It's our first family Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day in the UK — and honestly, what an amazing experience!We left our food shopping until very nearly the last minute- only to be pleasantly surprised by Aldi- fully stocked and shockingly affordable (the true Christmas miracle may, in fact, be their vegetable prices). Aldi, if you’re listening, we’re open to sponsorship… and possibly even a name change.Christmas Eve was a bit of everything: baking cookies for Santa, getting dressed up for a church service (our first ever together), and possibly—accidentally—starting a brand new family tradition by ending the night with milkshakes and fast-food burgers. And of course one early present to open before bed!Christmas Day itself was peak cosy. Cold winter walks, gifts from Father Christmas, homemade egg nog, far more Christmas cards than we’re used to, an impressive amount of chocolate, the King’s Speech, and falling asleep to one of our all-time favourite Christmas films.Boxing Day slowed everything right down — pyjamas all day, nibbles for dinner (pigs in blankets, scotch eggs, pineapple and cheese… yes please), and absolutely nowhere to be.We wrap up the episode by bravely discussing Love Actually, fully aware this may divide the comment section (as it does us). This year has been hectic, emotional, exhausting, and incredibly meaningful. We’re grateful… and very, very tired.Thanks for watching!-Gemma & Brett

🌍 Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.HowGreatIsBritain.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for updates, resources, and behind-the-scenes content.

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@HowGreatIsBritain#UKChristmas #BritishChristmas #ExpatLife #AmericanInTheUK #FamilyVlog #ChristmasTraditions #BoxingDay #AldiUK #MovingToTheUK #ChristmasVibes #britishfood #lifeintheuk

As the year comes to a close, we wanted to pause for a moment and take stock of how far we’ve come — not just where we are now, but everything it took to get here.Making an international move while raising two young girls and two dogs has felt like living in the "sticky middle" of where we were and where we hope to be.During this time of moving and settling, there’s always another decision to be made and another thing that needs doing. And while it’s easy to focus on the stress, we’re not always great at stopping to notice the wins — especially the small ones; like finding a vet for the dogs, finding your local supermarket, or knowing where to get that thing we need...then realising these are actually us building a life here!This week’s episode is a little shorter, a little softer, and very much about perspective. We have some laughs, make a plea for egg nog, and what's that about a single bed?! We also share some truly wonderful fan art given to us by a member of our Youtube community, and we are incredibly touched to share a special performance of a classic Christmas carol from the Torrington Silver Band made just for How Great Is Britain - Can you guess this American version?As everything feels hectic at the end of the year, we hope this episode is a reminder — for us and for you — that even when you’re still in the middle of it all, progress is happening - life is happening - it all just takes time. Sometimes you just have to stop long enough to see it.Merry Christmas from our family to yours!Gemma & Brett

🌍 Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.HowGreatIsBritain.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for updates, resources, and behind-the-scenes content.

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@HowGreatIsBritain⁠⁠⁠#EndOfYearReflection #LifeUpdate #FamilyJourney #Gratitude #SmallWins #MovingAbroad #ExpatFamily #ParentLife #ChristmasEpisode

This week, we’re sitting down for a cosy chat about Christmas — and realising that even though we both thought we grew up celebrating like everyone else, it turns out our childhood Christmas experiences could be quite different.From subtle British Christmas lights to full-blown American neighbourhood light fights, stockings on the bed versus stockings on the fireplace, nativity plays and Christmas pudding versus holiday concerts and gingerbread houses, we’re comparing what Christmas looked like growing up on opposite sides of the Atlantic.We talk about the traditions that shaped us, the things that surprised us when we experienced Christmas in the other country (Italian food?!), and how we’re now blending British and American Christmases for our girls. Food, decorations, school memories, family quirks — we've got it all right here!Let us know in the comments: what Christmas traditions did you grow up with, and are you blending more than one culture in your celebrations? December is officially in full swing here, and we’ve got plenty more festive episodes coming!

🌍 Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.HowGreatIsBritain.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ for updates, resources, and behind-the-scenes content.

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube:⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@HowGreatIsBritain⁠⁠#BritishChristmas #AmericanChristmas #UKvsUSA #AmericanInUK #ExpatLife #LifeInTheUK #ChristmasTraditions #Christmas2025 #FamilyVlog #BritishCulture #ChristmasVibes #HolidaySeason #DecemberVlog #MovingToTheUK