English Christmas tradition: a wonderful festive season in London

Visit English Christmas are incredible and full of tradition.

Each country treats the holiday differently, with different customs and traditions.

The English are not to be outdone.

If this is your first visit to London over the festive seasonget ready for the big day.

English Christmas tradition: article summary

English Christmas tradition: Boxing Day

Boxing Day is a public holiday immediately following Christmas. There are many different theories about the origins of Boxing Day.

We think, for example, that the holiday concerns retailers who receive their presents on Boxing Day.

These days, many Britons enjoy their day off on Boxing Day.

Finding the silver coin in the Christmas pudding

Christmas pudding is a delicious fruit pudding served in the United Kingdom. during Christmas dinner.

Pudding was first eaten in the UK in the 14ᵉ century and is normally made up of :

• Raisins
• Redcurrants
• Of prunes
• Wines
• Spices

An interesting Christmas tradition in the UK is to place a silver coin in the pudding, which is supposed to bring good luck to whoever finds it.

This tradition is thought to have originated at the court of King Edward II. A dried bean or pea was placed inside the pudding, and whoever received a slice was crowned king or queen for the day.

English Christmas tradition: opening presents on December 25

Although gift-giving is a normal part of Christmas celebrations around the world, very few countries give and receive gifts on December 25.

In many other European countries, it's customary to give presents on the 24th. In Spanish-speaking countries, it's often customary to give gifts after Christmas.

The UK is one of the few countries where presents are opened on Christmas Day.

Have you heard of Christmas crackers?

If you've ever been to a Christmas party, lunch or dinner in the UK, you've probably seen a Christmas cracker.

These festive table decorations have a hidden centrepiece. a small gift, a party hat and a joke.

When pulled, they emit a "snapping" or "cracking" sound, giving them their name.

Crackers were created in the mid-19ᵉ century by a candy maker named Tom Smith.

English Christmas tradition: tartlets

Eating pastries filled with currants and dried fruit is a popular tradition in the UK in the run-up to Christmas.

Tarts are part of Christmas culture in the UK. On Christmas Eve, children often leave them as treats for Santa, along with a carrot for his reindeer.

Go to pantomime

A Christmas pantomime, sometimes known as a "panto", is a musical comedy that British families usually visit during the Christmas season.

Pantos" borrow stories from well-known fairy tales and fables and mix them with pop cultural references.

It's the perfect family activity for the Christmas season.

Watch the King's speech

Since 1932, when King George V gave his first radio broadcast on the BBC's Empire Service, the King's Speech is an important part of British Christmas culture.

Until last year, the Queen's Christmas message was watched by millions of Britons every year.

A time-honored tradition in England, you can be sure that King Charles will be speaking on Christmas Eve.

English Christmas tradition: making a charitable donation

The tradition of filling shoeboxes with charitable donations began in 1990 when a man named Dave Cooke saw the suffering of Romanian orphans on television and decided to help.

He organized collections in his hometown in Wales to give money to orphanages, while the children filled shoeboxes with toys and gifts for the neediest children.

The success of the initiative received a great deal of media attention, and filling shoeboxes with gifts for the less fortunate has become a regular Christmas custom throughout the UK.

Hanging a sock on the mantelpiece

On Christmas Eve, children in the United Kingdom hang a large stocking on their chimney so that St Nicholas can fill the garment. gifts, fruit, candy or coins.

In Western tradition, it's believed that if children misbehave, their stockings will be filled with a single lump of coal instead of presents. Enough to keep children quiet all year round.

English Christmas traditions are quite similar to those in France. However, there are some differences make the end-of-year party that much more interesting!

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