SATURNALIA

SATURNALIA

Romans were the party people of the ancient world. For them, the end of December meant only one thing, Saturnalia, and the onset of two weeks of non-stop feasting. The festivities were held in honour of Saturn, the god of Agriculture, and no detail was overlooked. The buildings were brightly lit, fir trees were decorated, presents were exchanged and slaves got their annual chance to swap places with their masters.

The Saturnalia was originally held on the 17th of December to honor Saturn as a harvest god. The celebration started at the temple of Saturn and the Romans held a public feast in honor of the God. By the late Republic, the celebration lasted from three to seven days.

DECEMBER AND CHRISTMAS

DECEMBER

Christmas plant: Poinsettia

December used to be the tenth month of the Roman year and,it gets its name from the word "decem", which means ten.

In the northern emisphere December marks the beginning of winter, and it is the time of rain, wind and snow.

December is very much associated with Christmas and a lot of December customs and traditions have therefore been swallowed up by the festival: Christmas trees, Christmas carols, presents, Father Christmas, Christmas puddings...

Christmas is a magical season, bringing families and friends together to share customs and traditions. Most people are on holiday in England and stay at home with their family on Christmas day.

The British are very fond of Christmas decoration and Christmas cards are used as part of it.

We can see cards all over the furniture in the living-room, dining-room... British people normally get between 20 and 30 Christmas cards.

Fuente: Woodlands Junior School


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