If I were in England,... this Christmas...

Christmas is here. It is the time we miss some things from home. I would like to write some things that I would do differently if my family and I were in England this Christmas.

First, if we were in England, we would pull Christmas crackers! They are made of paper. When two people pull them, one part breaks and one person "wins" what is inside. They usually have a paper hat, a small toy and a very very bad joke.

A Christmas cracker joke. Cows say "moo". "The movies" is changed to "The moo-vies!". It is not funny!

Next, if we were in England, we would see lots of family. Christmas is a time for family. Usually, we don't see our friends on Christmas day. We stay at home and spend time with family. So, the roads are very quiet on Christmas day. Restaurants, shops, supermarkets and petrol stations are almost all closed. Hospitals are usually the only thing open!

Finally, if we were in the UK, we would be more stressed! Christmas is a very busy time of year in the UK. The shops are crazy busy. People have to buy lots of presents and food. We have to wrap the presents. We have to cook a giant meal! We have to travel to see family. The children wake up crazy early because they are too excited about presents. When I was young, I woke up at 4 or 5am! My parents told me to go back to bed many times! So, Christmas day is also a longer day than usual.

When Christmas comes, we are often tired of Christmas! Christmas is the UK is wonderful but maybe it is better in Japan. For a quiet life...

Crackers video: https://youtube.com/shorts/Uy_I4sGSTrU?si=a7uazYSapty59uPQ

some: いくつか（の）

from home: 故郷から（イギリスから）

do something differently: 違うやり方

my family and I: 私の家族と私

usually: いつもの

petrol stations: ガソリンスタンド

almost all closed: ほぼすべて閉まっている

stressed: 強調、ストレス

busy time of year: 一年の中で忙しい時期

giant: とっても大きい