This book introduces to many festivals and celebrations, for example, The New Year, Valentine's Day, Easter, The Fourth of July, Halloween, Guy Fawkes' Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
On 31 December is New Year's Eve and people go to parties, bars, or restaurants with their friends in the evening. In Scotland, New Year's Eve is called a special name, Hogmanay. New Year's Day is a holiday for most people. Many people stay at home and rest. When people see their friends, they usually say 'Happy New Year!'
Valentine's Day started over two thousand years ago on 15 February as a winter festival. Valentine's Day started because of one man whose name is Valentine and who worked for the church.
Easter is the most important festival. People decorate eggs with many colors and also eat hot cross buns. Some women and girls decorate hats which are called Easter bonnets and many people go to the church on Easter.
The Fourth of July is the Independence Day. On 4 July, 1776, Thomas Jefferson and other people wrote the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. Many families have a barbecue and play the games in their gardens or a park. Independence Day usually ends with fireworks.
Halloween is for sending away bad spirits. In Canada and the USA, and sometimes in Britain, children who dress up like witches and ghosts go to the houses around their houses and say 'Trick or treat?' If people don't give the children fruit or chocolate, they will pay a trick on them.
Guy Fawkes' Day is on November. In most of Britain, people build a big fire outside whose name is bonfire. Many children learn these old words on this day.
Thanksgiving is for thanking God for harvest. The date of this day has changed three times in the USA, but now it is the 4th Thursday in November. Most American and Canadian families have dinner with their family.
Christmas is the day when Jesus Christ was born and Christian religion started. People start to prepare for Christmas in late October or early November and in the middle of December, most families put Christmas trees inside their house and colorful decorations on them. People send cards to their friends and family. Many people go to church at midnight on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is a holiday and its dinner is the biggest meal of the day.
There are many festivals and celebrations I have never experienced in the world. I think festivals and celebrations are important because they make us happy and relaxed and we can thank many things and spend nice time with our family and friends.
