Christmas in the UK
A very British Christmas...
Sarah and Zoe are two of our resident Aussies & Kiwis, working in our Overseas Recruitment Team, and they are very keen to tell you how to make the most of Christmas in the Northern Hemisphere…
Forget the barbie on the beach at Christmas, it’s time to check out a real winter Christmas UK style! As the air gets crisper and the anticipation of Father Christmas' arrival builds, England comes to life! With countless activities to keep you occupied, from skating in Hampton Court Palace to Christmas caroling in Trafalgar Square, there is something festive for everyone.
Start off your Christmas season by attending the German markets in Hyde Park, picking out the decorations for your tree and having your fill of mulled wine, gingerbread and German sausage. You can also attend the lighting of the mammoth tree in Trafalgar Square, a gift Londoners have been receiving since 1947 from the people of Oslo in gratitude of British support throughout WWII. Join in and sing carols with numerous choirs around London who entertain with all the old favourites; these are held throughout December right up until Christmas Eve.
Wherever you are in the UK, a must during the Christmas season is to gather a group of friends and go ice skating at one of the many outdoor rinks. Even if you are a novice skater don’t worry, everyone is having a go! Hire your skates on-site, take in all the lights and decorations of your surroundings and try not to take a tumble – it’s cold down there!
One of the best things to do before Christmas is to book yourself a ticket to attend a Pantomime. Every year various British and Australian soap actors take starring roles in the theatre. While the intended audience is children, these plays are great fun for all ages. Audience involvement is a must so be prepared to boo the villain and cheer the hero. And don’t forget to throw in a few phrases such as, “Oh, yes it is,” “Oh, no it isn’t” and, of course, “Look behind you!”
Christmas Day is best spent staying inside with family and friends, sitting by a warm fire drinking Port, Sherry and Baileys while the traditional roast turkey with all the trimmings cooks away in the kitchen, filling the house with sumptuous smells. Finish dinner off with scrumptious mince pies and Christmas pudding with brandy custard, both of which are completely appropriate in such weather. If you are not so keen on the cooking yourself, there are numerous pubs, hotels and restaurants to tempt you with the traditional fare. Just be sure you book in advance.
From all of us here at TimePlan we wish you a very Happy Christmas and a fantastic New Year, however you choose to celebrate this year.