There are many ways to celebrate Christmas, and some British people like to go on holiday, go out for lunch to a restaurant, or spend the day with friends. But most people’s idea of a traditional Christmas involves spending a few days with their family - sometimes their extended family.

The day is the most exciting for the children. They may have spent weeks or even months dreaming of the presents they want most. Since the beginning of December, they may have opened their advent¹ calendars, finding a new festive² picture, chocolate, or small gift, to count down each day until 25th December.

On Christmas Eve, they hang up stockings, ready to be filled with presents by Santa Claus. Often a thank you gift of a mince³ pie and a glass of sherry will be left, as well as a carrot for those hungry reindeer⁴.

Christmas Day itself will be spent eating lots of goodies, opening presents from loved ones, which have been waiting under the Christmas tree, and for most adults, drinking plenty of booze.

A Christmas lunch of roast turkey with all the trimmings is the main event, complete with crackers⁵, and paper party hats. The meal will finish off with Christmas pudding, a steamed fruit pudding.

For some, a church service, or the Queen’s speech on television will be part of the family custom. For most, the afternoon and evening will be spent playing board games, or perhaps watching a family film on TV.

After the excitement of the big day, most families are happy to spend Boxing Day quietly enjoying their presents, and eating the Christmas leftovers⁶, for example a turkey curry⁷.

Then we can all forget about Christmas until next year… well until next September.