CHRISTMAS AND

BOXING DAY

CHRISTMAS

WHAT IS IT ?

Christmas is a Christian annual

commemoration of the birth of Jesus. Father Christmas brings gifts to the

homes of good children on the night

before Chrismas, December 24th.

On the night of the 24th of December, presents are distributed . On the

morning of the 25th, the children open their presents and the rest

of the day is devoted to this celebration, the

birth of Jesus.

WHEN IS IT ?

WHERE IS IT CELEBRATED ?

Christmas is celebrated in most countries where the majority of population is Christian : Europe,

America, Africa.In contrast Christmas is not celebrated

officially in Muslim countries.

WHY ?

In the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church decided to

replace the pagan figures by St Nicolas then by the Father

Christmas.

HOW IS IT CELEBRATED ?

Children decorate their houses with red and green, decorate their

christmas trees, write their letters to Father Christmas and listen to

Christmas carols sung by choirs in front of their houses. Before going to bed, they hang stockings at the foot of their beds and leave cakes and a

glass of port under the tree for Father Christmas.

SPECIFIC DETAILS

● At the begining, Father Christmas was green, but later he changed to red with the publicity campaign for Coca-Cola.

● At the begining of December, the british send greeting cards to their family and friends. Cards they have received are exposed on the wolls or on the mantel

piece. They will be taken down at Epiphany, Jenuary 6th.

Boxing Day is the day after

Christmas, the 26th of December and a public holliday. This day, the tradition is to distribute presents

to the needy ( the poor ). It’s mostly celebrated in the UK,

Canada, Australia, New-Zealand and the West Indies ( îles CaraÏbes

).

BOXING DAY

SPECIFIC VOCABULARY

CHRISTMAS

QUIZ● When is celebrated Christmas ?

Christmas is celebrated the 24th and the 25th of December.

● Where isn’t Christmas officially celebrated ?Christmas is not officially celebrated in Muslim

countries.● Where is Boxing Day celebrated ?Boxing Day is mostly celebrated in the UK, Canada,

Australia, New-Zealand and the West Indies.● Who receives presents on Boxing Day ?

This day, the tradition is to disribute presents to needy.

So …