Which British Christmas Tradition Should You Definitely Do?

By: Zoe Samuel
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Which British Christmas Tradition Should You Definitely Do?
Image: shomos uddin/ Moment/ Getty Images

About This Quiz

Christmas is a time of great joy, when we all gather to give and receive gifts, worship, take some time off work and eat more than is necessarily wise. Of course, not everyone practises every single tradition, and even those traditions that are extremely popular are often done differently in different homes. Some of us consume a Yule log, while others have a Christmas pudding. Some attend church, while others see Christmas in wholly secular terms. Some people decorate a tree and put up lights weeks in advance, then host dozens of family members, while others take a trip somewhere sunny and make as little effort as possible to host anyone at all.

Indeed, even if you wanted to partake in every single tradition, it would be almost impossible. There are more Christmas traditions practised across these beautiful isles than any one person could participate in. The good news is that there isn't really a right way to do Christmas! There's only what is the most satisfying and meaningful to you and your family and friends.

Should you stay up for Midnight Mass or turn in early? Should you take a Christmas constitutional and get some fresh air, or curl up in front of the Queen's Speech? Whatever you choose, there's a Christmas tradition that will make you full of cheer. Let's help you figure out what it is!

Question 01
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How much do you intend to eat for Christmas lunch?
All the food
Most of the food
Whatever it takes to be full
Something yummy, but not too much

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Question 02
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When do you give presents?
Christmas morning
We give money, then spend it after Christmas.
We don't feel strongly about when presents are given.
Christmas Eve

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Question 03
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Would you say your approach to Christmas is more on the religious or the secular end of the spectrum?
Quite religious
Totally secular
Very religious
Fairly secular

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Question 04
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Be honest: would you rather see family or friends over Christmas?
Family
Friends
Some of each
Everyone who belongs to both!

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Question 05
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Not everyone gets to take Christmas off. What are the odds you'll be working?
Zero
High
I may have to work some of it.
I'll be hosting, which is work to me!

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Question 06
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Christmas is a time for great TV. How much will you watch?
Lots and lots!
All of it
I don't have a telly.
A few specials, perhaps

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Question 07
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Do you find Christmas a good time to take off from exercising?
Yes
Maybe
Nope. Best day of the year to go running!
I like exercising, so no.

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Question 08
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How far do you intend to travel for Christmas?
To my living room
To another city
I stay home and host a lot.
I stay in town, but I travel to many people's homes.

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Question 09
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Do you have a particularly lovely local church?
It's OK.
I don't know.
Yes. It's beautiful!
It's quite lovely, yes.

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Question 10
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How actively involved are you in your local community?
Somewhat
Not much
Very
I'm a local official.

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Question 11
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Christmas is a time for giving. What shape will your charitable works take this year?
I might give a gift to someone poor.
I give some money.
I volunteer all year, especially at Christmas.
I volunteer, though only at Christmas.

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Question 12
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How often do you think about people who are lonely at Christmas?
A little
Ouch. I hadn't at all, until just now!
Constantly, more than anything else.
Quite a lot, so I do something about it!

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Question 13
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Think of the worst Christmas ever! What happened to make it that way?
The telly went out.
I got bad presents
Everyone got norovirus.
The weather was awful.

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Question 14
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How many Christmas carols can you remember by heart?
Ten
None
At least 20
50 or more

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Question 15
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How often do you feel like a bit of fresh air?
Never
Sometimes
Often
Most of the time

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Question 16
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How guilty do you feel if you over-indulge at Christmas?
Not at all
That's the point!
Very
Fairly

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Question 17
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What is normal Christmas weather where you live?
Cold and dark
Rainy
Frosty and exciting
Chilly but nice

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Question 18
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Do you like to include traditions from overseas in your Christmas?
Nope
Only from the USA
Yes, especially Germanic or Scandinavian ones
Sure, sometimes

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Question 19
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How many family members need to agree on your Christmas activities?
More than five, and we generally don't.
None
All, and we do.
More than ten, but we mostly do.

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Question 20
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Do you get a Christmas bonus at work?
No
Yes! It's huge!
Only a small one
Sometimes

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Question 21
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Will all your favourite people be in the same place this Christmas, or will you need an activity you can share with absent friends?
Most of us will be together.
I'll be stuck with awful people.
I'll be with local family, but I want to feel connected to cousins overseas.
I'll be with some of my people, but sadly not all!

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Question 22
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Do you prefer to go to bed early or late on Christmas Eve?
I go to bed early so I can wake up early for Christmas!
I'm a night owl.
Very late
It depends on my schedule.

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Question 23
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How far in advance of Christmas do you typically finish your shopping?
Weeks
I don't finish until New Year's Eve!
Days
A week

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Question 24
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You are given a terrible jumper for Christmas. What will happen to it?
I will wear it all Christmas Day, then put it away until next year.
I will return it.
I will donate it.
I will regift it.

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Question 25
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A "helpful" relative tells you how many calories were in the lunch you just ate. What will you do with this information?
Ignore it
Make a New Year's resolution
Feel a bit bad, then get over it
I already knew.

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Question 26
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Would a post-lunch nap suit you?
Later, but yes please!
Sure!
No thanks
Absolutely not!

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Question 27
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Will you be looking after any dogs this Christmas?
No
There may be a dog around, but it's not my responsibility.
Yes, two!
We have one dog, yes.

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Question 28
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Do you always include a gift receipt?
No
Of course, but lack of one won't deter me when I return gifts.
What is that?
If I remember

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Question 29
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At your house, who does the tidying and cleaning after Christmas?
My mum does.
I hire people.
I do.
We all do.

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Question 30
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How far in advance is too soon to put up Christmas lights?
Any time earlier than December 1
Put them up in August!
Put them up in November.
Put them up whenever you like.

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