Christmas Traditions

Christmas celebrations differ throughout the world but I can only speak of those carried out in the U.K.  In fact, that is probably not even true as I can really only comment on things we do (or did) in my own particular family.

Infant and primary schools throughout the U.K. put on a Nativity plays depicting the birth of Jesus which are performed by the children themselves and attended by their parents.

Carol services take place in schools and churches.

Children write letters to Father Christmas which are usually posted to him direct.  I expect these days they send him an email!!!

Groups of carol singers go from house to house collecting for charity.

Our houses are decorated with various forms of streamer like decorations, christmas trees (which can be real fir/pine trees or imitation) and sometimes some "greenery". The trees are adorned with all types of baubles and fairy lights.  The presents these days are usually too big to place on the tree so they are put around the bottom.  Christmas cards are either placed around the room or hung on streamers.

It is customary for us to give our presents on Christmas Day but the time differs from family to family.  When the children are young Father Christmas (or Santa Claus) generally leaves these gifts overnight whilst they are asleep. 

Unfortunately, however, in today's materialistic society, even a pillow case is not big enough for the overnight presents and then others are expected during the day!

Some families leave out a little treat for Father Christmas, this is normally something like a mincepie and a glass of sherry.  Mind you, I think this has probably now changed to a pint of Guiness.

A "traditional" Christmas lunch comprises roast turkey, roast potatoes, brussel sprouts, other green vegetables, gravy, cranberry and/or bread sauce.  This is followed by Christmas pudding (originally known as plum pudding) and mincepies with cream and/or brandy/whisky butter. 

Plum pudding only became connected with Christmas when it was introduced to the Victorians by Prince Albert.  Silver coins used to be put into the mixture and was said to bring good luck to whoever found the coin in their portion.  This tradition is not so prevalent now due to the inherent danger of swallowing the coins.  All members of the family make wishes whilst stirring the pudding mixture prior to cooking.

Mince pies are tarts made with pastry and filled with "mincemeat".  This is a mixture made of dried fruits, sugar and spices.  The use of beef suet in this mixture is reminiscent of the days when meat was always included in recipes - hence its name.   It was originally made to preserve meat through the winter.

Other food we often eat at Christmas include Christmas cake, which is a rich fruit cake which is then covered with marzipan and icing:  yule logs (a swiss roll, which is a sponge cake rolled up with either jam or buttercream, covered in chocolate icing made to represent a log): ham, pork, and sausage rolls (sausages or sausage meat, wrapped around with pastry).

Christmas crackers containing trinkets, mottos and party hats. are placed on the table and are usually "pulled" prior to the meal so that the party hats can be worn by all.   Sometimes a table decoration is placed in the centre of the dining table.  This can be flowers, frosted or fresh fruit or even a novelty.

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