1. What holiday is shown in the picture?
Why do you think so? What can you see?

2. Christmas Answer the questions:
In what countries do people celebrate this holiday?
Where did this tradition come from?
Whose birthday is celebrated on Christmas?
When is Christmas celebrated in Britain? In Russia?
What are traditional Christmas colours?
What are the symbols of this holiday? Why?

3. Read the story and do the task after it.
Christmas is Britain's most popular holiday. Its traditions and early ceremonies were rooted in pagan beliefs and date back hundreds of years. They are still part of contemporary Christmas celebrations.
The Druids, for example, honoured the mistletoe in their religion and sacrificial rites. The red berry of the holly was believed to protect one against witchcraft. Ivy symbolised immortality.
The custom of sending Christmas cards to friends and family originated in Britain, too. In 1843 John Calcott Horsley designed the first one for Sir Henry Cole. Thus began a real spread of sending Christmas cards and this practice soon became an established traditon. Favoured designs were Christmas feasts, church bells, plum and turkey as well as religious themes. Every year more than a billion Christmas cards are now sent in the United Kingdom. Many of them are sold in aid for charities.

4. Are the following statements true or false?
Christmas is an ancient holiday. Its traditions date back many years ago.
Ivy protects one against witchcraft, The red berry of the holly symbolises immortality.
The custom of sending Christmas cards to friends and family came from Germany.
Christmas cards are not so popular nowadays.

5. Since 1840 the decorated and illuminated Christmas tree has gained popularity in England. Prince Albert brought this rite over from Germany. In 1848 the Illustrated London News published a picture of the Royal Family around one. The English families followed the Royal example and it can truly be called a Victorian innovation. Each year a giant Christmas tree is set up and decorated near the statue of Lord Nelson in Trafalgar Square. It commemorates Anglo-Norwegian cooperation during World War II.
On Christmas Eve carols are often sung by groups of singers walking from house to house. Caroling dates back to the Middle Ages when beggars were seeking for money, food or drink wandering the streets singing holiday songs.

6. Where is the main Britain’s Christmas tree? What are Christmas carols?
Answer the questions.
Who brought the tradition to decorate Christmas trees to Great Britain?
Where is the main Britain’s Christmas tree?
What are Christmas carols?
Who sang carols many years ago?

7. On Christmas Day gifts are opened in the morning
On Christmas Day gifts are opened in the morning. Later the family will gather for the traditional Christmas dinner consisting of Brussels sprouts, fried potatoes with roast turkey, roast beef or goose. Sweet mince pie or Christmas pudding is served for dessert.
The pudding might contain coins or lucky charms for children.
The annual broadcasting of the Queen's Christmas Message is on Christmas Day afternoon. In 1932 King George brought this custom into being.

8. Choose the right answer.
Presents are opened at 12 p.m./12 a.m./in the morning.
Sweet mince pie or Christmas pudding is served as the main dish/for dessert/next day.
The pudding might contain coins or lucky charms/ notes with wishes/ a piece of coal.
The annual tradition of the Queen's Christmas Message was brought by Queen Victoria, King Henry the 8th, King George.

9. On the eve of Christmas children hang their stockings, so that Santa Claus could put presents into them: oranges, sweets, nuts and if the child didn't behave properly Santa Claus can put there a piece of coal as punishment. Santa Claus got his name from a man known as St. Nicolas, who lived in the fourth century. He gave his wealth to the poor and often to children. After he died, the Dutch brought this legend to colonial America. Soon the Dutch name Sinter Klaus became Santa Claus.

10. Parts of this popular song are mixed
Parts of this popular song are mixed. Listen to the song and put its parts in the right order.

11. Let’s make paper Santa Clous to present it to the dearest and nearest!

12. (Let’s try and make promises to yourself. I promise to………)
Englishmen have very good traditions not only on Christmas, but on the New Year too.
New Year's Resolution — a promise that you make to yourself to start doing something good or stop doing something bad on the first day of the year.
(Let’s try and make promises to yourself.
I promise to………)
They congratulate everyone and wish something very good.
(With all my heart I wish you...)

13. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Be happy!
Be healthy!
Be lucky!