Christmas is such a special time of year and we all have our own ways of celebrating. From typical foods to special events, Christmas is a season full of traditions, both small and family orientated and larger-scale too. At IH London we’ve asked some of our staff to share with us some of their favourite Christmas traditions!
My favourite Christmas tradition is Christmas stockings. We tie balloons to the top so they show at the end of the bed on Christmas morning. Then our son comes into our room and we open our stockings by candlelight.
Paulette Milego, Academic Manager
When I was a child, we, my brother, sister and I all went into our parents’ room first thing on Christmas Morning with the stockings (actually my Dad’s socks) full of small presents that we found at the end of our beds. My Mum would light candles because, of course, it was still dark and we would unwrap all the things we found. Always at the bottom there was a tangerine. The feel of the sock as you pushed your arm down to the end and the smell of the candles when it got light and my Mum blew them out are two sensations that always remind me of Christmas. When my son was born, we continued the tradition and now, even, though he is 21, he still wants us to have stockings and to open them in candlelight on Christmas Morning. The magic never dies.
Rick Ansell, Teacher Trainer
My favourite Christmas traditions centre around food – a Terry’s chocolate orange for Christmas breakfast followed by a glass of Prosecco is totally acceptable on a Christmas morning!
Fenella Dale, Academic Manager
My favourite Christmas tradition is eating endless amounts of cheese (particularly Wensleydale with cranberries) along with a lovely glass of red!
Ted Curtis, Modern Languages Sales & Marketing Assistant
One of my favourite Christmas traditions is the ‘Advent Calendar’. It’s a special calendar that start on December 1st and finishes on Christmas Day. It usually shows a lovely nostalgic picture with snowy landscapes and lots going on. There is a special cardboard window made for each day. Every morning, you can open one window and see what is behind. For example, you might get a Christmas tree on one day and a reindeer the next day. The calendar give you little surprises and make you feel excited about the big day as it comes closer. These days, some calendars have pieces of chocolate or other treats when you open a window but I prefer the traditional calendars with the little pictures.
Jan Madakbas, Teacher Trainer
My favourite Christmas tradition is decorating a Christmas tree. It is such a fun activity to do with your friends or families and it is also very cheerful to look at when it is done!
Debby Hsieh, Business Development Manager – Asia
Ever since I was a child, I’ve always loved looking at the Christmas lights. It’s so exciting when they’re switched on and you know that the big day is just around the corner. The shop-fronts and streets are all lit up and looking their very best. London has some of the most beautiful Christmas lights in the world, and Covent Garden is particularly pretty at this time of year – well worth a visit.
Laura Jenkins, Modern Languages Marketing Manager
My favourite Christmas tradition is drinking mulled wine. It is a warm and spiced beverage which is perfect for these cold winter nights and makes you feel really festive!
Julija Glusakova, Business Development Manager Europe
What are your favourite Christmas traditions? What special things happen in your country?