This website tells us about Christmas day in England. The display of
this website quite fascinating. I love the ornament on the left side of
this website. Especially from this website we can find out the history
of Christmas in England. There are also some recipes of food that can be
served on Christmas day. In my opinion, this website can help to you,
Christians, who will be celebrating Christmas day. In addition to
getting knowledge about Christmas day in England, you can also add new
recipes to serve food for the family. God job!!
If you curious about this I like to share the web: http://www.worldholidaytraditions.com/Countries/England.aspx
And this is how the website look like.
Holiday Traditions of England "Merry Christmas"
Christmas is Britain's most popular holiday and is characterized by
traditions which date back hundreds of years. Many Christmas customs
which originated in Britain have been adopted in the United States.
The first ever Christmas card was posted in England in the 1840s, and
the practice soon became an established part of the build-up to
Christmas. Over a billion Christmas cards are now sent every year in the
United Kingdom, many of them sold in aid of charities.
Christmas decorations in general have even earlier origins. Holly,
ivy and mistletoe are associated with rituals going back beyond the Dark
Ages. (The custom of kissing beneath a sprig of mistletoe is derived
from an ancient pagan tradition.) The Christmas tree was popularized by
Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, who introduced one to the
Royal Household in 1840. Since 1947, the country of Norway has presented
Britain annually with a large Christmas tree which stands in Trafalgar
Square in commemoration of Anglo-Norwegian cooperation during the Second
World War.
Popular among children at Christmas time are pantomimes: song and
dance dramatizations of well-known fairy tales which encourage audience
participation.
Carols are often sung on Christmas Eve by groups of singers to their
neighbors, and children hang a stocking on the fireplace or at the foot
of their bed for Santa Claus (also named Father Christmas) to fill.
Presents for the family are placed beneath the Christmas tree.
Christmas Day sees the opening of presents and many families attend
Christmas services at church. Christmas dinner consists traditionally of
a roast turkey, goose or chicken with stuffing and roast potatoes. This
is followed by mince pies and Christmas pudding flaming with brandy,
which might contain coins or lucky charms for children. (The pudding is
usually prepared weeks beforehand and is customarily stirred by each
member of the family as a wish is made.) Later in the day, a Christmas
cake may be served - a rich baked fruit cake with marzipan, icing and
sugar frosting.
The pulling of Christmas crackers often accompanies food on Christmas
Day. Invented by a London baker in 1846, a cracker is a brightly
colored paper tube, twisted at both ends, which contains a party hat,
riddle and toy or other trinket. When it is pulled by two people it
gives out a crack as its contents are dispersed.
Another traditional feature of Christmas afternoon is the Queen's
Christmas Message to the nation, broadcast on radio and television.
The day after Christmas is known in Britain as Boxing Day, which
takes its name from a former custom of giving a Christmas Box - a gift
of money or food inside a box - to the deliverymen and tradespeople who
called regularly during the year. This tradition survives in the custom
of tipping the milkman, postman, dustmen and other callers of good
service at Christmas time.
