Have you ever wondered what Christmas is like in Britain? Are British Christmas traditions basically the same as those in the United States? Though I’ve seen the British build up to Christmas four times, this will be just my second Christmas in Britain. I’m here to share 10 traditions I think of as being splendidly British.
I find it intriguing that some American traditions are vestigial elements left over from our British origins. It’s not impossible that you’ll find reading through these that your family has kept some of these traditions alive. Let me know in the comments if these “British” traditions are part of your family’s Christmas celebrations.
British Traditions for the Build up to Christmas
1. Christmas Cake
The glorified fruitcake. Growing up, the fruitcake was always portrayed as the most unwanted Christmas gift. A heavy, solid lump of barely edible confectionery. I was initially reluctant to open myself up to the disappointment of the Christmas Cake. How could it be enjoyable? Why would anyone choose this over all the other enticing Christmas bakes?
Let’s suffice it to say, I have come around. The year I moved to Britain, I had a coworker who created the most magnificently decorated Christmas Cakes. Multi-tiered, covered in white snow, sugar windows glowing from within. My crafting interest was piqued. She expertly explained that a proper Christmas Cake is baked weeks in advance allowing plenty of time for it to be fed. Wait… fed? Yes. Fed.
One of the most important parts of the Christmas Cake is slowly adding alcohol to it once a week so that it soaks it up and is “mature” by the big day. Just a day or two you get it out to ice and decorate it. This is where your creativity shines. Though I may never make glowing candy windows, I have exciting plans in store for this year’s Christmas Cake decorations.
The Christmas Cake now marks the start of the festive season for me. This year we made ours on Halloween!
2. Christmas Pudding
If you aren’t one to plan ahead you may find that there is no time to make and properly feed a Christmas Cake. This is where the Christmas Pudding comes in. It is a slightly more fudgy, semi-spherical, steamed version of the Christmas Cake. It comes with the added excitement of being lit on fire just before serving.
As I type this, I’m thinking maybe next year we should make a Christmas Pud just for variety, and a little added danger.
3. Mince Pies
Mince pies are a small tart-like pastry filled with mincemeat. To an American may sound like some sort of latticed hamburger concoction. Resist the repulsion and hear me out.
Mincemeat in the UK is similar to a jam. A chunky jam made with apples, raisins, currants, citrus peel, brandy, lemon juice and the traditional Christmas spices. The reason it is called mincemeat is because historically it wasn’t unusual for it to contain small amounts of meat. Modern recipes have left the meat out, however most recipes do call for suet. The choice of vegetable or beef suet is yours.
4. Sandringham
Every year, bar 2020 it seems, the Royal Family spends the holiday season in the Sandringham Estate, the Queen’s Norfolk home. This year will be the first time since 1988 that they won’t be gathering at Sandringham.
I’m sure, though, that as soon as gathering is permitted, their Holiday Tradition will continue. On Christmas Day the family walk from their Sandringham home to St Mary Magdelene church. Royal watchers and well-wishers crowd the streets for a glimpse of the Royal Family. For some it is a Christmas tradition. Perhaps it’s something I should consider while I’m still living in Norfolk!
5. Pantomime
Think gender inversion, slapstick comedy, physical humor. This is one of the British Christmas traditions which I don’t yet understand and haven’t, as yet, participated in. Traditional plays are performed with a principle boy (played by a woman) and a pantomime dame (played by a man) who actively encourage audience participation. If you know anything about the British public, it seems implausible that this could be such a long-standing tradition. Audience participation? Surely not.
Pantos, as they’re affectionately known, are generally aimed at children, but are sprinkled with plenty of double entendres to keep the adults entertained.
More information and splendid pictures of the pantomime can be found on the Victoria and Albert Museum Website.
British Traditions for Christmas Eve
6. Carols
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without carols. I imagine singing is a tradition in many countries, which brings into question my decision to add it to a list of British Christmas Traditions. In the end I chose to include it because of the world renown carol services from King’s College Choir.
On Christmas Eve two different services are broadcast from King’s College Chapel, Carol’s from Kings and A Festival of 9 Lessons and Carols.
Carols from Kings is a prerecorded service which is available exclusively on the television at 1730 on BBC Two. If you miss it, don’t worry, it will be available on iPlayer shortly after.
A Festival of 9 Lessons and Carols will be broadcast live on the radio on Christmas Eve. It was feared that due to coronavirus, this Christmas Tradition would not be permitted to go ahead. Thankfully, with some safety guidelines in place, the caroling will be allowed to continue. The live performance is on Christmas Eve at 3pm and can be listened to on BBC Radio 4 and the BBC World Services. Over 450 American radio stations will be broadcasting it, but you’ll have to contact them to know for sure. If that seems like too much work, or you aren’t in the UK or the US, then you can listen to it here.
If you are looking for more Christmas carols on Christmas Day, A Festival of 9 Lessons and Carols will be Broadcast again at 2pm on Radio 3 and at various times on the BBC World Services.
British Traditions for Christmas Day
7. The Queen’s Christmas Message
The Royal Christmas Message began in 1932 when King George V agreed to broadcast the first Christmas Message over the radio to an estimated 20 million people around the world. King George V may have been the first to do it, but Queen Elizabeth II has been doing it the longest. Her first Christmas Message was in 1952. In 1957 the Christmas Message made the transition from radio to television and has been broadcast every year except 1969 when the Queen issued a written message.
This year will be the Queen’s 68th Christmas Message and it is expected to be a heartfelt reflection of the unprecedented year we have all had.
It usually is an important part of Christmas Day Traditions for most Britons, but I wouldn’t be surprised if everyone in the country will be listening this year.
It will be on at 3pm on Christmas day and will last for roughly 10 minutes. If you don’t have access to UK television or BBC Radio 4, then shortly after the broadcast it will be available to anyone in the world on the BBC Youtube Channel and the Royal Family Youtube Channel.
8. Christmas Crackers and Hats
Christmas crackers are a British Christmas tradition which seem more fitting for New Year’s Eve than for Christmas. In the most fair of situations, each person receives a cracker at the dinner table. The small, festive, cylindrical packages are then pulled apart to activate a tiny explosive. Inside you’ll find a miniature toy, a dad joke and the all-important paper Christmas hat.
The Christmas hat is should be worn by all often until the day’s festivities are concluded. Or until it falls off or becomes too annoying. The crackers are an exciting tradition, and the hats are surprisingly fun to wear. The crackers tend to come in a package of 6. With only 2 people this Christmas, I can’t justify the amount of waste, so this British Christmas tradition will be bypassed this year.
British Traditions for After Christmas Day
9. Boxing Day
The mystery of Boxing Day is slowly revealing itself to me. A holiday which I’ve seen marked in every US calendar I’ve ever had, but never fully understood.
Though I may not have a great understanding of or emotional attachment to Boxing Day, I’ve started to form a tangible idea of what is expected.
The only element which seems to be essential is a walk outside. Ideally a substantial walk. It’s a moment to get out of the house and into the fresh air. A perfect opportunity to walk off some of the feast from the day before and do something a bit more active with the family.
Boxing Day is also a day to keep an eye on the sales. I’m not sure how it will work this year, as nothing has really gone to plan. Many stores have had closing down sales recently, so it will be interesting to see what happens. Will businesses have massive sales on Boxing Day or will they opt for moderate, extended sales into January and February in an attempt to salvage the quarter?
10. The 12 Days of Christmas
We all know the song, but who actually grew up thinking that Christmas was only meant to be 12 days long? In my opinion, Christmas should be at least 4 weeks long, ideally 6. Otherwise all the decorating and the effort doesn’t really seem worth it.
Without Thanksgiving in the British holiday calendar holding me back from Christmas, I’m prone to starting Christmas earlier and earlier. I’ve noticed, with some horror, that many people in Britain refuse to acknowledge Christmas until just a week or two before the big day. I remember once suggesting Christmas music at work on December 4th and being told that it was much too early for that sort of thing.
I’ve since learned that, technically the 12 days of Christmas are the days after Christmas, not before. A fact I was unaware of until moving here. Here, the days between Christmas and New Year are of more importance and the holiday fades away gently. In comparison, the American Christmas seems to end immediately after Christmas Day. On the other end of the spectrum, my experiences in Latin America have shown me that their Christmas celebrations carry on until the 6th of January which you may also know as Epiphany or Three Kings’ Day.
This day roughly coincides with the twelfth night, though there is some controversy about this depending on which day you consider to be the first. It is a superstition in the UK, and other English speaking countries (apparently), that it is unlucky to leave Christmas decorations up after the 12th night. Some say if they are not put away by then, you must leave them up all year round – a consequence I wouldn’t be too upset about.
Your Christmas Traditions
Did you know about or celebrate any of these British Christmas traditions? If you do, or you find that I’ve left something out, let me know in the comments.
Wishing you a very “Happy Christmas” wherever you are and however you celebrate.
2 Comments
Susan Clamp
December 17, 2020 at 6:49 pmMy first Christmas in jolly old England, I found a sixpence in my slice of Christmas pudding. It’s a tradition that whoever finds it in their piece will have good luck and wealth in the coming year. Personally, I think my father-in-law purposely made sure it was in my piece that year! 😊
Rachel
December 17, 2020 at 8:33 pmThat’s such a sweet story, Susan. I did see that a sixpence was traditionally placed in the cake. How interesting! That’s similar to another Mexican tradition I know. It’s fun to see what we all have in common, and what is decidedly different. I hope you all are well. x