Christmas in the United Kingdom

In the UK (or Great Britain), families often celebrate Christmas together, so they can watch each other open their presents. British families have a Christmas tree in their house for Christmas. The decorating of the tree is usually a family occasion, with everyone helping. Christmas Trees were first popularized the UK by Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria. Prince Albert was German, and thought that it would be good to use one of his ways of celebrating Christmas in to England.

Holly, Ivy and Mistletoe are also sometimes used to decorate homes or other buildings. Like a lot of countries, Nativity Plays and Carol Services are also very popular at Christmas time. Lots of other British churches also have Carols and Chris tingle services.

Children believe that Father Christmas or Santa Claus leaves presents in stockings. These are normally hung up by the fire or by the children's beds on Christmas Eve. Children sometimes leave out mince pies ( typical Christmas sweet) and brandy for Father Christmas to eat and drink when he visits them. Children write letters to Father Christmas listing their requests, but sometimes instead of putting them in the post, the letters are tossed into the fireplace. There are some customs that only take place, or were started, in the UK. Boxing Day is a very old custom that started in the UK and is now taken as a holiday in many countries around the world. In Scotland, some people celebrate New Year's Eve (which is called Hogmanay) more than Christmas! The word Hogmanay comes from a kind of oat cake that was traditionally given to children on New Year's Eve. Also in Scotland, the first person to set foot in a house in a New Year is thought to have a big effect on the fortunes of the people that live there! Generally strangers are thought to bring good luck. This tradition is widely known as 'first footing'. In England it is sometimes said that a stranger coming through the door carrying a lump of coal will bring good luck. In the UK, the main Christmas Meal is usually eaten at lunchtime or early afternoon on Christmas Day. It was traditionally roast beef or goose, although it's common to have turkey now, roast vegetables and 'all the trimmings' which means stuffing and sometimes bacon and sausages. (In Scotland, some people might even have Haggis-lamb’s stomach stuffed with its organs- instead of turkey!) Dessert is often Christmas pudding ) Mince pies and lots of chocolates are often eaten as well! The dinner table is decorated with a Christmas cracker for each person and sometimes flowers and candles.

Teacher Hajni