Shortly before Christmas, my mother always took my sister and me to one of Santa’s grottos as a special treat. All the big stores in town had one.

They added a little magic to the festive season for us children.

Queuing up to visit Santa was always exciting. 

Once we were in the grotto, we were able to share our wishlist with Santa. And we left with a present—a doll, soft toy or game—under our arms.

Of course, times have changed. Grottos have become more spectacular over the years, as you can see here: 

Ten of the very best places to see Father Christmas in the UK. 

(Amazing. I’ve just seen that LaplandUK is only around the corner from where my parents last lived.)

Would you go along with a child—or is it all too commercialised for your liking?

For me, one of the best parts of the holiday season is the singing of Christmas songs or, what we call, carols.

Without them, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas.

When I lived in England, carol singers came on floats (Festwagen) through the streets singing carols and collecting money for a good cause. 

And we children often went from house to house singing carols and collecting money for charity, too.

Would you like to sing along with some English carols?

You’ll find the music and the lyrics here.

You want to wish someone a merry Christmas but are not sure what to write?

Try one of these phrases:

• Wishing you joy and peace this holiday season.
• Warmest wishes for a Merry Christmas
• Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family.
• May your Christmas be filled with love and joy.
• Wishing you health and happiness this Christmas.

Perhaps you’re looking for a little more inspiration? Try this site here.

You could start your message with a quotation.

I like this one here:

“One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don’t clean it up too quickly.” Andy Rooney

With two young children in the house,  we won’t be cleaning up too quickly. No way!

Many British companies organise Christmas parties for their employees, but also for their employees’ children. With games and prizes for the winners, Christmas songs, entertainment, face painting, and Father Christmas and presents for the children.

The company my father worked for organised a Christmas party each year for the younger family members. The older children were taken up to London to visit a pantomime. 

A pantomime is a traditional British Christmas play based on a well-known fairytale (like Cinderella, Peter Pan, Aladdin or Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs), but with lots of slapstick comedy and audience participation.

Have you ever seen one before? 

If not, have a look at this YouTube video here. 

I just hope you won’t be too shocked.

One of the highlights of my primary school days was when I was Angel Gabriel in the school’s Nativity play. 

The pupils in my class dressed up as Mary, Joseph, angels, shepherds, stars, wise men and innkeepers. And with someone’s doll performing the role of baby Jesus.

Together we acted out the biblical story of the Nativity on the stage for our families and friends. 

It’s a tradition in Britain.

However, last year was rather difficult. But some creative teachers had an idea.

Here’s a short video of how one primary school swapped the stage for the screen. 

Today is the Feast of St. Nicholas. (In the English-speaking world, we know him as Father Christmas or Santa Claus.)

In Germany, it’s the day that children wake up to find their shoes filled with sweets and presents. But only if they cleaned them the night before. (Well, that was the custom in our household! )

For children in Britain, the 6th of December means nothing more than eating another chocolate from their Advent calendar!