Christmas – 5 differences and 5 similarities between the USA and UK
What’s the same?
Decorations go up ever earlier: I thought that over here in the US decorating started early, but actually, from the sounds of it, the UK is just as bad this year. Is it because Christmas Day is a Friday, I wonder, so a whole additional week needs to be devoted to the pre-Christmas build up? Whatever the reason – it’s bonkers to be seeing decorations in October. I draw the line at the end of November but really, I prefer the week before Christmas. Bah humbug.
Decorations outside houses: A feature here and at home but see differences too. Here the sheer scale is jaw dropping. But hey, everything is bigger in Texas.
Children get excited: The noise level in our street is increasing daily and seeing the wee ones at the Zoo Lights last week – well, kids are the same everywhere, waiting for Santa expectantly.
Giving presents: A tradition both sides of the pond, the stores are full of those perfect gifts and television and the internet is taken over by Christmas ads. Facebook ads are stalking my every online purchase and pushing more and more under my nose. Enough already! There are only so many pairs of underpants a man can enjoy.
Holidays: Time off work for Maurice and the chance for a cheeky break to San Diego for us! The first time I will have spent Christmas actually away from my own home in my life. I did have Christmas in the USA in 1972, but that was my home then. So this will be an interesting, and different experience for us. Boxing Day is not a holiday here, or even a concept really, but because Christmas Day is on a Friday, the holiday period is extended. Over here, the run up to Christmas is possibly more important. Afterwards it’s, “Right, back to work, decorations down, back to normal everyone, please” before the left overs have a chance to leave the fridge.
What’s different?
The number of fairy lights outside houses: This is done on an epic scale here. One particular house we saw had fairy lights on every branch of two truly enormous oaks which were dazzlingly bright – I think you may be able to see this house from space. Seriously. The electricity bill for this must be massive. Along River Oaks Boulevard and in the surrounding side streets there are many, many lights which really put Union Street in the shade (literally). And these are positioned by private house owners on their own properties, no council lights here.
The weather: Although by all accounts Aberdeen is unusually mild at present, Houston is sunny and quite warm. This is also unusual for here, apparently. I do need a jacket of an evening now, but through the day I can get by perfectly well without.
Christmas Lunch/Dinner: It appears that turkey is not the staple at Christmas over here the way it is in the UK. Turkey is eaten at Thanksgiving , however, with trimmings that are somewhat different to ours. Sweet potato, different stuffings, or dressings as they are called here in the south, and alien vegetables, no sprouts in sight. And so at Christmas they will eat a nice piece of beef or ham. What we’ll have for our Christmas Day meal is a complete mystery. STOP PRESS Looks like I’ve booked BRUNCH not Christmas LUNCH so, eggs anyone?
No Christmas Crackers: They are absent in the USA. Not a “thing”. Not seen anywhere, or at least, not unless you buy online and have specially delivered. Apparently they are defined as explosives in some locations. In this climate, perhaps not worth risking so we’ll maybe have to forfeit the paper hats and corny jokes. Shame.
Whether you are on the US or UK side of the pond, wherever you are, I hope you have a wonderful time. For me, however…..
“It’s (not) beginning to feel a lot like Christmas….”
Whole Other Country 