Having a 'British Christmas'

[tempstamos]

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)

Baileys. The original.

Yorkshire puddings.

Sprouts.

I think instead of Turkey you should try the traditional Goose for Xmas dinner and serve with bread sauce

Turkey?? Roast goose, surely!

Buck’s Fizz
Mistletoe
Stockings
Mince pies
Christmas cake
Christmas pudding and brandy sauce
Bread sauce
Pigs in blankets
Prawn cocktail
Sprouts
Board games
Queens speech
Table presents
Crackers
Cheese board

If not Quality Street then it must be Roses. I can’t be doing with this modern crowd of Celebrations or Heroes.

Terrys chocolate orange. They will love you forever

If you have goose, you must have red cabbage with it!

If you have a gas hob and a metal ladle here s the easiest way to light brandy. Fill the lade about 2 thirds full an heat over the flame for about 10 seconds, tip so the brandy touches the fa!me , pour over the pud.

God no, not the hideous oily excuse for chocolate that is the pitiful incarnation of the Terry's chocolate orange of today. Never speak to you again, is more like it.

Agree with PP that mentioned a trip to the pub. It's a big thing in our village on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Brilliant atmosphere.

When I had an American Christmas dinner the lack of roast potatoes stunned and disappointed me!

And kinder eggs. Banned in the US as they’re lethal. Worse than guns apparently.

As someone pointed out earlier a turkey dinner is American, BUT, they traditionally have this for Thanksgiving and the turkey dinner they are used to will have very different accompaniments to ours. They will typically have mashed potatoes, so this is where you should introduce them to glorious goose fat roasties. They will usually have some form of sweet potato dish and then green bean casserole. So stick to British traditions like Brussel sprouts, Yorkshires, chipolatas wrapped in bacon etc and it will be very different for them and totally unlike the Thanskgiving meal they will have eaten about two weeks prior to your event.

Mince pies, trifle and Xmas pud with lots of brandy custard and rum butter will be a new experience for them.

Flake out on the sofa at 4pm ignoring everyones insistance that you "Go for a nice walk" in the pi**ing rain.

Only shift yourself if you have a boisterous dog holding his lead in his mouth looking winsome.

Tea and turkey sandwiches

After Eights

Mr Kipling pies (you know you want to)
Twiglets

Complain about the choice of TV programmes (but also be glad that UK TV doesn't have the annoying number of adverts as US TV)

I'm not sure how the kids would feel about us pretending santa can come on the 14th as well as the 25th

Do it.
But making sure the kids know that it is pretending santa is coming.
Do (small!) stockings on Christmas morning as that is such a part of Christmas here, but tell them that you are pretending and you packed the stockings, but if this was 'real' Christmas it would be father Christmas.

I don't know much about US customs, but I think they put out milk and cookies for santa, which is a little different to sherry and mince pie!

Americans always seem to serve mushy baby food with their roasts. Creamed potatoes with casseroled vegetables with so much cream and sugar in you'd never know whether it's Brussel sprouts or a dessert. and cheesy pasta as a "vegetable" ??!

Give them some proper crunchy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside roast potatoes and parsnips

I would also suggest goose - gooseberry, apple or even blackberry sauce, rather than cranberry.

And a church or cathedral carol service has to be a must. I remember my wonderful friend visiting from the US and being slightly freaked out by the fact my house and local church were built much earlier that the USA was created! He was just awestruck by our local cathedral.

Earl Grey tea.

A lot of the stately homes/ NT properties have some gorgeous Christmassy stuff going on in the run up to Christmas. You could "Downton Abbey" them up big time!

I would also second board games, Queen's Speech and a walk to the pub

I typed LOADS and lost them fucking phone!

Crackers definitely.

Boardgames.

Go somewhere lovely and buy a tree decoration.

Hot&Cold Baby Jesus - hide the nativity Jesus and say cold/warm/hot until you find him (big hit in our house!).

Underline things you'd like to watch in Radio Times.

Panto or Nutcracker ballet.

Go to a church or cathedral to see their nativity (nice if you can't buy tickets for panto/ballet/carol services).

Spend an afternoon charity shop shopping and spend a minimum of £5 (or whatever) on a gift for one person as a Secret Santa - that way no one goes without or goes crazy gift-wise.

Put a tangerine and some nuts in their stocking!

Good call on a NT property, the ones near us are lovely! I’d disagree on the suggestion on the Nutcracker though; ime this is done so, so much better in the States - there it is the show to see at Christmas’s. Panto is far more British and so unlike anything done in the States!

Selection box
Have a montage of Christmas ads (JL, M&S etc) playing in the background
An old episode of Only Fools and Horses
Chocolate coins