Christmas in England
...TOP Christmas Traditions and Christmas Food
Christmas in England is always full of seasonal cheer with shops and stores ablaze with presents and goodies. The nights are getting colder and the delicious aroma of roasting hot chestnuts fills the air.
Christmas Traditions
Nativity scenes can be seen in stores and town centers and as the popular Christmas Carol goes... 'Deck the halls and bows with holly...' and you're sure to have a wonderful time. Everyone has their own favorite style of decorating and the Christmas Tree usually takes center place.
Christmas shows and pantomimes run from early December until the new year and sports fans can enjoy seasonal horse racing and other special events.
About three weeks before the big day, street markets and stores are full of fresh Christmas Trees. These will be installed in living rooms and then adorned with baubles, tinsel, fairy lights and topped with a star or angel. Schools and churches are decorated and children perform nativity plays which parents and friends enjoy.
In the build up to this special time of the year Christmas Carols are sung in Churches, on high streets and shopping centers all over England.
'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens is a traditional Christmas story which is now a film and on general release starring Jim Carrey, Colin Firth and Bob Hoskins.
The tradition of having a fir tree in the house at Christmas dates back to 16th century Germany and was introduced by royalty to England in the early 1800s.
In the run up to Christmas in England, many stores have a Father Christmas (Santa Claus) who is a favorite with children as this is the person who brings them their gifts. Hamleys in Regent Street is probably the most famous toy shop in England which many children love to visit.
Christmas Food
Shops are stocked with all the traditional Christmas Food and goodies such as chocolates, cakes, mince pies and puddings. When making your own seasonal delights, especially the xmas pud, everyone takes a turn to stir and then a silver coin is folded in. Whoever finds the coin will have health and happiness throughout the coming year.
Turkey is traditionally served with cranberry sauce. Hams are boiled and tossed in breadcrumbs and gammons are roasted and covered with honey and studded with cloves. Capons, salmon and other tasty dishes make this a feast everyone loves. Vegetarians can indulge in the traditional nut roast with an array of roasted vegetables all washed down with a favorite wine.
Christmas Eve
Most shops close by 6.00pm so any last minute Christmas Shopping must be done by then. Christmas Eve in England is spent wrapping up gifts and preparing for the big day. Turkeys, capers and hams have been bought and some are stuffed and cooked overnight or very early the following morning. The sound of Christmas Carols is everywhere and many enjoy a drink in a local pub and then celebrate Christmas at midnight mass.
Christmas Eve traditions for Children
On Christmas Eve children leave mince pies and a glass of milk for Santa and a carrot for the reindeer under the Christmas tree.
They hope Santa will leave lots of goodies under the tree and in their Xmas stockings hanging by their beds or near the fireplace.
When the children are safely tucked up in bed, Father Christmas comes down the chimney and fills their stockings and places presents under the tree.
Christmas Day Morning
This is a day full of fun and magic for kids. They wake up early to find their stockings full of toys and presents under the tree. Some families leave this until late afternoon or the evening.
Many families go to morning church services and traditionally have Christmas dinner around 3ish. Some have it later during the evening.
For Christmas in England the dinner table is set with crackers and a traditional center-piece and then the turkey is served with stuffing, roast chestnuts, sprouts, potatoes and trimmings. This is followed by Christmas pud which must have a sprig of holly on top (real or artificial!). The pudding is then soaked with brandy, set fire to, served and covered with cream.
Many people prefer to dine out at Christmas in England and often go to a local restaurant or hotel. This must be booked early as bookings for Christmas and New Year's Eve are difficult to find if left till the last minute.
Related Pages...
Christmas Food
Christmas Shopping
Christmas Guide
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