Christmas Eve (24 December):
Night time on Christmas Eve is a very exciting time for young children. It is the time when Father Christmas (Santa) comes. The children leave mince pies and brandy for Father Christmas, and a carrot for the reindeer. Children hang their Christmas stockings or bags for Father Christmas, who will fill them up with presents, if the children have been good. The children then go to sleep and wait for Christmas morning to see if he has been. He enters the houses down the chimney at midnight and places presents for the children in stockings (large socks) or bags by their beds or in front of the family Christmas tree.




















Father Christmas:
He is an old jolly man with white hair, a beard and a moustache. Father Christmas and his elves make all the toys for Christmas in his home in the North Pole. Children write letters to Father Christmas to tell him what they would like for Christmas.













The Christmas tree:
Most houses in England have a tree which they decorate. The decorating of the tree is usually a family occasion, with everyone helping. Christmas trees are decorated with tinsel, lights and small ornaments which hang from the branches. The presents are put under the tree. An angel or star is usually put on the top of the tree.






Christmas cards:
People around the world send Christmas Cards to their friends and family. Traditionally, Christmas cards showed religious pictures of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, or other parts of the Christmas story. Today, pictures are often winter pictures, Father Christmas, or jokes.

Christmas carols:
The special songs which we sing during the Christmas season are called carols. People go 'carol singing'. This is where people will go from house to house singing carols and collecting money for charity.

Christmas crackers:
A Christmas Cracker is a brightly coloured paper tube, twisted at both ends. There is a banger inside the cracker and when two people pull it, the cracker snaps in half with a bang. Traditionally a Christmas cracker is placed next to each plate on the Christmas dinner table. Inside the cracker there is a paper hat, a joke and a little gift or toy.

Boxing day:
Boxing Day is the following day after Christmas Day. Like Christmas Day it is also a national holiday in England. Traditionally, householders give small gifts or monetary tips to regular visiting trades people (the milkman, dustman, coalman, paper boy etc.) and, in some work places, employers give a Christmas bonus to employees.