Christmas differences between the UK and the US

December 16, 2025


“How do they celebrate Christmas there? My American grandmother once asked me this question during our weekly phone call years ago.

She was genuinely curious about the differences in Christmas between the UK and the US. And, in my decade of living in London as an American, I’ve learned that many other people are too.

Most Americans have visions created by Charles Dickens in their heads. They believe that during Christmas celebrations in London, the British eat goose and hope that Jacob Marley does not knock on their door.

So, just to keep things real, after the phone call I asked my London-born husband to explain what he thought Americans did for Christmas. His response: ‘Watch stupid TV. Have pancakes and syrup and bacon that’s not really bacon for breakfast. Dinner with roast turkey with mashed potatoes and thick country gravy like you get at KFC and corn, like creamed corn.’

He also added: “As an American, you probably don’t drink too much, like us English. »

Well then.

To find out more about his thoughts on British drinking at Christmas, watch this video about London pubs at Christmas.

This article is an update of the original published in 2014.

Christmas – Differences between the UK and the USA:
Santa Claus?

First, the English call Father Christmas “Santa Claus.” This is a very difficult thing for me to remember when talking to my English classmates. Then they say “Merry Christmas” instead of Merry Christmas.

Ok then, that’s it.

If you want to watch more, here’s a Christmas video recap for you!

Christmas – Differences between the UK and the USA:
On your marks!

I still can’t figure out when Christmas starts in England. I have been contacted by staff from London pubs to book a work Christmas party in July! They start planning the celebrations from then on! In October, it’s common for #Christmas to trend on social media in London. And this year I had already seen tons of them Things to do in London for Christmas videos from here too!

Americans are known for their excessive advertising and gluttony, but we have always had an official line for the start of Christmas celebrations. Thanks, Thanksgiving.

In America, once the dishes are set at the Thanksgiving table, it’s time to put on your Christmas gear.

This used to mean battle gear for beating the crowds at malls. (You’ve seen the videos!) Until a few years ago, Black Friday was just an American shopping phenomenon. This didn’t really exist in England. However, for some reason, England experienced a wave of sales and super deals the day after “Thanksgiving” in 2014, the first year I lived here. I still can’t understand why, but now it’s become the norm.

In fact, this year I felt like the Black Friday deals continued throughout November in London.

Guide to Christmas in London-sunny-in-london-

Christmas in London

Don’t ruin your trip to London with a bad itinerary! Your dream Christmas in London starts here.

From twinkling lights to perfect routes, self-guided walks and everything in between, our all-new Christmas in London the guide is full of festive magic! (and Mr. Sunny’s Holiday Sausage Roll Recipe)

Don’t miss your Christmas like a movie!

Christmas – Differences between the UK and the USA:
Decorations

You’ve probably all seen National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and alone at home.

Most Americans completely decorate their homes with lights and other festive ornaments. It’s not just a Hollywood portrayal.

In suburban areas of America, great rivalries take place during the holidays to see who can display the most beautiful Christmas decoration on their home and yard. It can be quite a competitive atmosphere. And then, some take advantage of the opportunity to raise money for charitable causes. Watch this YouTube video that features “The Best Star Wars Musical Christmas Light Show”

In the suburbs of London, I rarely see decorated houses on a street. Usually 2-3 houses on both sides of the street are lit. The lights appear to be randomly arranged around a tree.

What are the differences between Christmas between the UK and the USA

However, if you travel just 20 miles from London, you can see Hogwarts in the Snow, which is the Warner Bros Studios Tour (AKA Harry Potter Tour) covered in Christmas decorations. This is one of the things you’ll want to book in advance if you’re planning to be in London over Christmas.

Christmas – Differences between the UK and the USA:
Television

For me, one of the hardest Christmas differences between the UK and the US is the television. When I moved here I struggled to find Christmas specials on TV in London, apart from the occasional channel offering. Movies24 is showing old Hallmark Christmas movies. Netflix has started producing a few every year now. But I need my claymation and old-fashioned Christmas shows on constant rerun to really get me in the mood.

In America, the titles below (How the Grinch Stole ChristmasRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and other Christmas classics) each air multiple times per week. I had to buy them in London because they never come on TV during the holidays.

Christmas differences between the United States and the United Kingdom

Christmas – Differences between the United Kingdom and the United States: Christmas crackers

I discovered Christmas crackers during the first Christmas I spent in London. Its concept is similar to a Thanksgiving wishbone but much prettier.

A Christmas cracker is a cardboard tube containing a gift. The tube is wrapped in colorful, festive paper. There is a banger inside the cracker, two strips of chemically impregnated paper that react by friction so that when the cracker is pulled apart by two people, the cracker makes a sound. This causes a loud clicking noise. The person who holds the larger end gets to keep the prize inside.

Note: As these are “explosives”, you cannot put them in your suitcase. So unless you buy them in the United States, you can’t bring Christmas cookies home as souvenirs if you’re from America.

Here are some of my favorite themed Christmas crackers:

Christmas at the pub

It’s a tradition to go to your “local” in England on Christmas Day. The times I went to our local pub at Christmas it was absolutely packed. People bring their children and dogs for a few hours to celebrate the holiday. It is open from approximately 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

No, children and dogs do not drink. Well, dogs may have a few glasses of beer here and there, but don’t think that the British freely give beer to their pups. However, entire families are present and it is joyful. The beer also flows quite regularly.

In the previous video I show you the most iconic London pubs to visit at Christmas and tell you everything you need to know about festive drinks in London. (As if it were any different from any other day!)

Boxing Day

I still don’t understand Boxing Day. Traditionally, December 26 was the day when servants received gifts. Literally, they received boxes of gifts from their employers.

What I do know is that since it’s a public holiday, not many things are open. Well, the pubs are open. Oh, and little by little there is more and more shopping here on this “holiday”.

In America, post-holiday sales start on this day.

Christmas – Similarities between the United Kingdom and the United States:

Despite these differences, some things are actually the same on both sides of the pond.

  • There are major sales after Christmas. In London, they’re called “January sales” and last a little longer than American retail sales.
  • Stores play Christmas music throughout the season. In England, it seems that Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmas Time” and George Michael’s “Last Christmas” revolve around every other song. I’ve never heard Madonna’s “Santa Baby” once. I am grateful for that.
  • All these “happy holidays” tend to push some of us over the edge. Family disputes are at their height in the United Kingdom and the United States during this period.
  • Ugly sweaters/sweaters exist everywhere.
  • We all love opening presents at Christmas.
  • The arrival of the red ‘Starbucks’ cup is a highly anticipated event of the festive period in the UK and US.

I often write about Christmas activities in London on my blog.

Find out what’s happening in London

If you don’t want to miss the main events in London or need help knowing what to book in advance for your trip to London, you can’t miss my weekly emails. The Sunny News also shares Mr Sunny’s weekly pub and discount codes for London’s most popular experiences.

If you have a specific topic or question you would like to address, you can always ask in the comments section below or in a video comment.

What can you add to these Christmas differences between the UK and the US? What do you think of Mr Sunny’s hypothesis that there is more drinking in England at Christmas than in America?

Related articles about Christmas in London

Follow me on Pinterest!



Home Decor

Agen Togel Terpercaya

Bandar Togel

Sabung Ayam Online

Berita Terkini

Artikel Terbaru

Berita Terbaru

Penerbangan

Berita Politik

Berita Politik

Software

Software Download

Download Aplikasi

Berita Terkini

News

Jasa PBN

Jasa Artikel