‘I’m an etiquette expert – this British Christmas tradition is tacky’

Here in the UK, we love our Christmas traditions. Turkey and all the trimmings on Christmas Day, attending pantomimes or carol concerts, and writing letters to Santa – these are all massively popular rituals that families and individuals repeat year after year. 

However, one expert has blasted a popular tradition, labelling it as ‘tacky’. The ‘Queen of Etiquette’ Laura Windsor, who runs her own academy in London, has shared her thoughts on some of the nation’s biggest Christmas ‘icks’. And coming in near the top of the list is adults who wear Christmas pyjamas.

If you scroll through your social media feed at any point during Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, it’s likely you’ll see at least one picture of a couple posing in their matching pyjamas in front of the tree. This has become more and more popular over the past few years, with retailers clocking on and making identical sets for the whole family – even pets.

And if you find this to be a bit of an eye-roll rather than endearing, you’re not alone. Laura, who is also the etiquette expert for the Netflix classic Bridgerton, isn’t always a fan.

She said: “Matching anything is a little tacky, but it is Christmas and if it brings in a few laughs in the meantime, why not! Just so long as you are not wearing pyjamas all day and forget to dress up for the occasion.”

But it’s not just this clothing blunder that can raise eyebrows at Christmas time. There’s another bad habit that could be seen as very rude – and it’s all to do with your festive meal. 

According to Laura, having ketchup with your Christmas dinner is a big no. She explained: “Ketchup should be saved for another day. There are 364 of those! And for those of you who like ketchup with your turkey or goose, you should really try and get out more. Leave the ketchup for burger and chips or a good old fry-up for another day.

“Not to mention, drowning your Christmas lunch in ketchup may imply that you think the cook needs to improve their culinary skills.”

And finally, after you’ve tucked into that long-awaited festive meal, there’s one thing you should never do – and that’s unbuttoning your trousers at the table, even thought it might be tempting if you’re really full. 

Laura said: “At the table we are more sensitive and observant than usual; eating isn’t particularly an attractive manouvre and nowhere are manners, or lack of them, so visible than when you are dining. 

“Unbuttoning your trousers is certainly not an elegant gesture.”