What's the British television XMAS morning tradition?

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Norman_debris@reddit

I couldn't imagine waking up on Christmas morning and putting the telly on.

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shelleypiper@reddit

It sounds really grim and sad to me

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I used to get up at 5am on Christmas morning when I was a kid. Parents had stayed up late wrapping presents, so they weren't getting up til at least 11am. My brother and I had to entertain ourselves til then.

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Norman_debris@reddit

>so they weren't getting up til at least 11am Sorry, but that's ridiculous.

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herefromthere@reddit

Sleep is important. Being nice is Christmassy.

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Norman_debris@reddit

11 am? With kids? Nah. That's just lazy.

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herefromthere@reddit

You're not very good at this Christmassy thing. Nor putting yourself in someone else's shoes.

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acidteddy@reddit

We have it on from the morning but only really as background noise, no one is sitting watching it lol

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Norman_debris@reddit

I'd hate it. Everyone's attention partially distracted. Because the TV is never fully ignored. Why not just have music on?

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broken-runner-26@reddit

Our house. Leave it turned off.

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Sea-Still5427@reddit

I don't know anyone who turns the TV on before the Queen's speech. Too much else going on, not least champagne at breakfast. Probably have radio 4 on in the background on the kitchen.

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BouncyBlueYoshi@reddit

Closest is likely the Queen’s (or King’s) Speech, but that’s on in the afternoon

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Flibertygibbert@reddit

Yes, tv goes on at 3pm for the Royal Message, then goes off again. Who can watch tv when you've got a house full of family members getting in the way 😂😂😂

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LongjumpingMacaron11@reddit

I have never in my life (nearltly 50) watched the Queen's Speech, and to be honest, I don't know anyone who does.

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surreyade@reddit

I’m mid 50s and I’ve never seen it.

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CourtneyLush@reddit

Same. Even my grandparents, when they were still here, didn't put it on and they weren't anti monarchy or anything like that. We just don't put the telly on that early at Xmas.

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SUMMATMAN@reddit

Based entirely off personal experience, I reckon actually watching the royal speech is more of a southern thing? Though if anyone has stats please correct/confirm me

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CourtneyLush@reddit

Interesting. I'm a southerner. I think it's just more of a 'doing Christmas things rather than gawping at the telly' thing. My husband's family have also never bothered watching the Queen's Speech and I'd describe them as broadly pro monarchy. As with so many British things, I suspect it's probably more of a class thing than a North/ South thing.

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MillyMcMophead@reddit

60s and never seen it either.

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illarionds@reddit

For real? I'm the same age - and I'm quite sure we've *never* missed the Queen's speech.

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crustysides@reddit

Suspect you are in the minority

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PassiveTheme@reddit

I'm 30. My parents always watched it when I was growing up and so for me it is a tradition. It's not that I'm a huge royalist, but it's like 5 minutes long and I'm usually a bit tipsy by that point, so I really don't care, but it helps make Christmas feel complete.

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Petit-Chou_fleur@reddit

Same nearly 50, it wasn’t a tradition to watch the Queen’s speech in my family when I was growing up and I’ve never bothered as an adult. None of my friends do either.

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SnooRegrets8068@reddit

Early 40s but same.

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AuroraDF@reddit

My grandad used to demand we all watched it before lunch, even though he knew everyone hated it and he hated it, just because he thought it was funny to be annoying. I (and most of the other women) were glad to be 'helping in the kitchen' at that time.

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Bitter_Tradition_938@reddit

Most people I know do.

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TheFortyFourthSunset@reddit

I’m of a similar age and I’ve only ever watched the Speech when my grandparents were over. My own parents have never cared for the Royal family so it’s not something that was treated with any reverence/respect in my house, and it’s not something I would ever choose to watch.

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GooseyDuckDuck@reddit

Never watched the Queen’s, or King’s, speech in over 50 years.

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crustysides@reddit

Watched every year for over 50 years so what

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GooseyDuckDuck@reddit

Can I ask why?

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crustysides@reddit

Why not . He is our head of state and I enjoy the broadcast.

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herefromthere@reddit

Because if Mum gets out of bed at 11am and prepares dinner, then it's ready about 3pm.

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-hopalong-@reddit

Lots of people - my family included - don’t switch the tv on until well into the evening. So I guess the answer js “none”

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BuddyLegsBailey@reddit

I pondered for a while, and then also realised that we don't have the TV on!!!

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shelleypiper@reddit

Exactly this. Thought about it, realised I've never ever watched TV on Christmas morning

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jajay119@reddit

Same! Probably Doctor Who or Eastenders is the first thing we watch.

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SUMMATMAN@reddit

TV doesn't go on until late afternoon/evening when you need to transition from party atmosphere to food coma

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MerlinOfRed@reddit

Yeah I guess the closest thing to a tradition would be putting the TV on at 3pm for the ~~Queen's~~ King's Speech and then congregate properly for the Doctor Who Christmas special, with a couple of people vaguely paying attention to whatever film is shown in between.

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Rev_Biscuit@reddit

By “vaguely paying attention “ you mean watching between snoozes?

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clovenheart1066@reddit

We put a movie on. Started when us as siblings were a mix of teenagers and big kids, to give mum and dad a lie in. Now we all do it in our own homes, it started with Bring It On, now its more like Mickeys once upon a christmas.

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YoSoyEstupido@reddit

Idk I think besides the kings speech, which a lot of people don’t care for, you might watch something like The Snowman or Peter Pan, which always seem to be on tv Christmas Day, but I’m pretty sure they tend to be on in the early afternoon. Everything else is just Christmas films in the background or the music channels relentlessly playing Christmas songs.

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TheNextUnicornAlong@reddit

Nobody I know watches TV Christmas morning...

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RedPlasticDog@reddit

Is it not a Morecambe and Wise Xmas special fem 1974?

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Ziyaadjam@reddit

Surely the 1971 special? Or 1972?

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TypoMike@reddit

None of them. I find M&W about as funny as a haemorrhage.

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MolassesInevitable53@reddit

Not in the morning, surely?

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TypoMike@reddit

Doesn’t matter what time it’s on. As once it is, my TV is off.

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MBay96GeoPhys@reddit

Growing up the TV stayed off until the Queens Speech (didn’t mind as too preoccupied with new toys and games) then the usual old school tv specials and movies while everyone slept off the Christmas dinner.

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TangoUnchained87@reddit

I can only speak for myself, and what I miss since my dad passed away in 2011. Our tradition as kids, we would get up early and mum and dad would resist calls to get up until around 7am. Mum would make bacon sandwiches for us all while we unwrap presents, meanwhile dad would be plonked in his chair watching On The Buses and The Two Ronnies, as they were staple omnibuses on Christmas Day. In the evening it would be the soaps Christmas specials, then whatever game show is on.

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metal_maxine@reddit

Surprised nobody has mentioned The Two Ronnies yet, much better than Morecambe And Wise and with the big singing number at the end. Still need to remember that "Waltzing in a Winter Wonderland" doesn't feature "Alice's Winter Underwear"

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TangoUnchained87@reddit

They were incredibly witty and had impeccable comic timing and chemistry.

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Opening-Cress5028@reddit

Mrs Brown’s Boys

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Good_Lettuce_2690@reddit

As a kid I used to love getting the radio and TV times and circling all the films I wanted to watch. It's very rare the TVs on during Christmas these days, or during 'family time' at all. No phones allowed, no TV. I do think it's better now, more connection, less staring at screens, like you do every other day.

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GeorgieH26@reddit

We don’t really turn the TV on until the King’s speech an then maybe leave it on while we play games and stuff but don’t really watch until the evening (films and Christmas specials).

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Ladyshambles@reddit

Wallace and Gromit. At least A Grand Day Out and ideally also The Wrong Trousers. Also, The Snowman

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homemadegrub@reddit

The snowman is usually on Christmas eve I thought although channel 4 put it on early in December this year I saw.

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Ladyshambles@reddit

It's such a lovely film for Christmas! I like watching it first thing in the morning with a cup of tea as it's only short 😊

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homemadegrub@reddit

Yeah I always make a point of watching it if I can catch it.

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PromiseSquanderer@reddit

Equally traditional: someone points out during Walking in the Air that it’s not actually Aled Jones singing in the film, in the mistaken belief that there’s anyone left in the world who hasn’t already been told that. 😄

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1Moment2Acrobatic@reddit

I agree they're brilliant Christmas day watching but are later in the day, aren't they? OP asked about morning TV. I suppose there's plenty of Wallace and Gromit now so you could make a day of it.

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Riovem@reddit

Yep. Wallace and Gromit was going to be my answer.

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RegularWhiteShark@reddit

We don’t turn on the telly until mid/late afternoon. Usually a Christmas film or something.

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BusySeagulls1967@reddit

In our household, we have either This Morning or some Programme which has Christmas Songs on whilst opening presents; I am expecting it to be Britain's Favourite Christmas Songs with Andrew Ridgeley this year in our household but who knows what Thursday will bring. We have a Christmas Movie on in the background after that eg The Snowman and the Dog or White Christmas whilst Christmas Dinner is being made then we watch the King's Speech then we eat until we're full then watch a bunch of christmas specials that evening or over the next few evenings

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AuroraDF@reddit

There used to be a thing on the BBC with Noel Edmonds or Philip Schofield etc where they would do surprise live link ups with people with their families in Australia or elsewhere in the world.Which was a big deal, before video calling, texting, voice notes, social media, and cheaper flights and when it cost 50p a minute for a voice call. That was in the 80s I think. Maybe early 90s. Since that stopped I don't think people watch TV. Maybe some people watch Carols from King's. Folk that like church stuff.

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MsAndrea2@reddit

It's carols from Bradford this year. I assume it's cheaper?

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AuroraDF@reddit

I'd have said the BBC might be trying to be more inclusive. Or adventurous. But, as it turns out, it's still Carols from Kings this year. And ITV have something from Westminster. Maybe Bradford is on GBnews?

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Purple-Tangelo-6372@reddit

Noel Edmond’s up the post office tower. Then a Bond.

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Rev_Biscuit@reddit

The only thing about that that I can remember was a guy running up all the stairs of the PO Tower. Me being naive and young thought “ Anyone could piss that “. It annoys me when I leave my phone upstairs now.

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Lollygagger105@reddit

Yep, the only thing I ever remember watching on Christmas morning was a Noel Edmonds thing. Don’t even remember what it was but maybe giving presents to kids in hospitals? Wouldn’t usually have the TV on during the day. Even now, 50-something and usually home alone by choice, I wouldn’t put the telly on in the morning.

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paper_zoe@reddit

Yeah it was Noel Edmonds giving presents to kids in hospitals. I think it might've been Michael Aspel before Noel took over too.

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Different-Try8882@reddit

I remember it when it was The Australian Nonce that did it.

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DoggyDoggyJoe@reddit

I was going to say Noel Edmonds!

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Purple-Tangelo-6372@reddit

Hehe. I don’t actually remember it, Roger Mellie always used to say it in viz.

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Adventurous_Site_107@reddit

Just adding to the consensus here really but the traditional Christmas Day tv stuff tends to be the kings speech and maybe a film in the afternoon and maybe some evening stuff. Tv on on Christmas morning would be a bit odd in our house. However many households drink from breakfast onwards 😅

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FootballUpset2529@reddit

Christmas can't start until I've watched Jason and the Argonauts..

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BurstWaterPipe1@reddit

Yep, beers and TV in my house from breakfast onwards. Tea at 7pm.

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SnooRegrets8068@reddit

Thats late for tea

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BurstWaterPipe1@reddit

Yep, never realised it was unusual until I had Christmas at my other half’s. Figured out why it’s sometimes called Christmas lunch.

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SnooRegrets8068@reddit

Even lunch at 1 seems a bit late when you have been drinking for 6 hours.

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VirtualMatter2@reddit

I guess by that time nobody cares though.

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SnooRegrets8068@reddit

Whoever cooked tends to

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VirtualMatter2@reddit

But who bothers to cook after 6 hours of drinking? I was joking though.

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snoozymum@reddit

We normally have tea later about 6ish as we have a big breakfast in the morning, and it gives kids time to enjoy their gifts and see the family.

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Origamiflipper@reddit

Yep, mulled wine for breakfast to start the day off right

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Fun_Cheesecake_7684@reddit

We tend not to watch TV in the morning but by any large we start drinking - with the kids waking us up at 5am and I am convinced two houses either side - we're usually drinking by 7am. It makes the dog walk at 10am a rather zigzag affair....

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coffeeebucks@reddit

We have music on until the evening. I might put Carols from King’s on if the house is empty (everyone else gone visiting people or for a walk with new scooter/bike etc) so that I can get on with food prepping. When children were v young it would be whatever the Julia Donaldson animation was.

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fothergillfuckup@reddit

No tv really, until the evening, when I can't physically move anymore.

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tykeoldboy@reddit

About 30 years ago it was Christmas with Noel Edmonds which was a live broadcast on Christmas morning from a children's hospital, not something the BBC would consider these days

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IntravenusDiMilo_Tap@reddit

From the post office towe

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VirtualMatter2@reddit

No TV until late evening. The kids watch TV on the 24th while the adults get everything sorted.

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ulez8@reddit

Carols from Kings college chapel on Christmas Eve. No TV until after the Lunch (often, in older generations, The King's Speech). Evenings in our family are often the Goes Wrong Show nativity. It's hilarious. A Muppet Christmas Carol is also a fave.

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VirtualMatter2@reddit

Halo! Hello!

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AdrenalineAnxiety@reddit

I've never known anyone who watches tv before the royal speech, and most people not that either. I'm sure there are people who do but not enough that it could be called a British tradition. Maybe kids TV if you have young kids.

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sossighead@reddit

Yeah, we’d maybe switch on for the royal speech when grandparents were still around. I’ve realised that’s now the reason the TV doesn’t go on at all now. Marks a passing in time but I think it’s better to not have it on.

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OkFan7121@reddit

There is the Christmas Top Of The Pops, used to watch it if I was near a TV, especially after they had artists performing live from circa 2000 onwards.

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sossighead@reddit

I don’t believe there is one. Mornings tended to be more about kids opening and playing with presents. TV would come on later on if at all - the last few years we haven’t bothered with it at all.

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aky1ify@reddit

I'm American and I've never heard of anyone watching a Disney parade or NBA on Christmas. Just goes to show not everything is universal to a country's traditions.

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draoikat@reddit

Yeah I was wondering about that too. I'm basically just here scrolling this sub as a Canadian married to a Brit haha. I used to be married to an American and I never once heard him mention anything about a Disney parade or watching the NBA at Christmas. 🤷🏼‍♀️

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debrisaway@reddit (OP)

MLB fan, am I right?

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Different-Try8882@reddit

Many years ago there used to be a Christmas morning tradition of a show where children who were in a hospital would receive gifts from The Australian Who Shall Not Be Named.

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Careful-Scientist-32@reddit

As an American, I didn’t know any of those were things people did on Christmas morning. Isn’t the macys parade on Thanksgiving?

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debrisaway@reddit (OP)

There's some sort of XMAS parade I've seen.

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Aphr0dite19@reddit

Polar Express on in the background whilst opening presents. Vicar of Dibley The Christmas Lunch Incident over dinner. Kings speech at 3pm. The Snowman/The Snowdog/Father Christmas in the afternoon. Adult son is autistic so we tend to follow a routine and the tv helps keep him from being overwhelmed. 🎄

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Adelucas@reddit

Years ago the TV never went on until the evening, then it was all the comedy greats like the Two Ronnies and Morecombe and Wise, maybe the big movie. This was in the days before streaming and movie channels so we'd watch the premier of a Bond movie or a Carry on film. These days there is literally nothing on. We say that every year but this year is particularly dire with almost all programmes being a repeat of last years shows.

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illarionds@reddit

Nothing until the King's Speech. Maybe a movie or something in the evening, digesting. Then of course the Boxing Day Test in the evening, if the Ashes are being played in Australia that year (as they are right now)

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Accurate-Wall4634@reddit

We might put the TV on for a good film or if The Nutcracker is on. We've never bothered listening to the Queen/King's speech though

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MaxximumB@reddit

Too busy with presents and family so no TV. Then it's time to get Christmas dinner cooked. Kids will still be playing with new stuff. TV doesn't normally go on till after dinner. There is usually a celebrity panto on

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Mikon_Youji@reddit

We did tend to watch anything specific on Christmas morning. Mostvare too busy opening presents and cooking Christmas Dinner. Usually a movie is put in in the afternoon though, after dinner and people will fall asleep half way through due to having a food coma.

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Glittering_Habit_161@reddit

Pantos on Cbeebies, Doctor Who usually until they changed it to New Year's then back to Christmas 2 years ago.

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tr0028@reddit

The Snowman, Father Christmas, the queens speech, the alternative Christmas message, gogglebox and love actually.

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C_Ignores_Everyone@reddit

We put the radio on and listen to christmas songs. Never even really thought about it but the tv probably doesn’t get put on til evening

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Super_Ground9690@reddit

TV usually only goes on late afternoon when the kids need to calm down. The Snowman and Wallace & Gromit are the usual choices.

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martzgregpaul@reddit

Put on the repeat of Carols from Kings Open the Wine. Try and work out if the Turkey is defrosted Eat whatevers within reach

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PastorParcel@reddit

I would say there isn't really a morning TV tradition. Certainly in our house that's present opening time. The TV wouldn't go on until after Christmas dinner in our house, maybe 3pm?

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No_Election_1123@reddit

Backyard when it a little more relevant, ChristmascTop of the Pops around 1pm doing a review of the year's performances

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MsAndrea2@reddit

Christmas is a bigger thing in the UK than the US, kind of a combination of Thanksgiving and your Christmas. Unless you're alone it's traditional to spend the morning with kids and family opening presents. TV might be on in the background, but nobody is really watching it. It might start getting actually watched on the early afternoon, but something like Top Of The Pops (the Christmas version carried on way after the weekly version) or some other variety show will likely be on that doesn't really require your full attention. We don't generally start watching TV properly until at least late afternoon or early evening, when we're all close to food comas.

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SnooRegrets8068@reddit

Top of the pops still exists?

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BlakeC16@reddit

It does, but these days only as an annual review of the year show comprisng of clips from other BBC programmes. This year's is on New Years Eve on BBC Two. It did still continue as a proper studio show every Christmas for quite a few years after the main weekly episodes finished but now it's just Clara Amfro in a small room linking between clips of Glastonbury and Later with Jools.

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SnooRegrets8068@reddit

Think the last time I knew avout the christmas number 1 was when rage against the machine won. Then that was second hand information.

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MsAndrea2@reddit

Technically, no, the last one was 2021. But there will be something like that.

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SnooRegrets8068@reddit

Had no idea they even did one but I've only 40 odd years of it lol

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Swansboy@reddit

I put something Radom on usually, usually it’s not news, have some chocolate for breakfast, normal rules go out the window on Christmas Day, Christmas dinner at 2.00pm tho I would like it at 12.00pm then derset between 6-8.00pm While watching something random again. Then boxing up my great aunts for buffet at 12.00pm while watching football match on tv as well or Sky sports news if it’s harf time. Leave at harf time or just after it then 23 minutes ride home listen to rest of football & I have a snack

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MarkWrenn74@reddit

Well, we don't really have a Christmas morning TV tradition, but we do have a Christmas tradition: the King/Queen's Christmas Message, which has been broadcast annually at 3pm on Christmas Day since the 1930s

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BlakeC16@reddit

There's always been children's programmes in the morning followed by a Church of England service at around 10am (with Catholic midnight mass shown the night before). These days this would be followed by more family animations and movies until the King's speech at the traditional time of 3pm. But I remember when I was younger there would always be a similar schedule each year with a show at 11am (usually with Noel Edmonds) where needy and deserving people would be given special surprises, followed by a couple of hours of old classic comedies like Morecambe & Wise and The Two Ronnies and then at 2pm was Top of the Pops with all the hit records of the year and the Christmas Number One. And then after the Queen/King's Speech is when all the big shows start for the rest of the day. Christmas Day TV is a very big thing in the UK compared to some other countries, it historically has been when many of the biggest audience numbers have been. But we don't do sport on Christmas Day, that's for Boxing Day.

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MrSpud45@reddit

When i was younger and family was all living together we didn't have it on, normally food prep time and off to church. As we are all apart now and I'm on my own ill tend to get up, have a bacon roll and check YouTube.

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Purp1eMagpie@reddit

Topgear specials on Dave

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BillyJoeDubuluw@reddit

This is very variable. My family didn’t have the TV on on Christmas Day. There was always a house full of people and we were too busy interacting with one another.

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TheBuachailleBoy@reddit

Doesn’t get turned on until The King’s Speech and then gets turned off again about 8pm. Radio on the other hand is on for a large part of the day. There’s usually lots to listen to while cooking.

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ash894@reddit

We have the Xmas music channel on. But no tv as such

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Feisty-Hovercraft351@reddit

The Snowman

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yetAnotherRunner@reddit

Nothing gets watched until the kings speach at 3pm in our house.

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rosssjackson@reddit

Am - Whichever Raymond Briggs/Julia Donaldson stuff is on + carols Lunch - Nothing Evening - Anything other than Mrs Brown Boys

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Short_Elephant_1997@reddit

We don't really watch the TV until my Grandma puts the Kings speech on tbh.

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Bulletsoul78@reddit

Eight hours of festive fake fireplace on YouTube

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Benibonkers@reddit

Get up go to work as I would any other day, let the family get on with whatever they are doing just leave me to do my job.

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sharmrp72@reddit

The Two Ronnies, The Generation Game and old style funnies whilst having some brekky in pj's. Then I'll go collect the family (so they don't need to drive) and the sparkly will be popped when we get back.

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justinhammerpants@reddit

Come ask in the Norway sub. We have great tv traditions.

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debrisaway@reddit (OP)

Tell us

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justinhammerpants@reddit

So on what we call Lille Julaften, which is the 23, on NRK (our national broadcasting network) we watch Grevinnen og Hovmesteren (Dinner for one in English https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NQMloRGVm-Q ), it’s also typical to watch Kvelden før Kvelden, which means the evening before the evening, so is sort of anticipatory. Has some celebs etc. Then on Christmas Eve, which is when we celebrate the viewing starts at 11pm with Tre Nøtter til Askepott, then Reisen til Julestjernen, Donald Duck’s Christmas (disney shorts medley), Pippi Langstrømpe, Emil i Lønneberget and then at 5pm there is a concert with Sølvguttene, which is a famous all men’s choir, and when that finishes is when Christmas officially starts. This has been the lineup my entire life, and it was already tradition when I was a kid 30 years ago. Since we celebrate on Christmas Eve, but it’s an evening celebration, a lot of people (retail etc) still have to work until 2pm. While children today receive a stocking in the morning, traditionally dinner is eaten around 5.30-6pm, and only after are gifts opened.

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mpsamuels@reddit

The closest I think you'll get in the morning is that the BBC broadcast a church service. It's always from a different church. I've no idea how they pick where to film from but this year it's from Bradford. As much as it's traditionally broadcast, the answers here suggest it isn't necessarily traditionally watched, though!! We'll put it on if we're at home, but mostly to hear the carols as background music. We aren't sat glued to every word of the readings and sermon etc as there's presents to unwrap, food to prep, and the beers won't drink themselves!! Kings speech is probably the earliest that regularly gets any worthwhile viewing figures and that's not until mid-afternoon.

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Routine-Cicada-4949@reddit

Hair of the dog.

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Secure-Property4926@reddit

Why would you watch a movie marathon on Christmas Day?

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ramapyjamadingdong@reddit

No TV. We watch Die Hard on 24th, but Christmas day is a tv free zone

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prustage@reddit

Wouldnt know. On Xmas morning the TV is most definitely switched off.

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CourtneyLush@reddit

No TV in the morning. Who has time for TV on Christmas morning? There's the opening of the presents, there's dinner to cook (accompanied by the Christmas playlist and alcohol), there's dinner to consume, crackers to open, shit cracker jokes and puzzles to do whilst wearing silly hats. Maybe a game of pontoon with a drink or two because everyone is at the table, so you might as well. By the time that's all done and you've cleared up, it's starting to get dark out and then you might put the telly on because everyone is full and needs a nap.

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OkFan7121@reddit

Some of us even go to church. Jesus is the reason for the season.

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Crazy_Breakfast_6327@reddit

We've always had Xmas tree presents in the morning then the kids play with their new toys etc and the adults prep for Christmas dinner (which will actually start sometime between 1 and 3 (ish). Queen's/King's Speech hasn't been on for over 40 years. Maybe a festive film in the afternoon or a go film/comedy special in the evening. Most years the TV doesn't get turned on for 2 or 3 days.

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DeeWhyDee@reddit

why would a sports game play on Christmas Day? Is that so the chauvinistic men get out of helping?

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debrisaway@reddit (OP)

😬

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tearlesspeach2@reddit

Nothing in the morning, all in the evening x

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nonsequitur__@reddit

I don’t think I’ve ever watched TV on Xmas day

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Puzzled-Barnacle-200@reddit

I wouldn't say there is one for the morning. Usually the Queen/King's Speech at 3pm, followed by family movies.

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DrHydeous@reddit

We spend Christmas with our families, not staring at a piece of furniture.

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movienerd7042@reddit

Christmas viewing figures say otherwise 😂 watching TV together also counts as spending time with family

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Origamiflipper@reddit

TV goes on for the King’s speech, no sooner

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movienerd7042@reddit

There isn’t really a tradition of putting TV on in the morning. Most people put it on sometime in the afternoon to early evening and then watch whatever new Christmas specials are on that year.

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Wasps_are_bastards@reddit

Doesn’t happen until afternoon in my house

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Dennyisthepisslord@reddit

There's no one "the" tradition Kids are opening presents adults are getting food cooked. We have our Thanksgiving sized meal on Christmas day so it's typically a busy morning

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wildflower12345678@reddit

no tv until very late evening if at all on xmas day.

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nadthegoat@reddit

Who’s got TV on when there’s presents?

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ofmoranges@reddit

Start drinking. Usually bucks fizz

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shelleypiper@reddit

Yes, maybe this is the cultural difference. We are partying!

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ofmoranges@reddit

Never too early to get on it

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pointsofellie@reddit

I usually watch the Christmas day service on BBC1 then the Julia Donaldson adaptation with the kids. The Gruffalo or similar is usually on first.

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SnooCompliments6843@reddit

Scarecrows wedding this year

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BuddyLegsBailey@reddit

Bleddy scandal

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GapPerfect5494@reddit

TV is shit in the morning, unless you can find a class family film starting early, preferably one with Jim Carrey.

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Brilliant_Annual_664@reddit

No TV in the morning.

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iamabigtree@reddit

There isn't one. Maybe Top of the Pops but that's more lunchtime.

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chartupdate@reddit

Noel Edmonds from the top of the Telecom tower.

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Otherwise-Eye-490@reddit

No tv until the evening. Christmas music!

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surreyade@reddit

The best way, bit of drinking and dancing in the kitchen while cooking,

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OrdinaryHovercraft59@reddit

Some sort of Christmas cartoon or film or quiz show.

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green-chartreuse@reddit

There are often family films on tv earlier than the king’s speech but I can’t think of anything that are must watches every year. Just programmes to occupy the little ones There are often new specials that have their first showing on Christmas Day like animated Julia Donaldson stories, but even they tend to be after lunch and the king.

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shelleypiper@reddit

Hmm this question really had me stumped because there is no TV tradition on Christmas morning, I don't think I've ever heard of someone watching TV on Christmas morning. It's not the done thing.

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mij8907@reddit

Not a morning tradition, but the Queen’s speech after lunch was a family staple for decades

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helenfirebird@reddit

Christmas eve I like to watch the Ghost story on BBC2 but on Christmas day we usually have music on. TV might go on in the evening but we often go through the day with it never being turned on.

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kippax67@reddit

My daughter works at the royal children’s hospital, and I’ve never heard her mention any, footballers yes, but there all managed.

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SureConversation6834@reddit

No TV. Radio. Then King's speech at 3.

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chroniccomplexcase@reddit

If our tv is on at all, it’s on a music channel with Christmas music (it would be a radio station but my dad and I are deaf- so it allows us to know what song is on), we don’t watch actual tv until the afternoon

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kippax67@reddit

Noel Edmond’s live from BT Tower.

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Frequent-You369@reddit

Honestly, I've thought about this a few times over the past few weeks, now that I have a young family about the same age as I was back then. See also: TV personality reporting live from a children's ward.

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debrisaway@reddit (OP)

Ah that's what Ricky Gervais meant.

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Specific-Sundae2530@reddit

Don't usually watch unless there's a carol service which I might put on for background noise Childhood Christmas day was open one present, go to church, come home open the rest of the presents, have Christmas dinner, and the TV went on for the queen's speech. Now I don't go to church, and we're more likely to have the radio on as we have breakfast then probably open presents around 11 or 12 whenever everyone is up and ready. Christmas EVE is more a routine for me. Watch the snowman, cry from nostalgia, make toast and hot chocolate, bed early.

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Acceptable-Pear2021@reddit

There isn't We listen to radio two for junior choice

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GingerWindsorSoup@reddit

Two Way Family Favourites from BAOR , Cyprus, Aden and Singapore and Aunty Shirley in Wagga Wagga.

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Captainwozzles24@reddit

Same here!

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Do_You_Pineapple_Bro@reddit

None of the above tbh. Muppets Christmas Carol the evening before, and the TV isn't exactly on during the day. Sorta just; Open presents, have lunch, visit Gran's grave, visit relatives, come home and do our own shit, then christmas dinner, and then the TV being on after that is sorta dependant on whats on.

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Campandfish1@reddit

No TV on Xmas day in general. Definitely nothing before Xmas dinner, maybe an Xmas movie like Die Hard/Home Alone to wind down before bed but more likely to read and play cards or board games.

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International_Body44@reddit

No tv till around 7/8pm in our house, apart from there being nothing on we also have family round so its off anyway.

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Focusmate1@reddit

Basically no tv - maybe a film in the evening if the kids want it. I never grew up with the tv on at Christmas. Never heard of the Queens speech until much older, maybe as my family had zero interest in Royals etc Morning is for present opening and getting stuff to work. Afternoon is for eating and drinking

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CriticismCool4211@reddit

Why does everything have to have an American equivalent?

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ODFoxtrotOscar@reddit

There isn’t The Queen’s Speech (now King’s Speech) is at 3pm They don’t put the big, unifying telly programmes on during the morning because of churchgoing

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ilikedixiechicken@reddit

I thought it was so everyone could open presents in peace?

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RevStickleback@reddit

When I was young I was more concerned with what I had for Christmas. I think if the TV was on, it would maybe something that could be on in the background that didn't demand much attention.

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bottleblondscot@reddit

Don’t watch TV on Christmas Day. We used to have an old aunt who demanded to see the Queens Speech, and that was everyone else’s cue to leave the room and help set up the dining table and bring the soup course through from the kitchen etc. So, not watched TV on Christmas Day probably since I was a child.

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CptGIN@reddit

Carols from Kings if any

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justeUnMec@reddit

thats Christmas Eve

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pointsofellie@reddit

It's repeated on Christmas morning

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aeropagitica@reddit

Radio until the King’s Speech at 1500.

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Flimsy_Somewhere1210@reddit

Zulu will be on no doubt

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ClassicalCoat@reddit

The cat gets some cranberries. Though that may just be my family.

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Georgiegirl8819@reddit

TV doesn’t go on till later on. Food, presents and games and socialising really for us.

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kippax67@reddit

Terrible wasn’t it. Let’s go to bondi beach and see what they got for Xmas.

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Sir-HP23@reddit

If I get up, it's not to watch telly. Lying in bed listening to the radio. Make / eat a lovely breakfast. Journey to wherever I'm going for lunch. Be present for some light gift giving - with children if I'm lucky. So not got a clue what they show on telly. They could have the king / queen farting the national anthem for all I know.

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Lopsided-Camel1114@reddit

If you have kids usually their stuff and jingles. In 70s my folks played xmas tunes and had tv set on a morning trad film(out of 3 channels).

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EccentricDyslexic@reddit

Tea, open presents. Stuff face with chocolate.

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kippax67@reddit

I have nothing to do with Ricky Gervais.

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debrisaway@reddit (OP)

No, he mentions that program in an interview with Karl Pilkington.

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ludoisaverycutecat@reddit

We don't tend to watch tv till later on in the day.

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Chickenshit_outfit@reddit

Usually dont put it on till afternoon

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rooreynolds@reddit

No TV until the Queen is on. King, I guess.

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curi0us1975@reddit

No TV.

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flyhmstr@reddit

Can't think of one to be honest

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qualityvote2@reddit

Hello u/debrisaway! Welcome to r/AskABrit! --- For other users, does this post fit the subreddit? If so, **upvote this comment!** Otherwise, **downvote this comment!** And if it does break the rules, **downvote this comment and report this post!**

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