UK Christmas Traditions

UK Christmas Traditions

Do you ever wonder why we send Christmas cards or hang stockings up for Santa? However you choose to spend your time during the festive season, some age-old traditions still manage to creep into our celebrations.

Take a look at our list of well-known traditions and where they originated from.

1. Christmas Cards.

Sir Henry Cole and artist John Horsley created the first Christmas card in 1843. They were trying to encourage people to use the Public Records Office which is now known as the Post Office, as they both helped set up the system. The first cards cost one shilling which in today’s money amounts to £5.75 each.

2. Stockings.

Hanging stockings out at Christmas dates back to the legend of St Nicholas who was known as the gift giver. He was said to have sent bags of gold down the chimney of a poor man. The gold fell into stockings they had hanging up to dry by the fireplace. This started the tradition off and many people still fill stockings with gifts today.

3. Wassailing.

In Anglo-Saxon wassail means ‘be well’ and was a traditional New Year greeting. The act of wassailing meant going door-to-door with a bowl of spiced, alcoholic beverages. This act was always performed on the ‘12^th night’. The drink was usually cider or wine mixed with fruit and spices and gently heated up. It is now more commonly known as mulled wine and is drunk throughout the festive season rather than just New Year.

4. Boxing Day.

As we know 26^th December is known in the UK as Boxing Day. There are a couple of explanations as to the reason for this day. Many believe it is because on this day the Church of England broke open its donation boxes and shared out the contents with the poor.

Another explanation is that on this day the rich and wealthy gave boxes full of presents to their servants as thanks for their hard work throughout the year.

5. The Royal Christmas Broadcast.

The Christmas broadcast by the reigning monarch started in 1932 as a radio broadcast by George V. In 1957 Queen Elizabeth II delivered the first televised broadcast, live to the nation. Since 1959 this annual traditional message has been pre-recorded and shown at 3pm on Christmas Day into homes across the country.

All around the UK you will find interesting facts, legends and ancient traditions. There are so many stunning places to explore and learn about. Stay in the UK and discover new things about this amazing country.

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