Christmas in England

Who loves Xmas? Christmas in England is one of the most celebrated and cherished holidays, rich in tradition, festivity, and family togetherness. I enjoy the mixture of religious and cultural customs. I love how communities come together to enjoy shared rituals, colourful decorations and yummy feasts. It's all rather wonderful...

The season starts around now - late November or early December, often with the putting up of Christmas lights and decorations at home or in town. High streets are illuminated with sparkling displays and Christmas trees, adorned with baubles, tinsel, and twinkling lights. Likewise at home.

And the advent calendar, a really old tradition, marks the countdown to Christmas Day. These are often filled with chocolates, small gifts, or activities for the children, but the good old-fashioned ones I used to enjoy just had pictures - you'd open a new window every day.

Christmas markets, inspired by European traditions, have become increasingly popular - even Exeter, my local city, has lots of lil wooden stalls around the cathedral, filled with handcrafted gifts, seasonal foods and mulled wine. The atmosphere is delightful.

December 24th, Xmas Eve, is a time for final preparations and eager anticipation. Families often attend carol services in local churches. I especially love carol singing - 'O Come, All Ye Faithful', 'Silent Night', 'Away in the Manger', 'The Holly and the Ivy' - some of my favourites. They're all brilliant as far as I'm concerned. Sometimes, like at Exeter Cathedral, there'll be free carol singing services. Sometimes small gorups of people go carol singing around their village. It's lovely.

In most households children leave their Xmas stocking out at bedtime, along with mince pies and a glass of sherry for Father Christmas, and perhaps some carrots for his reindeer. I remember waking up to the crackling feel of a stocking full of gifts - so exciting - and as a mum I had the most fun carrying on the tradition myself.

December 25th - the highlight of the season. The morning often begins with the exchange of gifts placed under the Christmas tree - kids go wild. For many, this is followed by a hearty breakfast before the preparation of Christmas dinner. Personally I go easy with the breakfast...

Christmas dinner, typically served in the afternoon, is the biggest meal most people have in the whole year. Roasted turkey or goose, stuffing, roast potatoes, parsnips, sprouts, cranberry sauce, pigs in blankets, bread sauce, greens n gravy - omg it's so awesome. Dessert often features a rich Christmas pudding lit with brandy, with brandy-butter and cream - then later, mince pies and a chocolate log.

This is sometimes followed by a bracing walk in the countryside. At 3.00pm many families gather to watch the Queen’s (now King’s) Speech, a national tradition since 1932, where the monarch reflects on the past year and offers good wishes to the nation.

The day after Christmas, December 26th, is Boxing Day, a public holiday in the UK. Traditionally, it was a time to give gifts to service workers and the less fortunate, but today it is associated with shopping sales, sporting events, and extended family gatherings.

For Christians attending a midnight Mass or Christmas Day service is a central aspect of the holiday. Churches across the UK hold candlelit services that celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, emphasising peace and goodwill.

Let's not forget charity. This is a time of year when many less fortunate feel especially left out. Those in hospital, or living rough, or bereaved. Many people will give up some of their quality time to be generous to others - helping in soups kitchens, giving gifts, reading to the bed-ridden, running errands etc. My mum used to invite all the lonely neighbours round for a Xmas sing-song with mince pies and mulled wine, which was lovely.

While traditional customs remain strong, modern ideas, from themed Christmas jumpers to festive TV specials and movies, abound. I hear a lot of people lamenting how commercialised it's become - there's a hankering for simpler times, and I get it!

Basically, Christmas in England is a time of joy, generosity, and connection. Whether through ancient traditions, delicious feasts, or festive gatherings, the holiday continues to bring people together to celebrate the season of giving and togetherness. Hurrah :)