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