Christmas in the UK - A Guide

https://www.whychristmas.com/i/hollyl.png Christmas in the United Kingdom https://www.whychristmas.com/flags\_64/gb.png In the UK (or Great Britain), families often celebrate Christmas together, so they can watch each other open their pr...

https://www.whychristmas.com/i/hollyl.png Christmas in the United Kingdom https://www.whychristmas.com/flags\_64/gb.png In the UK (or Great Britain), families often celebrate Christmas together, so they can watch each other open their presents! Most families have a [Christmas Tree](https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/trees.shtml) in their house for Christmas. The decorating of the tree is usually a family occasion, with everyone helping. Christmas Trees were first popularised the UK by Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria. Prince Albert was [German](https://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/germany.shtml), and thought that it would be good to use one of his ways of celebrating Christmas in England. [Holly, Ivy](https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/hollyandivy.shtml) and [Mistletoe](https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/mistletoe.shtml) are also sometimes used to decorate homes or other buildings. Most villages, towns and cities are decorated with Christmas lights over Christmas. Often a famous person switches them on. The most famous Christmas lights in the UK are in Oxford Street in London. Like a lot of countries, [Nativity Plays](https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/nativity.shtml) and [Carol](https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/carols.shtml) Services are also very popular at Christmas time. Children believe that [Father Christmas or Santa Claus](https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/fatherchristmas.shtml) leaves [presents](https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/presents.shtml) 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](https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/mincepies.shtml) and brandy for Father Christmas to eat and drink when he visits them. Children write letters to Father Christmas/Santa listing their requests, but sometimes instead of putting them in the post, the letters are tossed into the fireplace. The draught carries the letters up the chimney and Father Christmas/Santa reads the smoke. There are some customs that only take place, or were started, in the UK. [Boxing Day](https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/boxingday.shtml) is a very old custom that started in the UK and is now taken as a holiday in many countries around the world. It is believed that December 26 was the day centuries ago when lords of the manor and aristocrats typically distributed "Christmas boxes" often filled with small gifts, money to their household servants and employees. These boxes were, in essence, holiday bonuses. In the UK, the main Christmas Meal is usually eaten at lunchtime or early afternoon on Christmas Day. It\'s normally roast turkey, roast vegetables and \'all the trimmings\' which means vegetables like carrots & peas, stuffing and sometimes bacon and sausages. It\'s often served with cranberry sauce and bread sauce. Traditionally, and before turkey was available, roast beef or goose was the main Christmas meal. One vegetable that is often at Christmas in the UK are brussel sprouts. Dessert is often [Christmas Pudding](https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/pudding.shtml). Mince pies and lots of chocolates are often eaten as well! The dinner table is decorated with a [Christmas Cracker](https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/crackers.shtml) for each person and sometimes flowers and candles. The UK is also famous for [Christmas Cake](https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/christmascake.shtml)! It\'s traditionally a rich fruit cake covered with marzipan and icing - and often top with Christmas themed cake decorations like a spring of holly.