Christmas Traditions & Where They Began: The London Edition

There’s something magical about Christmas in London. It’s the smell of roasted chestnuts on Oxford Street, the glow of fairy lights reflected on rain-soaked pavements, and that unmistakable hum of excitement that seems to wrap around the whole city like a scarf.

But behind the sparkle and shopping, there are stories old, odd, and often very London that shaped the way we celebrate Christmas today. From crackers and carols to Boxing Day rituals and the mighty Trafalgar Square tree, here’s how some of our most-loved traditions began, and why they still matter.

The Trafalgar Square Tree: A Gift That Crosses Oceans

Let’s start with a tradition that belongs entirely to London. Every December, Trafalgar Square becomes home to one of the most famous Christmas trees in the world a towering Norwegian spruce sent as a gift from the people of Norway.

Since 1947, this tree has been a symbol of gratitude for Britain’s support during World War II. It’s carefully selected from forests near Oslo, often more than 70 years old, before being shipped across the North Sea to Immingham Docks and transported to London.

Once it arrives, the tree is decorated in a simple Scandinavian style with lights hanging vertically instead of wrapped around and lit in a special ceremony that draws Londoners, tourists, and carol singers alike.

Standing beneath its branches, mulled wine in hand, you realise: this tree isn’t just decoration. It’s a reminder of friendship, resilience, and London’s place in the world’s festive heart.

Leaving Milk & Mince Pies Out for Santa

Even in flats without chimneys, Londoners somehow find a way to make room for Santa. A plate of mince pies on the coffee table, a glass of milk (or sherry, depending on taste), and a carrot or two for the reindeer parked “on the roof” it’s one of those small, magical traditions that makes Christmas Eve feel alive.

The custom has deep roots. In pre-Christian Europe, people would leave offerings to the spirits of ancestors to invite goodwill into their homes during the winter solstice. Centuries later, during the Great Depression in America, families began leaving food for Santa as a lesson in gratitude a reminder to thank those who give to us, even when times are tough.

The British version added its own twist: mince pies, the most unmistakably festive treat of all. And if you wander through Borough Market in December, you’ll still see stalls selling hand-baked pies with recipes that haven’t changed in a hundred years proof that some Christmas flavours never go out of style.

The Story Behind Chocolate Coins

Shiny gold coins hanging from Christmas trees or scattered through stockings it’s one of those traditions you probably don’t question, but it has a surprisingly beautiful origin.

The story goes back to Saint Nicholas, the 4th-century bishop whose quiet generosity inspired the legend of Santa Claus. He once tossed coins through the window of a poor family’s home, where they landed in stockings left by the fire to dry.

That act of kindness became a legend and eventually, a Christmas custom. Across Europe, people began giving children coins or sweets to symbolise generosity and good fortune. Over time, chocolatiers turned that story into the gold-foil treats we unwrap today.

So next time you peel back one of those shiny wrappers, remember it’s more than a bit of chocolate. It’s a tiny story of kindness passed down for centuries.

The Crack of Christmas: How a Londoner Invented the Cracker

Of all Christmas traditions, few are as proudly London as the Christmas cracker.

It all started in the 1850s with Tom Smith, a confectioner on Goswell Road who sold bonbons wrapped in paper. Business was slow until one winter’s night, he heard the sound of a log crackling in the fireplace. Inspired, he created sweets that would “pop” open with a tiny explosion when pulled.

Over time, the sweets were replaced with small trinkets, paper hats, and jokes (which, let’s be honest, haven’t improved much since the Victorian era). And thus, the Christmas cracker was born loud, colourful, and slightly ridiculous, just as it should be.

If you walk through London’s Christmas markets today, from Greenwich to Kingston, you’ll still find stalls selling handmade crackers proof that some inventions never lose their charm.

The Mistletoe Mystery

If you’ve ever found yourself awkwardly standing under mistletoe at a party, wondering who started this whole thing you’re not alone. The truth is, no one really knows.

The first recorded mention of kissing under mistletoe dates back to 16th-century England, and it may have started as a blend of ancient beliefs and good old-fashioned mischief. Some link it to Norse mythology, where mistletoe represented love and peace. Others think it was simply an excuse for a cheeky kiss during the long, cold winters.

By the time of Victorian London, mistletoe had become a must-have at festive gatherings. The rule was simple: if you stood beneath it, you owed someone a kiss. Each white berry was plucked after a kiss and when the berries were gone, the fun was over.

Today, the berries might be plastic, but the tradition remains one of the sweetest ways to break the ice or at least start a Christmas story.

Boxing Day: From Kindness to Chaos

Boxing Day might now be synonymous with big sales and leftover sandwiches, but its origins are a lot more heartfelt.

In the Middle Ages, wealthy households gave boxes filled with coins, gifts, or leftover food to servants and tradespeople on the day after Christmas a small act of appreciation after they’d spent Christmas Day working. Churches also collected donations in “alms boxes” and distributed them to the poor on St. Stephen’s Day (26 December), giving the tradition its name.

By the Victorian era, it had become a nationwide custom and in modern London, it’s evolved once more. Some head to the Boxing Day sales on Oxford Street, others escape the city for a walk along the Thames Path, or join the crowds at the King’s Cross Boxing Day rave. The spirit of generosity remains, just with a few more receipts and dance moves added in.

The Spirit of London at Christmas

What ties all these traditions together from mince pies to mistletoe isn’t just history. It’s the way London keeps reinventing them while never letting go of their heart.

You see it in Trafalgar Square, where strangers sing carols together. You taste it in the first sip of mulled wine at Southbank’s Christmas market. And you feel it in every “Merry Christmas, love” shouted between strangers on a packed Tube train.

London doesn’t just celebrate Christmas it curates it, every year, blending the old with the new, the sacred with the silly.

Keep the Magic Alive

If you love learning about the hidden stories behind London’s traditions the real reasons we celebrate the way we do you’ll love what’s coming next. From forgotten customs to modern rituals that might just become the next big tradition, I share it all over on Instagram.

So pour yourself another mulled wine, wrap up warm, and follow @london.yaar for more of London’s festive stories the kind that make you smile, remember, and fall in love with this city all over again.

Because in London, Christmas isn’t just a date on the calendar it’s a feeling we keep alive together.