From Hello:
Following the royal household's traditional Christmas party in London - which takes place in the week before December 25 and is when the royals thank staff for their hard work during the year - the Queen and members of her family travel to Sandringham, where they traditionally spend the festive period.
Once at the Norfolk residence, the Queen settles in to her role as matriarch of the Windsors. One of her tasks is to complete the dressing of the main Christmas tree in the Drawing Room, a tradition dating back to 1841, when Queen Victoria's German husband, Albert, first brought a tree for the family. Royal gift-giving takes place at teatime on Christmas Eve, unlike in most British families, who have to wait until the big day itself. Presents are of the small, practical variety, such as a book or penknife, rather than grandiose. After dinner, most of the family attends midnight Mass at a local church.
Christmas Day itself starts with communion at the Church of St Mary Magdalene, for those royals who have been confirmed, followed by the Christmas Day service, which the whole family attends. After lunch - which is served at 1pm sharp - those present at Sandringham gather round the television to watch the Queen's Christmas speech.
Boxing Day is altogether more active, when the royals, led by the Duke of Edinburgh, enjoy a game shoot on the estate.
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