What is the difference between American and British Christmas?

Duration Americans do Christmas in one day – December 25. In the UK and Ireland, it often lasts for 10 days and can sometimes go on for nearly a month. Americans have Thanksgiving in late November but also have far shorter breaks from work. The UK now combines Christmas and New Year into one big, unofficial, holiday.

What is the difference between European and American Christmas?

While in North America, Christmas Eve tends to be a quieter affair, with the main festivities, opening of gifts and large family gatherings on Christmas Day, in France Christmas Eve is often a very special time for family to gather, enjoy a meal (either large or small, depending on local or familial tradition), perhaps ...

How do the British celebrate Christmas?

Carol singing, midnight church services and pub crawls are some of the activities enjoyed by many families (sometimes you can combine all three activities into one fun night out). Traditionally, on Christmas Eve, meat pies and sherry (or milk) are left for Santa Claus and, nowadays, carrots are left for his reindeer.

What is an American Christmas like?

For many Americans, it is a period of general goodwill and an occasion for charitable and volunteer work. As for seasonal entertainment, there are countless productions of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker ballet, school holiday pageants, and carolers everywhere.

How do British say Merry Christmas?

Brits say "Happy Christmas" instead of "Merry Christmas."

You might remember a scene from the first "Harry Potter" movie in which Ron says, "Happy Christmas, Harry!" While this may sound strange to an American, saying "Happy Christmas" is commonplace in the UK, as opposed to "Merry Christmas."

Christmas In America And In United Kingdom Is Very Different

What do Brits call Santa?

According to Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (19th edn, 2012), Father Christmas is considered to be "[a] British rather than a US name for Santa Claus, associating him specifically with Christmas. The name carries a somewhat socially superior cachet and is thus preferred by certain advertisers."

Why do British people say Zed?

Originally Answered: Why do the British say "zed" instead of "zee"? Because the letter 'Z' comes from the ancient Greek alphabet and its name in that alphabet is Zeta. This became Zede in old French, and, as many French words passed into the English language, became Zed in English.

Do Americans say Happy Christmas?

Almost seven in ten Americans prefer to say 'Merry Christmas' instead of 'Happy Holidays', a new DailyMail.com poll has revealed. Just 26 percent of people opt for a less religious greeting during the festive period, according the results.

Do Americans call it Christmas?

A 2012 poll by Rasmussen Reports indicated that 68 percent of Americans prefer the use of "Merry Christmas", while 23 percent preferred "Happy Holidays".

What are 3 fun facts about Christmas in America?

3 billion Christmas cards are sent in the U.S. each year. Christmas trees have been sold in the U.S. since 1850. It takes about 15 years to grow the average Christmas tree. Alabama was the first state to officially recognize Christmas in 1836.

Do Brits say Happy Christmas?

Yes! For starters, it's important to note that "Happy Christmas" hasn't faded completely—it's still widely used in England. This is believed to be because "happy" took on a higher class connotation than "merry," which was associated with the rowdiness of the lower classes.

What are 3 fun facts about Christmas in England?

Is Christmas a British tradition?

Christmas has a long history in the UK, but we have the Victorians to thank for many of our most loved festive traditions, including sending cards and decorating Christmas trees. In fact, before the 19th Century, Christmas was barely celebrated in Britain.

Why do Americans call it Christmas?

The 'X' comes from the Greek letter Chi, which is the first letter of the Greek word Christós (Greek: Χριστός, translit. Khristós, lit. "anointed, covered in oil"), which became Christ in English.

Why do Americans say holiday instead of Christmas?

By “the holidays,” they mean the time that starts after Thanksgiving and goes through till New Years Day. It has no deeper meaning, it has nothing do with religion, and it has nothing to do with political correctness. It's simply a period of time that happens each year. Why do Americans call Christmas the holidays?

Do Americans celebrate Christmas Eve or day?

On the other side of the ocean they only know Christmas Day, unlike many Dutch people, the Americans celebrate Christmas Eve much bigger. Christmas Eve is also known as Christmas Eve, the night Santa delivers all the presents. In addition, America is still seen as a Christian country.

What do England call Christmas?

Chrimbo is a British slang word for Christmas that originates in 1925 (though it sounds like something a Chav would say).

Who is Santa known as in USA?

Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts during the late evening and overnight hours on Christmas Eve.

Is Merry Christmas American or British?

"Merry Christmas" became prevalent in the US while “Happy Christmas” tends to be the preferred phrase for many in UK, even as both words evolved and changed meanings over time.

Do Brits say Happy New Year?

In the UK we say “Happy new year!” I'm always puzzled by people in American movies who say “Happy NOO year's!”

Should I say Merry Christmas to my ex?

By calling her or contacting her and wishing her a “Merry Christmas,” you are sending “mixed messages.” You are telling her that you still care about her and possibly love her. If that is not your intent, don't do it.

Is saying Happy Christmas OK?

“Merry Christmas,” “Happy Holidays” and “Happy Christmas” can still work to convey sincere good wishes, of course, if you know your audience.

Why do Brits say mum instead of mom?

There are many, many dialects both in Britain and in the States and they have various pronunciations of these words. Originally Answered: Why do most British people say 'mum' and most American people say 'mom'? Because vowel sounds change with accent. That's it.

Why do British people say blood?

Bloody. Don't worry, it's not a violent word… it has nothing to do with “blood”.”Bloody” is a common word to give more emphasis to the sentence, mostly used as an exclamation of surprise. Something may be “bloody marvellous” or “bloody awful“. Having said that, British people do sometimes use it when expressing anger…

Why do British say pants?

Since pantaloons were associated with a slimmer fit, when wider trousers came into fashion in England, 'pants' came to refer to the more snug garments worn underneath trousers. Hence pants meaning 'underpants'.