UK Christmas VS US Christmas

jazzycazy

This will be my second year in the US for Christmas and second year spending Christmas without my parents and I'm eager to hear all of your thoughts on US Christmas vs UK Christmas.

I'm from the UK originally and I think for the Brits, Christmas is a lot more of a big deal than it is in the US. It's at Christmas we have the Turkey and the trimmings and do the things that the "Yanks" do at Thanksgiving. I have really gotten into Thanksgiving, but Christmas over here is a different story. I miss the Turkey and the feast, the mince pies and the Christmas pudding, the mulled wine and the Christmas markets. I miss the abundance of Christmas cards and the crazy shopping, the Christmas comedy specials, and Christmas cooking shows (love Nigella and Jamie!).

As for the US traditions, I'm trying to get into them. The cookie thing... although I love cookies, I can't honestly remember ever eating a cookie in my life at our UK Christmas.... never mind having a full blown cookie exchange!

I think I just am having a home sick moment to be honest, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on this!

stever

I totally prefer UK Christmases to US Christmases. And yeah, I can't remember having Christmas cookies there.

Still, Christmas  pud is revolting IMO.

AmericanInOz

why not incorporate a few of the UK traditions you miss into your US Christmas celebrations? may help with your home sickness - definitely the hardest at holiday times!!

MouseInLux

I never noticed a big difference but I was there with my family and we still had turkey and made minced pies (hate :-P ) 

ukyankee

I tend to disagree.  My family in the US has big traditions for food in the US on Christmas- it may not be turkey, but different doesn't mean worse or better.  We have abundance of Christmas cards, there's TONS of Christmas specials and there are also cooking shows - seriously, it's not that different...I think for you, it's that you aren't "home".  Which is fine...Christmas here isn't as special as it was in the US, but it's because I'm not around family and my friends pretty much all go back to the States.  I get less cards here than I did back in the States. I'm not "home" and that's the big difference.

frlcb

I'm in the UK with the IL's now, and I have had christmas's in both and think they are a huge deal in both countries. I agree with pp who said to incorporate some traditions from the UK to the US.

amwallace

I would agree that Christmas probably is mostly a comfort thing - where you feel the most at home. That being said, I'd rather have Christmas cookies over Christmas cake or pudding any day! ;P  If you're missing food, then make it! I think mulled wine would be rather easy to make, and you can probably find some stores that sell minced pies. I have to say I miss the Christmas lights in America. Maybe its because we live in the city here, but no one decorates the outside of their house. I really miss driving around and looking at all the lights. I also think the small cities in America do Christmas really well - Christmas parades, tree-lighting ceremonies, fairs, Christmas caroling, etc. 

PittPurple

I miss Christmas cookies and the lights too!

It's definitely more of a big deal here than I'm used to though - my office shuts for over a week, there are so, so many Christmas parties and lunches and dances... it's such a ridiculous month! I love it, but I'm so tired by this time in December!! 

We've just brought a bunch of our traditions with us, it's different, but it's fun to introduce people to Christmas cookies and Thanksgiving food.

Emily523

I don't think you have seen all the "US" Christmas traditions.  I have a feeling people do it differently ALL over the US and ALL over the UK.  Our family does a huge lunch/dinner and we usually have several turkeys with all the trimmings, a ham,  pies, etc.  It just depends on where you are.  Why not introduce some of your favorite UK things to your friends in the US?  

Emily523

and where in the world are you that doesn't have crazy Christmas shopping and Christmas cards?  

hamilton.ja

I agree that it tends to be a little different in that it is more state and work sponsored in the UK whereas now in the US everything has to be a lot more PC. But on a more personal level I think its pretty much exactly the same. We do a big feast, send out 100 Christmas cards to friends and family, bake cookies and mince pies (DH is Northern Irish), the whole neighborhood is done up with lights and so is downtown. I will admit I try not to go out shopping but that is because I hate the crowds and I can shop online. I think you need to incorporate some of your favorite traditions from home into your plans in the US. I know I did all the years we were in the UK. I brought recipes for my traditional meal and offered to cook it for IL's on Christmas Eve since I know they have a turkey on Christmas day (though it was my traditional Christmas Eve meal, not Christmas Day - my family makes a big curry on Christmas Day so honestly a bit weird wherever you go!). I brought tins of cookies and candies that we would have here traditionally as well so I wouldn't feel like I was missing them. And try to skype or call your family as often as much as you can. Hugs - it is hard to be away around the holidays.

titicole

My family always had mince pies growing up because my dad loved them.  Me, meh.  I think for sure add your food and your puddings.  I know that in my family sprouts would be especially welcomed at Christmas dinner, once again me, meh.

Do your Christmas baking and watch your cooking shows online, if you need Jamie, Nigella or Delia.  I know there isn't a Queen's speech in the US, but you got other traditions that might suit you to adopt.

Look in your local paper and at all of the Christmas shows and concerts, that might help a bit.  And do drive around and look at the tacky Christmas lights.  That is always fun.

Finally, can I just say that I freaking miss peppermint in its abundance in the States and of course store bought eggnog.  But I do love me all the cheeses and mulled wine here.  It just sucks being pregnant this time of year.

hamilton.ja

Oh and if you get the Food Network or the new Cooking Channel you should be able to find Jamie and Nigella. We watch Jamie at Home and Nigella specials all the time.

NCV2

I agree that it's different, but I think you should introduce your traditions to the people you are with.

My H found the Queen's speech on youtube last year, he also found more English Christmas songs on Spotify and played them for my family the past two years.  

He also brought over winter Pimms, we found Christmas crackers and Mince Pies at TJ Maxx.  

Over all thought it's really going to depend on your family.  My family is a Christmas family.  My mom has 9 brothers and sister and I have 23 first cousins so we have a huge Christmas day.  My H has no first cousins on his mom's said and one uncle.  It seems lame to me.  Very unChristismas.   We don't watch TV on Christmas day b/c we are visiting with everyone.  

 

allibally

Emily523:

and where in the world are you that doesn't have crazy Christmas shopping and Christmas cards?  

I can't find parking spots at the malls near me. My DH had to idle the car while I ran in to get my mom's gift. And Michigan Ave is even more of a zoo at the moment then usual. 

 Anyways... the best way to deal with the homesickness for your home country's traditions is to make them happen where your living. That's what I would do when I was living in Switzerland and that's what I try to help my DH with now that we moved.

frlcb

Also I know it is completely normal to have a big Christmas meal on Christmas day in the US. We always have turkey and all the trimmings. That is not a UK thing only. 

jazzycazy

ukyankee:

I think for you, it's that you aren't "home".  Which is fine...Christmas here isn't as special as it was in the US, but it's because I'm not around family and my friends pretty much all go back to the States.  I get less cards here than I did back in the States. I'm not "home" and that's the big difference.

 Totally this... I really wasn't trying to insinuate that I thought one Christmas was "better" than the other, but that they're different for me because I grew up with one and not the other. I wanted to make the foods I miss and share them with my US friends but I am just not geared up this year (and this is entirely on me) but I think that 'll be a great way to get over my home sickness. 

bail229

I was going to say that I was quite confused because all of the things you were writing about are exactly how my family celebrates Christmas in the US.  We always have a big feast with a turkey and a ham, tons of cards and crazy shopping! But I think you are really just homesick and want the Christmas you know, which makes a lot of sense.  

 I have been feeling the same way about Christmas since living here in Oz.  It is nothing like at home.  Firstly its hot and we spend the day in the pool and eating seafood! Certainly no Christmas in NY! 

I have started trying to incorporate some of the traditions I am used to from the US to my Aussie Christmas.  Our tree is decorated with ornaments from my childhood and my DH and I have started adding to them now that we are married.  I cook and bake some of the foods I am used to at Christmas while we still have the seafood. Its a bit of a jumble, but its working well for us and as time has gone on I am getting less homesick at Christmas time.  So what you are feeling is perfectly understandable.  Try to incorporate some of your own traditions and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!