Выполнил студент: Анчевский Юрий Андреевич Руководитель проекта: Селезнева О.Е. ГОУ СПО Профессионального колледжа Г. Новокузнецк

Christmas customs and traditions of Great Britain

At Christmas, all the windows of rural houses lit candles in the UK, so the locals the night before Christmas called "Night of candles." In England these days instead of the traditional Christmas Eve Christmas thick logs lit Christmas candle.

In many villages shortly before the British holiday organized competitions for the best decorated Christmas candles. These ornaments are made ​​ from strips of colored paper, foil, gold and silver threads, bright ribbons, etc.

About masques and pantomimes at Christmas there is evidence already of XIV-XV centuries. Thus, in one of the sources reported that in 1377 was arranged Christmas pantomime at the Scottish royal court for the amusement of little Prince Richard.

With the device connected and masquerades was another interesting custom in Britain: 12 days of Yuletide in each palace or castle was chosen manager of all festivities in England called "Lord of disorder" (Lord Misrule).

Lord disorder chosen one who could well make jokes, to arrange various entertainment, carnivals. He picked up his entourage, whose members were all dressed in bright dress, decorated with ribbons and bells.

Such noisy company and especially its leader allowed to do whatever they want - to break into any house to play any joke on their inhabitants, to organize games, dancing and other entertainment. This custom was banned by Henry VIII.

Men and boys on Christmas day, led by bagpipers and accompanied by multitudes went beyond the village and on a lawn arranged various sporting events: running, throwing the hammer, etc.

Winner takes all the games got decorated with feathers and ribbons; after the competition youth singing and dancing, and in the evening with the winner headed back to the village.

All these old traditional customs collapsed new Protestant church in the XVII century. Special persecution suffered the Christmas holiday. Every pagan rites and customs, even the most innocent, was mercilessly cursed church.

Even Christmas bread clergy Protestant Church is considered a crime. In 1644 the celebration of Christmas was banned throughout England a special Act of Parliament.

After such persecution in England celebrating Christmas would never reached the same popularity remained only some rituals, most of them was held in connection with the New Year.

In England at the end of the XVII century. Again began to celebrate Christmas, but throughout the XIX century followed his rituals have changed, and the beginning of XX century. of the great social events of the community Christmas has become purely a family holiday, only some of its old customs still survive today.

Observed among the English custom of exchanging gifts on Christmas Day. With the introduction of Christianity, this custom was associated with bringing gifts to the baby Jesus three magicians East. In memory of this first of all give gifts to children.

Gifts for children carries the kind old gentleman Santa Claus, red-cheeked, with a long white beard, wearing a red coat and a red high a cap. Usually for Christmas gifts get not only children but also adults, their hands before dinner all the youngest member of the family.

Since the XIX century. it became the custom to exchange greeting cards - instead of once mandatory personal Christmas greetings. In 1843, was printed in the printing of the first Christmas card, and soon they became a special branch of production printing production.

In the design of cards frequent motifs of old traditional Christmas customs: robin, which from the XVIII century. often replaces wren in rituals, evergreen branches - holly, ivy, mistletoe

Christmas dinner and today includes traditional dishes like stuffed turkey and indispensable plum-pudding.

Still preserved old custom home decorating for Christmas evergreen branches - ivy, holly, etc. As before, people strengthen a sprig of mistletoe over the door.

According to custom, once a year, on Christmas Eve, men have the right to kiss any girl stopped under the decoration of this plant.

This happens not often, and not to lose time in vain, one person decided to decorate the mistletoe mirror, so you can kiss all the girls stopped to admire herself.

Apparently, later transforming custom home decorating evergreen Christmas tree was a fir tree as a symbol of undying nature. The custom of decorating fir in England appeared relatively recently, in the middle of the XIX century and was brought here from Germany.

Residents and tourists can enjoy themselves in the carnivals and festivities in Coven Garden, exercise at the traditional Christmas swimming competition for the prize of Peter Pan, and then relax in the Hyde Park and the Serpentine pond.

In England, on the night of the New Year many people, especially happens in Princes Street. In churches is Christmas service. Fruit and pastry shops are open all night. Herald the coming of New Year jingle bells, whistles and sirens plants. After 12 hours of all congratulate each other and to their homes, the feasting.

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