Christmas in the UK
In the UK, families often celebrate Christmas together so they
can watch each other open their presents.
Christmas Day is celebrated in the United Kingdom on 25 De-
cember.
Most families have a Christmas tree in their house for Christ-
mas. The decorating of the tree is usually a family occasion,
with everyone helping.
Christmas trees are decorated with lights, tinsel and baubles.
An angel is usually put at the top of a Christmas tree.
Holly, ivy and mistletoe are also sometimes used to decorate
homes or other buildings.
Most villages, towns and cities are decorated with Christmas
lights over Christmas. Often a famous person switches them
on.
Father Christmas or Santa Claus leaves presents in stockings or
pillow-cases. These are normally hung up by the fire or by a
child's bed on Christmas Eve. A mince pie is usually left out for
Santa on Christmas Eve.
In the UK, the main Christmas meal is usually eaten at
lunchtime or early afternoon on Christmas Day. It is normally
roast turkey, roast vegetables and 'all the trimmings' which
means vegetables like carrots, peas, stuffing and sometimes
bacon and sausages. It is often served with cranberry sauce
and bread sauce.
Dessert is often Christmas pudding. Mince pies and chocolates
are often eaten as well!
The dinner table is decorated with a Christmas cracker for each
person, usually with a joke inside.