🎄 December: Christmas Traditions Around the English-Speaking World ❄️🎁
Welcome to the most festive month of the year!
December brings twinkling lights, warm wishes, and one of the most beloved holidays across English-speaking countries: Christmas.
But did you know that Christmas isn’t celebrated the same way everywhere? Let’s unwrap some magical traditions from around the world! 🌍
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
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Christmas crackers are placed on each dinner plate — they go POP! and contain a paper crown, a joke, and a small gift
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Children leave a mince pie and a glass of sherry (or milk!) for Father Christmas 🎅
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The Queen (or King!) gives a traditional Christmas Day speech 📺
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Pantomimes (theatre shows full of jokes, music, and audience participation) are a must-see! 🎭
🇺🇸 United States
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Christmas lights go BIG! Many neighborhoods compete in house decorating contests 🏡✨
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Children write letters to Santa Claus and hang stockings by the fireplace
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Some people celebrate with ugly sweater parties, gift exchanges like Secret Santa, and caroling
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Movies like Home Alone and The Grinch are played on every channel 🎬
🇦🇺 Australia
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Christmas happens in summer! Families head to the beach or have a barbecue 🎄☀️
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Instead of reindeer, you might hear of “six white boomers” — Santa’s kangaroos! 🦘
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People often celebrate outdoors, and carols are sung by candlelight in parks and gardens
🇮🇪 Ireland
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Families place a candle in the window on Christmas Eve to welcome visitors
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St. Stephen’s Day (Dec 26) is a public holiday with its own traditions
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In some areas, people take part in the Wren Boys procession, wearing old clothes and playing music
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Irish Christmas desserts include Christmas pudding and barmbrack (a fruit loaf)
🧁 Simple Recipe: Christmas Cookies
Make your own classic sugar cookies:
Ingredients:
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250g flour
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125g butter
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100g sugar
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1 egg
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Vanilla extract
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A pinch of salt
Instructions:
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Mix butter and sugar, then add egg and vanilla
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Add flour and salt — form a dough
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Roll out and cut into festive shapes (stars, trees, snowmen!)
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Bake at 180°C for 10–12 minutes
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Decorate with icing or sprinkles!
✂️ Craft Idea: Make a Christmas Cracker!
You’ll need:
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An empty toilet roll
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Wrapping paper
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Ribbon or string
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A small gift or message
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A paper crown or joke
Wrap the paper around the roll, tie both ends with ribbon, and POP! — a mini UK tradition at your table!
🎅 Vocabulary of the Month:
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Stocking – a large sock hung for presents
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Carols – traditional Christmas songs
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Pudding – in the UK, a steamed dessert (not creamy!)
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Cracker – a table decoration that makes a bang
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Wrapping paper – the paper used to wrap gifts
🌟 December is all about joy, kindness, and connecting with loved ones — whether in snow, sun, or somewhere in between.
🎆 Coming next: January’s icy traditions, resolutions, and a Scottish celebration you may not know… stay tuned!
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!
The Festivities Team 🎁🎄
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