Christmas In England

The people of England are well known for theirwhile Norway was occupied by the German
Christmas celebrations, dating back to theArmy. Each year during his exile Norwegian
legendary King Arthur who made" merrie" in Yorkmilitary forces would smuggle a tree past the
in 521 celebrating with "minstrels, gleemen,German navy's patrols and bring it to their king in
harpers, pipe-players, jugglers, and dancers."England so that he could celebrate Christmas with
Except for the brief period of the Republic undera
Cromwell, England has always been a special placetree from his homeland. Since then, the people of
for Christmas, and made even more so by theNorway have expressed their appreciation by
famous Charles Dickens classic A Christmassending a tree every year to the people of
Carol.During the Victorian period of the 1800's,London. British children get visits from Santa
according to Countess Maria Hubert von Staufer,Claus, just as the children of America do, but
Director of Christmas Archives International in thethey know him as Father Christmas. He's a jolly
UK, "It is a popular misconception that Christmasold man with white hair and a pipe, much like the
in England was eradicated by the CromwelliansAmerican Santa. But, he traditionally wears a
and was reinvented by the Victorians." She saysgreen coat. The image of the red coat was
the customs people observed then were handedintroduced
down from earlier days, when Christmasto England in 1930 on a Christmas card from
celebrations were underground. The countess hasAmerica and in advertising by Coca Cola. His
written about Christmas in Victorian Englandgreen coat stems from the ancient midwinter
extensively, and says that it wasfestival and signifies the return of Spring. Also, the
celebrated with church bells, hand bells, choirs ofsleigh and reindeer are an American invention, and
singers and street performers. WanderingFather Christmas isn't expected to be pulled by
minstrels went from hamlet to hamlet and castleeight tiny reindeer. But English children do write
to castle in England's past, and the traditionletters to
continued.One tradition we can thank the EnglishFather Christmas as American children do to
for is the Christmas tree. It became most popularSanta, and at Christmas parties someone usually
with Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, whodresses the part and pretends to be Father
was born German, brought it to his new country,Christmas.The main meal at Christmas time is
where it took its place next to the kissing bough,noon on Christmas day, and is traditionally roasted
a mixture of mistletoe and evergreen. The mostturkey with potatoes, stuffing and vegetables.
well known Christmas tree in England today is inSome families will still have a Christmas goose
the heart ofhowever. Goose was the main Christmas course
London, a giant spruce near the statue of Lordtradition for many years until King Henry VIII
Nelson in Trafalgar Square. The tree is a gift fromdecided he preferred turkey. And many people
the people of Oslo, Norway. During World War IIstill make a special Christmas pudding to have for
King Haakon of Norway was in exile in Englanddesert, a favorite of children.