Christmas is coming!!!

So Christmas is just around the corner! Unlike in Poland, Christmas preparations started back in early September! Can you believe it? Some shops started offering Christmas cards for sale just as the summer holidays had come to a close.

Yes, everyone complains it's too early, but that doesn't stop the shops trying to make some money a little early.

With less than 4 weeks to go, I think it's safe to talk about it now. Next week, the Christmas songs will start playing on Polish radio. I don't actually know if it's already happening in England? I do remember a Facebook post from an English friend, saying they'd been to IKEA and had heard Christmas music in the background. This was in September! I hope he was joking!

Christmas in England is a little different. The 24th (Christmas Eve) isn't a special day, where families come together. It is a day, or evening of socialising, but with friends, down the pub. Christmas Eve is a time when the bars are very busy all day. It's like another New Year's Eve. Go to any town or city in the UK on this day and you'll see two things. Shops full of last-minute shoppers and full pubs. This year of course will be very, very different for obvious reasons!

The 25th, (Christmas Day) is the day when families meet and celebrate. Presents are traditionally opened in the morning. Turkey is the traditional meat, although other meat is also popular. Fish, certainly isn't popular, unlike in Poland. Popular vegetables include, potatoes, carrots, brussel sprouts, peas, parsnips, broccoli and cauliflower. Plus, don't forget 'pigs in blankets' and 'stuffing'...Google them! In a previous blog I talked about Christmas desserts (dated 12th July).

'Christmas crackers' are also another Christmas tradition. They are festive table decorations that make a snapping sound when pulled open, and often contain a small gift, paper hat and a joke.

The 26th, (Boxing Day) is a continuation of the 25th. Families meeting, eating the food left from the previous day. Why is it called 'Boxing Day'? The most common explanation is that in the past, rich people would put gifts into boxes and give them to their servants, who would be given the day off from work.

Generally, the 24th, 25th and 26th are referred to by their names, not by the date. So, we always say 'Boxing Day', rather than 26th.

So are you ready for Christmas? Don't worry, you still have a few more weeks.

Until next time.

#englishchristmas, #brzegdolnynativespeaker, #lekcjeangielskiego