Spending Christmas in the UK? Interesting facts you will not find in a cracker

By our Callan Method teacher Nikhil Murphy.

Christmas has experienced a turbulent history in the Britain, yet it is now one of the largest celebrated holidays in the country. Owing to many different influences, there is now a strong tradition of decorating, gift giving, and of course… merrymaking!

Winter celebrations can be traced back to sixth-century England. However, in 1647 the English Parliament passed a law making Christmas illegal! It remained banned for 12 years until it was restored as a festive celebration in 1660.

Nearly every household spends time as a family choosing and decorating a Christmas tree. This is a tradition that was brought to Britain from Germany! Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria, thought it would be a good way to introduce one of his native country’s customs into England. Thus, decorating a Christmas tree became very popular in the 19^th Century. More about trees…! Every year since 1947, the capital of Norway has donated one of its finest spruce trees to stand tall in Trafalgar Square. It is to recognise the friendship between the two countries and a way for Oslo to thank Britain for its help during WWII. It is decorated in a traditional Norwegian style. All this being said, the UK can thank one of its own for cultivating Christmas traditions and values: Charles Dickens. Among many other things, it was Dickens’ ideas about giving gifts and being kind to all that gave the festive period the meaning it still retains today.

So read A Christmas Carol, listen the Queen’s speech for some expert pronunciation and have a very Merry Christmas!