Festivals in English-Speaking Countries

   HALLOWEEN   

Halloween is one of the world`s oldest holidays, dating back to pagan times. But it is celebrated today by more people in more countries than ever before.

Spanish culture does not really know the origin of this festival, initially pagan and later religious, on the eve of All Saints' Day. Formerly, the end of summer was celebrated and difficult times began, that's why they went to other houses asking for food. Apart from the typical terrifying costumes that represent the undead that visit us between October 31 and November 1, there are more typical celebrations in these countries

Duck Apple
Introduce apples in a bucket with water and remove them with your mouth, without any help.
Trick or Treat
Children walk from house to house asking for candy on the condition that they do not cause any fright to the inhabitants of the houses, who usually decorate their houses for the occasion and are always willing to collaborate.

  CHRISTMAS  

The English-speaking countries begin this party at the beginning of November. During that month they begin their decorations with Christmas Trees, with Snowmen and with bulbs of different colors and shapes. All the streets are filled with color and joy.

One of the most important nights is the night of December 24, Christmas Eve, the children leave a sock for Santa Claus to give them gifts.

After the Christmas Eve night, comes The Cristmas Day, Christmas Day. On this day the whole families gather to eat, it is usually turkey or chicken, but before starting to eat, Crackers are traditional. Crackers are small cardboard tubes that usually leave messages of good luck inside and are wrapped in the shape of candy.

To end the day, it is traditional that the Christmas Cake dine at night.

After Christmas Day comes Saint Stephen's Day, also called The Boxing Day. It is a very special day as many families often make donations to families who do not have money and even give gifts to poor children.

For Spain, Christmas ends on January 6 with the Three Wise Men, but there, they do not believe in this party.

  The Easter  

It begins on Holy Thursday and lasts until Easter Monday

Something very characteristic is to send by mail cards to wish a Happy Easter Also, during the Easter there is a general cleaning in the houses, the so-called, Spring Cleaning, which prepares the house to receive the blessing of the parish priest and to begin a new stage with spring.

The Good Friday the Anglo-Saxons prepare for the great day of the resurrection of Christ, this preparation includes buying new clothes, cutting their hair, getting a manicure, etc.

The Easter Sunday usually goes to the Church with the family and after the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ. Later a traditional Easter Dinner (5pm) is celebrated at home where everything that has been avoided during the Lenten season is eaten.

Easter Eggs: Cooked eggs that are painted and decorated, using mostly pastel shades and motifs related to nature and spring. However, today, chocolate Easter eggs are the most popular and are usually given to children. Once we have painted the cooked eggs or bought some chocolate eggs, it's time to play!

   Easter Egg Hunt: The most widespread game (not only in English-speaking countries) is to look for eggs, previously hidden by parents.

  Easter Egg Roll: This game consists of rolling the egg downhill to the finish line without breaking.
Easter Bunny: He is in charge of bringing chocolates to children who have been good. It is tradition to leave a basket for the Easter Bunny to leave the candy for each child.

I add a video of several festivals in english speaking countries. I hope you like it!