Published on: 21 Dec 2021
Reading time: Approx 6 mins

Holidays are all about traditions. And traditions are specific to individual cultures that have been going on for years, sometimes centuries, like the UK. Some British Christmas traditions date back to the 18th century, however, some of them baffle the rest of the world–Americans drinking eggnog is a tradition that began in the 13th century. The UK and the US are two countries, among many others, with some interestingly historic Christmas traditions.

The UK and the US have some popular traditions and ways they spend their Christmas holidays. Here we look at some of the oldest and fascinating traditions followed in these countries.

Yanks wish each other a “Merry Christmas”, but you are likely to hear “Happy Christmas” in the UK.

Although that’s not the only term personalised by England. They also refer to “Santa Claus” instead of “Father Christmas”.

Many Americans are unfamiliar with the UK’s popular holiday dessert – the Christmas Pudding! Unlike American puddings – a traditional British Christmas Pudding includes brandy and spices giving it a dark, sticky texture and having a dense sponge. It is made of mixed dried fruits, apple, candied fruit peel and citrus zest.

Eggnogs have been a part of the American Christmas traditions for years now. It is a drink made of raw eggs beaten in sugar, milk and alcohol with ale and figs. The drink was first named posset by British monks in the 13th century and was eventually named eggnog ages later. While eggnog might not seem strange to Americans, it certainly is unusual for people from outside the US.

People outside the UK mostly visit theatres and musicals for an evening of entertainment throughout the year. However, it is a fun British Christmas tradition for families to get together and enjoy pantomime – over-the-top musical comedies based on fairy tales. These theatre dramas run throughout Christmas and are filled with a lot of humour and loud audience participation.

Arkansas, in the US, displays a giant trail of light covering the entire state. People would walk out in groups and follow the trails, enjoying the glimmering lights with family and friends. The lights are easily mapped out, so you can easily drive from one stunning display to another, as the perfect COVID-friendly activity.

For Americans, Christmas crackers are mainly a snack on the charcuterie board. However, in the UK, it is a tradition to place these festive decorations that are pulled apart to reveal a small gift, a riddle or a joke. They make a ‘snap’ or a ‘cracking’ sound, which gives them the name.

The concept of Christmas trees was first derived from Germany, Americans had to get creative with its décor. Apparently, recently migrated German-Americans then, preferred using nuts and fruits to decorate their trees – hence, popcorn, and it was everywhere! A movie snack as Christmas tree ornaments certainly baffles non-Americans!

Christmas is celebrated around the world and some countries have unusual ways of spending their Christmas like Canada, Portugal, the UK and the US. However, British & American Christmas traditions are some of the most interesting and must-experience ones! From the overly large Christmas trees in the town’s circles to the usual age-old traditions of pickle-hiding; these traditions are renowned for how unusual they are!

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