Building up to Christmas has almost become as traditional as the celebration itself. On the first of December, Advent calendars are started, either in the form of a Calendar with opening doors and sometimes even a chocolate inside, or a candle in which you light each day. Shops and public places tend to have Christmas decorations displayed anytime from September onwards, however most homes begin putting up decorations in the first week of December. Decorations consist usually of the Christmas tree with a Fairy on the Top decorated with tinsel and colorful lights.

Christmas in the United Kingdom usually starts with 24th December with most people either already finished work, or having a short working day and finishing early. Traditionally Christmas Eve is a time for the family to be together and enjoy a Mince pie and maybe even a brandy.

Parents normally have their hands full looking after excitable children who get very excited about Christmas Day. A lot of adults traditionally go to Midnight Mass, This is a special church service where you can go to sing carols and prayers, however this seems to be less of a tradition as the years go on.

Usually the last thing that is done on Christmas eve is to leave a Mince Pie and a Sherry for Santa Clause and a carrot for the reindeer. This is a tradition that is usually carried out by children.

Christmas day usually starts with the opening of presents; the family will gather round and exchange gifts and cards with each other. Depending on whether or not you have children will influence how early this happens and normally the children are very excited and awake earlier than normal on Christmas day. Christmas Dinner is a very important part of the British Christmas day. Unlike our friends in the United States, we traditionally serve Turkey or Goose Roast dinner for Christmas, however today the Turkey is more favoured over the goose. Christmas pudding is usually served after dinner as a dessert, originally associated with Christmas when Prince Albert introduced it during a Royal Christmas Dinner. It is also almost customary that Christmas cake is either made or bought, which usually gets enjoyed with a glass of brandy or cup of tea late Christmas afternoon or Boxing Day.

Boxing Day is celebrated on the 26th of December. Originally this day was the time to give presents to people like friends, servants and tradesman. Nowadays Boxing Day is usually a time when you visit family that you could not visit on Christmas day. Boxing Day is a bank holiday, although more and more supermarkets and shops seem to be opening their doors on boxing day in the hope of luring you in to purchase early January sales.

Traditionally Christmas lasts for 12 days, Starting on December 26th and finishing on January 6th.

Written by Justin Grimsey-Hay, Copyright 2009 ChristmasChimney.com all rights reserved and may not be republished in any form.