Welcome to the Calendar!

Hello everyone! Have you ever wondered why we have months, and what makes each one special? A calendar helps us keep track of time, seasons, and important events throughout the year. In Britain, just like in many other parts of the world, our year is divided into twelve months. Today, we’re going to explore two very different months: January, the beginning of the year, and May, a lovely spring month.

Each month has its own unique flavour, with different weather, holidays, and traditions. Learning about them helps us understand more about British culture and history. Let’s dive in!

January: The Start of a New Year

January is the first month of the year, and it often feels like a fresh start after the busy Christmas period. In Britain, January is usually one of the coldest months, with frosty mornings, and sometimes even snow! People often spend more time indoors, perhaps getting cosy by a fire.

The name ‘January’ comes from the Roman god Janus, who had two faces – one looking forwards and one looking backwards. This is very fitting for a month that marks both the end of the old year and the beginning of the new!

New Year’s Day (1st January)

The biggest celebration in January is, of course, New Year’s Day. Many people stay up until midnight on New Year’s Eve (31st December) to welcome the new year with fireworks and celebrations. In Scotland, New Year’s Eve is called Hogmanay, and it’s a huge festival with unique traditions like ‘first-footing’ – where the first person to cross the threshold of a home after midnight brings good luck for the year ahead, often carrying a lump of coal, shortbread, or whisky.

On New Year’s Day itself, it’s a public holiday (called a Bank Holiday in Britain), so schools and many businesses are closed. People often make ‘New Year’s resolutions’ – promises to themselves to do something good or change something in their lives, like eating more healthily or learning a new skill. Sometimes these resolutions last, and sometimes they don’t!

Twelfth Night (6th January)

Another important date is Twelfth Night, which falls on 6th January. This day traditionally marks the end of the Christmas season. It’s when people take down their Christmas decorations. It’s considered bad luck to leave them up after this date! Historically, Twelfth Night was a time for big parties and feasting, much like Christmas Day itself.

Burns Night (25th January)

Later in January, Scotland celebrates Burns Night on the 25th. This is a special evening dedicated to the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns. People hold ‘Burns Suppers’ where

Written by Mandy Barrow

Project Britain