December 26, 2024 | Awake & Dreaming

1. Turkey

This one is probably one of the most popular dishes at Christmas because it is usually the main course! Other popular dishes include ham or roast beef, but in the UK, turkey is the main course of choice. People often buy a frozen turkey, thaw it, and then roast it in the oven for a couple of hours before adding garnishes and sauces. Then it’s ready to carve and serve!

2. Roast Potatoes

There is nothing like a scoop of properly roasted potatoes! These are often cut into small squares, and put into the oven with goose fat or olive oil, along with herbs such as parsley and thyme, and salt and pepper. Once the edges are browned, the potatoes are good to go!

3. Stuffing

Stuffing is another dish that can vary from region to region. Interestingly, in North America, chestnut stuffing is a popular choice (chestnut puree is stirred into the mixture of onions, breadcrumbs, butter, and other herbs) while in Britain, herb stuffing is a more traditional choice, with large quantities of rosemary or thyme added to similar ingredients. The most popular type of stuffing at Christmas dinner is sage and onion. The stuffing can be served inside the turkey or as a side dish.

4. Pigs in Blankets

These are small sausages that are wrapped in bacon, and often surround the turkey when it is served. Fun fact: In Scotland, these are called kilted sausages!

5. Yorkshire Pudding

Yorkshire pudding originates from England, and is made from a batter that includes eggs, milk, and flour. It’s usually eaten with the roast turkey, but it can be served as a dessert! Although Yorkshire Puddings are traditionally served with roast beef, many families choose to serve them alongside their Christmas dinner.

Boxing Day occurs on December 26.

Boxing Day is observed annually on December 26. If it falls on a weekend, the public holiday itself will be celebrated on Monday. It became an official holiday during the reign of Queen Victoria, though some historians trace its origins back much further—to medieval times. Today, it’s largely an extension of the Christmas holiday and a big day for sporting events and shopping.

No one really knows where the name Boxing Day originated.

Many historians think Boxing Day’s name is derived from the church practice of opening alms boxes the day after Christmas and distributing money to the poor. Historically, British employers followed the church’s lead by sliding workers and servants gifts or cash on December 26. Others believe the “box” refers to the boxes of gifts employers gave to their servants on the day after Christmas. (In wealthy households, servants were often required to work on Christmas Day but given December 26 off to celebrate the holiday on their own.)

No one really knows where the name Boxing Day originated.

Historically, Boxing Day’s post-Christmas sales have long made it one of the UK’s busiest shopping days of the year. And while it still falls within that category, the popularity of online shopping has reduced the overall spending people do on December 26. Fifteen years ago it was pretty much guaranteed that you would only get big sales a few times a year—Boxing Day and the big summer clearance but Black Friday and Cyber Monday illustrate Christmas sales are starting earlier and earlier. There is a possibility prices will just keep on dropping in the run-up to Christmas. This makes the Boxing Day sales incredibly diluted.

There is no boxing involved in Boxing Day.

Despite the name, British observances of Boxing Day involve no fisticuffs. For patricians, however, another sport rules the day: fox hunting. Though it’s a long-held tradition, many animal rights activists and groups would like to see the practice done away with altogether—especially because it’s technically illegal.

In Ireland, December 26 is sometimes known as Wren Day.

Ireland sometimes refers to December 26 as Wren Day, a nod to an old tradition in which poor children would kill a wren, then sell the feathers to neighbors for good luck. In today’s celebrations, the wren is fake.