Even though I have lived in London for 4 years it took me until my 3rd year here to have a proper British Christmas. My first year I had a month off so naturally I went home. My second year I stayed but had spent the holiday with expats. Finally my third year David filled me on the traditions of his home land I had previously missed out on.
Picture source
I have to say generally Brits do Christmas really well. The entire city is draped in lights, the shops on Oxford street contend for the most outrageously Christmas-y displays, ice rinks pop up all over the city and Christmas markets pop up in cities all over the country. Now that I work a normal 9-5 and will be able to spend actual Christmas day off relaxing with D and his family I’m getting really excited. It isn’t that Christmas in Canada is so different but the atmosphere in London at this time can’t be beat.
British Christmas/Festive Season deconstructed:
Christmas Trees
While traditional for many nations to have a tree the story of how they became popular in England is similar to how things typically spread in our modern day and age. Having a Christmas tree was brought to England by Queen Victoria’s royal consort, her German cousin Prince Albert. It had been tradition for the royal family to have a tree for some time but less popular for the rest of the country. In 1848 a picture of the royal family gathered around a tree was published in the Illustrated London News and suddenly popularity spiralled making it the in thing to do.
It is also worth noting that each year since 1947, a Christmas tree has been given to the people of London from the people of Norway in gratitude for Britain’s support for Norway during World War II. For many Londoners the Christmas tree and carol singing in Trafalgar Square signal the countdown to Christmas.
Mulled Wine/Cherry/Port
Drinks of the season usually include tucking into a mug/glass/bottle of one of the above. Mulled wine is made with red wine along with various spices, served hot or warm. Basically it is tradition to consume alcohol you don’t drink for the rest of the year at this time. I like a warm mug of mulled wine myself.
Christmas Crackers
When David told me about these I assumed it was a food item. That is not the case. Christmas crackers are small decorated cylinders with handles at each end. Inside is a ridiculous fun hat for one to wear. In theory the person who ends up with the larger end of the cracker after pulling it apart keeps the toy inside but everyone should really get a toy for themselves right? It is Christmas after all.
Sprouts
They are horrible, genuinely horrible almost to the point of being a national joke but everyone does them at Christmas time because it is the thing to do. Brits love to moan and so sprouts must be included in the meal to have something to moan about.
Empire Christmas Pudding
Empire pudding started off innocently enough, the original recipe was meant to include elements from all countries in the British empire. Minced apples from Canada, sultanas from Australia, rum from Jamaica and so on. Somewhere along the way as the empire died out and the British stopped being proud of that empire the pudding was renamed as Christmas Pudding.
It has also been tradition to put silver coins into the pudding, and granted you don’t choke on those, it is meant to represent good luck for wealth. Potential choking hazard aside the typical way it is prepared is to pour brandy over the pudding and light it on fire. Also there must be brandy butter.
Christmas Films
While many get into the spirit at this time watching the endless loop of children’s Christmas films and other typical films like a Christmas Carol there is one film that must be mentioned as being the film of the season, according to David. That is The Great Escape, a non Christmas story. David says it boils down to national identify. The film is about WWII – the Brit’s favourite war, it shows German’s in a negative light and then of course glorious failure at the end. Every country has to have something right.
The Queen’s Speech
Every year at 3:00 pm on Christmas Day the Queen sits down to address her minions, I mean people. The message is actually for all of the common wealth but I don’t remember ever seeing this broadcast in Canada. The whole point is to remind everyone who is boss. This may not be entirely accurate. Officially the message combines a chronicle of the year’s major events, with specific focus on the British Empire originally and later the Commonwealth of Nations, with the sovereign’s own personal milestones and feelings on Christmas. Thrilling.
There you have it folks. This is what I have to look forward to for the next month and what you should look forward to if you ever find yourself in London at Christmas time.
** I forgot mince pies! Which are basically tarts in Canada.
