Christmas in Britain
Firsts in England
The most famous first I would like to mention that came from England was the Christmas card. The first ever Christmas card was posted in England in the 1840's. Another very important item that was popularized by England was the Christmas tree. Prince Albert and Queen Victoria brought one into the Royal Household in 1840 as well.
Popular Pre-Christmas Events
Many children in England perform pantomimes. These are song and dance dramatizations or well-know fairy tales. Another popular event taking place is the singing of carols on Christmas Eve. Groups of singers go door to door and walk down the street singing to their neighbors and friends. All the while children are hanging their stockings up for Santa Claus.
Christmas Day in England
On Christmas day many families wake up early to attend church. After church they come home and open their presents and see what Santa has put in their stocking. After all these festivities they come together for Christmas Dinner. The traditional Christmas dinner consists of roast turkey, goose or chicken with stuffing and roasted potatoes. The next course includes mince pies and Christmas pudding flaming with brandy. Sometime in this pudding parents hide coins and lucky charms for the children. This pudding is very special and it is usually made weeks in advance and stirred by each family member while they make a holiday wish. For dessert they serve a special Christmas cake. It is very rich and includes marzipan, icing and sugar frosting.
Christmas Traditions
*The Pulling Of Crackers*
Christmas Crackers often accompany food on Christmas dinner. Invented by a London baker in 1846. The cracker is a brightly coloured paper tube, twisted at both ends. It contains a party hat, riddle, and a toy. When pulled by two people it cracks and the contents fall out.
*Listening To The Queen*
After a full day of celebrating Christmas many families watch or listen to the Queen. Every year she delivers a Christmas Message to the Nation.
Post-Christmas Celebrating
The day after Christmas is know as Boxing Day in Britain. It takes its name from a former tradition of giving a Christmas Box. In the box was a gift of money or food. They would give these to the deliverymen and trades people who called regularly during the year. This tradition survives in the custom or tipping the milkman, postman, dustmen, and other callers of good service at Christmas time.