Christmas in the UK

Outline

Activities, decorations in homes and streets, food, special dates, songs interesting fact

Activities

1. Decorating the Christmas Tree: Families put up and decorate a Christmas tree with lights, ornaments,
and tinsel.
2. Writing Letters to Santa: Children write letters to Santa Claus, asking for presents.
3. Baking Cookies: Families bake cookies and other treats to enjoy during the holidays.
4. Christmas Caroling: Groups of people go from house to house singing Christmas songs.
5. Watching Christmas Movies: Families watch festive movies like "The Grinch" or "Elf."

Decorations in Houses and Streets

1. Christmas Lights: Houses and streets are decorated with colorful lights.
2. Christmas Trees: Many homes display a decorated Christmas tree in their living room.
3. Wreaths: Wreaths made of evergreens and ribbons are hung on doors.
4. Snowmen and Reindeer: Lawn decorations like snowmen and reindeer are common.
5. Christmas Markets: Streets are filled with stalls selling festive goods and food.

Songs

1. "Jingle Bells": A classic Christmas song about sleigh bells.

2. "Silent Night": A peaceful and beautiful song often sung at Christmas.
3. "We Wish You a Merry Christmas": A song wishing joy and happiness.
4. "Deck the Halls": A song about decorating for Christmas.
5. "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town": A song about Santa's arrival.

Special Dates

1. December 25th: Christmas Day, when families exchange gifts and celebrate together.
2. December 24th: Christmas Eve, when Santa Claus delivers presents.
3. December 26th: Boxing Day, a day for giving to those in need.
4. Twelfth Night (January 5th): The end of the Christmas season, when decorations are taken down.
Christmas Food in the UK

1. Roast Turkey: The main dish at Christmas dinner is often a big, juicy roast turkey. It’s stuffed and
cooked until golden brown.
2. Stuffing: A mixture of breadcrumbs, herbs, and sometimes sausage, cooked inside the turkey or
separately.
3. Roast Potatoes: Crispy and golden on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside. These are a favorite side
dish.
4. Vegetables: Common choices include carrots, Brussels sprouts, and parsnips, often roasted or steamed.
5. Gravy: A savory sauce made from the turkey juices, poured over the meat and vegetables.
6. Cranberry Sauce: A sweet and tangy sauce made from cranberries, often served with the turkey.
7. Christmas Pudding: A rich, fruity dessert that is often set on fire with a bit of brandy before serving.
8. Mince Pies: Small pastries filled with a mixture of dried fruits and spices, called "mincemeat" (but it
doesn't have meat in it!).
9. Yule Log: A chocolate sponge cake rolled into a log shape and decorated to look like a tree branch.

Christmas in the USA

Activities

1. Decorating the Christmas Tree: Families put up a tree (real or fake) and decorate it with lights,
ornaments, and tinsel.
2. Making Christmas Cards: Kids create handmade cards to give to friends and family.
3. Baking Cookies: Many families bake cookies, especially gingerbread men and sugar cookies.
4. Writing Letters to Santa: Children write letters to Santa Claus, telling him what they want for
Christmas.

Decorations

1. Christmas Lights: People decorate their homes with colorful lights.

2. Nativity Scenes: Some families display scenes of the birth of Jesus.
3. Outdoor Decorations: Many homes have Santa Claus, reindeer, and snowmen in their yards.
4. Christmas Wreaths: Wreaths made of evergreens and decorations are hung on doors.
Songs

1. "Jingle Bells": A fun and catchy song about Santa's sleigh.

2. "Deck the Halls": A song about decorating for Christmas.
3. "Silent Night": A beautiful and peaceful song about the night Jesus was born.
4. "Frosty the Snowman": A song about a snowman that comes to life.

Special Dates

1. December 25th: Christmas Day, when families exchange gifts and celebrate together.
2. December 24th: Christmas Eve, often celebrated with a special dinner and sometimes church services.
3. New Year's Eve (December 31st): The last day of the year, celebrated with parties and fireworks.

Food

1. Roast Turkey or Ham: Common main dishes for Christmas dinner.

2. Mashed Potatoes and Gravy: Classic side dishes.
3. Cranberry Sauce: A sweet and tangy sauce often served with turkey.
4. Christmas Cookies: Various cookies like gingerbread, sugar cookies, and more.
5. Pies and Cakes: Desserts like pumpkin pie, apple pie, and Christmas cake.

CHISTMAS IN AUSTRALIA

Activities

 Carols by Candlelight: People gather at night to light candles and sing Christmas carols.
 Surfing Santas: A fun tradition where people dress up as Santa and surf on the beach!
 Decorating: Australians hang Christmas wreaths, decorate their houses with Christmas trees and lights,
and use a native tree called Christmas bush.

Decorations

 Christmas Bush: A native Australian tree with small green leaves and red flowers.
 Christmas Lights: Many families decorate their houses with lots of colorful lights.
 Wreaths and Trees: Just like in other places, Australians also hang wreaths on their doors and decorate
Christmas trees.

Songs

 "Six White Boomers": A popular Australian Christmas song about Santa using kangaroos instead of
reindeer.
 "Carols by Candlelight": A tradition where people sing Christmas carols together at night.

Special Dates

 Christmas Day: Celebrated on December 25th, just like in many other countries.
 Boxing Day: The day after Christmas, on December 26th, which is also a public holiday in Australia.

Food
  Barbecue: Many families have a barbecue with seafood like prawns and lobster.
 Cold Turkey or Ham: Since it's hot, turkey and ham are often served cold.
 Pavlova: A meringue cake topped with fruit.
 Plum Pudding: A traditional dessert with a hidden trinket for good luck.
 Christmas Damper: A type of soda bread shaped into a star or wreath

CHRSTMAS IN ITALY

Activities

1. Decorating the Christmas Tree: Families put up and decorate Christmas trees with lights, ornaments,
and tinsel.
2. Nativity Scenes: People create and display "presepi" (nativity scenes) in their homes and churches.
3. Christmas Markets: Many towns have Christmas markets with stalls selling gifts, food, and
decorations.
4. Attending Midnight Mass: On Christmas Eve, many people go to church for a special midnight
service.
5. Exchanging Gifts: Gifts are often exchanged on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Decorations

1. Christmas Lights: Streets and houses are decorated with colorful lights.
2. Nativity Scenes: These are very popular and can be found in homes, churches, and town squares.
3. Wreaths and Garlands: Wreaths made of evergreens and ribbons are hung on doors and windows.
4. Christmas Trees: Just like in other countries, Christmas trees are a common sight.

Songs

1. "Silent Night": A beautiful and peaceful Christmas carol.

2. "Jingle Bells": A fun and catchy song about Santa's sleigh.
3. "Deck the Halls": A song about decorating for Christmas.
4. "We Wish You a Merry Christmas": A song wishing joy and happiness.

Special Dates

1. December 8th: The Feast of the Immaculate Conception, when Christmas decorations are put up.
2. December 24th: Christmas Eve, when families often have a big seafood dinner called the "Feast of the
Seven Fishes."
3. December 25th: Christmas Day, when families exchange gifts and celebrate together.
4. December 26th: St. Stephen's Day, a national holiday in Italy.
5. January 6th: Epiphany, when children receive gifts from "La Befana," a kind witch who delivers
presents.

Food

1. Seafood: On Christmas Eve, many families have a big seafood dinner, known as the "Feast of the Seven
Fishes."
2. Roast Pork: A common main dish for Christmas dinner.
3. Lasagna: Often served as part of the Christmas meal.
4. Panettone: A sweet bread with raisins and candied fruits, popular during the holidays.
5. Christmas Cookies: Various cookies like gingerbread and almond cookies.
 CHRISTMAS IN CANADA

Activities

1. Decorating Christmas Trees: Canadians love decorating Christmas trees with ornaments, lights, and
sometimes even popcorn strings. You can make your own ornaments using paper, glue, and glitter2.
2. Making Gingerbread Houses: This is a fun and tasty activity where you can use graham crackers,
icing, and candies to build a house.
3. Christmas Crafts: Create handprint Christmas trees, paper snowflakes, and festive cards to give to
friends and family3.

Decorations

1. Christmas Trees: The most popular Christmas tree in Canada is the balsam fir. It's decorated with
lights, ornaments, and sometimes a star or angel on top1.
2. Outdoor Lights: Many homes and streets are decorated with colorful lights, reindeer, and Santa Claus
figures2.
3. Nativity Scenes: Some people set up nativity scenes, which show the story of Jesus' birth.

Songs

1. "Jingle Bells": A classic Christmas song that everyone loves to sing and dance to.
2. "Frosty the Snowman": A fun song about a snowman that comes to life.
3. "Silent Night": A beautiful and calming song often sung during Christmas Eve services.

Special Dates

1. December 25th: Christmas Day, when families gather to exchange gifts and enjoy a special meal.
2. Boxing Day: December 26th, a day for giving to those in need and spending time with family and
friends.

Food

1. Roast Turkey or Chicken: A traditional Christmas dinner main dish.

2. Stuffing: A delicious side dish made with bread, herbs, and sometimes sausage.
3. Cranberry Sauce: A sweet and tangy sauce that pairs well with turkey.
4. Plum Pudding or Mince Pies: Sweet treats often enjoyed during the holiday season.