As temperature keep falling, sometimes accompanied by strong wind and shower rain, British has been preparing for winter festive since the beginning of December.
The biggest event is Christmas, an annual festival on 25th December to celebrate the birth of Jesus (Isa al Masih, a.s). The Christian have celebrated Christmas since 4th century and has incorporated Pagan customs such as, decorating homes with evergreens like holly (for a symbol of continuity of life), kissing under the mistletoe (for fertility), Yule logs was considered lucky if keep alight for 12 days and wassail (to drink alcohol as a celebration).
Christmas tree was introduced by the German Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, to Britain in 1841. The British custom of Santa Claus coming down the chimney to deliver presents to all the children on Christmas Eve (24th December) comes from Dutch St Nikolass Day on 6th December. The red suit that Santa Claus wears come from a 1930's coca-cola advertisement.
Boxing Day is the popular term applied to 26th December in Britain and the commonwealth countries. Traditionally, this day the gentry would give presents in boxes, generally money, to their servants, trades-people and others of humble life. Nowadays, it's a biggest sale time!!
New Year's Day was observed on 25th March in the Middle Ages in most of European countries. This time also being the equinox (when day has same hours as night) and the beginning of spring. When Gregorian calender was introduced in 1582, Roman Catholic countries began to celebrate New Year's Day on 1st January, possibly because the Pagans would celebrate the start of longer days as part of their winter solstice (the shortest day in the northern hemisphere) celebration at that time of year.
Christmas tree was introduced by the German Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, to Britain in 1841. The British custom of Santa Claus coming down the chimney to deliver presents to all the children on Christmas Eve (24th December) comes from Dutch St Nikolass Day on 6th December. The red suit that Santa Claus wears come from a 1930's coca-cola advertisement.
Boxing Day is the popular term applied to 26th December in Britain and the commonwealth countries. Traditionally, this day the gentry would give presents in boxes, generally money, to their servants, trades-people and others of humble life. Nowadays, it's a biggest sale time!!
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