Old New Year has officially come and gone, and it feels like it’s taken the last bits of the festive vibes with it. But hold your horses! Let’s not blow out the scented candles yet. Why not keep the party going by looking into the holiday icons of Russia and the UK? Read on to find out more 🤩 PERSONALITY Our Father Frost (aka Ded Moroz) traditionally rocks blue robes. Nowadays he’s often decked out in red. This look became popular during the USSR era and recently as a nod to the Santa image. In the UK, they originally had Father Christmas. Over time, though, due to the US-inspired customs he’s taken on a good lot of Santa Claus’s attributes and gear. FAMILY Our Father Frost has his granddaughter, the Snow Maiden (aka Snegurochka), while Santa has a partner in crime - Mrs Claus 🤶 GIFT-GIVING Father Frost uses magic to whip up gifts, but Santa has a team of elves to do the heavy lifting. Russian parents tell naughty kids they’ll get no presents. In the UK, the threat is even more grim. Santa leaves a lump of coal for kids who haven’t behaved 🎁🪨 THE RIDE Their means of transport differ, too. Ours has a troika of white horses, while Santa has a sleigh pulled by reindeer, led by Rudolph – the one with the famous red nose 🦌 GREETINGS In Russia, kids meet and greet Ded Moroz standing on a stool and reciting a poem. In the UK, seeing Santa is off the cards. He’s a midnight visitor! So kids leave him a snack - usually a mince pie and a glass of brandy to keep Santa warm - and hit the sack. NB: milk and cookies are a classic American Christmas tradition. Vocabulary highlights: hold your horses - don't hurry; wait a moment a nod to smth/smb - a reference to smth/smb partners in crime - two people who have done smth together whip up - quickly make smth be decked out - dressed up or decorated fancy heavy lifting - the hard work of a task be off the cards - not possible / not going to happen hit the sack - go to sleep be back in the saddle - return to a regular routine Everyone loves a bit of festive magic. It just comes with different faces. Are you still clinging to the magical atmosphere? Or are you already back in the saddle after the break? #лексика #учитьанглийский