I.
Christmas is the biggest festival of the (1) _____ in most of Britain. Celebrations start properly (2) _____ December 24, Christmas Eve, although there have been several weeks of preparation beforehand. The Christmas tree and all the presents, food, drink and decorations have (3) _____ bought. Christmas cards have already been (4) _____ to friends and relations. About a week before (5) _____, people usually put up their decorations and decorate the Christmas tree (6) _____ lights, various colored decorations and an angel on the top. Family presents are usually (7) _____ under the tree.
Christmas Day is the biggest day of the holiday. On the Christmas morning (often very early), children open the presents (8) _____ are in their socks. Some families go to church. The traditional Christmas dinner (9) _____ of roast turkey with potatoes and various other vegetables. Before the dinner, people usually (10) _____ crackers-small rolls of paper that have gifts, jokes, and party hats inside.
II.
Two popular traditions at Christmas (1) _____ decorating the home and singing the Christmas carols. The home is the center of the (2) _____ celebration. Inside, an evergreen tree is usually placed in the corner of the living room. Children and their parents (3) _____ string of colorful lights around the tree, they hang ornaments (4) _____ the branches. A star or angle often crowns the top. Careful- wrapped gifts are (5) _____ beneath. Outside, families often string lights around the windows and wind light around trees and shrubs in the front yard. As the families (6) _____ their homes, they often put on Christmas record. Almost every family has at (7) _____ one favorite album or compact disc. School children of all ages perform Christmas concerts (8) _____ their parents and communities. On Christmas’ Eve, family members gather around Christmas tree to (9) _____ traditional songs (10) _____ as Jingle bells and Silent night and then give presents to each other.