Many of the Christmas traditions around the world originated in the UK: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

🎅🏻 Father Christmas

In England, Father Christmas brings joy and cheer during the winter. He has a long white beard and wears a green robe and crown of holly.

Holidays Around the World: UK

Well-known Christmas carols like “Deck the Halls” were first sung in the UK.

📮 Christmas Cards

The tradition of sending Christmas Cards began in England in 1843. This is a picture of the actual FIRST Christmas Card!

Holidays Around the World: UK

And the hanging of mistletoe is one of their oldest and most popular traditions.

🎉 Christmas Crackers

Christmas Crackers were invented in the UK in 1847 & are still a fun part of British Christmas celebrations. These brightly decorated cardboard tubes crack as they are pulled apart. Inside you’ll find a small prize, a joke or riddle, and a paper crown. The tradition of wearing the festive crown dates back to the Saturnalia celebrations in Roman times.

Holidays Around the World: UK

🎁 Boxing Day

Also, Boxing Day is celebrated in the UK on December 26th. It is traditionally the day following Christmas Day, when servants and tradesmen would receive gifts, known as a “Christmas box”, from their bosses or employers. Today it is observed in the United Kingdom, Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, and other Commonwealth nations.

Happy Christmas!

✨ Want to explore 32 days of global holiday traditions?

🎄Kids and families love our KeeKee Holidays Around the World Countdown Ornament,
which unlocks a new fun fact, video, or activity every day from December 1 to January 1.

👉 See the ornament here.