ENGLISH CHRISTMAS

English Christmas Presents

The United States is so multicultural that you will find many different ways of celebrating Christmas, here all nations and traditions blend together: the Christmas trees from Germany, the carols from England and Australia, Santa Claus with his red suit from Scandinavia, the Santa's arrival through the chimney story from the Netherlands, the story of the sleigh drawn by reindeer from Switzerland and the traditional parades from Latin America.

The Christmas feast in England is very similar to the Christmas celebrations of other European countries. The houses are decorated with lights and Christmas garlands, also in every home a Christmas tree is decorated by the family with lights, baubles, fairy and tinsel. A star or an angel is placed on the top of the tree.

The children send letters to Father Christmas and hang their stockings at the end of the bed or on the fireplace. According to legend if the children have been good their stockings will be filled with candies. The same tradition exist in USA, after hang a stocking in the fireplace the children go to bed early not without leave a cookie for Santa and a carrot for Rudolph. At midnight Santa comes and leaves candy in the stockings and gifts under the Christmas tree.

Every year during the Christmas time the people enjoy watching the traditional A Christmas Carol in their televisions, a truly wonderful story about of how an old miser finds the true spirit of Christmas.

Another tradition is that the families visit to see a Pantomine, a play of a fairy tale which involves the participation of the audience.

Other traditions are:

The people give Poinsetta plants as gifts, it is said that the shape of the plant and leaves are seen as the Star of Bethlehem.

During Christmas Eve, groups of carol singers holding candle lanterns go from house to house singing traditional Christmas songs.

The night of the Christmas Eve the children leave out a delicious mince pie and a glass of brandy for Santa, Children also leave a carrot and a bowl of water for the reindeer.

On Christmas day for the morning the tradition is open the gifts that Father Christmas has left, after that the people go to the church for the morning service.

The Holly, the Ivy and mistletoe's kissing tradition have become part of the traditional Christmas.

The Christmas cards are sent before Christmas day and are used to decorate the houses.

The Nativity Play performed in many primary schools.

The Nativity Scene or crèche, is a depiction of the birth of Jesus, also there are so called "living nativity scenes" in which real humans and animals participate.

In England, at 3:00 p.m. it is time to watch the Christmas speech of the Queen to the Nation.

English Christmas Food and Drink

For the dinner, the table is decorated with candles and crackers, all the family gather to enjoy with a traditional Christmas Dinner. The Christmas dinner is the main meal.

English Christmas Dinner

The traditional English and British dinner includes:

Roast turkey or goose
Brussels sprouts
Roast potatoes
Cranberry sauce
Rich nutty
Tiny sausages wrapped in bacon
Mince pies
Christmas cake
Fruity pudding which is served with brandy sauce and cream
Brandy butter

But also it can include , Dundee cake, Chocolate Yule log, trifle, stuffing, bread sauce, pigs in a blanket, gravy, and Pheasants. A popular superstition surrounded this traditional Christmas pudding, it is said the dessert should be prepared with 13 ingredients to represent Christ and his disciples. During the preparation of the pudding every member family should stir the pudding with a wooden spoon by turns, this in honor of the Three Kings. Dropped a silver coin into the dessert mixture is a popular believe too. The wealth, happiness and health will reach to the person who finds the coin when the pudding is cut.

For drink we have:

Traditional Wassail
Sherry Cobbler
Liquid Christmas Pudding (Cambell's Rutherglen Muscat)
Christmas Dinner Wine

In USA, for Christmas dinner special dishes are prepared:

Chicken and dumplings
cranberry sauce
Dungeness Carb
Christmas ham
Mashed potatoes
Roast turkey
Oyster stew

The traditional desserts are:

Candy canes
Gooseberry pie
Christmas cookies
Fruit cake
Gingerbread

The traditional drinks are:

Apple cider
Champagne or sparkling apple cider
Boiled custard
Eggnog
Hot chocolate

But also it can include mixed nuts, pumpkin pie, Persimmon pudding, Russian tea cakes, Lefse, marzipan, Panettone.

See more:

English Christmas Recipes

English Christmas Carols Lyrics

Santa Claus is coming to town

You better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town

He's making a list,
And checking it twice;
Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice.
Santa Claus is coming to town

He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake!

O! You better watch out!
You better not cry.
Better not pout, I'm telling you why.
Santa Claus is coming to town.
Santa Claus is coming to town.

Silent night

Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, All is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child
Holy Infant so Tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from heaven afar;
Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia!
Christ the Saviour is born!
Christ the Saviour is born!

Silent night, holy night!
Wondrous star, lend thy light!
With the angels let us sing
Alleluia to our King!
Christ the Saviour is here,
Jesus the Saviour is here!

Silent night, Holy night!

See more:

English Christmas Carols Lyrics

English Christmas Carols Videos

Santa Claus is coming to town

Silent night

See more:

English Christmas Carols Videos

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