If the term you use is Happy Christmas, or even Merry Christmas, there is really no difference…just remember that one country uses one and the other uses the latter. The two countries in question are the United States and England, and when this special holiday comes around, both countries are raving with cheer and promise.

Everyone loves the holidays no matter what you celebrate and how you do it. In England, Christmas is celebrated with families all together and a tree that has all presents under it, just as Americans do. We all recognize that man with the long white beard and big red suit known as Santa Claus; in the UK he is known as Father Christmas and wears a green suit. Father Christmas is the English version of Santa Claus, both traditionally are the same, they are just different in name.

Christmas in the U.S. consists of everyone gathering together as a family and eating a feast on Christmas Eve and then drinking coffee or tea after dinner. Christmas Eve in the UK many families enjoy singing Christmas carols and going to midnight church services, but Christmas day and Boxing Day are the main days for celebration.

Some traditions that are done on Boxing Day in the UK are the Polar Bear Plunge, to help the less fortunate, shopping deals, a day out with friends and to eat holiday leftovers. On Christmas Day in the UK, families pull open Christmas crackers, which is a present that you pull open from both sides, making a snap and crackle sound.

My family uses this tradition as well on Christmas Day right before we start eating. Overall, this is what Christmas in England is and how noticeably different the way English people celebrate this holiday than Americans.