So, it’s November, another year nearly gone.
For those who are visitors from other worlds, let me tell you a few things about this time of year.
We don’t really do Halloween. Well, some families do, and you will see skulls and pumpkins around, but mostly not.
We do do Bonfire Night. November 5th. Fireworks and a big bonfire.
When I was little, we had our own, as did most families. They were generally disappointing and also somewhat unsafe, so I think most people go for one of the public ‘organised’ events, like Alexandra Palace. As the big day is a school day, I imagine most events will be this weekend. A quick look online will help. I haven’t looked, as I am elsewhere anyway, but down by the Thames is often good.
Kiddies used to make a pretend man, a ‘Guy’, who would get burned, based on Guy Fawkes. They would ask for a “penny for the Guy”, but you don’t see that any more (if you do, and they have made an effort, you can give them some change). If you don’t know what it all celebrates, look here.
At the end of Novenmber, the USA celebrates Thanksgiving. You pig out, get drunk, eat lots of turkey and watch sports on tv. Here in the UK, we don’t celebrate American Thanksgiving, or anything. If you are a visitor to the UK, you won’t find anything special going on except possibly in American restaurants. Please don’t say “Happy Thanksgiving” to Brits. We don’t do it. We have nothing to give thanks for, not even Brexit.
We do celebrate Christmas. We pig out, get drunk and watch lots of tv. Then Boxing Day and the New Year (it’s singular, not plural, ok?).