After living in the UK for two Decembers, I have seen a few traditions that are typically British. There are three that I absolutely love and would like everybody to experience at least once in their life.

 

• Christmas crackers

This one is present in a lot of English-speaking countries but still, they feel irremediably British to me. Christmas crackers are bright coloured tubs that are to be pulled apart by two people causing the cracker to open with a bang and reveal prizes! It can be coloured paper hats, small toys, candies and pieces of paper with a riddle or a joke written on it. They are lot of fun and sure to brighten your Christmas dinner.

 

• Christmas cards

It’s tradition, prior to Christmas – during the month of December, to send beautiful cards to your family and friends with personalised messages written inside.  I started to do this one myself and sent cards to my family back in France. They were all so surprised and delighted when they received them (because it is not something we do at all back home), that we all started to follow this tradition over the past two years. It’s a great way to let people know you’re thinking about them at that time of year, especially if you won’t see them during the holidays.

 

• Christmas carols

Christmas songs are everywhere but the UK.  It is the only place where I’ve seen people singing Christmas carols in the street. Little groups of people get together and sing in the street or go from door to door to sing typical and traditional Christmas songs called carols. Some are really famous like “O Holy Night” or “Jingle Bells”.

 

Here is my small selection but there are so many more things to experience in the UK during the Christmas period and I hope you will have the opportunity to enjoy it one day as well.

 

I hope you enjoy your holidays wether you celebrate Christmas or not!

See you next year!

 

Cécile