Socialising in the UK has a different flavour to it. There is something spontaneous, easy and unencumbered about gatherings and outings amongst friends in Nigeria, at least, from my experience. In the UK though, there is a feverishness and almost competitive tone to having what is seen as a packed and varied social life.
Contemplating social life
It is very common, and at first bizarre, to be consistently asked; ‘what are your plans for the weekend’. I have lived in the UK for 16 years and I still find that question odd. Growing up in Lagos, I don’t remember being peppered with that question every Friday. Part of it connects to the spontaneity of visits I have written about before which often eliminates the need for planning. You just saunter to your friends house casually without making a whole deal out of it. Lounging with friends on a breezy verandah, drinking a cold bottle of coke and crunching on cabin biscuits (if you know, you know) was a legitimate way to spend a weekend as was just chilling at home with family interposing chores intermittently.
In the UK, you are expected to plan your weekend in advance and these activities are usually expected to be out of the home setting. ‘Home’ during the weekend is almost anathema to the British soul.
People love listing their cool weekend plans almost as a brag. Therefore, when you are surrounded by people going partying, bowling, going to an exhibition or on a weekend getaway; responding to that question with ‘nothing’ is usually welcomed with a pause and a raised eyebrow.
The good thing, though, is that there is often lots to do in the UK especially in the bigger cities like London, Manchester and Birmingham. Even the smaller towns and villages usually have activities in the town hall, running groups, quilting circles or gaming crews.
Anticipating the question on weekend plans might as well be a prod to explore your new home country when time allows. Most towns and cities have websites listing all sorts of social groups you can join. Eventbrite is another website where local events can be found.
Building a community will be important to not feeling or being isolated in the UK!
Brits love Christmas celebrations and it has little to do with the reason for the season but a lot to do with the fanfare created around it. Christmas, in its essence, is a celebration of the birth of the saviour of the world. It’s also a time to celebrate the ending of another year and people go all out.
Christmas in Edinburgh
Christmas in the UK is steeped in glitz, baubles, presents, shopping and parties. By October, sometimes as early as September, stores start stocking numerous Christmas decorations and cards. By November, decorations start going up on streets, homes and public spaces. Lights, a lot of them, are central to Christmas decorations which means street lamps are often bedecked in them. Oxford Street in London often has brilliant light displays hanging across the length of the Street. Covent Garden hosts a huge Christmas Tree.
Everywhere you go, you’ll hear Christmas music playing with Michael Buble and Mariah Carey rendering country-wide favourites. Cheer is all around and the gloom that descends on many as the cold months begin is lifted.
Office Christmas parties are common as are Secret Santas. Depending on where you are migrating from, secret santas may be foreign. It’s basically a gift giving exercise where you are randomly assigned a person whom you buy a gift for. It’s usually anonymous, meaning you aren’t told who gifted you. It’s a great way for everyone in a group to receive a present without each person having to buy a present for everyone in a group. So it’s cost effective.
Enjoying your first UK Christmas
There are a number of activities happening at Christmas in most UK cities to keep you out and about despite the chilly conditions, a few are listed below. Also, some merry tips have been thrown in too!
1-Bonfire Night
Bonfire night, also known as Guy Fawkes night, is basically a time to gather outdoors in a large field and watch a large mound of flammable substances, such as hay and wood, burn. It holds every year on the 5th of November and commemorates a failed gunpowder plot in 1605. I am less concerned about the history here and more about the social gathering it now is. People congregate around the blazing warmth of the fire, sipping warm drinks that are usually served, chatting the cold night away.
2-Hot Chocolate and Movies
This is such a cosy tradition for many. Stocking up on different festive hot chocolates, such as orange flavoured ones, and making over-indulgent mugs of the steaming brew topped with a swirl of whipped cream and a sprinkle of marshmallows. You can stop at just the steamy mug of hot chocolate but Christmas is a good time to go a little OTT with your hot chocolate concoctions. Brits also love their mugs and at Christmas time, all sorts of mug designs begin to spring up in the stores, from minimalist ones to flamboyant Santa head mugs.
Cool Santa mug
Once your hot chocolate is enfolded in its characterful mug, you want to wear some equally OTT cosy socks, and watch a lovely Christmas movie. My favourites are; Klaus, Jingle Jangle, the Home Alone series, Elf, Chronicles of Narnia trilogy and the Polar Express. The Polar Express was also the first movie I ever watched in a cinema, so it holds a special place in my heart! These Christmas movies all make me feel warm and fuzzy inside at this extra special time of the year!
3- Attire
If like me, you migrated from Nigeria, it is possible you are not accustomed to the tradition of wearing Christmas jumpers. It’s a big deal in the UK. Like avant-garde mugs and over the top cosy socks, Christmas jumpers are another frippery that make Christmas in the UK a vibe. The more ridiculous the jumper is, the more social points you’ll score. It doesn’t end there, there are also Christmas hats (not just Santa hats, I’ve seen roast Turkey hats for instance), Christmas earrings are a thing too and so on! Get your Christmas wardrobe sorted and plunge into the festive incredulity!
A minimalist Christmas head gear
4- Markets
By the end of November, Christmas markets start popping up all over the country. Bath, York and Manchester have famous ones. These markets host chalets often with vendors selling cute crafts and gifts; from scented candles to wooden decorations to mulled wine. Wrap up warm and wear comfy shoes so you can comfortably wander round the chalets.
5- Carols
Many churches host carols at Christmas. Especially beautiful are the ones with orchestras and/or abbey choirs. Westminster Abbey in London hosts carols yearly as will most other cathedrals, abbeys and churches across the country.
Reindeer ears at a Carol service
5- Gifts
Giving gifts during Christmas is a huge deal in the UK. From my experience in Nigeria, only children really receive Christmas presents and they are usually not super expensive. In the UK, people spend hundreds and hundreds of pounds gifting each other. It’s rare to go through Christmas here without gifting someone or being gifted. From work Secret Santa events to family get-togethers, buying gifts for people can get expensive. So either start buying early to save money or think of gifting experiences, which I’ve found to be cheaper in some cases. For instance, I no longer buy presents for my nieces and nephews. One year, we went to ComicCon; another year, we went to a jump park instead.
Your first Christmas in the UK will be memorable, make it extra memorable with the above tips.
africanwildflower 