If you’re wondering what Christmas is like in the UK and if traditions for Christmas in England are different, you’re not wrong to assume that it’s pretty much on par with how the holiday is celebrated in the USA. There are lights, trees, skating venues, caroling, and yes, the turkey. Oh, and it snows sometimes, too! ❄️
But there are also some British Christmas traditions that really stand out as different and unique to this island nation. And if you’re an expat or about to become one, they are traditions that you can’t ignore, even if you try to.
Though I wouldn’t suggest these are the tastiest Christmas traditions, they are British ones nonetheless that are quite fun and just as quirky as the nation itself. And what better way to experience Christmas in England than to incorporate some into your own.
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8 British Christmas Traditions
Whether you’re inspired to spend Christmas in the UK or to English things up at home, here are 8 British Christmas traditions different from American ones. 🇬🇧🇺🇸
1 – Mulled Wine Is A Must
If you enjoy a hot cider, then mulled wine might be your new holiday favorite. It’s served at every outdoor venue, Christmas party, and bonfire event typically in a festive cup or clear heatproof glass. Picture perfect, huh?!
As much as I love red wine or a hot drink on a cold day, this is one British tradition that my taste buds don’t enjoy even though I really, really want it to. 👎🏻
My best description for mulled wine is hot spiced up sangria. It’s essentially boiled wine with all sorts of spices and gin. Sounds good, right? Unfortunately for me, cinnamon is my least favorite spice but happens to be a key ingredient.
2 – Mince Pies Are A British Christmas Staple
Similar in appearance to New England mince pies on Thanksgiving in the US of A, the British ones have evolved to primarily contain a mixture of fruit and spices. Though this 16th-century English tradition was originally made with venison or other meats, nowadays the filling is a dried fruit and nutty one.
Brits love their mince pies at Christmas!
Typically served as a bite-size single-serving pie at Christmas time with tea or coffee, mince pies are a staple British Christmas tradition.
My best American description? Like a nutty fig newton with loads of spice.
3 – Christmas Pantomime Is A UK Tradition
Or “panto” if you’re British. Nothing says Christmas in England without tickets to a Christmas panto at the local theatre. Though it’s still on my St Albans Christmas bucket list, the one recommendation provided by British friends is to attend a Christmas panto.
Typically based upon a fairytale and described as hilarious, cheesy, low budget and cast with minor celebrities, it’s a family British Christmas tradition not to be missed. And if you don’t believe me, get a taste for a Christmas panto here.
4 – Christmas Dog Jumpers Are All The Rage
Probably one of my favorite gifts to buy: a Christmas dog jumper. Though a few options are moderately stocked at Target in the States, nothing compares to the magnitude of what’s available for pet wear in the UK.
The Christmas jumpers (sweaters) that are available for people are off the charts in Britain, but the array of Christmas jumpers for dogs is astounding.
Pop up shops appear on the high streets out of nowhere in November and there are more jumper options for a four-legged friend than what you can find for your husband. Trust me.
Nothing says Christmas in the UK than a festive pooch jumper for your favorite dog. 🐩
5 – Brits Spend Christmas At The Pub
Some local pubs, not all, host Christmas dinners. If the pubs don’t host a Christmas dinner, they are at least open for late-morning cheer. After presents are opened and before the big meal…seriously. Sounds amazing, huh!?! 🥂
Though not having Christmas dinner at home might be considered a crime in America, Christmas dinner at the pub is a totally normal British tradition. In fact, our family will be squeezing into the pub this year on Christmas day with our Christmas jumpers on and all. Why not?
Since it’s just us, it’s the perfect reason to relax and let someone else fuss over the Christmas turkey and all the trimmings. I think the British are onto something. 🦃
6 – Christmas Crackers Adorn UK Tables
Not a Ritz or Saltine kind of cracker, but a sparkly festive one that you share with a friend or family member just before Christmas dinner. My best American analogy for a British Christmas cracker is the turkey wishbone on Thanksgiving Day.
One of you holds each end and pulls. Whoever ends up with the majority gets the prize. Prizes from a Christmas cracker are typically small plastic toys or a paper King crown. It’s nothing to get overly excited about but the kids love it!
Christmas crackers are a fun tradition in England!
Originating from a Brit’s visit to Paris in 1840, Christmas crackers of all types still dress the Christmas dinner table right next to the cutlery. Even if unopened, a Christmas cracker makes the dining room extra festive on Christmas day.
7 – Christmas Pudding
Aside from it being the most popular Christmas pattern in the UK, Christmas pudding is the Brit’s dessert of choice on Christmas day. Though I desperately want to like it, its appearance and description remind me more of meatloaf or fruitcake that’s gone wrong topped with a sprig of holly.
Christmas pudding is certainly not on my holiday wish list to send overseas, although its density certainly makes it risk-free to ship!
This boiled dessert consists of dried fruits with a coin hidden inside. The coin is meant to bring good fortune to the one who finds it…hopefully before swallowing it.
But the coolest thing about Christmas pudding to look forward to is less about eating it and more about the display of it. Brandy is poured over the top and set on fire before it’s served! 🔥
This UK Christmas tradition disguised as a stocking stuffer!
8 – The Queen’s Christmas Message
Every year the Queen broadcasts a Christmas message that is typically a reflection of the country’s year and also about family. It’s a royal tradition that dates back to 1932 when King George V gave a speech that began with “I speak now from my home and from my heart, to you all…”.
It was a huge success and Queen Elizabeth II has carried it on ever since.
With so much excitement in 2018 in the UK, to include the fabulous Harry and Meghan wedding, it’s a broadcast to surely not miss as an American in the UK or anywhere else really.
It is aired at 3 pm on Christmas Day, so be sure to plan Christmas dinner accordingly. 📺
Final Thoughts On British Christmas Traditions
From food to clothes and Christmas entertainment, the Brits know how to be festive all season long with these fun traditions different from America. In fact, Christmas launches mid-October in the UK, while America is gearing up for Halloween. This allows you lots of time to experience how the United Kingdom celebrates Christmas.
And whether you pass on mulled wine for spiked eggnog this Christmas Day or not, there is always next year. 🎅🏻🎄
First Christmas in Britain? Try these.
- 6 Practical Christmas Gifts For Neighbors
- It’s Just Us: Things To Do On Christmas Day
- Moving to England? Use the moving abroad checklist.
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5 comments
Hi,
I’m English and had Mulled Wine yesterday – so lovely and looked-forward to at this time of the year when the weather is cold and the wind is bitter. The mince pies in your picture do not look so appetising as the ones in the shops (or even my home-made ones) and they are not bite-sized but are quite a bit bigger. The Christmas crackers are known for having dreadful jokes in them and is probably why we like them so much – we know they will be awful but we are drawn to them every year as they are fun too – mostly pulled before the main meal arrives. One thing you did completely forget ( I think) is the Christmas cake – which is a rich fruit cake covered, matured for a few months and then wrapped in marzipan and icing. Christmas cards are an English invention so I do not now whether you have them too but I hope you do as it is so lovely to receive a card from someone you love. I think you also say Happy Holidays but we like to wish each other a very Merry Christmas, so I wish that for you too Have a wonderful time and good wishes go to you and those you love.
I
Hi Helen! What a lovely comment. Thank you so much for sharing. I’m sure I didn’t buy the best option for trying mince pies the first time. In Maine, a minced pie has deer meat so I was hesitant to buy anything bigger or more costly knowing that I’d be the only one in my family to give it a go.
I absolutely love the Christmas crackers. That is a new tradition we’ve adopted after living in England. I have to go to Homegoods, World Market, or a specialty British shop in the USA to find equivalent ones.
I forgot about the Christmas cake. It’s Christmas pudding that always comes to mind. Will have to try that!
I love how Christmas cards in the UK are primarily to benefit charities. In the USA most cards are family photos so that is a very big difference.
I always say Merry Christmas and wishing that back at you!!
Thank you again for your lovely message. x
Ah thanks Lori! Now I feel homesick. And the London Christmas lights are the best 🙂
Oh no! I certainly didn’t mean to make you homesick…hopefully you can visit again soon! London is simply the best at Christmas time. x
Enjoyed this article!!!!