At the London School of English we've been celebrating the festive season with our Christmas staff dinner, Christmas concert and Christmas themed lessons. Now the school is closed until the new year but everyone in London is very busy getting ready for Christmas.
So, what do people in the UK do at Christmas time, and what do we say to each other? Here's a list of cultural references about an English Christmas, and some Christmas language too.
Christmas Displays in Shop Windows
Christmas seems to start earlier every year. Shops start putting up Christmas displays almost as soon as Halloween has finished. So, seeing Christmas decorations in shop windows as early as October sometimes makes people feel a bit cynical towards the commercialisation of this traditional festival.
What people say: "I can't believe they're advertising Christmas already! It's disgusting how commercialised it has become. Christmas decorations in October? I mean, come on!"
The Christmas Office Party
Every office has to have a Christmas party, even if all the members of staff don't want to do it! An office party usually involves the staff members getting drunk and doing embarrassing things in front of the boss. Sometimes it is the other way round - and the boss gets drunk and does embarrassing things in front of the staff. Whatever happens - it usually involves drinking and embarrassment!
What people say:
"Thanks for all your hard work this year!"
"I love you Tracy... I've always loved you... give me a kiss will you? Tracy? Tracy I'm sorry... I ... Sorry Tracy! ...oh... oh no."
The Christmas Get-Together with Friends
This is one of the best parts of the Christmas season - the opportunity to meet your best friends and have a drink together to celebrate Christmas. Often this will be done in a good pub or restaurant. Sometimes friends will meet at someone's house and drink together, and be merry.
What do people say?
"Merry Christmas"
"Cheers!"
"What are you up to for Christmas?"
"Where are you spending Christmas?"
"Are you going back to your parents' place?"
"Have a great Christmas, won't you?"
Christmas Songs
There are two types of Christmas song: the Christmas carols, and the modern pop songs. Christmas carols are traditional religious songs which are sung in public places by groups of carol singers. It is a very traditional image: carol singers from the local town who stand in a public place, hold candles and sing.
The old pop songs from the 60s, 70s and 80s are also an important part of a typical Christmas here in England. Wherever you go, you hear these songs. They are played on the radio, in shops, in pubs, at the office party or on a CD player at home. Everyone knows them, and everyone can sing them (especially when they've had a few drinks). Some of the most famous Christmas pop songs are: Merry Christmas Everyone by Slade, I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day by Wizard, Last Christmas by Wham and The Fairy Tale of New York by The Pogues. You can check YouTube and Google for all of those songs, and the lyrics are all available online too.
What people say:
"Oh look - it's some carol singers! Oh how lovely!"
"Oh, I LOVE this song!"
"Oh no, not this old Christmas song again... I can't stand it..."
Christmas Shopping
Giving gifts is one of the most important parts of Christmas, so it is important to buy presents for your family members, and some of your close friends. The clever people (usually women) do their Christmas shopping in advance. The stupid ones (usually men) leave it until the last minute, and then have to struggle through crowded streets and busy shops to try and find good presents for their loved ones. Doing your Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve (December 24th) is definitely not recommended, as this is guaranteed to make you very stressed out!
What people say:
"Excuse me! Sorry, can I just squeeze past you? Sorry! Thanks!"
"Excuse me, have you got any wrapping paper left?"
"No, I'm afraid we've sold out"
"Oh my god, I wish I hadn't left this until the last minute"
"Have you got any idea what I should get Dad for Christmas?"
"Haven't you bought him anything yet??"
Bah! Humbug!
Anyone who doesn't like Christmas, is called a 'scrooge'. This is because of the story A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Scrooge is famous for saying "Bah! Humbug!" as a way of complaining about Christmas.
Christmas Pantomimes
This is a fun theatre performance which is designed for children, but which adults usually enjoy too. Christmas is pantomime season, and most of the theatres in town will show a pantomime at this time of year. Pantomime stories are usually based on well known children's stories, such as: Cinderella, Aladdin, Peter Pan, Snow White etc. The most popular pantomimes in London have celebrities as the main characters. Pantomimes (or pantos) always have a funny character, a loveable character and an evil character. The audience is encouraged to join in the performance by shouting lines such as "He's behind you!" when the evil character enters the stage. This year, Pamela Anderson (from Baywatch) is performing in a pantomime in London. Many people think she is doing this because she's bankrupt and really needs the money!
What people say:
"He's behind you!"
"Oh no he isn't!"
"Oh yes he is!"
"I hate pantomimes"
Snow
A white Christmas is a traditional image, but snow is quite rare in London these days. Snowfall on Christmas Day is a little more common in the north of the country and in Scotland where the temperature tends to be colder. Weather forecasters are saying there is a chance of snow this Christmas, so children all over the country might wake up to a snow covered garden this year.
What people say:
"Oh, how lovely - a white Christmas!"
"Daddy, Daddy! Can we go outside and make a snowman!?"
"Due to extreme weather conditions, all train services out of London have been cancelled."
Mistletoe
This is a plant with green leaves and white berries. It is traditional to hang mistletoe from the ceiling or some other high place. If you meet someone underneath the mistletoe - you have to kiss them!
The office party + alcohol + mistletoe = possibly embarrassing office romance which everyone talks about for the next twelve months!
What people say:
"Oh, look, it's some mistletoe - what a coincidence. Come on, give me a kiss then!" *smooch*
Christmas Eve - 24th December
Many people in England have to work on this day, but they will often leave the office early in order to travel home to be with the family. The evening is typically spent either at home with the family, in the pub celebrating Christmas, or in church for midnight mass. These days fewer people are attending church service than before, but there are still plenty of Christians who do go there to sing hymns. After the church service, people often gather round and drink mulled wine together. Before they go to bed, children leave stockings out for Father Christmas. If the children have been good, then Santa will come down the chimney and put gifts in the stocking. If there are any children reading this, get ready for the truth: Father Christmas doesn't exist. Your parents are liars. Sorry to tell you that, but it's a tough world out there - so, better start getting used to it now.
What people say:
"Be a good boy, or Father Christmas won't leave you any presents"
"My friend Jack in my class at school says that Santa isn't real, is this true Mummy?"
"No, your friend Jack is a terrible liar! Of course Father Christmas is real darling. Now shut up and go to bed."
Christmas Day - 25th December
For Children, this is the most exciting day of the year, because they get to open lots of presents! For the adults it is a chance to just relax with the family, eat lots of food, drink some booze, share gifts and fall asleep in front of the TV. Presents are given and received, a lunch/dinner of roast turkey and vegetables is eaten and quite a lot of alcohol is drunk (often starting before lunch). The Queen broadcasts a speech (actually written by the government) in the afternoon, there's usually an entertaining family blockbuster on the TV, and the Dad of the family usually falls asleep while watching it. Despite this emphasis on relaxation, Christmas Day is often a stressful experience, and families will sometimes argue because of disagreements over preparing dinner, what to watch on TV and the noisy & hyperactive children who are running around the house.
What people say:
"Oh, you shouldn't have!"
"It's the thought that counts"
"ZZzzzzzzzZZZZZZzzzzzz"
Boxing Day - 26th December
This is the day after Christmas Day. No one really knows why it is called Boxing Day, but some people say it is because this is the day that factory workers were given gifts in boxes. Anyway, it doesn't really matter because this day is a public holiday and so everyone just continues doing what they started on Christmas Day - sitting around, eating, drinking and falling asleep. Great!
What people say:
"ZZZZzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz"
So, that's basically it. Merry Christmas everyone, and have a happy new year!
Luke
Glossary:
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Very long blog sir!
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