2. CHRISTMAS Christmas is traditional family reunion day. In Britain, Christmas is the most important public holiday of the year. It combines the custom of giving gifts with the tradition of spending this day with the family.

4. Обычай вешать носки для подарков пришёл из Англии. Санта Клаус однажды уронил несколько золотых монет, когда спускался вниз по дымоходу. Монеты бы провалились в печку и пропали бы, если бы они не попали в носок, который был повешен для просушки. С тех пор дети вешают носки на камин в надежде найти их полными подарков.

5. One legend says that Martin Luther started the practice. Luther was an important Christian leader. According to the story, he noticed the starlit sky as he walked home one Christmas Eve about the year 1513. He thought the stars looked as if they were shining on the branches. When he arrived home, Martin Luther placed a small fir tree inside his house. He decorated it with lighted candles.

6. Every year a huge Christmas tree, the gifts of the Norwegian people, graces Trafalgar square.