Christmas is here – it’s the most wonderful time of year, as they sing in the song, but it can also feel a little stressful. So with this podcast let’s slow everything right down, let’s breathe, let’s relax. It’s only December, it’s only Christmas and let’s have some fun with five curiosities about British Christmas traditions.

I’m Nick Simcock, a certified language coach. I help Italians to unlock their English. Se sei italiano e vuoi capire ogni parola di questo podcast, vai sul mio sito speakwithnick.it podcast: potrai ascoltarmi mentre segui la trascrizione completa. In più, troverai la sezione “Language Focus” per scoprire le frasi più particolari che uso. Go on my website. So British Christmas traditions … 

At number 1 I have Christmas Crackers

In the UK, people pull Christmas crackers during Christmas lunch. Crackers are basically cardboard tubes of brightly coloured paper that are pulled from the opposite ends by two people until they rip apart making a “cracking” noise. The person left with the main part of the cracker finds inside a small plastic toy or game, a coloured paper hat and a joke to read out loud. The jokes are always really corny, what you call Dad jokes, but since as I’m a Dad here they are!

What kind of motorbike does Santa ride? – A Holly Davidson!
Who’s Rudolph’s favourite singer? – Beyon-sleigh! Get it?
What do you call a cow that lives in an igloo? – An eski-moooo!
Why do birds fly south in the winter? – Because it’s too far to walk!

Cor, that last one’s terrible! Anyway that’s enough of that, let’s go on to the second one!

At number 2 we have Mince Pies

Mince pies are sweet pastries that sound like they contain meat, but they don’t! They are filled with a dark sweet sticky mix of dried fruit, spices, sugar, and maybe a little brandy. They are traditionally left out for Father Christmas on Christmas Eve and are a staple part of the British Christmas menu, readily available in all supermarkets.

At number 3 we have The Queen’s – no, now I have to remember, it’s the King’s Speech

I can still hear my Grandma today, calling us to come to the living room, “Come on everyone, the Queen’s on the telly”. So, yeah now it’s the King’s job, on Christmas day at 3:00 p.m. Many British families sit down, they turn on the TV and they to watch the King’s Christmas speech. It’s a message of reflection, hope, and unity. It’s a British tradition and has been since 1932.

Coming in at number 4 we have Boxing Day

The day after Christmas, 26th December, is called Boxing Day, but it has nothing to do with the sport of boxing. Historically, it was the day when rich families gave boxes of gifts to workers and servants. However, nowadays it’s a national Holiday and people go shopping (yes again!) because it’s the start of the post Christmas sales, the boxing day sales, or take long relaxing walks in the countryside – that’s more my favourite! This year Boxing day falls on Friday creating a long weekend, which I’m sure many people in the UK are very happy about.

And at number 5 we have Christmas Jumpers. I love Christmas jumpers!

In the UK, people love wearing these colourful and very often very ugly Christmas jumpers just for fun. Some offices in England even have “Christmas Jumper Day,” to raise money for charity. The uglier the better! I bought one a few years ago with Rudolf on the front, which I wear for Christmas! And if you remember the film Bridget Jones’ Diary, then you’ve seen Colin Firth, a super British actor, in a silly Christmas jumper!

I want to wish you all a calm and cozy Christmas!

Yes, calm and cosy! Remember Christmas doesn’t need to be perfect or stressful. It just needs to be enjoyed with family and good friends.

Much in the same way, English doesn’t need to be studied or perfected, it just needs to be spoken and enjoyed!

🎁 And this Christmas why don’t you Give yourself the gift of English! Soon there will be a very special offer to enter my membership English Second Nature, a place where people speak and acquire English together naturally with no stress! Sign up to the waiting list on my website, here’s the link

And if I don’t see you, have a relaxing and joyful Christmas! 🎄😊

I will speak to you in the next podcast!

Ciao for now!