10 British Holiday Traditions Americans Just Don't Get

Wait — no pud? Go home and get a real British holiday with British Airways.

1. Boxing Day

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Nope. Nothing to do with boxing. It's like an extra day off to recover from Christmas. You don't realize how great that is until you're sitting at your desk on December 26.

2. Christmas Cake

James Petts / CC BY-SA http://2.0 / Via Flickr: 14730981@N08

Why does fruitcake get such a bad rap in the states? Throw a thick layer of hard icing on it and stop whining — it's delicious.

3. Cadbury Selection Boxes

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You can always count on an elderly relative to throw one of these your way.

4. Crackers

Jeremy Tarling / CC BY-SA http://2.0 / Via Flickr: topdrawersausage

When you pull the ends, toys and paper crowns come out. Then everyone wears the paper crowns and looks posh in holiday photos. It's the best.

5. Christmas Pudding

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Totally different from American pudding cups. If you're not setting fire to the brandy, you're doing Christmas pudding wrong.

6. Mulled Wine

Jeremy Tarling / CC BY-SA http://2.0 / Via Flickr: topdrawersausage

Get out of here with your eggnog.

7. Mince Pies

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Not every holiday calls for apple pie, but Christmas definitely calls for a mince pie.

8. Christmas Tree Chocolates

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Yes, they go ON the tree. Anyway to inject more chocolate into Christmas should be embraced by all.

9. Christmas Tea

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Just as your stomach feels like it might recover from midday meal, it's time for tea. More cakes, bread rolls, biscuits...

10. Brussels Sprouts

Joy / CC BY http://2.0 / Via Flickr: joyosity

No Brussels sprouts? Christmas is cancelled.