British and American festivals and traditions
(in comparison with ours)

Christmas in Great Britain and Czech Republic
Christmas is a family holiday in Britain. People send Christmas cards to their relatives and friends and wish each other Merry Christmas and good luck in the New Year. Before Christmas department stores are decorated. Children get their Christmas presents in a stocking or in a pillowcase. Christmas Eve is on the 24th of December. At noon they have the traditional Christmas dinner which means a roast turkey and Christmas pudding. They prepare this pudding a few days before Christmas because it isn’t easy to prepare it. Children go to bed very early and expect Santa Claus to come during the night and fill the stocking with his present. Most families open their presents on 25th of December at breakfast time. Christmas day is on the 25th of December. People sing carols during Christmas time. There are many Christmas habits in England. The people buy mistletoe. They hang it on the wall and if a girl or women stands under it, she can be kissed without having objections to it. The English have family parties. In London people go to Trafalgar Square where they sing, dance or paddle in the fountain.

In the Czech Republic, Christmas is also the most popular family holiday. People buy Christmas trees, hang various decorations and Christmas sweets on it. Some people prefer an artificial Christmas tree which can be used several times. We have the traditional Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve. Some people follow the old tradition of fasting all day before the meal. Christmas dinner is very rich but it is different from English one. We have fish soup and the main meal is fried carp and potato salad. Children expect the bell signal from the "Infant Jesus" after the Christmas dinner to unwrap their presents under the Christmas tree. Many people buy mistletoe like in Britain but in the Czech Republic the mistletoe is a symbol of happiness. People celebrate the coming of the New Year on 31st of December at midnight.

British festivals - New Year’s Day - January 1st - Titles and decorations are conferred by the sovereign.