1. The English Year

2. There are four seasons in the year: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

3. The winter months in Great Britain are November, December, January and February. The winter months are cold. In Great Britain in winter it snows and rains.

4. In November in America there is a great holiday – Thanksgiving Day
In November in America there is a great holiday – Thanksgiving Day. It is the most important day. People go to church, and families come together for the day. They decorate the houses with autumn’s fruit and flowers and eat traditional American food: roast turkey and pumpkin pie. It’s rather like Christmas. But what are people celebrating?

5. In 1620 the first colonists came to America and began a new life there
In 1620 the first colonists came to America and began a new life there. It was a very hard life. The colonists started to farm the land. In New England, the place where they lived, there were a lot off wild birds. They were turkeys. In the autumn of 1621 the colonists had their first harvest. It was rather good. They decided to have a special dinner. People wanted to thank God for their harvest. It lasted three days.

6. The 25th of December is Christmas Day
The 25th of December is Christmas Day. It’s a happy holyday for a lot of people in different countries. Some weeks before Christmas English people are busy. They send greeting cards to all their relatives and friends. You can buy Christmas cards or you can make them.

7. People buy Christmas tree and decorate it with toys, colored balls and little colored lights. On Christmas Eve people put their presents under the tree. When children go to bed, they put their stockings near their beds. At night Father Christmas comes. He has got a big bag of presents for children.

8. For Christmas dinner people eat turkey, potatoes and green vegetables
For Christmas dinner people eat turkey, potatoes and green vegetables. Then they have the Christmas pudding. At five o’clock it’s time for tea and Christmas cake.

9. NEW YEAR. Not all English people celebrate New Year
NEW YEAR. Not all English people celebrate New Year. Those who do celebrate it on the 31st of December. A lot of people go to Trafalgar Square to see the Christmas tree. They have a New Year party at home. On that day they wish their dearest and nearest a “Happy New Year”. When Big Ben strikes twelve they drink a toast to the New Year.

10. “THE FIRST FOOT” There is an interesting New Year tradition: in Scotland you can go “first footing”. That is – you visit friends, so you are the “first foot” of the New Year in their houses. The Scots believe that the First Foot brings luck to the family for the New Year. In Scotland the First Foot must be a man (or a boy), not a woman! And he must have dark hair.

11. The 14th of February is St Valentine’s Day
The 14th of February is St Valentine’s Day. People buy or make Valentine cards and send them to people they love. They don’t sign their cards – you mast guess who sent the cards to you. Boys and girls, husbands and wives, relatives and friends send cards to each other. There are different cards to suit all tastes.

12. The 17th of March is a national holiday in Ireland – St Patrick’s Day
The 17th of March is a national holiday in Ireland – St Patrick’s Day. It’s a time for fun. People send greeting cards. On that day people wear a shamrock. It’s a plant with three leaves. Shamrock is the national emblem of Ireland.

13. Saint Patrick was the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland
Saint Patrick was the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. Saint Patrick is most known for driving the snakes from Ireland. It’s true there are no snakes in Ireland

14. MOTHER’S DAY In March there is a holiday for English woman – Mother’s Day. People in the family try to make it a day off for Mother and help her in any way they can. On that day people visit their mothers and give them some presents. If they can’t do that, they send their mothers “A Mather’s Day Card”.

15. Easter day In April or at the end of March English people celebrate Easter Day. They celebrate it as the start of spring or a religious festival.

16. On Easter Sunday children get chocolate Easter eggs or rabbits
On Easter Sunday children get chocolate Easter eggs or rabbits. You can buy them at any sweet shop in the weeks before Easter.

17. In April there is a day for fun - April Fool’s Day
In April there is a day for fun - April Fool’s Day. English children like this day very much. They play jokes and tricks on other people: other children, parents, friends, relatives, school teachers. One is to tell someone that something wrong with his dress when in fact all is in order. The first of April is a day for fun.

18. In June the English people celebrate Father’s Day
In June the English people celebrate Father’s Day. On that day children send cards and give presents to their fathers.

19. On the 31st of October in Great Britain there is a nice holiday for children – Halloween. Children play a special game at Halloween: “Trick or Treat”. They dress up as ghosts, witches clowns or pirates and visit their neighbors. “Trick or Treat” they cry. People must give them some fruit, sweets or chocolate. It’s all good fun and the evening ends with parties for children.

20. The sky is blue, the sky is green, Have you got a penny for Halloween
The sky is blue, the sky is green, Have you got a penny for Halloween? Halloween, Halloween *** Ghosts and witches can be seen. Trick or Treat, Trick or Treat! Give us something good to eat.