Winter season in the United Kingdom marks one of the most important occasions in the country. The Christmas period is filled with all kinds of traditions ranging from ancient pagan traditions as well as modern Christian traditions. The Christmas traditions in the United Kingdom are a season of love, family, and bonding with friends and relatives.
The history behind it is very long and it dates back to several centuries ago when people began celebrating it. Some of the Victorian traditions that are being observed until the current era include decorating Christmas trees, sending Christmas cards, and singing Christmas carols.
It is common to see twinkling lights, decorated Christmas trees, and buzzing Christmas markets across the United Kingdom because the British people love Christmas, and they take the celebration to a different level.
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Christmas customs and celebrations in United Kingdom
The Lord of Misrule is a major historical figure who contributed greatly to the spread of the Christmas tradition, and it was until the Puritans took charge in the 17th century that they banned the Christmas celebrations and traditions. The culture remained for years and even with the introduction of the Victorian culture, you will find that people often enjoy their Christmas differently.
Understanding the Christmas traditions is essential for you to understand why the Victorians celebrated the Christmas period in the same way. The tradition became more common around the country, and you could find people celebrating the period with Christmas carols and other traditions.
Since the time of the Victorians, the culture of Christmas took a different turn and the British people have begun embracing a wide array of cultures and traditions. Some of the customs and traditions date back centuries ago. Some of the common traditions around the region include Christmas cards, crackers, and trees.
Christmas tree in United Kingdom
The Christmas tree is a common figure in Britain and during the Christmas holiday, you are going to find people putting up Christmas trees in their homesteads, shopping malls, and even in the municipal councils.
The culture of putting up Christmas trees dates back to the 1800s. Ever since, the culture has become a more common tradition in urban centers across the UK as well as the rural areas as well.
Mistletoe hanging
The hanging of mistletoe around Britain did not become a romantic symbol as it was considered a sacred symbol. It was more common that you would find people in different parts of the country hanging the mistletoe as a sign of fertility, virility, and prosperity.
However, in the recent past, it has been used as a symbol of peace, and people who met under the mistletoe were not supposed to fight. The homes around Britain were decorated with mistletoe. When this happened, it was a symbol of consecration, and people would live in peace once they had decorated their houses with the mistletoe.
It is a common theme that you will find in churches around the country and even though it has pagan leanings, the message behind it has been embraced by people even those that are staunch Christians. The druids of the ancient century were a sign of virility, peace, and fertility.
Holly
The holly are red berries and barbed leaves of the holly plant that have been associated with eternal life in Great Britain. The church did not approve of the use of holly at first and disapproved of the use of holly in churches. However, they kept appearing in people’s houses and this led to a softer stance.
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The tradition became enormous, and you can now find many people across Britain using holly during the Christmas period. It is believed that the red berries will ward off witches and according to the Christian tradition this was not one of the beliefs however over the years this has changed, and it is now acceptable to have a holly plant on your house.
The thorns on the plant represent the crown of Jesus while the berries represent his blood. The wreath is usually left there until February 2 when it is removed.
Christmas cards in United Kingdom
According to history, the first Christmas card was sent in the year 1843. A man by the name of Henry Cole was the first to send a Christmas letter and he was part of the people who transformed the British postal system. The card initially caused a lot of controversy in Britain because of the depiction of a small child drinking wine.
However, this idea of sending cards during the Christmas period became known as many people included other messages of Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. It is now common that you will find many people across Great Britain who send their Christmas cards with different messages during the festive season.
St. Nicholas in United Kingdom
St. Nicholas is a day that is celebrated across Europe, and it originated in Turkey in the 4th century. However, this tradition gained traction across the United Kingdom, and it is currently observed in different parts of the country. The British are known for Father Christmas, and they have an affection for the figure because it represents Christmas and the birth of Jesus.
For the last one and a half centuries, St. Nicholas has been celebrated in Britain as Father Christmas. The Father Christmas figure began appearing in British culture in the 1650s and originated during the Victorian times. During this period, a wise old man appeared with pamphlets and distributed them around the country.
The figure was identified as the gift giver and the traditions continued over the years. It is important to note that this was St. Nicholas. The St. Nicholas theme stayed for years, and it was during the early 19th century that the Britons created Father Christmas or Santa Claus. However, over the years St. Nicholas Day has been celebrated across the country.
Traditional Christmas food and drink in United Kingdom
The British people believe in feasting and drinking during the Christmas period and young will find people consuming their traditional dishes in the region. The most common dishes that you are likely to find on Christmas Eve and Christmas itself are meat pies. The mincemeat pie is usually eaten twelve days before Christmas.
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There is a tradition that whoever refuses to eat mincemeat pie during the Christmas period will experience misfortune in the coming year. The local people usually ensure that they have cooked the meat pie before Christmas because it will give them the perfect energy and luck for the coming year.
Custard and crumble meat pies are more common in different parts of the country including the upcountry.
Plum pudding
This is a legendary dish that British people enjoy during the Christmas period. It is common in urban and rural areas. The pudding was made from plumes, beef broth, and mutton and it was then thickened with wine, raisins, currants, prunes, and other spices.
It was common for the porridge to be eaten with the main course meal during Christmas day. During the early 19th century, the meat had vanished from the recipe, and it was solidified to make it the current solidified pudding that you will find in different areas of the country. Traditionally, this pudding was prepared on the Sunday before the advent.
Christmas turkey in United Kingdom
Perhaps the other most common dish during the Christmas period is turkey. While this has gained a huge reputation in America as a dish for Thanksgiving, in Britain it is usually eaten during the Christmas period. During the Victorian era, the birds were raised in most parts of East Anglia, and they were sold during the Christmas period for consumption.
Over 150,000 turkeys were taken from East Anglia to London each year during Christmas. It is because of this tradition that the people in the region have adopted the consumption of turkey during Christmas. The turkeys were fitted with boots to protect their feet.
It is this tradition that has become more common across the country and people in the United Kingdom still follow it. The Christmas dinner is never complete until you have some of the best-smoked bacon with butter to taste.
Twelfth Night cake
This is the most common tradition that you are going to find in Britain. Until the 20th century, the people in the region enjoyed the twelfth cake. The cake is symbolic and usually, it has one dried pea on one side and a bean on the other side.
The men in the house are given a slice from the bean side while the women are given a slice from the pea side. The person who finds the bean and the pea is the queen while the man who finds the bean is the king. It was considered a sign of success and good luck in the coming year.
Christmas drinks in United Kingdom
When it comes to the drinks that are consumed during the Christmas period in the United Kingdom, you are going to find a wide variety.
The most traditional Christmas drink is eggnog. This is usually made of cider, egg yolks, and spices. It is more or less similar to brandy with egg concoction, and during the Victorian time, the people drank it with a bowl of cloves, oranges, port, and red wine.
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Yule log
The yule log is an important component of the British Christmas culture. Commonly, you find people from different parts of the country dragging the logs that they will get from the forest.
This log is then put in the fireplace, and it will be burnt to keep the people warm. It is common for male members of the household to go to the forest and fetch one of the best logs that they will use during this period.
The idea of carrying the largest log was to ensure that the family enjoyed the Christmas period without feeling cold.
Boar’s head
In medieval times, people believed that Christmas dinner was never complete until there was a boar’s head with an apple or an orange in its mouth. The tradition came to Britain during the Viking era, and it is common to find them serving in honor of the heroes of Valhalla and praising the sun boar.
In the modern era, the boar’s head is presented on the same silver platter, and it is usually accompanied by Christmas carols and other songs.
St. Thomas Day
This is a common tradition that you are going to find in various parts of Britain. It was traditionally celebrated on December 21, and it was used to make the day when poor women from the village would move from one house to another asking for food or money to give to the impoverished households during the Christmas period.
Although these traditions are no longer as popular as they were in the past century, many people across the country still observe them.
Christmas service in United Kingdom
According to the Holy Days and Fasting Days Act of 1551 it is mandatory for every British citizen to attend a church mass or service on Christmas day.
It is a common tradition that has been around for centuries although not observed to the latter in the modern era. The Christmas service is usually associated with the singing of Christmas carols and the recital of various poems.
The Queen’s Speech
The Christmas message from the queen is one of the most followed programs in the Great Britain region. Over seven million people watch it annually.
The tradition has become ingrained in the minds of the people, and it is common to see the queen giving the speech on Christmas day.
Boxing Day
The British people usually celebrate Boxing Day in style. They will often open their presents and put some for the less fortunate in society.
The boxes are usually filled with gifts, which are then taken to the needy in society. You will find that this day is popularly known as St. Stephen’s Day. It means that the culture and traditions remain the same.
There are modern-day traditions that come with Boxing Day as well and you will find people going for a swim in the sea, and watching football matches.
