Christmas may be a time that’s celebrated all over the world – but not everybody celebrates it in the same way… so we’ve decided to take a look at a very English Christmas!
Our English speaking counterparts across the Atlantic are often bemused about some of our traditions here in the UK… here are some of the main ones:
The much anticipated first airing of the Christmas advert
Think the John Lewis advert (our favourite from recent years has to be the Man on the Moon advert from 2016) and you’ll see where we’re heading with this. The iconic Christmas TV adverts from the larger retailers really began in earnest in the 1980s – although not quite in the same guise as today – and are eagerly anticipated by many, often dividing opinion on who’s advert is best!
The short film high production format with emotive narratives was first seen in John Lewis’s The Long Wait advert from 2011 and each year a huge amount of planning and development goes into it, beginning about 8-9 months before its release … do you have a favourite?!
Santa Claus is coming to town…
Or should that be Father Christmas?! Here in the UK we tend to refer to the man in red as Father Christmas, whereas he’s much more commonly called Santa Claus in the USA.
Going crackers for an English Christmas
We’re not talking cheese and crackers here… but rather the delights that adorn the decorated table! These were first invented by Tom Smith in 1847 after a visit to Paris where he discovered the ‘bonbon’ sugared almond wrapped in a twist of tissue paper. By 1860 the cracker had evolved to become the shape we’re familiar with today and the ‘snap’ was introduced. Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the cheesy joke inside the cracker and the paper hats which are, of course, obligatory to wear until Christmas dinner is over!
Room for pudding?!
Once the turkey, pigs in blankets and all the trimmings have been devoured, attention turns to Christmas pudding! Figgy or plum pudding was first seen in the 1300s and was a type of porridge – so looked nothing like it does today! Traditionally served with brandy butter or custard it used to be filled with coins that would be revealed as the pudding was eaten… although health and safety concerns have meant this practice has definitely become less popular.
A word from Her Majesty
A message from the monarch has been broadcast to the country since 1932 – first on the radio and then from 1957 on TV. The concept is for the monarch to share reflections on the past year and any major milestones experienced by the Royal Family. This year will be the Queen’s 68th speech. She has only missed one year which was in 1969 when the Christmas message was replaced by a repeated documentary about the Royal Family that had already been scheduled for the holiday period.
It’s behind you…!
This one is a real British tradition… the good old Pantomime!
According to writer and caricaturist Max Beerbohm, pantomime is the only art form ever invented in England.
Fabulous if not a little eccentric, panto is a British institution that takes place in theatres up and down the country, entertaining families during the festive season. It’s often the first introduction to the world of the theatre for younger children. They’re most often based on popular children’s stories such as Aladdin, Jack in the Beanstalk, Peter Pan and Sleeping Beauty – although the plot doesn’t always follow that of the traditional story.
An extra day earmarked for celebration
Boxing Day! Here in the UK both Christmas Day and Boxing Day are always Bank Holidays – and if either of them fall on a weekend then they are observed on the next working day. Over in the USA Boxing Day is not recognised as a public holiday.
As the festive month of December begins we’re still working hard producing transcripts for our clients before the year ends, and we’ll be doing so just before the big day! Do drop us an email alex@fionashipley.com for all your transcription needs.