Christmas in United Kingdom

  Suddenly everyone is selling Christmas trees – or at least that is how it seems when December comes round in the UK. Purchasing the right size is always a moment of concern – how high is your ceiling? Make sure that the pine needles aren’t already falling off when you get it otherwise your vacuum cleaner won’t have much of a holiday either.

New Year's Day: January 1 Most Britons stay quietly at home to rest from the previous night, usually with family or friends. In Scotland and other parts of the UK there is an ancient tradition called "first jogging". The first person to enter the house on New Year's Day is considered to bring good luck. This person, called first foot, traditionally carries a lump of coal as they enter. Brown people are considered to bring the most luck. Another tradition is to make New Year's resolutions, which are goals that many people set for themselves at the beginning of the new year: quit smoking, go on a diet or do sports.  

Christmas Publicity The UK is obsessed with Christmas ads. It all started with John Lewis in 2011. The British department store hired ad agency Adam & Eve to make a heartbreaking Christmas ad. In 2012, everyone was eagerly awaiting the next ad: how could they top their previous creation? Well, surprisingly, the 2012 ad was even more heartbreaking. Since then, John Lewis ads have become a British Christmas tradition. And, of course, its competitors have joined in on this tradition. The result is something of a battle of Christmas ads from big brands, such as Sainsbury's, Tesco and Marks & Spencers.   

 Pantomimes in the United Kingdom Pantomimes are comic shows performed by means of gestures and figures without the intervention of words and involving the audience. This Christmas tradition is enjoyed by all members of the family, from the youngest to the oldest. The history of pantomimes dates back to the Middle Ages where religious tales highlighted the difference between good and evil. Both the United Kingdom and Ireland have a great tradition in the world of theater, especially in pantomime during the Christmas season. 

Typical British drink for Christmas Mulled wine Mulled wine is the Christmas drink par excellence in the United Kingdom. It is a hot drink made from red wine, with various fruits, cinnamon, sometimes raisins. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions are available . During the winter, restaurants and street stalls sell this drink, which is served hot. It has its origins in Roman times, and is a typical drink also in other countries such as Norway, Germany, Canada, Denmark, each country having a slight variation in its recipe.

Christmas Carols Carol singing, known to the English as Christmas Carols, is a very popular custom. All over the country, children and adults gather to sing carols in public places such as concert halls, churches, music venues or at home .  One of the most popular events is the Trafalgar Square Carols, which are held every day around the Christmas tree between five and nine o'clock in the evening until December 24.

The Queen's Speech At the Christmas meal, after the roast and cookies, families traditionally sit down to listen to the Royal Christmas Message. This speech is delivered to the Commonwealth, that Commonwealth of Nations that are part of the former British Empire such as Australia, India or Jamaica, among many other countries. During the speech, the Queen emphasizes the highlights of the year. This statement was first broadcast by King George V on BBC radio in 1932.  

Christmas Crackers Are a typical British Christmas tradition. Crackers are a cardboard cylinder wrapped in wrapping paper in the shape of a candy. The tradition is that two people pull each end of the cylinder and the one who gets to keep the largest piece when it breaks, gets the gift inside . Christmas crackers are a nice souvenir to take from the country in case you can go to the UK.  

 Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree One of London's best-known Christmas traditions is the Christmas tree that is displayed every year in Trafalgar Square. This tree was a gift from Norway to Great Britain in gratitude for the country's support during World War II .  the tree has become an annual tradition in which during this season it adorns the square with its Christmas lights.  

  Christmas lights switch-on in London London celebrates Christmas very well, for them it is one of the most important dates of each year, and all the streets of the British capital are decorated to the smallest detail with Christmas decorations and lights. This lighting event is totally free and is accompanied by live music and other activities that people decide to do. In addition, in November the ice skating rinks, the great Winter Wonderland Christmas fair in Hyde Park, the Christmas markets and the famous nutcracker open.  

 It is well known that the English send greeting cards for everything, and sending Christmas cards is almost mandatory.  The English send cards to their relatives as well as distribute them among their co-workers and friends.  In mid-November, Christmas cards are already on sale in all stores, and there are all types, sizes and prices you can imagine.  When you enter an English family's home the week before Christmas, all these cards will be placed in the living room, usually on top of the mantelpiece, although they are also hung on the walls with special threads for hanging cards.

The most traditional Christmas stories are "'Twas the night before Christmas", actually an American poem dating from 1823, and "The Christmas Carol", a novel by Charles Dickens. The animated film that we must highlight for this time, for being the one that is always shown on television every year, and whose song is heard numerous times on the radio and on television is that of "The Snowman".

The Advent calendar is something that is bought especially in houses with small children, in which every day from December 1 to 24 you can open a box and eat the chocolate inside. In many houses they also have the variety of the advent calendar for the dog, with a cookie for each day.

English Christmas desserts   Christmas Pudding is one of the most famous desserts in the United Kingdom during this time of the year. This dessert is eaten at Christmas dinner, flambéed with brandy and served with cream or butter. It contains raisins, almonds, cinnamon, lemon, currants and fruit peel.             Mince Pies are made with raisins and other fruits. They are easy to prepare and should be eaten hot, as the raisins, once cold, lose their characteristic flavor and smell.