Christmas in Britain

Some Traditions of Christmas in Britain

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I guess it could be said that Christmas in Britain begins officially on December 1st, with the opening of the first window on the advent calendar. Advent, the preparation for the coming of Christ, has been celebrated for nearly 1600 years!

For four Sundays before Christmas in Britain, a candle is lit representing hope, peace, love and finally joy. At times, a fifth candle is lit on Christmas eve, which symbolizes Christ.

Each of these four Sundays, traditionally, was a fast day, and a day for reflection and preparation for the coming birth of the Savior. The candles reminded one what was important to keep in one's heart, not only during the Christmas in Britain, but throughout the year.

Many of the decorations seen during Christmas in Britain, arrived there from other places and times. The holly, ivy and mistletoe are incorporated from early pagan traditions. Kissing someone under the mistletoe was a sign of blessing. This tradition evolved into today's kissing ball.

Christmas trees arrived in Britain from Germany. The first royal tree was erected by Queen Consort Charlotte, sometime after her marriage to King George III, in the early 1760's.

It was later popularized by Queen Victoria and her German-born husband, Prince Albert, in 1846. Since then, it has spread throughout the world.

The first Christmas card was published in London in the 1840's as well, and has since become a symbol of Christmas in Britain, America and many other countries as well.

Another British Christmas invention is the Christmas cracker. No, not the crackers you eat - this one is a favor, which makes a big "bang!" when the ends are pulled, and generally contains small candies and other treats, or a party had and small trinkets.

These treasures of Christmas in Britain have been around since 1846 as well. A London baker is credited with their creation.

Charles Dickens' novel "A Christmas Carol" was published on December 17, 1843. Since then, it has been translated into nearly every language, and has enjoyed tenure on both stage and screen.

In fact, there are more than a dozen different versions of "A Christmas Carol" available on video now! It has also been a favorite theme for those store windows, having been the main attraction several times in several different locations, both in Britain, and abroad.

Britain has its stores, just like the United States, that are famous for their holiday windows. Harrod's - a full block long - outlines its entire facade during the holidays, as well as having beautiful animated window displays.

Christmas Eve Traditions

Christmas eve is a wonderful mix of new and old. The Christmas tree has already been decorated, all the shopping is done, and the preparations for dinner are already under way.

Some families go to church on this day, but there are other things to do as well. It might be that Mom sends Father and the children out ice-skating while she prepares the evening meal. Theaters are open, and there are plays, pantomimes and concerts on this night, and throughout the holidays.

Groups still get together to carol through the neighborhoods for Christmas in Britain, a custom that has been around for centuries! (And, one I sorely miss here in America!)

They still dress up, too, in their Christmas finery, and sing traditional carols, songs and hymns - and maybe a wassailing song or two as well!

Children hang their stockings after dinner, and in many homes, one gift is opened on this night. I'm not quite sure if this is to appease the youngsters, or if it is to heighten the anticipation of what is to come tomorrow morning!

Christmas in Britain - the Big Day Arrives!

Christmas is the big day in Britain. Unlike other countries where Christmas eve is the highlight, here, Christmas eve is the prelude.

Most families go to church this morning, if they did not attend Midnight Mass last evening (and sometimes in addition to...). Breakfast is usually a light one after church.

Gifts are opened on Christmas day, having been delivered these days either by Father Christmas (the traditional gift-bringer for Christmas in Britain) or Santa, who arrived early in the 20th century, but became popular after WWII.

Christmas dinner is the highlight, not only of the holidays, but of the year. For most people, this is the largest meal prepared during the year. Many traditional foods are still very popular, and continue to enjoy a spot on the table during Christmas in Britain.

Among the favorite dishes are the traditional Christmas goose, or turkey, along with potatoes and stuffing. Favorite sweets for dessert might include mince pie, Christmas pie and/or Christmas pudding.

Christmas cake graces nearly every holiday table. It is a form of fruit cake with a marzipan, icing and sugar glaze frosting.

The Queen always gives a public address on Christmas Day. It is heard on the radio, as well as on television. She has done this each and every Christmas Day since 1952, with one exception. In 1969, a documentary film about the Royal Family was aired on Christmas day.

For that one year, the Queen's address was in written form only, and appeared in the London Illustrated News. This was the only year that the Queen did not give a live personal address.

Boxing Day

Christmas in Britain extends to December 26th, with the celebration of Boxing Day. It is also known as the Feast of St. Stephen. Traditionally, this was the day that the church alms boxes were opened and the contents distributed to the poor.

Servants were given gifts of food, clothing or money, and community service was performed for the benefit of those in hospitals, nursing homes, or otherwise house-bound.

In many parts of Britain today, these traditions live on in the form of seasonal food and clothing drives, and many people still give small gifts to their favorite trades-people. Banks, stores and schools are still closed on this day, as it is an official public holiday.

Christmas in Britain is still a time for family, and for giving.

New Year's Celebrations in Britain

Often, this holiday, the last day of the year are marked by parties. There is a huge parade in London, and there are fireworks at midnight.

The parade is the largest of its kind in the world! The ensemble of more than 10,000 entrants, begins at Parliament Square, winding through the streets until they finish at Berkeley Square.

The parade steps off as Big Ben strikes the noon hour. It usually takes roughly 2½ hours to reach its culmination at Berkeley.

Thus does the season of Christmas in Britain come to an end for this year.

The following article about Christmas in Britain was sent to me by a dear friend, Shirl. It was written by Cilla Liddington. Thank you both for this article about Christmas in Wiltshire!!

I suppose the real countdown to Christmas here begins on December the 1st when we all have our Advent Calendars. These come in all manner of forms.

The children like to have the ones with little windows to open with usually some chocolate behind. We also have advent candles with each of the 25 days marked on it. With the excitement of Christmas morning though the last day is often forgotten!

We love to decorate our houses usually about 2 weeks before the day. We bring Holly, Mistletoe and Ivy into the house also of course the Christmas Tree. This is decorated with baubles, tinsel, chocolates and of course fairy lights.

Over the last few years the American custom of decorating the outside of the house has become more popular, with competitions to see who can have the most decorated house and garden. I live in a small cottage in a village and have a tree out the front which I just hang plain white lights from.

Our Parish Council provide coloured lights in the High Street (the main street through the village) crossing the road from house to house, and a large Christmas tree at the end of the street.

Food:

Weeks and weeks before Christmas the Christmas cake and Christmas puddings are made. The cake is a very rich fruit cake then topped with marzipan and then Iced and Christmas decorations added. The Pudding is again a very rich fruit pudding which is boiled for several hours.

Tradition used to be that silver sixpenny pieces where added to the pudding and maybe you would be lucky enough to find one in your helping of pudd! Bandy Butter and Custard would go with the pudding.

We also usually serve a Trifle made with sponge cake, jelly, fruit custard and cream.. Delicious but very high on calories. Mince pies are also made. These are pastry cases filled with fruit mincemeat and candied peal, again served with cream.

On Christmas day we have a traditional Turkey stuffed with sage and onion stuffing and sausage meat, although various other stuffing’s are also used.

We have with this Devils on Horseback these are cocktail sausages wrapped in bacon and baked, also Sprouts, Carrots, Roast Potatoes, Roast Parsnips and of course Gravy and Bread Sauce.

I usually also boil a Gammon Joint and Roast a leg of Pork to be used cold for supper and lunch on Boxing Day.

Traditional sweets at Christmas are Sugared Almonds, Turkish Delight and of course Chocolates.

Christmas Eve:

I spend most of Christmas Eve day cleaning the house and preparing all the foods for the big day. The Trifle is made, vegetables prepared, stuffing made I also place all the presents around the Christmas Tree. We usually have a cold supper in the evening of meats, salads and Jacket Potatoes.

The Church Bells begin to ring at 11.30pm calling us to Midnight Mass. This is a lovely service at our main church in the village, the church is lit by candles and during the service we are asked to kiss or shake hands with whoever is sat next to us. At 12pm the Bells are rung again to celebrate Christmas Day.

All of our family members are given a stocking to open first thing in the morning. Always an Orange and some Nuts are placed in the bottom of the stocking and then lots of little gifts. We open our main presents before lunch.

Boxing Day:

This is the day after Christmas day traditionally known as Boxing day as in days gone by the staff at the big houses where given this day off work to go and visit their own families, and take with them a box of gifts usually food and hand made presents.

Nowadays it is more likely that people will be going to Sports events or just going for good long walks to work off some of Christmas Days over eating!

The Christmas celebrations usually go on through the week and end with New Years Eve when we all try to get our families together to celebrate the start of the New Year.

Cilla Liddington,
United Kingdom

Other Links to Christmas in Britain

If you are in Chicago during the holidays and would like to find a fun and fantastic way to serve the community, The 14th Annual British Christmas Gala is the place to go. This year's date is December 5th - for a Beatle's Mania Celebration!

Enjoy an evening, or spend the night - this year's gala will be held at the Drake Hotel, in downtown Chicago.

A portion of this year's proceeds will be donated to the American Airlines Chicago Charities Fund with a focus on children with special needs - and - used to sponsor one or more highly-motivated high school students to participate in a two-week British Studies Summer program in the UK through the American Community International Schools, England.

This annual event is sponsored by the British-American Business Council, Chicago. Enjoy Christmas in Britain without leaving Illinois!

Queen Elizabeth's Christmas speeches: Every year since 1952, except for 1969, the Queen has given a public address on Christmas Day.

Yuletideyork.com Interesting happenings in York.