Before my first holiday trip to London, my family asked what British people eat for Christmas. I arrived in the beginning of January the first time I lived in London and didn’t stay an entire calendar year. So, I wasn’t actually sure how to answer everyone.
Would it be just like how it was depicted in ‘A Christmas Carol’? Do they really eat pheasant or goose now? Was that just the Victorian era or true English tradition?
I relied heavily on my English husband (London born) for ideas to share with you, as well as a little research. After living here four years, what British people eat for Christmas still has me curious. I enjoy some of their holiday foods and drinks. Others- not so much!
You can see which British Christmas season drink has me plugging my nose and running the other direction here…
While no person’s Christmas dinner plate is ever the same, there are some general items that you see at a British holiday meal. If you’re British, be sure to add your additions and thoughts to what British people eat for Christmas in the comments below or on the YouTube video. American friends, what other things about living in London as an American expat would you like to know?
If you’re visiting London for the holidays, the blog has tons of things to do for Christmas. There is also a very popular feature about Christmas Differences Between the UK and USA. Be sure to subscribe to the blog’s newsletter so you don’t miss any fun events in London or expat advice too!
What’s on your Christmas dinner plate this year? Do you eat a meal at home or book a table at a restaurant? Do you have the same selection annually or does it depend on how your family is traveling?
You’re husband is being lazy in educating you.
Cranberries are not usually in mince pies… they are a sweet mince made traditionally with apples, currents and raisins with spices, sugar and fat. Historically they included meat mince, and this was a way of preserving the meat in winter. They’re now meat free you might like to know!
Borough market (pronounced “bur-ra” market, not “Borrow” – don’t worry, most Americans do this!) is a great foody spot. It was better ten-twenty years ago when it was more of a market.
Yorkshire is pronounced “York-Shear” or “York-Shuh” dependent on location.
Turkey is rather a modern addition, and cranberry sauce even more so. The UK are so great at adopting new foods as part of tradition.
Game is definitely featured in older more traditional families. Mine included. It’s still hunting season, so partridge, pheasant, duck are all possible as traditional centrepieces. Three bird roasts are becoming more popular. Some families like to have beef wellington for Christmas. A good gravy.
Stuffing is a huge thing on Christmas.
Crackers contain a toy, a paper “crown” hat (my family it was compulsory to wear it throughout Christmas Lunch – which is when Christmas dinner is served) and most importantly a very bad “joke” to share with people at the table. Each person pulls an end, and a “bang” is made from a small gunpowder ‘firework’ inside. One person gets the larger side with the contents inside, and thus “wins” the prize.
Christmas pudding – a suet pudding that’s boiled and historically contained a lucky sixpence. This is set alight at the table by pouring burning brandy on the top.
There’s so much that’s missed in this, it’s a shame.
I , too, was surprised that you didn’t mention Christmas pudding. When I was growing up , there were small silver charms and silver coins hidden in the pudding. There was always somebody round the table who pretended they had swallowed a coin. The pudding is served with brandy sauce or brandy butter,
Custard , cream or a combination of these. You will often see it represented on Christmas cards, Christmas jumpers or hats. Perhaps you have it in America and that’s why you didn’t mention it.
Thank you so much for adding this, Andrea. I actually haven’t heard of it, so I really appreciate you including the information. Sounds yummy!