In the United Kingdom the traditions are quite similar to those of Australia, North America and New Zealand, and all other commonwealth traditions as they stemmed from Britain.

Christmas is very special to many Britons, as it is a mainly religious festival, that everyone can enjoy. The Christmas season starts at Advent, where holly wreaths are made with three pink, one pink and one purple candle, however many shops sell christmas decorations beforehand, and lasts until 6 January, as it is considered bad luck to have Christmas decorations up after this date.

On Christmas Eve, presents are delivered in stockings and under the Christmas tree by Father Christmas, who previously had been something like The Ghost of Christmas Present in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, but has now become mainly conflated with Santa Claus.

The two names are now used interchangeably and equally known to British people, but Father Christmas tends to be used more often, and some distinctive features still remain. Many families tell their children traditional christmas stories, about Father Christmas and his reindeer.

One main tradition is to put out a plate of Carrots (for the reindeer) and Mince pies and sherry for Father Christmas, to help him on his way.

On Christmas Day, nearly the whole population has the day off to be with their family and friends, so they can gather around for a traditional Christmas meal, which is mainly a turkey or other meats, along with cranberries, parsnips, roast potatoes, quite like the Sunday roast, followed by a Christmas Pudding.

After or sometimes during the meal, Christmas crackers are often pulled containing toys, jokes and a paper hat. Another tradition is Carol singing, where many carols are sung by children on people’s doorsteps, to raise money, and professional choirs or groups. Others traditions include sending Christmas cards to friends and family.

On the whole, although Christmas has become a bit commercialised, the British christmas is still very traditional.

In public, most shops have decorations and lights, especially in town centres, where the whole community chips in, even in Indian and Chinese restaurants.

Churches and Cathedrals across the country hold masses, with many people, going to midnight mass, or a service on Christmas morning.

Even though church attendance has been falling over the decades, many people who don’t go to church often think it is still important to go on Christmas, so Church attendance increases significantly.

Notably, for Catholics, it is one of the main Holy Days of Obligation.

Christmas in Scotland was traditionally observed very quietly, because the Church of Scotland - a Presbyterian Church - never placed any great emphasis on the Christmas festival, for various reasons. Hogmanay is traditionally the largest celebration in Scotland, as a result Christmas Day was a normal working day in Scotland until the 1960s and even into the 1970s in some areas.

The gift-giving, public holidays and feasting associated with mid-winter were held between the 31 December and 2 January rather than between 24 December and 26 December.

However, since the 1980s, and the fading of the Church’s influence as well as influences from outside Scotland due to immigration and the media, Christmas and related festivities are now on a par with Hogmanay and “Ne’erday”.

Many London and provincial theatres have a tradition of “putting on” a Christmas pantomime for children. The pantomime stories are traditionally based on popular children’s stories such as Little Red Riding Hood and Aladdin, rather than being directly concerned with the Christmas story as such, although there is sometimes a link.

Television is widely watched: for many television networks, Christmas Day is the most important day of the year in terms or ratings. Many Britons still watch the Queen’s annual Christmas message.

The Celebration of Boxing Day on the day after Christmas Day is a tradition practiced in the UK. It is a bank holiday, and if it happens to fall on a weekend, then a special bank holiday Monday will occur.

Source: Wikipedia