We have family over from America in December and we have having a ‘Christmas Day’ with them on the 15th. But they have requested a British/English Christmas day experience. Anyone know of any traditions that are specific to a British Christmas? (Foods, presents, activities etc)
Turkey dinner Mince pies (v. Difficult to get in US) Christmas pudding Christmas crackers (we never found in US) Decent cheese board - European type cheese is difficult to find and very expensive in the States
Give them something alcoholic at 8.30 and then continue drinking solidly throughout the day. Find some random uncles to have a row that turns about pushy half way though dinner.
You must serve sprouts, turnips, parsnips, bread sauce and at least three proteins.
In all seriousness, I like carols from kings on in the morning and then elf or the grinch. I e have Buck's Fizz and Damon and eggs for breakfast. Lunch is at 2pm and after that we go for a walk and look at all the lights in people's houses. Just a twenty minute round the block walk. Supper is sandwiches, always turkey sandwiches and Christmas specials. Morecambe and wise or something equally nostalgic.
We have a game to see who can keep on their cracker hat the longest.
Trifle! If nothing else baffles them that should do it... Bucks fizz and bacon butties for breakfast, and if you have Christmas cake, offer some mature cheddar or a good sharp Wensleydale to go with it.
Panto has been a hit with American niece of ours. Crackers - they don't have them and niece loved ours so much, I'd send some in the years when they didn't come.
Christmas pud, sprig of holly on top, brought to the table flaming nicely, with other lights switched off for effect. For anyone who's never done it, put hot pud on a plate big enough to contain any overflow, then on a good sized tray. Half brandy and half vodka does it nicely, about a cupful altogether, heated in a small frying pan. If you have gas cooker tilt pan when very hot to catch, pour immediately over pud, call to whoever get lights switched off and proceed ASAP to table. If you don't have gas cooker, prob. need to light it with a long something or other.
Mistletoe as well, I think it's only found in Europe. Depends if you want to kiss then though . Stockings in the U.S. are far superior to anything in U.K, if anything I would ask them to bring you some over, we bought lovely large knitted style ones for our children in Target when we lived there and as a child I had a beautiful one that my uncle and auntie sent from Canada, it's still going strong.
. Stockings in the U.S. are far superior to anything in U.K, if anything I would ask them to bring you some over, we bought lovely large knitted style ones for our children in Target when we lived there and as a child I had a beautiful one that my uncle and auntie sent from Canada, it's still going strong.
