Christmas in Great Britain and Russia

The word "wassail" is derived from the Anglo-Saxon phrase waes hael, which means "good health." Originally, wassail was a beverage made of mulled ale, curdled cream, roasted apples, nuts, eggs, and spices. It was served for the purpose of enhancing the general merriment of the season. Like many of the ancient customs, "wassailing" has a legend to explain its origin. It seems that a beautiful Saxon maiden named Rowena presented Prince Vortigen with a bowl of wine while toasting him with the words "Waes hael." Over the centuries a great deal of ceremony had developed around the custom of drinking wassail. The bowl is carried into a room with great fanfare, a traditional carol about the drink is sung, and finally, the steaming hot beverage is served.

For many years in England, a roasted boar's head has been associated with Holiday feasting. The custom probably goes back to the Norse practice of sacrificing a boar at Yuletide in honor of the god Freyr. One story tells of a student at Oxford's Queen College who was attacked on Christmas Day by a wild boar. All he had in his hand to use as a weapon was his copy of Aristotle, so he shoved the book down the boar's throat. Wanting to retrieve his book, the student cut off the animal's head and brought it back to the college where it was served for Christmas dinner with much pomp and ceremony.

Boxing Day, this is the day that servants traditionally got the day off to celebrate with their families. It became traditional for working people to break open their tip boxes on this day. Boxing Day began in the mid-nineteenth century when the custom of tipping by rich persons to persons in service positions had apparently gotten out of hand. Children and others pretended to be in the trades and solicited tips. The custom was expanded to giving to anyone and everyone who had less money than you did, and soon the streets at Christmastime were full of aggressive soliciting of tips. To contain the nuisance "Boxing Day" was designated as the one day for giving to the less fortunate. In England the New Year is not as widely or as enthusiastically observed as Christmas. Some people ignore it completely and go to bed at the time as usual on New Year's Eve. Many others, however, do celebrate it in one way or another, the type of celebration varying much according to the local custom, family tradition and personal taste.

The most common type of celebration is a New Year party, either a family party or one arranged by a group of young people. This usually begins at about eight o'clock and goes on until the early hours of the morning. There is a lot of drinking, mainly beer, wine, gin and whisky; sometimes the hosts make a big bowl of punch which consists of wine, spirits, fruits juice and water in varying proportions. There is usually a buffet supper of cold meat, pies, sandwiches, savouries (a lovely dish of light food with a pleasant, served at the start or end of a meal), cakes and biscuits. At midnight the wireless is turned on, so that everyone can hear the chimes of Big Ben ( you know, it's the bell in the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament) and on the hour a toast is drunk to the New Year. Then the party goes on...

Another popular way of celebrating the New Year is to go to a New Year's dance. Most hotels and dance halls hold a special dance on New Year's Eve. The hall is decorated, there are several different bands the atmosphere is very gay.

The most famous celebration is in London round the statue of Eros in Piccadilly Circus where crowds gather and sing and welcome New Year. In Trafalgar there is also a big crowd and someone usually falls into the fountain.

January 1st, New Year's Day, is not a public holiday, unfortunately for those who like to celebrate most of the night. Some people send New Year card and give presents but this is not a widespread custom. This is the traditional time for making "New Year resolutions", for example, to give up smoking, or to do morning exercises and etc. However, these are generally more talked about than put into practice. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

CONCLUSION 

Christmas is celebrated all around the world. Each country has different customs and traditions. Learn about the Christmas traditions in Russia. Different countries celebrate in their own way including different dates, food, drinks which lead to a variety of diverse Christmas traditions around the World! This article features popular Russian Christmas traditions detailing the celebrations, gift giving, Santa Claus and other customs followed in Russia.

Christmas is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religion. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive.

Learn More about Christmas Traditions This Holiday Season

Having Christmas traditions that you look forward to each year is a great idea. There are many Christmas traditions that were started centuries ago but still continue to exist today in one form or another. Incorporating centuries-old Christmas traditions into your celebration of the Christmas season can help you enjoy the season. It is also good, though, to start new Christmas traditions of your own.

Start Your Own Christmas Traditions

Some families enjoy Christmas traditions that center around popular Christmas poems or songs. My family and several other families I know read the poem “Twas the Night Before Christmas” on Christmas Eve. This Christmas tradition is particularly fun if you have children.

Many families enjoy Christmas traditions that focus on community events. Attending a Christmas parade is one festive way that many families celebrate the season. If your town has an annual Christmas parade, you should make plans to attend. Attending church services is one of the most common Christmas traditions. These services typically have their own traditions embedded into them. Certain Protestant dominations allow children to participate in the placement of the manger. Each child carries one manger decoration to the appropriate location, and many children look forward to doing this each year. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

REFERENCES 

1. Стивен  Раблей «Customs and traditions in Britain», изд. «Longman Group», ИК, 1996г.;
2. Усова Г. С. «British history», изд. «Лань», г. С.-Петербург, 1999г.;
3. Хишунина Т. Н. «Customs, traditions and holidays in Britain», изд. «Просвещение», г. С.-Петербург, 1975г.;
4. Голицынский Ю. «Great Britain», изд. «Каро», г. С.-Петербург, 1999г.
5. Рис-Пармен “Christmas”, журнал «Англия» №69 стр. 113-119;
6. Рис-Парнал Хиларн “Hello and goodbye”, журнал «Англия» №73 стр. 115-117;
7. Рис-Парнал «Рождество», журнал «Англия» №77 стр.107-109;
8. Стивен Раблей “Customs and traditions in Britain” изд. “Longman Group”, ИК, 1996г.;
9. Усова Г.С. “British history” изд. «Лань» г. С.-Петербург 1999г.;
10. Хишунина Т.Н. “Customs, traditions and holidays in Britain” изд. «Просвещение» г.С.-Петербург 1975г.;
11. Цветкова И.В. «Английский для поступающих в вузы» изд. «Глосса» г. Москва 1997г.;
12. Цветкова И.В. журнал «Speak out» изд. «Глосса» г. Тула 1997г. стр.2-8.
13. http://www.worldofchristmas.net/christmas-world/great-britain.html
14. http://www.californiamall.com/holidaytraditions/traditions-england.htm
15. http://www.santas.net/britishchrist http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Advent.htmlmas.htm