Christmas is a widely embraced holiday that has evolved into a tradition for many British Asians, with an increasing number choosing to partake in the celebrations. As cultures and traditions intertwine over the years, a growing number of non-Asians also engage in the festivities, celebrating this joyous occasion with their loved ones.
In the UK, British Asians warmly embrace the Christmas spirit and the festive season holds a special place for many as it signifies a break from work, study, and routine, providing an opportunity to reunite with friends and family.
For second or third-generation immigrants who have been born and brought up in the UK itself, Christmas becomes an important festival that is celebrated with much enthusiasm. Christmas Day becomes a focal point for gatherings, where families come together to celebrate. Often, family members take turns hosting the holiday festivities each year.
For all who partake in the celebrations, Christmas is a time of festivity, bringing families and friends together to spend the day in shared joy and companionship.
Cultural highlights to a traditional Christmas
Tanveer Mann is a Journalist and despite how busy she is, she rushes back home for Christmas celebration. She said, “Christmas is a big deal in our family, it's a time when no matter where everyone is in the world, there's an understanding that we will all be together on that day.”
Further detailing her family’s annual Christmas celebrations, she said, “Though we are not Christians, we focus on the cultural aspects of the day and come together to celebrate a happy and healthy family. For us, the day is largely spent playing games, opening presents, and eating Mum's delicious Christmas dinner - with an Indian twist of course!
“We normally give all the children in the family small toys and gadgets while us adults will gift each other experience days. We find these are a great way to get the family exploring new places to eat and see rather than wasting money on small items that we don't need!
“We also have a tradition with friends where we'll all gather at someone's house, do Secret Santa and play games. It's a really lovely time just to reflect on the year with loved ones and relax!”
Jaspreet Bajaj is the Founder and Events Specialist at Bombay Funkadelic. Speaking to Asian Voice, she recounted how Christmas is a big deal for her family and is celebrated with equal grandeur as Diwali, if not more. She said, “Since the 1960s, my family has been rooted in the UK, when my grandfather and father made the journey from Punjab. Given our long history here, we've consistently marked Christmas with grand celebrations.”
She further added that, “For Christmas, we get together for a family Christmas dinner or lunch on December 25. Decorating Christmas trees and exchanging Christmas cards have become integral to our annual customs. More recently, the younger generation of our family has taken up the festive tradition of Secret Santa. It adds a bit of fun to the festivities and keeps the youngsters amused.
“As a British Indian family, the adaptation of Christmas into our culture is most notably reflected in our culinary choices. While we cherish the tradition of a classic Christmas roast, our menu also features Indian cuisine, particularly prepared in a Punjabi-Tandoori style.”
A Christmas tradition of good food
Punam Nagpal is a Product Manager at Cisco and finds Christmas to be the perfect time to enjoy quality time with her family. Describing her household celebrations, she said, “We put on our Christmas playlist and decorate the tree together and I try and have a different colour theme for the tree to keep the experience fresh each year.
“Other than that, I bake cookies, biscotti and of course, the traditional Christmas cake. I love gifting homemade baked goodies to friends in pretty jars and boxes, so our home is filled with the aroma of baking throughout the festive season. This year, I’ve baked mince pies and I’ll shortly be baking the Christmas cake, as my son loves it. Plus there will be Paste di Pistacchio which are Italian pistachio cookies, are on the festive menu.”
Punam’s heritage has a great influence on her Christmas celebrations and she chooses to light up her house just like she does for Diwali. Additionally, her family choose and support a charity every year as part of their Christmas tradition. She said, “Giving is a big part of festive celebrations in my family, something I’ve imbibed from my mum since childhood.”
Mallika Basu is a cook and an author with a passion for authentic Indian food. She grew up buying Christmas decorations and cakes from Muslim and Jewish bakers in Kolkata’s bustling markets and later, in her teenage years, her celebrations involved lavish parties at a Christian friend’s home, where the dinner feast was biryani.
About her Christmas celebrations in the UK, she said, “As I left India to settle in the UK, I took to cooking lavish Christmas meals in our household with part Indians, part Latin and part English kids. In the diasporic world we live in, with many mixed heritage families and smaller, changing family units, it’s not unusual for South Asians to mingle and be merry at Christmas time. Now divorced, it remains an important annual calendar moment for my kids.
“I gather with my friends and a table covered with food to ring in all the joy. If you fancy trying your hand at some traditional favourites with an international twist, I shared five new recipes with Wise, the International money transfer experts:www.wise.com/festiveflavours”
