Christmas is celebrated on December 25th and precedes Christmas Eve on December 24th. Traditions include decorating Christmas trees with lights and ornaments, hanging mistletoe, sending Christmas cards, last-minute gift shopping, eating Christmas dinner with family, and children leaving milk and carrots for Santa's reindeer on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day, children find gifts under the tree that were delivered by Santa Claus, who is said to live at the North Pole and bring presents down the chimney.

1. Christmas
25th December

2. Christmas Eve
Celebrated on the 24th December
Commemorates the eve before the birth of
Jesus.
Celebrated differently around the world –
midnight mass in the UK but presents are given in
Germany.
Also celebrated by secular families (those who
don‘t have a religion) as a social event.

3. Christmas Trees
Most families in the UK and
around the world buy a
christmas tree (pine tree) and
decorate it in their houses.
Some families prefer plastic
trees to real ones.
They are often decorated with
lights, small figures, chocolates
and baubles.
Gifts are placed under the tree.

4. Ornaments on the trees
These
ornaments are
hung from the
branches of the
trees.
The angel/star
however, is
placed on top
of the tree.

5. Mistletoe
Mistletoe is a plant that is hung on walls and high places.
It is tradition to kiss someone when under the mistletoe.

6. Christmas Cards
Christmas cards are sent throughout December
to friends and family.
Some families get photos taken especially to
send... Others (like mine) leave a basic message:
‚Merry Christmas from the Kilfords‘.

7. Christmas Shopping
Everyone rushes to the shops throughout
December to buy gifts for their friends and
family.
Shops are open until late because they are very
busy. This is called ‚late night shopping‘.

8. Advent Calendars
Advent calendars
consist of 25 little doors
counting down to
christmas.
Behind each door is a
picture (and normally
a chocolate).

9. Christmas Adverts
John Lewis 2011:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSLOnR1s74o
Coke advert:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLtShuLqyz0
Fifa advert:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTPrZGooLcU

10. Christmas stockings
Stockings are often filled with
small presents, sweets and
chocolates.
They are hung above the
fireplace.
Sometimes they have the
names of their owners on them.

11. Christmas Carols and Songs
 A Christmas carol is a song/hymn
that is sung during the period of
Christmas.
 Groups of carollers knock on doors
and sing carols for donations.
 This money is for charity.
 This is not as popular as in previous
times.
 Every year the same christmas
songs are also played on the radio.
 Each year there is a christmas no.1
Mariah:
http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=yXQViqx6GMY

12. Christmas Dinner and other
foods

13. Reindeers
Families put some milk and carrots by the
fireplace for Santa‘s reindeers.
Dasher, Dancer, Blitzen, Donner, Vixen,
Prancer, Comet, Cupid and Rudolph are
Santa‘s reindeers.

14. Father Christmas/Santa Claus
 Father Christmas delivers presents/gifts to houses where children have been
good.
 He is believed to live in the north pole, where an army of elves make his
toys.
 He gets in to houses through chimneys and leaves presents under the
Christmas tree, whilst his reindeers wait on the roof.
 In some countries he gives naughty children coal.

15. Gifts
Gifts are given and shared around Christmas
time.
‚Secret Santa‘ is when friends and family buy
presents for eachother but they don‘t know who
is buying their presents. It is a surprise.
Presents are kept under the Christmas tree until
Christmas Day.

16. Christmas Lights
OXFORD STREET
BROMLEY

17. Boxing day
Boxing day is the day after Christmas day.
It is also a bank holiday.
The Boxing day sales begin in shops.
Leftovers from Christmas day are eaten.
Festive films are shown on television.
Boxing day has nothing to do with the sport
boxing!

18. Questions
What are the main differences between
Christmas in Spain and in England?
Who do you spend Christmas with and where?
What do you eat during Christmas?
What is the best present you have ever
received?
How do you decorate your house/appartment
during Christmas?
Do you go to mass?
What is your favourite thing about Christmas?