English Christmas Traditions That Confuse Americans

Have you ever wondered what the English Christmas traditions that confuse Americans are? I’m speaking from experience as I’m about to celebrate my second Christmas since living in London and there are lot of them. Last year I celebrated Christmas with my boyfriend’s family and he’s English. It brought on a whole lot of confusion once the traditions started coming out. I feel a bit more prepared for this year.

But still, there are some things that I just don’t understand. Sure, Christmas is celebrated all around the world, but every country has its own customs and traditions. And even though Americans and Brits make speak the same language, they celebrate Christmas a bit differently. 

So, here are 8Christmas traditions that have confused me (but also grown on me) since moving to London.

English Christmas Traditions That Confuse Americans

1. Christmas starts really early.

As an American, the Christmas season officially starts the day after Thanksgiving. My entire life, growing up we would also decorate the day after Thanksgiving. Christmas music would fill the airwaves, lights would go up, and trees would be decorated. But not until Thanksgiving happened. Even outdoor decorations like the Rockefeller tree in NYC don’t get lit until December. 

But, in London, people start pretty much after Halloween, which isn’t even widely celebrated here. So, that means on November 1 you can see Christmas lights popping up all over the city. Stores start selling Christmas gifts, displays go up, and people chat about the holiday season non-stop. It’s too soon for me!!

2. Happy Christmas vs. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

I think the first time I ever heard anyone say Happy Christmas was in Harry Potter. Seriously, it’s just not a thing in the US. But, in the UK, that’s all anyone says. 

Aside from it always being Merry Christmas in the states, you also usually play it safe by saying Happy Holidays. I grew up in a very Jewish town so it was the polite thing to do. Once, I said that to one of my English friends and they were like, “you mean Happy Christmas?” I never thought I’d be yelled at for being politically correct!

3. Advent Calendars

I always knew what an advent calendar was from going to Church when I was a kid, but my parents never bought me one that was filled with chocolate. Advent calendars are little countdowns, that are historically for children. Nowadays you can find one filled with everything from stationery to beauty products to charity donations. 

Basically there are 25 doors and each day leading up to Christmas you pull open a door and get a prize. It’s a fun way to countdown to Christmas Day.

4. Christmas Crackers

The only time I had ever seen “Crackers” before moving to London was on New Years eve a million years ago. I think we called them poppers. But, you won’t go to a Christmas dinner with an English family and not be given a cracker next to your silverware. It’s one of the most well-known English Christmas traditions.

Crackers are like a wishbone— they require two people. One person grabs each end and pulls. You’ll hear a crack and the person who gets most of the tube, get to keep it. There’s a paper crown in there that you must wear and usually a silly toy like a joke or tiny deck of cards. I like this tradition. It’s fun for the whole family!

5. Mince Pies

If you’re American and reading this,I want you to stop for a minute and write in the comments what you think a Mince Pie is before reading the rest of this. Okay… did you do it?

The first time someone asked me if I wanted a Mince Pie I thought they were talking about a meat pie. Mince Pies are actually little bite size pies filled with dried fruit and spices. Many people top them with cream. I’m personally not a fan but people keep offering them to me anyways!

6. Christmas Pudding

I feel like Christmas pudding is the equivalent to the American fruit cake. It is a fruit cake but it’s also really spiced and doused in brandy and then set on fire for a minute. It’s a staple at all Christmas dinners, not matter how you feel about the taste. I find that it’s a bit too chewy for me.  

7. Father Christmas

I will never stop referring to Santa Claus as Santa no matter how long I live here. People know Santa as Father Christmas but it just seems very formal. Children refer to Santa as Father Christmas as that’s what they learn to call him while growing up.

8. Celebrating Boxing Day

There’s no day after Christmas. It’s called Boxing Day. It’s pretty much the British equivalent of black friday and it’s terrifying to be in central London on this day because the crowds are wild. Apparently it’s called Boxing Day for one of two reasons —  the Church of England’s practice of breaking open donation boxes to distribute to the poor or the aristocracy giving boxes full of presents to their servants on the day after Christmas. 

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