You are going to look at the Christmas tradition of Australia.

The heat of early summer in Australia has an effect on the way that Australians celebrate
Christmas and on which northern hemisphere (félteke) Christmas traditions are followed.
In the weeks before Christmas houses are decorated; greetings cards sent out; carols sung;
Christmas trees set up in homes, schools and public places; and children delight in waiting for a
visit from Santa Claus. On Christmas Day family and friends gather to give each other gifts and
enjoy special Christmas food.
Many Australians spend Christmas out of doors, going to the beach for the day, or going to
camping grounds for a longer break over the Christmas holiday period. It has become traditional
for international visitors who are in Sydney at Christmas time to go to Bondi Beach where up to
40,000 people visit on Christmas Day.
There are many native Australian plants in flower over the Christmas season. A number of these
have become known as 'Christmas plants' in various parts of the country, including Christmas
Bells, Christmas Bush and the Christmas Orchid.
When Europeans first arrived in Australia they were delighted that they could pick wildflowers
which are like bells (harang) and bright green foliage (lomb) covered in red or white flowers to
use as Christmas decorations. This was a huge contrast to the bare (csupasz) trees and dormant
(kialudt, holt) gardens they had left behind in Europe.
Christmas in Australia comes at the beginning of summer and many people no longer serve a
traditional hot roast dinner. Cold turkey and ham, seafood and salads are often served instead. It
has even become acceptable to serve the traditional Christmas Plum Pudding with cold custard
(sodó), ice cream or cream. Pavlova, a meringue (habcsók, sült, cukrozott tojáshab) base topped
with whipped cream and fresh fruit, and various versions of the Festive Ice Cream Pudding have
also become popular Christmas desserts.

Finish the sentences about the comparison between Hungarian and Australian Christmas
traditions.

1. It is cold in Hungary at Christmas, but __________________________________ in Australia.

2. Hungarians spend Christmas in their houses, but Australians
________________________________.
3. Hungarians go ice-skating or skiing, but Australians ________________________________.
4. Christmas comes at the beginning of winter in Hungary, but
_____________________________________________.
5. Traditional Hungarian Christmas food is hot, but
_____________________________________________.
6. Hungarians mostly eat fish or chicken, but Australians
_____________________________________________.
7. Hungarians eat cakes and sweets as dessert, but
____________________________________________.

We are going to look at the Christmas traditions of England.

Christmas Eve (December 24) is traditionally the day for decorating churches and homes. It marks
the beginning of the period formally known as Christmas-tide.
Christmas traditionally started at sunset on December 24. Our ancient ancestors considered this to
be Christmas Evening (or Christmas Eve).
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.
From 1870 children have hung up Christmas stockings at the ends of their beds or along the
mantelpiece above the fireplace. Today, children still hang Christmas stockings or bags up ready
for Father Christmas, who will hopefully 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.
Christians go to a special carol service at their church on Christmas Eve night. There are usually
two carols services. The first one is for children and may be a candle lit service where the
congregation hold a candle each whilst they sing Christmas songs (carols) and watch a Nativity
performed by children. The second one is closer to midnight (called Midnight Mass), so that
people can welcome Christmas Day in and rejoice in the coming of our Lord.

Christmas Day is the favourite day of all children. They wake up very early in the morning to find
their stockings have been filled by Father Christmas and excitedly unwrap the presents before
going down to breakfast.
Family presents are opened either late morning or during the afternoon. The family gather
together to open the presents found under the Christmas tree.
The whole family sit down for Christmas dinner at mid-day. Traditional feature of Christmas
afternoon is the Queen's Christmas Message. At three o'clock in the afternoon, the Queen gives
her Christmas Message to the nation which is broadcast on radio and television. The Queen's
message is also broadcast throughout the British Commonwealth. The custom was begun by King
George V in 1932.
The Queen has made a Christmas Broadcast to the Commonwealth every year of her reign except
1969, when a repeat of the film `Royal Family' was shown and a written message from The Queen
issued.

Boxing Day is the following day after Christmas Day. Like Christmas Day, Boxing Day is a
public holiday. The name of the day goes back to medieval times, more than 800 years ago, when
alms boxes were placed at the back of every church to collect money for the poor. Traditionally, it
is on this day that the alms box at every English church is opened and the contents are distributed
to the poor. During the late 18th century, Lords and Ladies of the manor would "box up" their
leftover food, or sometimes gifts and distribute them the day after Christmas to tenants who lived
and worked on their lands.
The tradition of giving money still continues today. It is customary for householders to give small
gifts or monetary tips to regular visiting trades people (the milkman, dustman, coalman, paper boy
etc.) and, in some work places, for employers to give a Christmas bonus to employees.
Traditionally, Boxing Day is the day when families get together. It is a day of watching sports and
playing board games with the family.

Decide which of these things happen on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

1. Families watch sports events and play games.

2. The Queen’s Christmas message is broadcast.
3. People go to special carol services.
4. People open their presents.
5. Kids put their stockings, and hope they will find some presents in it the next day.
6. Small gifts or tips are given o postmen, milkmen and paper boy.
7. People decorate churches and homes.
8. People sing carols and perform nativity plays.

We are going to look at American Christmas traditions.

Santa Claus was born in US in the 1860's he was named this as he had a white beard and a belly, so he was
named Santa Claus as this was the Dutch word for St Nicholas. Although the Dutch had bought him with
them in the 17th century, he did not become an important person at Christmas until the Novelist
Washington Irving put him in a novel that he wrote in 1809. This first Santa Claus was still known as St.
Nicholas, he did smoke a pipe, and fly around in a wagon without any reindeer, but he did not have his red
suit or live at the North Pole, he did however bring presents to children every year.
In 1863 he was given the name Santa Claus and bore the red suit, pipe, and his reindeer and sleigh.
Now Christmas celebrations vary greatly between regions of the United States, because of the variety of
nationalities which have settled in it.
In Pennsylvania, the Moravians build a landscape, called a putz - under the Christmas tree, while in the
same state the Germans are given gifts by Belsnickle, who taps them with his switch if they have
misbehaved.
Early European settlers brought many traditions to the United States. Many settled in the early days in the
South, these settlers would send Christmas greetings to their distant neighbours by shooting firearms and
letting off fireworks. In Hawaii this practice is still in use as under the sunny skies, Santa Claus arrives by
boat and Christmas dinner is eaten outdoors.
In Alaska, a star on a pole is taken from door to door, followed by Herod's Men, who try to capture the star.
Colonial doorways are often decorated with pineapple, a symbol of hospitality.
In Alaska, boys and girls with lanterns on poles carry a large figure of a star from door to door. They sing
carols and are invited in for supper.
In Washington D.C., a huge, spectacular tree is lit ceremoniously when the President presses a button and
turns on the tree's lights.
In Boston, carol singing festivities are famous. The singers are accompanied by hand bells.
In New Orleans, a huge ox is paraded around the streets decorated with holly and with ribbons tied to its
horns.
In Arizona, the Mexican ritual called Las Posadas is kept up. This is a ritual procession and play
representing the search of Mary and Joseph for a room at the inn. Families play the parts and visit each
other's houses enacting and re-enacting the drama and, at the same time, having a look at each family's crib.
In Hawaii, Christmas starts with the coming of the Christmas Tree Ship, which is a ship bringing a great
load of Christmas fare. Santa Claus also arrives by boat.
In California, Santa Claus sweeps in on a surf board.
In parts of New Mexico, people place lighted candles in paper bags filled with sand on streets and rooftops
to light the way for the Christ Child.
In America the traditional Christmas dinner is roast turkey with vegetables and sauces. For dessert it is rich,
fruity Christmas pudding with brandy sauce. Mince pies, pastry cases filled with a mixture of chopped dried
fruit.
The majority of Americans celebrate Christmas with the exchange of gifts and greetings and with family
visits. For many, the day begins on Christmas Eve with the Midnight Mass. At Christmas it snows in many
states, so dinner is usually eaten indoors. Dinner usually is roast turkey, goose, duck or ham served with
cranberry sauce, then plum pudding or pumpkin pie followed by nuts and fruit.
American homes are decorated with holly, mistletoe and branches of trees, most have a Christmas tree hung
with electric lights, tinsel, baubles, and strings of popcorn and candy canes.
In Colorado, an enormous star is placed on the mountain, it can be seen for many kilometres around, while
in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a star is lit in early December.
Polish Americans on Christmas Eve spread hay on their kitchen floor and under the tablecloth to remind
them of a stable and a manger. When they make up the table for dinner two extra places are set up for Mary
and the Christ Child in case they should knock at the door to ask for shelter.
In Philadelphia, a procession called a mummers parade runs for a whole day with bands, dancers and people
in fancy dress.
There are two homes for Santa Claus in the United States one is in Torrington, Connecticut, where Santa
and his helpers give out presents. The other home is in Wilmington, New York, where a village for Santa
and his reindeer is located.

Finish the sentences.

1. As the US is called the melting pot, X-mas traditions _____________________________.

2. Santa Claus only became an important person at X-mas when ______________________________.
3. People decorate their homes with _________________________________________.
4. People decorate X-mas trees with _________________________________________.
5. Santa Claus lives _____________________________.
6. In California and in Hawaii Santa Claus arrives _____________________________________.
7. Americans celebrate X-mas by ___________________________________________.
8. Hay _________________________________________.
9. Two extra places are set up _________________________.
10. A huge star is ____________________________________.