defestival1-3, Exercise 1: German Christmas Eve and Scottish Christmas Day

Model answer (generalised; families differ, and details are marked "check"):

Germany: the main event is the evening of 24 December. The tree is often revealed that evening, there may be a church service, presents are exchanged after dark (Bescherung), and the meal may be simple (potato salad and sausages) or in some regions carp. The 25th and 26th are quieter public holidays with family visits and a larger meal, such as goose.

Scotland: the main event is the morning of 25 December, with stockings and presents, followed by a large midday or afternoon meal (turkey, roast potatoes, trimmings). Boxing Day is a bank holiday.

Differences:
- The presents come on the evening before in Germany and on the morning itself in Scotland.
- The German festival is spread over three days, with the evening of the 24th as its peak; the Scottish one peaks on the 25th.
- Historically Scotland's Christmas was long played down by the Church of Scotland, so Hogmanay mattered more (check the details and when Christmas Day became a public holiday).

The point is that the same festival can have a different shape in each country.