What are Lancashire Christmas Traditions and Foods these days?

Maggie Q · 09-11-2010, 00:16

Hi Everyone,
I'm curious what your Christmas traditions are currently - old and new. My only references are books of English traditions, Charles Dickens, those totally yummy mince pies, and the annual tragedy on Eastenders.

I'm from New England originally and we have a fish dinner Christmas eve (my Italian husband's tradition). Then off to midnight mass. Next day, open presents with hot cider, hot chocolate, or coffee with sweets and donuts. For Christmas dinner we have the turkey with all the trimmings, potatoes and gravy, peas, squash, rutabaga, and cranberry sauce. Lots of treats for dessert including pumpkin pie, apple cranberry raisin pie, cookies, etc.

Here in Texas, people are big on Christmas tamales, breakfast tacos, lots of Tex-Mex and Hispanic influences. People with European backgrounds have pretty much the same as above. Immigrants here were mostly from Germany, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic.

It's lots of fun to try other people's cultural traditions!

Ken Moss · 09-11-2010, 04:20

Sherry is a traditional Christmas drink although I have had trouble finding it abroad in the past.

You probably won't find many pumpkins on the tables of the English at Christmas but Christmas pudding is traditional for afters. Brandy is poured over it and then the whole thing is set on fire before being dished up with brandy sauce. It's a little rich for some as it contains more than a little alcohol!

Boxing Day (and usually a day or two afterwards) involves carving up what remains of the turkey and making extra meals and sandwiches with the leftovers.

SPUGGIE J · 09-11-2010, 05:44

Hope it hasnt changed much as I will be down for my first one in 20 years.

garinda · 09-11-2010, 07:35

Presents opened, gifts exchanged, Christmas morning.

Christmas dinner, which hasn't changed that much since Dickensian times.

Some watch the Queen's speech at 3 o'clock.

Party games, such as charades etc.

What has changed is that December 25th is the day when broadcasters probably get their highest viewing figures of the year, so they pull out all the stops, to try and make us tune in.

Besides the television, and the commercialism of what people think they want, it hasn't changed that much.

You'll still get people calling at your house carolling, houses are decorated, and generally people over indulge on the food and drink front.

Boxing day is a day for recovery. A walk in the fresh air, and traditionally a day of local sporting derbies.

Jesus!

Forgot him.

Some people go to church at midnight, on Christmas Eve.

Most of the things we do have a Germanic background, because of Prince Albert, though we do generally have an American bird on our tables, the turkey, and no longer eat goose.

Ye olde merry England.

Made even more merry by the mass consumption of Bailey's.

Mick · 09-11-2010, 07:42

Watching all the repeat films that have been on 20 times throughout the year
oh and Garinda we will be having chicken or goose or venison if i can get hold of some again and dont knock the Bailey's

as usual i will be cooking the dinner too

garinda · 09-11-2010, 07:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by mick

oh and Garinda we will be having chicken or goose or venison if i can get hold of some again

If you go to the Market Hall, and get your order in now, they'll crochet you some.

jaysay · 09-11-2010, 08:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by mick

Watching all the repeat films that have been on 20 times throughout the year
oh and Garinda we will be having chicken or goose or venison if i can get hold of some again and dont knock the Bailey's

as usual i will be cooking the dinner too

Is that before or after the research mick

Mick · 09-11-2010, 08:41

instead of i stay in and have a quiet day to busy cooking to go out

jaysay · 09-11-2010, 08:44

Get up around 9am open presents with a brew, have light breakfast around 12 noon watch anything but the Queens Speech,

traditional Christmas dinner about 4-30pm, washed down with a bottle of White Wine, coffee and mince pies to follow

yerself · 09-11-2010, 09:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

Get up around 9am open presents with a brew

I've always found it easier to use scissors. Do you not get the presents wet, opening them with a brew?

K.S.H · 09-11-2010, 09:58

What are Lancashire Christmas Traditions and Foods these days?
chicken tikka masala

jaysay · 09-11-2010, 10:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by yerself

I've always found it easier to use scissors. Do you not get the presents wet, opening them with a brew?

thats a bit sharp for you, yerself, especially before dinner

jaysay · 09-11-2010, 10:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by K.S.H

What are Lancashire Christmas Traditions and Foods these days?
chicken tikka masala

Its supposed to be our favourite takeaway K.S.H

K.S.H · 09-11-2010, 10:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

Its supposed to be our favourite takeaway K.S.H

I know, but can you really expect half of Lancashire to be eating turkey
I can't

jaysay · 09-11-2010, 10:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by K.S.H

I know, but can you really expect half of Lancashire to be eating turkey
I can't

They would if they wanted to be in an integrated society

stuffing goes well with poppadoms, so I'm told