The Worst Christmas Songs - Episode 337

 

Image: The Christmas Shoes.

Christmas music has been part of British and American culture for decades. We all have our favorites that ring out each holiday season but what are considered the worst? What are the songs people dread hearing each year? We discuss our own worst Christmas songs and the songs others consider the worst.

What Christmas song do you hate?

Christmas Feasts Around The World - Episode 335

 

Image: Happy Rentals (CC BY SA 4.0)

Christmas is about family, friends and presents and for many around the world, the most important part is the feast. Some countries, their feast traditions start on Christmas Eve and for a lot of them, the traditional roast turkey doesn't play a part at all. In Italy, it's all about the fish and pasta and in Japan, fried chicken is traditional.

What are your traditional foods for Christmas?

New Year's Eve Traditions - Episode 214

 

Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0

Happy New Year everybody! Well, it's been quite a year, hasn't it? Not one of the best years at all. In fact, it might have been the worst year in living memory. But still, a New Year dawns on us and with it, hope for a better future. So, with that in mind, our latest podcast episode deals with New Year's Eve traditions we both had growing up and a few unconventional ones from around the world!

What is a New Year Tradition you have?

Our Favorite Toys From Santa Claus - Episode 212

For me, meeting Santa Claus in 1989 was a thrill beyond measure. The fact that Father Christmas, as he used to be known back in the old country, deigned to visit my playschool and hand out some random gifts to us was absolutely wonderful. He was there for an hour and he sat and talked to us about the magic of Christmas and what it truly meant and when we grew up, we would understand. In this new podcast episode, we're discussing our favorite toys we got from Santa Claus and giving our followers on Instagram a shout out too with their favorites.


What was your favorite toy you got from Santa??

UK Vs US Christmas Tree Decorations - Episode 211

 

A Royal Christmas Tree. 1840s. Public Domain

The Christmas Tree is one of the western world's most time honoured traditions. Decorating the tree has become a ritual in both the United Kingdom and the United States and signals the true beginning of the Christmas season. Generally, the decorations are the same but there are some notable differences in the decorations on a Christmas tree in Britain and America. Indeed, back when they became popular thanks to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in the 1840s, the practice was to put lighted candles on the tree. That was quickly discontinued after several trees burned down! Listen to our latest podcast episode to find out some of the differences in tree decoration!


What do you like to decorate your tree with?

Gavin and Stacey - Episode 109

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Gavin and Stacey is one of Britain's most popular sitcoms. James Corden, who starred as Smithy and also co-wrote the show, comes in for a lot of criticism in Britain and we feel it is quite unfair. Gavin and Stacey recently returned for a Christmas special 10 years after it's third and final season ended. Happy New Year everybody!

Are you a fan of British sitcoms?

The Royal Christmas Broadcast - Episode 108

The Queen's Speech, 2019. Image: YouTube

Every Christmas day at 3pm in the UK, The Monarch (which since 1952 has been Elizabeth II) gives a speech reflecting on the year. In this episode, we'll discuss what exactly it means for the people and the various times it HASN'T happened at Christmas!

What do you think of the Queen's Speech?

Christmas Desserts - Episode 107

Christmas Pudding aflame. Image: James Petts

Christmas desserts. Who doesn't LOVE a Christmas dessert? Whether it be Yule Log or a Christmas pudding with flaming brandy, it's always a tradition, at least on a British Christmas table, to have a dessert and plenty of people are sick of it. Christmas desserts are the best, or the worst, part of the Christmas dinner. Many Brits abhor the Christmas Pudding and think that its possibly the worst thing that can come during Christmas but, it's (as my father would say) "Tradition innit" so we British keep it alive, loving it or hating it.

What desserts do you love or hate?

We'd like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas from us both! Thanks everyone!

Where To Shop In The UK - Episode 106

Oxford Street, London. Image: Kyle Taylor

We've had a few listeners messaging to tell us they are moving to England and are wondering where the best places are to shop so that is what today's episode is about! We spend an inordinate amount of time discussing B&Q in this too so be sure to listen to that!

Do you have a favourite department store? Let us know!

Christmas Markets - Podcast 104

Winter Wonderland in London, UK. Image: House Of Coco

Christmas Markets are something uniquely European, specifically German. While they are set up around the USA in many cities, some even going for that authentic German experience like the one in Chicago, there are really none like the ones in Europe, especially Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, London. Christmas Markets have expanded from just selling Christmas decorations and baked goods to include a full on dining experience and entertainment in all forms, including Carnival rides and games.

Have you ever been to a Christmas market?

British Christmas Adverts vs American Christmas Commercials - Podcast 102

Image: YouTube Capture from John Lewis Advert, Fair Use

If you live in the USA, you'll more than likely know all about the Superbowl and how companies try and come up with the most memorable commercial to air. They pay millions for a 30 second spot and it's become a tradition for most of them to come up with a story or a funny gimmick (usually involving a major celebrity) for their commercial that will stick in the viewers mind. In the UK, especially in the last decade, this has been somewhat adopted except there is no such thing as the Superbowl but there is that one other thing that comes every year; Christmas.

Department store John Lewis have capitalized on making their Christmas adverts tell a story and to compete, Marks and Spencer and Sainsbury's to name just two have done the same. Usually John Lewis have a central figure in their Christmas adverts like Excitable Edgar the Dragon in the 2019 advert above. We discuss the Christmas adverts of both Britain and America!

What is your favourite Christmas commercial??

Mince Pies - Not as Meaty as You Think

Image: Amazon

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If you're a British expat, one of the main things you're probably missing this holiday season are Mince Pies, as they are THE thing to leave out for Santa, or to serve at your holiday party.  If you're an anglophile who's never eaten a mince pie, perhaps it's the name that's putting you off?  When I was little, my grandfather used to talk about "mince meat pies" that, I'm assuming, he ate in Britain during the war, or maybe they used to be a bigger thing over here than they are now, I'm not sure which.  

When my grandfather spoke about them, it seemed at least, there was actually meat in them.  Now, it seems, judging by information found on the interwebs, there hasn't been actual meat in mince pies, since forever, so it was probably just me assuming there must be meat in them if they're called "mince meat pies," but this is not the case.  There is no meat in mince pies (edit: Not in Britain, anyway.  Apparently "mince meat pies" still exist in parts of the United States, so perhaps those are to what my grandfather was referring?).  Please do not let the name keep you from eating these delicious Christmas treats.  They are filled with apples, sultanas, raisins, orange peel and spices, in a scrumptious sugary pie crust.  In Britain they are sometimes eaten with brandy cream, double cream, or even custard.

The Walkers brand of mince pies, as seen in this post, however, are fabulous just out of the box!  It is totally unnecessary to add anything to them in my opinion.  You can find Walkers Mince Pies in our Amazon Shop.  Do you like mince pies?  How or when do you usually eat them?

Twiglets - A Holiday Party Staple

Image: Amazon

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If you're a Brit, you'll know what these are straight away, for they’re absolutely everywhere this time of year.  And, you probably either love them or hate them.  No, no.  There is no inbetween.  Personally, I love them, as they are a delicious salty snack, which is much needed at this time of year, when there are so many sweets floating around.

For those of you who are curious, but have never had them before, they're a wheat based snack (similar to a pretzel, for our American friends) with a yeast spread coating that's similar to Marmite.  With a knobbly shape similar to a twig as their name suggests, Twiglets are perfect for a party. Unless you're Mr. Bean, who in a 1994 episode famously ran out of them for his guests and substituted them with actual twigs dipped in Marmite.  Deeeeeelicious!  We have these available in our Amazon shop for expats in need and curious anglophiles alike! 

Are you a fan of Marmite, and if so, do you like Twiglets?

The Classic British Christmas Pudding

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We were recently catching up on some of the vlogs we like to watch and were surprised when this American who has been living in Britain for a while, didn't know what a Christmas pudding was.  Now, before I continue, I will admit as long as I've been married to my British husband, I've personally never had one, simply because Dominic's not a huge fan.  But, I know they're a longstanding tradition in the UK.

So what is a Christmas pudding?  Well, the tradition dates back to medieval times and for this reason, the pudding is sometimes also called plum pudding, after the pre-Victorian term "plums" meaning raisins.  It's traditionally made with 13 ingredients, symbolizing Jesus and the 12 apostles.  It's basically a fruit cake, held together with egg, and moistened by molasses or treacle, brandy and other other types of alcohol, and seasoned with spices like nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon and ginger.   The mixture is then boiled or steamed and aged for (sometimes) months, the alcohol helping to preserve the cake.

Now days most households purchase their Christmas pudding pre-made and simply boil, steam, or even microwave it before serving.   Brandy is then poured over the cake and it is lit on fire when served. It's then eaten with cream, custard, or brandy butter!  We have several on offer in our Amazon Shop, that range in prices, the one pictured in this post being on the lower end of the spectrum, but I am sure they are all fabulous!

Have you ever eaten Christmas pudding?  What do you think about it?

Christmas Crackers - A Time-Honored British Tradition

Image: Amazon

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We get asked about British foods and traditions, etc. all the time, so we decided to start a series here on the website, where we talk about some of our favorite British foods, snacks, and traditions.  Please note that everything we mention in this series is available for purchase in our Amazon Shop, though that is not the reason for the post.  We make a small commission on sales, but items included in this series, have bee included because we either truly believe in the product, or feel it's an important item about which to inform our readers.  First up, Christmas crackers.

Christmas crackers were invented by Tom Smith of London in 1847, and are an important part of Christmas festivities throughout the United Kingdom.

Now, the word “cracker” is immediately going to make our American friends think of the sort of savory crispy biscuit or flatbread you might eat with cheese, a spinach dip, or even peanut butter, but that’s not the type of cracker we’re talking about here.   In this case, we’re speaking of a segmented cardboard tube that has been wrapped in festive paper, and which contains a small gift, a joke, and makes a popping sort of noise when pulled open.

They are usually laid at each place setting of the Christmas table.  One person grabs either end of the cracker and the two people pull until it breaks apart and one person wins the prize inside.  They’re typically pulled at Christmas dinner or festive parties.  Typically, crackers contain a brightly colored paper or foil “hat” or “crown” and, yes, brits DO wear them as they eat their dinner, regardless of the person’s age or station in life.  The tradition of the hat is thought to date back to Roman times when Saturnalia was celebrated, which also involved wearing decorative headgear.

Christmas crackers also usually have things like: a small toy, a plastic model, a little trinket or piece of jewelry, a small musical instrument like a tiny harmonica, and a joke, riddle or bit of trivia on a small piece of paper.  We have the Christmas crackers pictured above (and others) for sale in our Amazon shop.


Are Christmas crackers a tradition in your family?  If not, would you ever consider including them as part of your holiday celebrations?

Christmas Movies - Podcast 06

National Telefilm Associates [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Our sixth podcast finds us talking about Christmas movies. We discuss which movies are especially popular in the UK, as well as which movies Americans tend to favor.  Are they the same or are there popular films in Britain that we Americans have never heard of?  They show A Christmas Story for 24 hours on television during Christmas in the United States, but is it as popular in the UK?  Also, Dominic and I discuss our personal favorite Christmas flicks.  We want to know your top favorite Christmas movies.  Let us know in the comment section below or, as always, tweet, Instagram, or Facebook us.

Christmas Traditions - Podcast 05

Amelia Wells [CC BY 2.0 (License)], via Wikimedia Commons

This podcast is all about how Christmas traditions differ between the United States and Great Britain.  When and how is the season kicked off in each country?  What do American children and British children traditionally leave out for Santa?  And what the heck are Christmas crackers?  Also, Erica invites any and everyone who goes caroling (and doesn't live in a Hallmark movie) to come knock on her door to sing, because she doesn't know anyone who actually does that these days.  Do all British kids leave their stockings on the end of their beds or is that just something strange Dominic grew up doing?  What are your Christmas traditions?  We're dying to know!  

Christmas Music - Podcast 03

Wham - "Last Christmas" official music video capture, Fair Use License

There was recently a poll of Magic Radio listeners to determine Britain's list of the Top Twelve Christmas songs of all time.  Who topped the list, and did we agree?  Today we're talking about Christmas music from Britain and America: How do the countries' Christmas tunes differ?  Are there songs that are popular in one country but not in the other?  Find out the answers to all these questions, and which songs are on our own personal lists of the top Christmas songs of all time in our latest podcast.