Crackers are a British tradition.

They are like a big bonbon and they

are opened before the meal. The crackers are opened by two
people! Each one pulls on one side until a “bang” sound. Inside the
cracker is a toast, a paper crown, and a riddle or dictation. All guests
are entitled to a cracker.

The turkey is the main course of the party. The accompaniments are
diverse: baked potatoes, boiled carrots, steamed purple cabbage,
brussels sprouts and Yorkshire puddings, which are a kind of fried
and baked salty dumplings, quite common as accompaniment in
England.

The party goes all nght, with a lot of good food. After a break for
digestion, Christmas pudding are served! It is a cake, that contains
lots of dried fruits and spices.

Unlike Portugal, in the United Kingdom the Christmas celebration

takes place on 25 December. The eve of Christmas is reserved for
Masses, Christmas songs and sometimes a trip to the pub.

On December 25, families gather in the afternoon for Christmas

dinner.

Merry Christmas!