As we say goodbye to January of 2020, let me be among the first to say, welcome to February.

Welcome to month two of the all-new year-round Christmas past and welcome aboard,

because we're getting ready to embark on a new globetrotting Christmas adventure

with our far-flung correspondent

Chantelle Joy Otto from All Things Christmas.com.

Christmas Around the World is a monthly series where Shantel and her special guests give

us an inside look at the histories and traditions that make Christmas special and unique

in the places it celebrated. And maybe along the way, you'll find

inspiration to try something new for yourself this year and beyond. If you haven't heard Chantelle's

previous episodes about Japan and Canada, check them out. They're easy to find in your podcast feed

because all episode titles in this series begin with the words Christmas around the world.

Now make sure you pack an umbrella for today's trip, and probably a cozy jumper too.

That's a sweater to you and me, but not where we're going. Yes, we're headed to the UK, and England specifically,

the place that gave us most of the Christmas traditions we practice here today.

Even traditions that are German in origin like the Christmas tree were popularized in England.

There are several episodes of Christmas past where I touch on the English influence from different angles.

Check out the ones about Christmas dinner, Charles Dickens, wrapping paper, and fruitcake, just to name a few.

Even though we've taken so many traditions from the UK, there are several that never quite found their footing here in America.

So let's dive right in with Chantelle and her guest, Nadine.

I'll be back later to wrap things up, but for now, pour yourself some tea to enjoy with some biscuits,

and let's learn about Christmas in the UK.

As many of you already know, I am Canadian, but moved to London in 2016, so I do have a bit of experience with British Christmases.

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