Winterholidays

Winterholidays

The most popular bank holiday in Great Britain is Christmas. Every year the people of Norway give the city of London a present. It's a big Christmas tree and it stands in the Trafalgar Square. The central streets of London are beautifully decorated at that time.

Before Christmas some groups of singers go from house to house. They collect money for charity and sing carols, traditional Christmas songs. Many churches hold a carol service on the Sundaybefore Christmas.

The fun starts the night before, on the 24^th of December. Traditionally this is the day when people decorate their trees. Children hang stockings at the end of their beds, hoping that Father Christmas will come down the chimney during the night and fill them with toys andsweets.Christmas is a familyholiday. Relatives usually meet for the big Christmasdinner of turkey and Сhristmas pudding. And everyone gives and receives presents.

New Year's Day is less popular in Britain than Christmas. But on the 31^st of December people stay awake until midnight to see the Old Year off and the New Year in. Many parties are held this night. When midnight comes, people go outside and shout' Happy New Year"! Some people set off fireworks and blow automobile horns which are heard everywhere.