Christmas Tree
Christmas Tree
Saint Nicholas Day (Mikuláš) - The charming tradition of St. Nicholas falls on the eve of St. Nicholas Day,
December 5th. If you find yourself walking the streets on that evening, you may run into a group of strange
characters: St. Nicholas, the Angel who represents the Good, and the Devil representing the Evil. All wear
costumes. Mikuláš looks a bit like Santa Claus whose origin was supposedly inspired by St. Nicholas. All three
characters walk the streets, stopping children and asking them if they were good in the past year. Most kids say
yes and sing a song or recite a short poem. They are then rewarded with sweets, candy or other treats, which
are handed out by the Angel. Bad kids would be put in the Devil's sack and taken to hell, or would only get a
sack of potatoes or coal instead of candy.
New Year - The whole family meets the evening before the new year. We are waiting until midnight for the new
year. After the midnight we drink and go outside to watch the fireworks.
USA
Thanksgiving Day- is a national holiday in the United States. It began as a day of giving thanks and sacrifice for
the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of
November in the United States. On Thanksgiving Day, it is common for Americans to share a family meal – roast
Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, corn, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and going
to church.
Christmas day -In the United States, Christmas is observed on the 25th of December. Many people travel to
visit family members or friends on Christmas Eve. The Christmas dinner in the U.S. includes turkey or ham,
potatoes and pie. After dinner on Christmas Eve, children go to bed early but not before hanging up their
stockings on the fireplace or the end of their bed to be filled with gifts and goodies by Santa Claus. On the
following morning, children wake up to look for their desired items in their stockings and also find nicely
wrapped presents under their Christmas tree.
UK
Easter - always happens on a different day in England. Easter may fall on any Sunday between March 22nd and
April 25th. The Friday before, called Good Friday, and the Monday after Easter Sunday are a bank holiday in
the UK. The eggs are covered with colorful packages. Many people celebrate Easter Sunday by exchanging eggs;
the kids have fun “hunting” eggs hidden around the house. Children believe that the Easter bunny or rabbit
comes to their house or garden to hide them. A Simnel cake is also eaten at Easter in England and Ireland. It’s
basically a fruit cake with a thin layer of marzipan on top; local bakers and teashops sell the cake to the
community. Eggs symbolized new life and new beginnings.
Christmas- families often celebrate Christmas together, so they can watch each other open their
presents. Most families have a Christmas Tree in their house for Christmas. The decorating of the tree
is usually a family occasion, with everyone helping. Children believe that Father Christmas or Santa
Claus leaves presents in stockings or pillow-cases. These are normally hung up by the fire or by the
children's beds on Christmas Eve. Children sometimes leave out mince pies and brandy for Father
Christmas to eat and drink when he visits them. Now, it's often a non-alcoholic drink that's left
because Santa has to drive his sleigh. In the UK, the main Christmas Meal is usually eaten at
lunchtime or early afternoon on Christmas Day. It's normally roast turkey, roast vegetables and 'all
the trimmings' which means vegetables like carrots & peas, stuffing and sometimes bacon and
sausages. Dessert is often Christmas Pudding.