A Very British Christmas

by Rob Temple

'Spot-on. It's ideal to read if you're hiding in your shed on Boxing Day!' Prima

The ultimate showcase of the quirks, mishaps and traditions that define British life, all rolled into one bonkers season.

Christmas, as we all know, is a minefield. What the hell do you buy your mother-in-law? How to deal with the inevitable arguments provoked by a simple game of Monopoly? And where should you sit at the dining table to best avoid Grandad when he starts going off about politics?

From navigating the awkwardness of marrying into a Presents After Dinner family to the terrors of staying in someone else's house (especially when they have a weak flush), Very British Problems creator Rob Temple is here to ensure you'll be invited back next year.

'Rob pinpoints the elements of Christmas most likely to tip us over the edge, from tactless gifts and lazy house guests to board game tensions or political debate over dinner.' Daily Telegraph

Genres: Christmas, Nonfiction, Humor, Comedy

206 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 23, 2025

About the author

Rob Temple is a journalist and founder of the @SoVeryBritish Twitter account, which now has more than one million followers, and a consultant on the official Channel 4 Very British Problems series.

Originally from Peterborough, he recently moved from South London to the countryside to provide more storage space for his rapidly expanding collection of inedible hot sauces and to be alone with his thought(s). He’s not that keen on hot drinks but is fine with just water if that’s okay?

Reviews

[Emma Wheatley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good fun Christmas read 3.5

[Mishu Ciobanu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fabulous! Haven’t laughed this hard while reading a book in a long time!

[Caren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny. Always like a book that makes me laugh out loud.

[A.J. Sefton · Rating 4 out of 5]

If looking for a light and fun festive read but not a romantic comedy, this is the perfect book. I expected a rather trite, typically British Christmas set of vignettes - and in a way that's what the book is. But it hits a nerve where I can clearly recognise myself. And that makes me laugh a lot.

​The book is described as a 'survival guide' so not only does it cover the oddities of seasonal behaviours and norms but how to deal with them. It is organised into chapters about Christmas cards, the office party, shopping, gifts, Christmas decorations, dinner guests, the dinner, Boxing Day, New Year and going back to work. Within a section on festive activities, such as visiting a Christmas market, there are alternatives to the food and drink offered that you can prepare at home - with much less hassle and a fraction of the cost. If being bothered by people telling you to dance at the Christmas office party, there is a technique to deter them that the author took from a documentary about bears. And yes, it does work.

​Other good tips include what to offer Father Christmas (and reindeer) when they visit on Christmas eve, where to hide Christmas gifts, the type of gifts to avoid, the pros and cons of the different types of wrapping paper and how to serve a British cheese board. Plus, avoiding annoying words like 'Crimbo'.

There are a few bits of history thrown in about Christmas, British television programmes such as 'Only Fool and Horses' and 'Wallace and Gromit' and popular toys. Common and well-used phrases that I've heard all my life and actually still use, are translated into their true meaning. Despite this, I still continue to use them.

This is a modern, fast and easy read and awfully realistic. While this is a nostalgic dig at the British character and traditions it is also witty, daft and sometimes rather funny. Some of the tips are actually useful too. Best of all though, is the way this book just takes my mind off the whole pantomime that is Christmas and helps me laugh at myself.

[Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d give this a 3.5
It is, as you would expect if familiar with Very British Problems online shenanigans, very funny and pithy. Christmas in British households is of course ripe for parody and jest, and you get plenty of that here, all of which is entertaining and very readable. It’s definitely a brisk read.
My only issue is that it feels a little….thrown together. It feels like one of those books where several columns are collected together and released, and it does indeed incorporate some material that’s been on the social media site (polls etc). So reads not as a book, more as a collection of witty asides and advice.
Very amusing though.
And droll.
Very droll.

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book belongs in the category of light, humorous, satirical/observational Christmas reads, the type of short book penned specifically to be sold as a stocking stuffer in December. (Why isn’t there a section on these types of books in this book?)

What most of those books have in common is not being as funny or clever as you hope they’re going to be, so I’m happy to report this one is actually amusing. It’s gentle humour but I laughed out loud multiple times.

I also learnt I’ve been missing a trick by never considering cauliflower cheese a Christmas dish. Conversely, clearly the author doesn’t live near the coast as somehow Boxing Day swims didn’t get a look in???

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hilarious. But one must kinda get British quirkiness. As an American, I watch a lot of British shows which help me get the awkwardness and references Rob mentioned in the book. It also helps that I follow Very British Problem and Very British Korean Instagram accounts so I already get a sense of their humor.
However, I definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to find humor in the hustle bustle of the holiday season and seeing perspectives from across the ponds.

[Ipswichblade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice easy and humorous read which was needed after previous book

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hilarious laugh out loud read!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny book.

[Kim Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can’t remember how I discovered Rob on Instagram but glad I did! Great little book that you read, nod and go “yep!” too a lot.

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick fun book that is worryingly accurate.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun festive read. Laughed and read out loud a lot - relatable!

[Clarabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy / follow Rob’s Instagram posts then you’ll enjoy this. Funny and relatable. Good to read in chunks leading up to Christmas.

[munchkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny and absolutely accurate

[Sharon Labrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chucklesome Christmas read.

[Angela Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really fun read covering Christmas traditions, quirks etc very amusing and relatable read it in one go.

[Jenifer Lavery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny but very true

Quite what you would expect but be prepared for the joy of trifle (just no) and the debate over Yorkshire puddings and cauliflower cheese

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book to read over the festive season.

[🌶 peppersocks 🧦 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reflections and lessons learned/the content of this book made me feel…

…seen in fact scenarios! This is why I love Christmas for the great and the comedy predictability 🎄