Слайд 2
Two hundred years ago British Christmas was totally
different from Christmas we know today
It was based on
old pagan traditions and was mainly for adults. It was full of mischief and alcohol.
Слайд 3
When Queen Victoria and her German husband Prince
Albert became the rulers of the British Empire
the British
started celebrating what we know as ‘traditional’ British Christmas. Victoria and Albert decided to invent a new-style celebration that would support the values and morals they wanted their people to follow.
Слайд 4
However, they kept some pagan traditions
e.g. They decorated
their homes with garlands and greenery.
Слайд 5
Christmas trees
were decorated with candles, toffees and gingerbreads.
Слайд 6
Christmas candles
People believed that their light helped him
to forget the darkness of winter.
Слайд 7
The baubles
appeared after 1870 (they believe that
baubles protected them from the evil eye).
Слайд 8
Christmas tree
Most families decorate their houses with brightly-coloured
paper. They usually have a Christmas tree in the
corner of the room. Early green trees were symbols of life.
Слайд 9
Christmas trees replaced a more British custom of
the Kissing Bough
It was an enormous garland of green
leaves and tree branches which was hung in the center of the main room.
Слайд 10
Victoria and Albert started more Christmas customs
presents giving
Слайд 11
Christmas cards giving
The very first Christmas
card
Слайд 12
Christmas cards
The first Christmas card was made in
1842 by an English painter John Calcott Horsley who
sent that card to one hundred of his friends.
Слайд 13
Christmas cards
are arranged on mantelpieces, shelves, tables and
sometimes attached to ribbon and hung round the walls.
Слайд 14
The way Christmas dishes are now served in
Britain changed
It became fashionable to dine a la Russe
(Russian style) – to serve separate dishes instead of having all the dishes on the table at once.
Слайд 15
Before the 17th century the main Christmas dish
was the plum pudding.
It was served with the meat
course and was eaten with a spoon.
With time people added other ingredients:
mutton (баранина)
raisins (изюм)
wine
ginger (имбирь)
cloves (гвоздика)
Слайд 16
The Victorians made popular Christmas pudding
Слайд 17
During the rule of Oliver Cromwell
(1599-1658)
eating Christmas pudding
was illegal in Britain. Cromwell thought that the dish
was so rich that it was sinful to eat it. He banned it! Anyone caught eating it could be fined or sent to jail.
Слайд 18
British Christmas is a family
celebration
Слайд 19
The symbols of Christmas:
Food & drink
Parties
Television and the
Queen’s Speech
Shopping in the dark, fairy lit streets
Midnight Mass
& Carol Services
Children’s activities
A Walk after Dinner
Sending out cards
Playing Games
Carol-singing
Decorating
Слайд 20
Christmas is celebrated during three days:
Christmas Eve
Christmas
Day
Boxing Day
Слайд 21
Boxing Day
The first weekday after Christmas is a
public holiday. This day is called Boxing Day because
people open the presents that were put in boxes.
Слайд 22
On Christmas Eve
children hang their stockings over the
fire-place.
They are told that Santa Claus arrives at
night from the North Pole and fills each stocking with presents.
Слайд 23
On Christmas Eve
everything is rush and bustle.
Offices
and public buildings close at one o’clock, but the
shops stay open till darkness.
Слайд 24
Most big cities are decorated with colourful lights
across the streets and enormous Christmas trees.
Слайд 25
Christmas food
Lunch is the most important point on
Christmas Day. The traditional lunch consists of a roast
turkey with vegetables, goose, Christmas pudding, the roast beef, nuts and oranges .
Слайд 26
In the houses
there is a great air of
expectation
The children are decorating house and the tree with
tinsel, various baubles and coloured lights.