Traditions and customs for New Year and Christmas in the United States.. Подготовила Ученица 8 класса Маноли Полина

Merry Cristmas Christmas is Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. For millions of Christians throughout the world it is the happiest and the busiest time of the year. No one knows the exact date of Christ's birth but most Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25. The word Christmas comes from Christes masse, an early English phrase that means Mass of Christ

Santa Claus Children write letters to Santa Claus and tell him what presents they would like to get. Many department stores hire people to wear a Santa Claus costume and listen to children's requests. People send Christmas cards to relatives and friends. Many companies give presents to their employees.

Tradicional food A traditional Christmas dinner consists of stuffed turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and a variety of other dishes.

The most significant day before Christmas is a time when the US President himself turns on the lights on the main tree of the country

Mistletoe The British as a Christmas decoration also use mistletoe. They believed that mistletoe is able to cure infertility and diseases of the nerves, and protect from evil.

New Year in Great Britain In the United Kingdom, the New Year is celebrated from the evening of December 31st into January 1st. Traditionally it is not as widely celebrated as Christmas. However, people enthusiastically wait for the time of the New Year to arrive;

New Year Arrival As soon as the clock on the Big Ben in the midnight rings twelve, everyone present in the party, in the house, in the streets shout, whistle, and create noise to mark the arrival of the New Year.

The Story Of Santa Claus. If we have the kids New year's gifts brings Santa Claus, the American kids are waiting for gifts from Santa. Without it, Christmas in America would not be so interesting and welcome. According to the legend, Santa Claus, that is Saint Nicholas, lived in the middle East, where today is Turkey.

Other New Year Traditions in the UK there is a tradition of 'burning of bush', which is considered to be a symbol of burning of all past evils and making a new beginning. Other than this, the New Year morning see young kids waking up early, and then making rounds of neighborhood while singing New Year celebration sings.

American New Year Traditions Times Square is an iconic setting for what is known in the United States as the Ball drop, in which a Waterford crystal ball descends from atop One Times Square, reaching its destination on the stroke of midnight. It is perhaps Americas equivalent of Big Bens midnight chime, which famously heralds the arrival of the New Year with a series of gongs.

First Footing – традиция «первой ноги» The Brits pray for young, healthy, handsome, and a dark haired male to be their first arriver of the New Year. However, a woman, a blonde, or a red colored person is not welcome for the day, as they are considered to bring bad luck for the entire year.

Times Square At one minute before midnight, a lighted ball drops slowly from the top of a pole on one of the buildings. People count down at the same time as the ball drops. When it reaches the bottom, bells ring, sirens sound, firecrackers explode, people hug and kiss, and shout "Happy New Year!" Everyone drinks a toast to the New Year and sings "Auld Lang Syne Times Square