Comparing British and American Christmas Traditions

Christmas Traditions in the United States and Britain

Laurence and Tara compare the Christmas traditions they grew up with, noting that some customs were specific to their families rather than representative of an entire country.

Christmas Eve

Tara’s family spent Christmas Eve seeing a local production of The Nutcracker, decorating sugar cookies for Santa, and receiving Christmas pajamas and one small present. They also drove around to see decorated houses, sometimes with synchronized Christmas music. The rest of the gifts were opened on Christmas morning.

Laurence’s family watched films, including Die Hard and The Sound of Music, and waited for Father Christmas. The hosts explain that Father Christmas and Santa Claus have distinct historical origins but are now largely interchangeable.

Food and drink

In Britain, children may leave mince pies for Santa. Laurence and Tara try Walkers mince pies with American eggnog and enjoy the pairing; they also mention Advocaat. They compare British Christmas cake, often a rich fruitcake fed alcohol and iced, with American fruitcake. Mince pies and mincemeat are less common in the United States.

British Christmas treats also include mince pies and Christmas pudding. Christmas meals commonly feature meat, vegetables, and sides. Turkey is common in Britain, while many American families associate it more with Thanksgiving; ham and other meats are served too.

Gifts and shared customs

Laurence’s family had “tea time presents” on Christmas Day: another batch of gifts opened in the afternoon or evening, after the morning presents.

Both grew up with Christmas stockings, though they now mostly keep them as decorations. They also pull Christmas crackers, which contain a paper hat, a joke, and a small toy or game.

Christmas films and entertainment

The couple often watches the British film Love Actually. They also discuss A Christmas Story and It’s a Wonderful Life, noting that some Christmas films are more familiar in one country than the other.

Boxing Day

Boxing Day, December 26, is celebrated in Britain and several Commonwealth countries, but not widely in the United States.

People and places

The discussion features Laurence and Tara and references Grimsby and Chicago. Other notable references include The Nutcracker, Die Hard, The Sound of Music, A Christmas Story, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Love Actually.