sweets.

4. You will be attentive at the lessons and improve your English.

5. You will save money to buy something.

Now you are given colourful balls for our fir-tree. Write down your own New Year’s resolutions

(only one, the main) for 2 minutes.

34. Queen 2: It has become a tradition to decorate our New Year Tree. Can you read what is written on the flags?

35. Queen 1: It’s a tradition to sing Christmas songs. Let’s sing a song «WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS and A HAPPY NEW YEAR »

We wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas

And a Happy New Year.

Good tidings to you wherever you are

Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.

We wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas

And a Happy New Year.

Good tidings we bring to you of good cheer

Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year

We wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas

And a Happy New Year

Christmas and New Year Around the World (8th form)

Characters: Three angels, a queen, a monkey (2004), a rooster (2005).

(a big ship comes sailing, three angels are singing a song «I saw three ships come sailing in»)

A song «I saw three ships come sailing in»

I saw three ships come sailing in,

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,

I saw three ships come sailing in,

On Christmas Day in the morning.

And what was in those ships all three?

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.

And what was in those ships all three?

On Christmas Day in the morning.

It was Joseph and his fairy lady,

On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,

It was Joseph and his fair lady,

On Christmas Day, in the morning.

Angel 1: I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Angel 2: Christ the Savior was born, Christ the Savior was born. He is Christ the Lord. Angel 3: Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men. Angel 1: Jesus will save his people from their sins. God with us. (three angels together) Angel 2:. Christmas is a religious holiday. It is the day on which Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a happy holiday. Families come together to share their happiness, attend church and exchange gifts. The Christmas story comes from the Bible. Queen : When do people celebrate Christmas? Angel 3: In Egypt... Christmas for the Coptic Church is on 7 December. For 40 days before this, people should not eat meat. On Christmas Eve everybody goes to church. Then, at home, they eat a special meal called fata. Angel 1: In Belgium..... Christmas begins on 6 December, when St Nicholas brings gifts for the children. The Christmas meal is usually turkey and famous Belgian chocolates. Angel 2: In Britain, children are given their presents on 25 December. In the Netherlands..... they put out their shoes for presents on the night of 5 December. In Greece..... they have to wait until 1 January. Angel 3: In Japan... there is no Santa Claus. But there is a priest, Hoteiosho, an old man who carries a bag full of presents for children. Angel 1: In China... Christians light up their houses and put decorations on Christmas Tree. These are called ‘Trees of Light’. Children hang up their stockings. They hope that Santa Clause (Dun Che Lao Ren) will fill them in the night. Queen : I know that before Christmas groups of singers go from house to house. They collect money and sing traditional Christmas songs or carols. There are a lot of very popular British Christmas carols.

One of the most popular Christmas evergreens is the fir-tree. People in Britain used to grow many kinds

of trees in pots for indoor decoration at Christmas.

Monkey: Christmas has always been a great time for eating! In Britain, Christmas would not be Christmas

without………

a)  Christmas pudding. Each person in the family should help to mix the pudding. This brings good luck.

b)  Mince pies. Today mince pies are round and full of sweet and dry fruits. Some people say, «if you eat 12 mince pies in 12 different houses during the 12 days of Christmas, you will have a happy 12 months in the coming year.

c)  Turkey or goose. Turkey is the most popular bird for Christmas dinner. It first came from America. Perhaps its name comes from the sound that it makes: ‘Turk! Turk!’

15. Queen: Goose is also the favourite meat for Christmas dinner in Germany. In Norway, pork is the usual

meat for the main Christmas meal. In the Czech Republic and in Poland fish is the main meal.

16. Queen: Christmas won’t be Christmas without fairy-tales. A long time ago in Japan there lived a King. One

day he decided to invite 12 animals to a party. The animals were very happy and all the animals enjoyed the

party very much. The King was pleased and he said to himself: « From now on I will call each year with the name of an animal. Then I’ll be able to remember all twelve of the good animal friends who came to my party». So, every year is assigned an animal name.

17. Monkey: 2004 is the year of the Monkey. People born in the year of the Monkey are skilful, clever and

original. Monkey people have a deep desire for knowledge and have excellent memories.

18.  Rooster: 2005 is the year of the Rooster. People born in the Year of the Rooster are deep thinkers, capable and talented. They like to be busy. They always think they are right and usually are!

19.  Queen: New Year is a favourite time for looking into the future.

20.  Monkey: Celebrating the first day of a new year is an old custom. We gather at midnight on New year’s Eve to drink a toast to the coming year. We all hope that the coming year will bring luck to our families and friends and wish the Happy New Year to everyone.

21.  Rooster: People all over the world mark the coming of a new year.

22.  Queen: What can you advise people to do in 2005?

23.  Rooster: a) Firstly: keep learning. Learn more about the computer. Never let the brain be idle.

b) Secondly: Tell the people you love, that you love them, at every opportunity.

c) Thirdly: Sing merry songs.

24.  Queen: It’s a tradition to sing Christmas songs. Let’s sing a song «WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS and A HAPPY NEW YEAR »

We wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas

And a Happy New Year.

Good tidings to you wherever you are

Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.

We wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas

And a Happy New Year.

Good tidings we bring to you of good cheer

Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year

We wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas

And a Happy New Y

Questions about Christmas and New Year.

1)  What is Christmas (XMAS) and Christmas Eve? How do people celebrate it?

English-speaking countries celebrate it on 25 December (in Russia-7 January). Christmas is a religious holiday, celebrated as the birthday of Jesus Christ. Snowmen, Santa Clauses and Nativity scenes appear in many shop windows. Many people look forward to happy family parties and exchanging gifts. People gather at midnight on New Year’s Eve to drink a toast to the coming year. They decorate their houses with holly and mistletoe. In Britain, children hang their stockings by the fireplace or by their beds on Christmas Eve, hoping that Father Christmas will fill them with Christmas gifts which they will open on Christmas Day. Traditionally people decorate their trees on Christmas Eve-24 December. They take down the decorations 12 days later, on Twelfth Night (5 January). Most churches have Christmas Eve services. They usually begin just before midnight on Christmas Eve and end early Christmas morning. The children sing carols and recite Christmas poems. We think about how we have lived during the past year and make New Year’s resolutions to break bad habits or to start good ones in the following year.

Christmas is the most widely celebrated festival in Britain, although New Year is more important in Scotland. Most businesses close down from around December 24th, often until the new year begins.

2)  What is New Year’s Day and New Year’s Eve?

In Britain, New Year’s Day is a public holiday, but there is no special celebration. That takes place the night before. It is common for people to make a ‘new year’s resolution’, a promise that they will do somwthing for the year ahead like eating less chocolate or working harder.

The song Auld Lang Syne is a Scottish song which looks back on the past with affection. New Year’s Eve is a more important festival in Scotland than it is in England. In Scotland New Year’s Eve is called Hogmanay. Edinburgh has a giant street celebration each New Year’s Eve. It is traditional to ‘first foot’ people after midnight; in other words to be the first person to visit someone’s house that year.

3)  What is the Christmas season?

The Christmas Season ends after 12 days, on 6 January - Twelfth Night. This is the day when decorations are taken down. They are then put away until the next Christmas.

4)  What Christmas and New Year traditions do you know?

There are lots of Christmas and New Year traditions:

·  Celebrations. . People gather in the streets of the big cities. They ring bells, blow whistles and automobile horns. At midnight the radio(TV) is turned on, so that everyone can hear the chimes of Big Ben (in London) and the speech of Elizabeth II (in Great Britain) or the President (in the USA). Another popular way of celebrating the New Year is to go to a New Year ‘s Dance. The most famous celebration is in London round the statue of Eros in Piccadilly Circus and in Trafalgar Square. January 1 is not a public holiday. In England.

·  In Australia / New Zealand the weather is very hot and many people have Christmas dinner on the beach. The warm weather allows Australians to enjoy a tradition Carols by Candlelight which is held on Christmas Eve. Tens of thousands of people gather in the city of Melbourne to sing their favourite Christmas songs. They lit many candles. Their Christmas Bush is a native plant which has little red coloured leaves. At many beaches Santa Claus arrives on a surfboard or in a boat.

·  In Wales people invite their friends to their houses and ‘sit the Old Year out and the New Year in’ . When the clock begins to strike 12, the head of the family goes to the entrance door, opens it wide and holds it until the last stroke. Then he shuts the door. He has let the Old Year out and the New Year in

·  London’s Christmas decorations. Every year the people of Norway give the city of London a present. It’s a big Christmas tree and it stands in Trafalgar Square. ( in New York - people gather in Times square).

·  Cards, trees and mistletoe. In 1846 the first Christmas card began in Britain. The first Christmas tree-1841. Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert brought this German tradition (he was German) to Britain. People put a piece of mistletoe over a door. It brings good luck. At Christmas British people kiss their friends and family under the mistletoe.

·  First Footing. In Scotland the name for New Year’s Eve is Hogmanay. After midnight people visit their friends. It was believed that the first footer to visit one’s house on New Year’s Day could bring good or bad luck. Usually a dark-haired man was chosen, never a woman, because she could bring bad luck. The first footer was carrying 3 things: a piece of coal to wish you warmth, a piece of bread to wish you food, and a silver coin to wish you wealth.

·  Auld Lang Syne. At midnight people sing the old Scottish song written by Robert Burns, a famous Scottish poet. “For Auld Lang Syne” means ‘in memory of past times’

5)  What is Boxing Day?

Boxing Day in Britain is the day after Christmas Day (26 December). Its name probably comes from the custom of opening church money boxes on that day. The money was then given to poor people. The name was first used in 1849. It is usually the day when pantomimes begin…These were plays without words, but they had music and dancing. Today, pantomimes are usually popular children’s stories like Aladdin, Cinderella…Traditionally boys from the shops in each town asked for money at Christmas. They went from house to house on December 26th and took boxes made of wood. At each house people gave them money. This was a Christmas present. So, the name comes from the boys’ wooden boxes.

6)  What is Up-Helly-Aa?

The Shetlands are islands near Scotland. In the 9th century, men from Norway came to the Shetlands. These were the Vikings. Now, people in the Shetlands remember the Vikings with a festival. They call the festival “Up-Helly-Aa”.

7)  What is a mistletoe? What is a holly?

Mistletoe is a dark evergreen plant with white berries. It is used for Christmas decorations. It is said that the Druids, the ancient priests of the Celts, cut the mistletoe which grew on the sacred oak and gave it to the people for charms. If you are caught under the mistletoe at Christmas, you will probably receive a kiss. Mistletoe means ‘give me a kiss’. People hang it over the door and when people walk under it they are supposed to kiss each other.

Holly is an evergreen tree with green leaves and red berries. The leaves with the berries are used to make attractive Christmas wreaths. Many years ago it was used as a Christmas tree and was called ‘holy tree’. Now it is used for Christmas decorations.

8)  What do you know about Christmas crackers? What do you know about Christmas cards?

The custom of Christmas crackers began in France. Today, no Christmas meal or party is complete without the happy sound of crackers going BANG! Crackers are also usual at Christmas dinner. These came to Britain from China in the 19th century. Two people pull a cracker. Usually there’s a small toy in the middle. Often there’s a joke on a piece of paper. The first Christmas card for sale in the shops was produced in Britain by Henry Cole in 1843. The words on the card were: “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You”. In 1860s, English printers started to produce thousands of cards. Christmas cards often show pictures of nativity (= the birth of Christ)

9)  Who is St Nicholas? Who is Santa Claus? (Father Christmas, Grandfather Frost)

St Nicholas lived nearly 7oo years ago in Asia and was a bishop. His parents were very rich. When they died, Nicholas was rich too. But he was a good man. He used all his money to help poor people. One day, Nicholas heard that a poor man had to sell his pretty daughters. That night, Nicholas put 3 bags of gold through the man’s open door. The man’s daughters were now safe. Another time, Nicholas threw some gold coins down a chimney at midnight. The coins fell into a shoe, which was drying near the fire. Nicholas did not tell people what he was doing. But after he died, people learned his secret. It became a custom to give presents on his special day - 6 December. It was said that the presents came from St Nicholas.

We all know Santa Claus as a fat man with a white beard, a red coat and a bag of toys. The first picture of Santa were drawn by an American called Thomas Nast. When we think of Santa, we also think of his reindeer. He has 8 reindeer to pull his sleigh. Their names come from a poem by an American, Clement C. Moore. The reindeer’s names are: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen. Little children hang up their stockings on Christmas Eve. They believe that when they are asleep, Father Christmas /Santa Claus comes to visit them. He comes down from the North Pole. Santa drives a big sled. In the sled are toys for all the good children. Eight little reindeer pull the sled there through the air. When it comes to the roof of the children’s house, Santa gets out. He comes down the chimney with a big bag of toys. If the children have been good, Santa fills their stockings with candy, fruits and toys. Santa Claus is also the name of an American town in Indiana. The town was built in 1852 by German people, and they named it on Christmas Eve.

10)  What is Christmas pudding? What is a mince pie? What do people have for Christmas dinner?

Each person in the family should help to mix the pudding. This brings good luck. Many people put a small piece of holly on the top, after the pudding is cooked. Sometimes a silver coin is hidden inside. One lucky person will find this.

Today mince pies are round and full of sweet, dry fruits. But a long time ago they were a different shape and they were filled with real meat. Some people say, “If you eat 12 mince pies in 12 different houses during the twelve days of Christmas, you will have a happy 12 months in the coming year.

Turkey is the most popular bird for Christmas dinner. It first came from America. Perhaps its name comes from the sound that it makes: “Turk! Turk!” Before 1800 there were no turkeys in Britain and goose was the traditional meat at Christmas. Now, people have roast turkey with carrots, potatoes, peas, Brussels sprouts and gravy. There are sausages and bacon too. Then, after the turkey, there’s Christmas pudding.

11)  What is a Yule Log?

The ‘Yule Log’ is a large piece of wood which people in northern Europe put on their fires at Christmas time. It is usually burned on Christmas Eve. But sometimes the ‘log’ is a chocolate cake shaped like a log.

12)  What do you know about Christmas carols?

The word ‘carol’ means ‘a singing dance’. The word comes from a French round dance called ‘carole’. Many Christmas carols are hundreds of years old and tell stories about Christmas. The first carol was called ‘Silent Night’ and it was first sung in a little village church in Austria in 1818. Carols are traditional songs of joyful character sung during religious or seasonal festivals such as Christmas. Before Christmas, groups of singers go from house to house. They collect money and sing traditional Christmas songs or carols (Jingle Bells, We Three Kings”, The Holly and the Ivy”).