Have a very merry Christmas with these seven great British traditions

Want to enjoy the magic of Christmas in a quintessentially British fashion? Here are seven seasonal traditions to inspire you

By Lizzie Fletcher

Christmas is a magical time for many people across the world: the perfect occasion to bring families together in festive cheer.

    In Britain, we go especially big on Christmas, with many of our traditions dating back centuries.  

In Britain, we go especially big on Christmas, with many of our traditions dating back centuries.

Here are seven of our finest seasonal traditions, to get you in the Christmas spirit.

1. Leave a tipple and a nibble out for Father Christmas

It is tradition across the world to leave items of food and drink out for Father Christmas and his reindeers, helping sustain them for their nighttime circuit of the globe.

In the UK, we favour a mince pie and a glass of sherry. And don’t forget a carrot or two for Rudolph and company.

2. Indulge in a roast turkey dinner

Rich food is the best thing about Christmas, right? The gathering of friends and family is the perfect excuse for over-indulgence.

When it comes to the main Christmas meal, most families opt for turkey with all the trimmings. There are a variety of dishes you can serve alongside, but most people go for roast potatoes, carrots, pigs in blankets (sausages wrapped in bacon), stuffing, gravy and, of course, the sprout.

No item of food dominates a truly British Christmas like the humble sprout. Loathed by many, it’s a Christmas tradition to serve these divisive mini cabbages at the table.

3. Scoff some Christmas pud

After you’ve stuffed yourself silly with turkey, you might feel as though you couldn’t eat a thing more. But as any Brit will tell you, you’d be wrong. There’s a separate tummy for pudding, after all.

A traditional British dessert is a Christmas pudding, which is made up of a variety of dried fruits and spices. There are lots of Christmas pudding recipes to use or, alternatively, you can buy a premade one from any supermarket.

Don’t forget to pour brandy over the top and light your pudding when you bring it to the table. It’s a show-stopping way to end your Christmas meal.

    In among the eating, drinking and present opening the original message of Christmas often falls by the wayside.  

4. Pull some Christmas crackers

Christmas crackers are a traditional favourite in the UK. We’re not talking about the kind you might have with your cheese. These crackers are usually placed on the table as festive decorations, and make a snapping sound when pulled open.

While you can purchase some extremely luxurious crackers for your table, the best, and most typically British ones, contain a cheap plastic toy and an even worse joke.

5. Attend Midnight Mass

In among the eating, drinking and present opening the original message of Christmas often falls by the wayside. While you don’t have to be religious to celebrate the day, it is probably worth remembering that, for some, it is a chance to rejoice in the birth of Jesus Christ.

Midnight Mass services typically begin at around 11.30pm on Christmas Eve, and are a jubilant celebration for those who attend.

For those who prefer to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas after the sun has risen, there are plenty of late-morning church services on Christmas Day.

6. Watch the Queen’s Christmas Message

The Queen gives a speech every Christmas Day at 3pm, reflecting on the events of the past year. It’s an important part of the day for many households, and families through the ages have gathered to watch it on TV.

Most people put the Queen on in the background while they enjoy a post-lunch snooze or play charades. Somehow, these activities just don’t feel right unless accompanied by Her Majesty’s perfectly formed vowels.

7. Boxing Day

A tradition originating in the UK, Boxing Day falls on 26 December (also St Stephen’s day). The name derives from the giving of Christmas “boxes”, which were traditionally used to collect money for the poor.

Nowadays, Boxing Day in the UK is associated with the huge post-Christmas sales held by retailers. And let’s face it, nothing says “quintessential British Christmas” like getting up at the crack of dawn the morning after Christmas and queuing outside your nearest shopping centre in the hope of landing a bargain.

© 2019 Just Recruitment Group Ltd

Published: 11 December 2019

If you enjoyed this article, you may like: Want to get into classical music? These five pieces will help

You may also enjoy: How to enjoy Christmas without breaking the bank

Jobs currently available

New job
HR Advisor
Sector: Recruitment and HR
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Tiverton, Devon
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913357
About the role

Just Recruitment is seeking an experienced HR advisor to provide high-quality, locally focused HR advice and service as well as work on group-based projects – for a company based in Tiverton, Devon.

Hours of work:

Monday to Friday – 30-35 hours per week, to be worked over 5 days.

The company will consider candidates looking for school working hours (min 5.5 hours daily) and can offer flexibility on working hours, however, daily support is required to meet operational objectives.

You will be based in Tiverton, working independently and will be responsible for providing vital generalist day-to-day operational support, including but not limited to delivery of the HR goals as well as objectives, absence management, employee relations matters and support for Line Managers.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Providing support to colleagues and managers working within the company’s policies and procedures to achieve positive outcomes.
  • Undertaking exit interviews for leavers and administrating the leaver’s process.
  • Auditing and reviewing HR policies, procedures, and documentation on a regular basis in line with legal obligations or business requirements.
  • Overseeing and assisting with investigations, disciplinary and grievance processes to endeavour to resolve at an informal level wherever possible. Escalating all processes to the HR Manager for initial input.
  • Preparing template letters, documentation and forms necessary for the HR Admin team to complete for employees (eg invitations to hearings, flexible working requests, letters of correspondence etc).
  • Supporting the company and the HR Manager with improving attendance for all employees including long-term sick leave.
  • Assisting the HR Manager with the upkeep of company policies and procedures and implementation of new/amended procedures.
  • General HR-related tasks/project work as directed by and with the consultation of the HR Manager.

Key skills/experience required:

  • Experience from a generalist background is essential to apply HR practices throughout the cycle of employment.
  • Competent in dealing with employee relations matters, grievances, performance and disciplinary.
  • Managing absence both short and long-term with knowledge of occupational health.
  • Compiling and updating company procedures and applications in practice.
  • Adaptable, self-motivated, team worker with a can-do attitude.
  • Minimum CIPD Level 3 in Human Resources Practice or similar or substantial professional experience.
  • Excellent communicator both written and verbal.
  • Administration experience and preparation of contractual documentation.
  • Use of Microsoft Office suite including Teams, hosting meetings online.
  • Organising in-house events, training events for example.

The role offers excellent benefits – discussed on application.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
New job
Service Desk Controller
Sector: Customer Service
Salary: £25,000 - £27,000 per annum
Location: Witham
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913358
About the role

Just Recruitment is seeking a Service Desk Controller for a company based in Witham.

This is an incredibly important role within the company as you will be the primary point of contact for the customers and will be responsible for scheduling the engineers' diaries. This is a fast-paced role, therefore you must be able to work well under pressure and display ownership of tasks from start to finish.

Duties include:

  • Providing product and technical information, together with advice tailored to customer requirements.
  • Handling customer enquiries via telephone or email and ensuring customer communication is a priority.
  • Identifying customer product requirements and where necessary liaising with suppliers with the purchasing department.
  • Allocating jobs to engineers.
  • Communicating efficiently with all internal departments to ensure the correct product is allocated against each job card.
  • Coordinating resources to reduce customer waiting time.
  • Ordering products from suppliers and liaising with the purchasing department.

Role requirements:

  • Ability to communicate efficiently, verbally expressing your ideas clearly and confidently at all levels, via email and the telephone.
  • Skills to systematically establish facts and principles for problem-solving to resolve customer enquiries.
  • Ability to understand and produce customer or internal reports.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.00pm.

Free parking is available on-site.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
New job
Technical Sales Manager
Sector: Sales
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: West Midlands
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913354
About the role

Just Recruitment is seeking a Technical Sales Manager for a manufacturer to establish new distribution networks and relationships within the Worcester/Gloucester/Birmingham areas – maintaining excellent customer relations with full account and budget responsibilities.

This is a home-based role but you will be required to travel to group sites as well as make customer visits, as and when required.

International travel is also a requirement.

Business-to-business direct sales experience in the electrical / tools / PPE sector would be ideal.

The role will involve:

  • Taking responsibility for managing and effectively establishing customer accounts within the region/customer base.
  • Generating customer business in line with discount and rebate structures.
  • Being accountable for the achievement of sales targets set for set region.
  • Keeping management informed of sales activity against target achievement by the submission of weekly and monthly reports and via Sales Force.
  • Taking responsibility for following up leads, answering sales calls and responding to enquiries through to order placement.
  • Effectively handling customer complaints by investigating problems and developing solutions with the Product Management team and factories as appropriate.
  • Following up on all sales leads and customer quotations.
  • Monitoring competition by gathering current marketplace information on pricing, products, new products, and merchandising techniques.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
New job
Production Operative
Sector: Warehouse
Salary: £11.44 per annum
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk
Role: Full Time
Contract: Temporary
Job ref: JT-PO-04-24
About the role

Just Temps is seeking temporary Production Operatives for a company based near Ipswich.

No experience is required for this role.

Working hours:

  • Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 5.00pm.

Duties to include:

  • Working on a production line - carrying out fast packing

  • Handling finished goods

  • Heavy lifting duties

  • Labelling

 

Just Temps acts as an Employment Business for the supply of Temporary Staff.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. 
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
New job
Cleaning Operative
Sector: Warehouse
Salary: £11.44 per hour
Location: Ipswich
Role: Full Time
Contract: Temporary
Job ref: JT-CO-04-24
About the role

Just Temps is seeking a temporary Cleaning Operative for a company based in Ipswich.

No experience is required for this role.

Working hours:

  • Monday to Friday, 5.00pm to 9.00pm.

Duties to include:

  • Cleaning company building – including different floors.

  • Use of chemicals.

 

Just Temps acts as an Employment Business for the supply of Temporary Staff.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. 
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more