A holiday is a period set aside by law or custom, where normal daily activities, particularly work or business, are either suspended or completely reduced. In general, holidays are planned to enable people to commemorate or celebrate an occasion or belief of historical or cultural significance. Holidays have many different names across the world, but in the United States, they tend to be associated with happy holidays, or occasions deemed to be stressful for people. The term “holidays” is also sometimes used synonymously with “seasonal” holidays, indicating events that occur around the time when people associate them with joy and cheer. In the United States, holiday celebrations span from the major national holidays of Christmas and New Year’s Day to less popular annual observances such as Thanksgiving. There are many different types of holidays that Americans celebrate.
Some of the most popular holidays in the United States are Christmas, Chanukah, Saint Patrick’s Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s Day. Although public holidays are generally seen as a public holiday marking the end of the day’s activity, they are also observed privately in many cases. Many Christians observe a religious holiday on each of the four Sunday’s of the year, whereas many other peoples’ celebrate a public holiday in general. Public holidays are usually very congested and crowded affairs, with large numbers of people travelling to attend various public gatherings.
When referring to “holidays”, it typically refers to any time spent away from work or school that is widely recognised as a holiday in the United Kingdom. While a number of public holidays holidays in name only, a large proportion of United Kingdom’s general holidays are actually private affairs, designated as such from time to time by the government. Many people prefer to have their own personal holidays, so that they are able to take time off from work and spend time with friends and family. In recent years, a growing number of UK residents are choosing to have both public and private holidays recognized by the government. As more holidaymakers choose to have both types of holidays, the term “holidays” has become increasingly narrow in the United Kingdom.
Holidays in the United Kingdom cover a wide range of different types of annual holidays, including: children’s holidays, family holidays, religious holidays, sports holidays, and visiting relatives or friends. Many people plan their entire family holiday in one country, such as the United Kingdom, and therefore move often when they are abroad on holidays. Others who do not have extended families prefer to be away from home enjoying a genuine break from work and school. A large number of British English people who choose to visit other countries do so to experience another culture and to make friends.
British English holidaymakers increasingly choose to travel abroad on their holidays, particularly during the summer months, due to the warm weather and beaches associated with the season. However, public holidays in the United Kingdom may not always be accessible throughout every month of the year, depending on the season. There are some public holidays in the United Kingdom that are statutory, which are scheduled to be held at particular times of the year. These include Bank Holidays and Motherwells Day. British English people enjoy taking annual family holidays, which can include extended family visits, friends’ birthdays, camping holidays, public holidays, and romantic breaks.
British English holidaymakers can choose to visit other countries to experience a variety of different holiday experiences, depending on the type of holiday they choose. Some families enjoy spending time on a British Indian holiday, for example, where they get to visit the beautiful British Indian state of Kerala, as well as places in the South of England. Some holidaying couples spend time away from home enjoying a European holiday. Some even take a trip to the exotic island of Bali in Indonesia, where they can lie on the beach and enjoy the warm weather. British English people can go on adventurous holidays, such as those that involve deep sea diving and snorkelling. Whatever type of holiday an individual decides on, they will be able to take advantage of the fantastic deals available for them when planning their next holiday.