Extensive Reading - "It's Christmas" by Américo Dias

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“IT’’S CHRISTMAS” by Américo Dias


It’s the 23rd December.
Jorge and Catarina are very excited because they are going to Portugal to spend Christmas there.
Christmas Eve is not very important in England. That’s the reason why JJ and Ann don’t understand Catarina and Jorge’s excitement.
Christmas traditions in England are different from Portuguese traditions. Let’s see…
In England, on Christmas Eve, people often stop working early. Then they finish their Christmas shopping.
In Portugal many people stop working earlier. People want to go home to prepare for dinner.
Dinner on Christmas Eve is the most important meal. Traditionally the Portuguese eat codfish and boiled potatoes.
In England dinner on the 24th December is not an important meal.
When they go to bed children hang a stocking by the fireside. When Santa Claus climbs down the chimney he leaves the presents there.
In Portugal many children get their presents at midnight.
Santa Claus comes after dinner and leaves the presents by the chimney.
In the morning of Christmas day British children run to the fireplace to see their presents. If they are good children Santa Claus leaves presents in the stockings, if they are bad he leaves a piece of coal.
The morning for Portuguese children is the time to start enjoying their new toys.
In Britain the most important Christmas meal is Christmas dinner in the afternoon of the 25th December. They have roast turkey, potatoes, peas, Brussel sprouts and gravy. After the turkey there’s Christmas pudding.
In Portugal the typical meal for lunch on the 25th December is roast turkey, too. But many people eat “Roupa Velha”, a dish prepared with codfish.
Before they start to eat, the British pull crackers. The crackers make a loud noise and have a small game and a paper party hat inside. They use the paper hat during Christmas dinner.
After lunch, in Portugal, many people stay at home. Winter is very cold and the Portuguese love staying at home, with all the family, just chatting or playing some games.
In Britain at three o’clock many people turn their televisions on. They want to see the Queen wishing everyone a “Happy Christmas”.