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Christmas in the UK: What should international students expect?

25th November 2017 Posted by: Becca Fadden

WITH exactly one month to go until Christmas Day, we explore the classic UK Christmas traditions, so that you’ll know exactly what to expect at this year’s festivities. 

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Christmas Lights

One of the first signs that Christmas has well and truly arrived in the UK is the bright Christmas lights that take over the towns and cities. Walk down any high street and you will see a range of bright Christmas lights as everyone wants to decorate their home, shop and street the best they can!

Christmas Music

Christmas music is a decades old tradition in the UK. From the old carols that we sing at services in churches, to absolute classics from the likes of Mariah Carey and Wham, nothing gets you more in a festive mood than some Christmas music! Shops play it on repeat while you buy your gifts – just have a little sympathy for the shop assistants who have heard that playlist on repeat 100 times!

Christmas Adverts

Every year, supermarkets and department stores battle it out to have the best Christmas TV advert for that year. What was once just a means of marketing, now becomes a television highlight, as everyone wants to see which one is the funniest, most emotional and cutest!

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Advent Calendars

Advent Calendars are the perfect way to count down to December 25th. What is better than opening up the little door and getting a chocolate every cold December morning. And now they have become even more advanced for the older generation – there are gin, wine, cheese and even sock advent calendars!

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Appropriate Greetings

In the UK, the best way to greet someone at Christmas is ‘Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year’, as people like to spread joy in the festive season.  

Food & Drink

Many argue that food and drink is what Christmas in the UK is all about. Popular seasonal treats include mince pies (sweet pies with spiced fruit in), Yule log (chocolate swiss roll) and mulled wine (warm red wine with spices in). The introduction of German Christmas markets in cities countrywide has allowed for a whole new Christmas food scene to arrive – with bratwurst sausages, mini Dutch pancakes and Spanish paella being just some of the delicacies now associated with Christmastime.

Toa Heftiba

So there you have it, your essential guide to Christmas in the UK. There’s only one thing left to say…have a very merry Christmas!!!


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