Top 10 Holidays in the United Kingdom -

Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve was when the real magic began.There was something in the air and the feeling of
anticipation was almost palpable.Shoppers rushing for last minute presents.The biting cold wind in your
face, fingers tucked into gloves; thick socks and silly pom-pom hats.Wooly jumpers with reindeer
patterns.Stressed mothers and fathers dragging hyperactive children around supermarkets to the tune
of tired Christmas songs.The fight for the last frozen turkey, too much chocolate, mince pies, eggnog,
and buck's fizz.There was a buzz and energy, a chaotic day of preparation and nervous excitement.By
evening when most of the work had been done people began to relax.Bottles of champagne were
popped, and families gathered together to watch Christmas movies on TV.Every year as a child my
father would sit me and my brother on his lap, and read us The Night Before Christmas.We would warm
our hands over the fire, as chestnuts roasted in the ash beneath the grate.My mother would eat blue
cheese and crackers, the lights of the Christmas tree glinting in the reflection of the window.We would
stare up at the night sky, hoping for snow, or walk outside in the frosty air, as our breaths rose from our
lips like billowing ghosts, to admire the Christmas lights that decorated the neighbour's houses.As it
neared 10pm, my brother and I would gather near the fireplace and hang out our empty stockings for
Santa.Our Christmas lists had been written and sent up the chimney weeks before.We would take a
glass of whisky and leave it for Santa, and leave a carrot for Rudolph.It was then up to bed, lying with
the lights out, butterflies in our stomachs, listening for the clip clop of reindeer and the sounds of bells
on the roof.Suddenly it was morning, and that feeling is like no other, when you suddenly realise that
this is no ordinary day.We would rush downstairs, open the door to the living room, and see a huge pile
of presents under the Christmas tree, a stuffed stocking, and my parents smiling and waiting.We always
knew that Santa had been, because the whisky had been drunk and only the end of the carrot
eaten.Needless to say, I never quite stopped believing.

Dialogue
Christmas Eve was when the real magic began.
There was something in the air and the feeling of anticipation was almost palpable.
Shoppers rushing for last minute presents.
The biting cold wind in your face, fingers tucked into gloves; thick socks and silly pom-pom
hats.
Wooly jumpers with reindeer patterns.
Stressed mothers and fathers dragging hyperactive children around supermarkets to the tune of
tired Christmas songs.
The fight for the last frozen turkey, too much chocolate, mince pies, eggnog, and buck's fizz.
There was a buzz and energy, a chaotic day of preparation and nervous excitement.
By evening when most of the work had been done people began to relax.
Bottles of champagne were popped, and families gathered together to watch Christmas movies
on TV.
Every year as a child my father would sit me and my brother on his lap, and read us The Night
Before Christmas.
We would warm our hands over the fire, as chestnuts roasted in the ash beneath the grate.
My mother would eat blue cheese and crackers, the lights of the Christmas tree glinting in the
reflection of the window.
We would stare up at the night sky, hoping for snow, or walk outside in the frosty air, as our
breaths rose from our lips like billowing ghosts, to admire the Christmas lights that decorated the
neighbours' houses.
As it neared 10pm, my brother and I would gather near the fireplace and hang out our empty
stockings for Santa.
Our Christmas lists had been written and sent up the chimney weeks before.
We would take a glass of whisky and leave it for Santa, and leave a carrot for Rudolph.
It was then up to bed, lying with the lights out, butterflies in our stomachs, listening for the clip
clop of reindeer and the sounds of bells on the roof.
Suddenly it was morning, and that feeling is like no other, when you suddenly realise that this is
no ordinary day.
We would rush downstairs, open the door to the living room, and see a huge pile of presents
under the Christmas tree, a stuffed stocking, and my parents smiling and waiting.
We always knew that Santa had been, because the whisky had been drunk and only the end of
the carrot eaten.
Needless to say, I never quite stopped believing.

Vocabulary
clip clop the sound made by the hooves of horses.
The clip clop sound of the horses trotting through the village brought back memories of Jill`s
childhood near the farm.

Rudolph the name of one of Santa’s reindeer with a bright red nose.
Rudolph tugged Santa`s sleigh with all his might, painting the skies with glitter and magical
trails.

stockings oversized socks left out on Christmas Eve for Santa to fill with toys and gifts for
children.
The stockings were perfectly lined up along the fireplace and filled with Christmas treats and
surprises.

frosty very cold weather when frost forms.

chestnuts a type of nut

Chestnuts can be enjoyed in a multitude of ways, such as, boiled chestnuts, steamed chestnuts,
grilled chestnuts and the classic roasted variety.
eggnog a sweet diary based alcoholic beverage made with milk, cream, sugar and liquor.

mince pies a fruit-based minced meat pie from Britain

The postman bit into the mince pie, savouring every bite.

pom-pom a loose fluffy ball of fibrous material used for decorative purposes.
The halls were decked with bows and vibrantly coloured pom-poms.

palpable capable of being felt or touched.

There was a palpable sense of expectation spreading throughout the school building.

anticipation feeling of excitement about something expected

The look of anticipation was written all over her face.
The team prepared in anticipation of the big playoff game.
She waited in anticipation for her package to arrive.