Best Time of the Year
Blog Post #2
April 12, 2015
Valerie Sherwood
One of the biggest fiascos in England is the well known Christmas season. I say season because, due to the fact they don't celebrate Thanksgiving, England's Christmas starts earlier and ends later than America's. Although they celebrate Christmas for the same reason as us, their tradition is quite different. For example, instead of "Santa" they have "Father Christmas" come visit the children on that magical night, and they don't leave out milk or cookies- "Father Santa" receives mince pies and alcoholic beverages, typically Brandy or Sherry. Before beginning their feast, which takes place around noonish, they celebrate the breaking of the Christmas Cracker. This tradition consists of wrapped tubes that contain paper crowns, tiny gifts, and usually a funny joke. Everyone has a Christmas Cracker placed before them on their empty plate and opens them at once, creating a cracking sound (hence the name "Christmas Cracker").
Most foods they serve on the Christmas meal are similar to ours, vegetables, stuffing, pudding, and of course a roasted turkey. In fact, turkey is so popular on Christmas that most people end up having to reserve one at their grocery store two months in advance! After dinner, people eat Christmas pudding for desert, much like fruitcake, it is made up of dried fruit and a silky type of pudding, with of course Brandy typically poured over it. Lastly, the Queen ends the day with a special Christmas message broadcasted throughout England, the UK, and the Commonwealth via television and radio.
Source:
Guarino, Amanda. "Holidays and Traditions." I Love England Study Abroad. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015.
I had no idea that Christmas dinner in England is similar to the United States. I also didn't know that the Christmas season in England is celebrated on different days than the United States.
ReplyDeleteMy aunt gives each of the kids a Christmas cracker too! There is usually little candies or toys inside of the crackers.
ReplyDeleteIts interesting to learn how different cultures celebrate the same holiday in a completely different way than what we are use to in the US. It shows how traditions can change over time and how they can affect entire cultures. However, one can never leave out the Christmas turkey!
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