school report on Christmas in the UK

I am interested to know what kind of TV specials you get over here. It's kinda a tradition for me and my son to snuggle up and watch " Rudolph the Red nosed Reindeer" " Frosty the Snowman" and others... Do they play those or is it just Christmas specials to shows already on the air?

I have been here 14yrs and have never seen them on..it's just a US thing..but like you it's one one of those things that makes it feel like Christmas...but only cause it is what has been ingrained from my past...I have bought dvd copies of them and play them myself. The only one I don't have on dvd is Emmett Otter Jug Band Christmas..

Cbeebies has had a slew of special Christmas shows over the past week. There's also The Snowman and loads of family films.

I've got all my rankin-bass specials on DVD thanks to my wonderful hubby 

I always thought that in the US Christmas was more of an outward thing, decoration-wise at least. But in the UK it was more of an "inside" holiday. This is probably changing, but you you didn't used to see all the outdoor inflatable ornaments, lights all along the roofline, or even candles in windows. In fact, when I wanted to put a wreath on the front door, DH told me they were only for cemeteries! But on the other hand you had the tree of course, garlands of hanging Christmas cards, and all those balloons. That always struck me funny along with the paper hats and crackers -- it seemed like more of a birthday party than Christmas (you could argue it should be, I suppose!)

Queen's speech!

That goes for the entire Commonwealth - gets broadcast in Canada on the CBC, anyhow. 

Dr Who Christmas Special or any Christmas special of 'x' British program that doesn't air in the US by and large. Definitely done the paper hat a crackers!!!!!!!! 

Some things I have seen or heard about from family, friends and colleagues about their family traditions are: champagne and smoked salmon for brunch on Boxing Day, going to midnight service, sherry for Father Christmas and a carrot for the reindeer.

The Doctor will be on Christmas Day this year in America.   

The Doctor will be on Christmas Day this year in America.   

What channel, what time??

BBC America and I think at 8:00 pm, or maybe 7 EST? 

Edited: 9pm BBCAmerica

Ooh, I thought of another one: school children here doing nativity plays.  I always think how funny it is that in a country that is so much more secular as the UK is, the school children would do nativity plays depicting Christ's birth, but children in regular schools in the US wouldn't touch that one in public school because of the whole separation of church and state thing.

My daughter is having her first role in a nativity this week--I have to come up with a star costume.  I think it's adorable that the kids all do the nativities each year.

Santa's Grotto.

We just "went to see Santa".

Santa's Grotto.

We just "went to see Santa".

We 'got to see Santa', too, in the US. Not sure if we call it a Grotto though.

We 'got to see Santa', too, in the US. Not sure if we call it a Grotto though.

That is what I meant. In the UK, or possibly just England, I don't know for sure kids go to Santa's Grotto whereas, in the US we just went to see Santa.

That is what I meant. In the UK, or possibly just England, I don't know for sure kids go to Santa's Grotto whereas, in the US we just went to see Santa.

Ah, gotcha. I misread it.

Sherry! 

Oooh leaving a Mince Pie and a glass of Sherry for Father Christmas instead of cookies and milk for Santa

don't forget the carrot for the reindeer!

don't forget the carrot for the reindeer!

We always did this in my house