Customs, traditions and holidays

Ex…Guess, what these holidays are: Easter, May Day, Pancake Day, Shakespeare’s Birthday Celebration, Christmas, April Fool’s Day, May Day, 26^th December: Boxing Day, St Valentine’s Day, New Year. Match them with the description below:

1. Fairy lights and brightly decorated trees illuminate the streets, carols ring out from cathedrals and churches, and children anxiously await the arrival of the most enjoyable holiday. It is a traditional family reunion day. On this day, many people attend a church service, open their presents, eat dinner and watch the Sovereign's annual broadcast on television. Preparations for it are always pleasant: buying gifts, sending cards and decorating the tree. In Britain, it 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.

2. It comes right after Christmas and is celebrated as a bank holiday in Britain (a “Bank” holiday is an official public holiday when all banks, post offices, most factories, offices and shops are closed). It was formerly the custom to give “Christmas boxes”, or gifts or money, to servants and tradesmen on this day. The custom gave a name to the holiday.

3. This day is now a public holiday in England, but it is not marked with any particular custom in Britain, largely because it comes so soon after Christmas. But in many large towns and cities there is a public gathering on Eve. It is a big holiday. When the clock strikes 12 people stand in a circle, join hands and sing the famous song. They have an old custom called 'first-footing'. It is considered lucky if a dark-haired man is the first to set in the house after midnight, bringing a coin, a piece of bread, or a lump of coal as a symbol of plenty for the coming year.

4. It is the day for lovers! Boys and girls, sweethearts and lovers, husbands and wives, friends and neighbours, and even the office staff exchange greetings of affection. It is usually written in the heart-shaped cards: “Words cannot describe how I feel inside, but once again it’s nice to say, Darling, I Love you more each day!”

5. It is popular name for Shrove Tuesday, the forty days before Easter. People traditionally eat pancakes on this day which are made from eggs, flour and milk. In many towns pancake races are held on Shrove Tuesday in which women run with pancakes.

6. This is the funniest day of the year, when practical jokes are played.

7. It is the most important Christmas religious festival. It is associated with eggs and with the coming of spring, and most churches are specially decorated with flowers for the services held on this Day.

8. The 23^rd of April, the birthday of the greatest literary genius, is always marked at Stratford. In the evening there is a performance of the chosen “Birthday Play” in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

9. It is a traditional celebration of the coming of spring, when many outdoor events are held, and at which a May Queen may be elected.

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