Traditions make a nation special

Russians really love holidays. We usually celebrate them with a lot of food, presents and in big companies of relatives and friends.
There are three types of holidays in Russia.
They are family holidays, state (public, official) holidays and religious ( church) holidays.
Family holidays include birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, house-warming parties, new baby parties and others. Some pagan holidays are popular with Russians too.
( see the table)

… is a … holiday.
We celebrate it on the … of … (There is no exact date for …, it is different every year. It is usually the last ( the first)… of…)
… celebrates ( marks) the end of…/ the beginning of…/ the victory of…in…/ the Independence of…/ the anniversary of…/ the new Constitution.
… is devoted to soldiers and officers / the Soviet Army / women. ( We celebrate it in the honour of …)
The day makes us think of…
… has deep roots.
… was started by / in / as…( was connected with / is associated with / used to be celebrated as…

Concerts / marches / parades / services in church / processions of veterans / demonstrations are held …
It takes time to make all the arrangements but it is worth many efforts. ( give one’s house a thorough cleaning, to decorate … with …, make fancy costumes, write and send post cards )
People are involved in various activities.
They congratulate … on… / give presents to… / lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
They go out into the streets
participate /take part in all kinds of outdo
activities( in parades, shows, demonstrations,
fancy balls)
go to church and stay for service

come to one’s parents / gather / get together
go visiting each other / invite guests
cook a special dinner / make pancakes
(paskhas, Easter cakes, dye or paint
eggs)
have parties, dance , have a carnival
set off fire-crackers ( The whole sky lights
up
with fire-works at midnight.)
knock on people’s door, sing carols, collect
gifts
burn a scarecrow
People enjoy themselves / have fun / stay up late / stay up until midnight / sit at the table / have a great chat.
The highlight of the festival is…

Can people do without celebrations?
What is your favourite old ( new) holiday?
Do you feel sorry about the holidays that disappeared?
What new holidays would you like to establish?
Is choosing gifts an easy matter?
(For me choosing a present depends on what occasion it is / how close we are / how much money I have.
If…………. it is supposed to be expensive / it could be hand-made.
It is the spirit behind the gift that matters most but not the gift itself.)

What point of view do you have on celebrations? +
Celebrating is my joy!
I like the perfect / special atmosphere behind celebrations.
I just enjoy the spirit of a holiday!
I celebrate any holiday irrespective of its religious background.
For me a holiday is a good opportunity to get together with my nearest and dearest / friends.

What point of view do you have on celebrations? --
I don’t like any celebration especially. It’s not important for me.
For me any holiday is just a day-off.
I don’t understand the use of celebrating a holiday only because it’s a tradition!
We can choose more interesting activities instead of sitting at the table and discussing boring family problems.
There’s only one celebration that matters, it’s…