In the UK, Christmas Day is normally spent at home with the family and is regarded as a family celebration. The preparations begin in advance by sending Christmas cards and by putting up a Christmas tree in a special place in the house. Today, the Christmas tree is a well establishedtradition, but it was first popularized by Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, who introduced this custom from his native Germanyin 1840. Traditionally, gifts are placed under the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve.
On Christmas Eve, children hang their stockings (an old sock or pillow cases) around the chimney or at their bed side for Santa Claus to fill them with gifts. The first image of Santa Claus in his traditional red and white suit appeared in an engraving in 1653. However, the story of Santa Claus arriving in his reindeer-drawn sleigh and descending down the chimney to fill children's stockings with presents appeared much later.
In Spain, the streets are decorated with lights, and apart from the Christmas Tree, people put up Nativity Scenes in their houses, and as well as Santa Claus, the three wise men also bring presents to the children on January 6th.
By Isabel de Sola Rodríguez 2º ESO A
