EB1/PE de Santa Cruz

Christmas Traditions in England

Christmas Book

The Christmas tree

The Christmas tree became popular in England in 1841 when Queen Victoria’s husband prince Albert, brought a Christmas Tree from Germany and put it on the Castle.The Christmas tree is decorated with balls, stars, bells, lights… An angel is usually put on the very top of the tree.

Christmas DinnerThe Christmas dinner is the main Christmas meal and it is usually eaten at the mid-day or early afternoon.It includes a roast turkey, potatoes and sausages, tiny sausages wrapped in bacon…For dessert there’s always a rich, fruity pudding in flaming brandy.

Cranberry Sauce

Roast Turkey

Roast Potatoes

Christmas Presents

This is the favourite day for children. They wake up very early in the morning to find their stockings have been filled by Father Christmas and excitedly unwrap the presents before going to the sitting room.

Christmas Stockings

From 1870 children have hung up Christmas stockings at the ends of their beds or along the mantelpiece above the fireplace. Today, children still hang Christmas stockings or bags up ready for Father Christmas, who will hopefully fill them up with presents, if the children have been good.

Christmas Crackers

Traditionally a Christmas cracker is placed next to each plate on the Christmas dinner table.

When the crackers are pulled out, falls a colourful party crown, a toy or gift and a festive joke.

Who’s this guy in the red suit?

In Wales, he’s Father Christmas, or Santa to some.

In Belgium, he is de Kerstman.

In France, he is Père Noel.

In Brazil, he is Papai Noel.

In Hungary, he is “the winter Grandfather”.

In Russia, he is Father Frost.

How we celebrate might change, but the reason we celebrate does not.People all over the world celebrate Christmas for the same reasons.

The Birth of Jesus