5 British Christmas traditions
Christmas is fast approaching and many are starting to prepare for this popular time of year as this holiday is a very big occasion in the United Kingdom, especially in the British capital. The London streets are splendidly adorned with lights, Christmas trees are dotted around the city, Christmas Markets pop up around across London and the shops dress up in their finest for this festive season. So, if you’re lucky enough to be in London this Christmas and have the irrepressible urge to celebrate a very British affair and fully immerse yourself in the London Christmas spirit, then here’s some very traditional customs to get you started off.
Advent
The four weeks prior to Christmas are celebrated with an advent calendar or advent candle. The advent calendar comprising thin card has a festive picture or a chocolate hidden behind 24 little numbered doors, one for each day running up to Christmas. A good excuse to have chocolate in the morning. Alternatively, the advent candle has 25 marks on it, and one mark is burnt down every day, or 5 candles are assembled in a wreath, 4 red candles for each week leading up to Christmas around one white one in the middle which is lit on Christmas Day.
Christmas cards and presents
Sending Christmas cards is a really big business in England, and a further way of decorating our homes as those received are hung up on the wall or displayed on the mantelpiece. They are usually sent before Christmas and you can send and receive up to and more than 100 cards! Gifts are traditionally exchanged on the 25th of December and again comprises a big celebration. Not unlike many countries the English hang up Christmas stockings, and come morning good children will receive some nice little goodies and find presents hidden under the Christmas tree, whilst supposedly naughty children get a sack of coal.
Christmas decorations
Traditionally adorning our humble abodes from the 6th of December to the 6th of January are an array and abundance of fairy lights, ornaments, nativity scenes and of course a Christmas tree comprising an integral part of these festive decorations. Baubles, tinsel, festive figures, and chocolate, if you like eating your own decorations, hang from the branches. Finally, a star or more traditionally a fairy graces the top thus completing this pretty ensemble.
The Queen’s speech
As occurs every year there is the British monarch’s broadcast by Queen Elizabeth II usually comprising a small speech wishing one a very happy Christmas. Millions of people all over the world tune in to listen, not just the English. Something pleasant to do while digesting your traditional Christmas dinner!
Christmas dinner
Comprising a yummy array of festive food on the 25th of December including a big turkey, Christmas pudding with brandy sauce, mince pies, stuffing and lots of other treats, quite frankly whatever goodies you feel like because ´tis the season`!. Before tucking in to all this delicious grub the English pull a Christmas cracker, with the person sat next to them which bear small treats inside including a small toy, a paper party hat, and an extremely bad joke. What do you get if you cross a kangaroo and a sheep? A woolly jumper!!!!! Hmmmmmm…
Anna – Marketing Team
