ChristmasDayfallsonthetwenty-fifthofDecember.Itisaveryhappydayformanyboysandgirls.Beforethetermendsinsomeschools,thechildrenactanativity①or“birth”play,showinghowJesus②wasborninastable③.
Onthetwenty-fourthofDecember,allchildrenareveryexcited.Usuallytheyaresenttobedearlysothattheirparentscangetthepresentsready.TheyoungerchildrenthinkthatFatherChristmaswillcomedownthechimneyorfireplace,sotheyhangupasockforhimtoputpresentsin.Thegreedyonesevenhangupapillow-case④orasack⑤totrytogetmorepresents.Laterthatnight,FatherorMotherwillputpresentsinthesock,andleaveothersatthesideofthebed.
OnChristmasmorning,thechildrenwakeupveryearly.Someeventurnonthelightattwoo'clock,andmostofthemareawakebysixo'clockalthoughitisnotlightinEnglandforanotherhourortwoatthistimeoftheyear.Childrenlookfortheirpresents,andtheyoungonesplaywhilethedinnerisprepared.Ataboutoneo'clockintheafternoon,theChristmasdinnerisbroughtin.Theturkeyorchickenisquicklyeaten.ChildrensearchintheirChristmaspuddingfornewcoinswhicharehiddeninit.TherestofthedayisfullofgamesandeatinguntilthehappiestofallChristmashollidayscomestoanend.