With the festive period fast approaching, we provide some light-hearted fun for our last newsletter of the year.
Top 8 Weird Christmas Laws
This month, we take a look at some weird and wonderful Christmas-related ‘laws’ and consider whether they are myths or whether they could mean that you are breaking the law over the festive period!
1. Placing a stamp bearing the King’s image upside down on a letter is illegal
Myth -It is a longstanding urban legend that sticking a stamp upside down on a letter is a treacherous act of disrespect to the monarchy. The Treason Felony Act 1948 does indeed outlaw any offence with the intention of deposing the monarch. However, the legislation does not specifically refer to stamps so no need to stress if you have posted your Christmas cards in a hurry and may have made an inadvertent slip because it is unlikely that placing a stamp upside down would amount to treason. Furthermore, a spokeswoman for Royal Mail has confirmed there is no sanction for doing so.
2. The law makes it an offence to eat mince pies on Christmas Day
Myth - Ok, so this one just sounds ludicrous, right? Actually, there was one Christmas – the one in 1644 – when this was the case as Christmas Day fell on a legally mandated day of fasting and therefore consuming any food was against the law on that day.
Also, from 1647 onwards, under the rule of Oliver Cromwell, the Roman Catholic celebration of Christmas was considered an affront to the Puritan rule. While mince pies themselves were not illegal, eating them was frowned upon as it was seen as a sign of the secret celebration of Christmas, which had been strictly outlawed. Fortunately, Christmas was formally reinstated in 1660 when King Charles II ascended to the throne and mince pies have been a holiday favourite ever since.
3. It is illegal to kill or take any game birds on Christmas Day
Law - According to section 3 of the Game Act 1831, it is actually an offence to kill or obtain any game or to use dogs, guns, nets, or other engines or instruments for the purpose of killing or obtaining any game, on a Sunday or Christmas Day. Common game birds are grouse, partridges, pheasants and quails. So if game is your choice for Christmas lunch, you better make sure you get it in ahead of the big day!
4. It is illegal to sell Christmas crackers to minors
Law - According to the Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015, Christmas crackers are classed as category one fireworks and belong in the same category as sparklers and party poppers. Therefore, selling them to a minor under the age of twelve can result in an unlimited fine or up to three months in prison.
5. It is against the law to strap your tree to the car
Depends - Strapping a Christmas tree to the car is something many of us have done but the UK Highway Code states that drivers must ensure that they do not overload their vehicles. Therefore, if you are attempting to strap a seven-foot Christmas tree to your hatchback, be aware that this could lead to points on your licence or a fine of up to £5000. If you are transporting your tree this way, make sure you use a roof rack to ensure that the tree is secured tightly for the journey home.
6. It is unlawful to use a phone at a drive-thru
Depends - December is a great time to grab a festive latte or hot chocolate, especially when travelling across the country to visit family members and a drive-thru is often a convenient stop point to get your hands on one. However, before you reach for your phone for Apple Pay, remember that it is actually an offence to use or interact with any hand-held telephone or device whilst the car engine is running which could lead to a fine. So if you want to ensure you’re your gingerbread latte doesn’t work out much more costly than you anticipated, make sure you kill your engine before you whip out your phone!
7. It is illegal to keep my Christmas decorations up past a certain date
Myth - When to take down Christmas lights and accept that the holiday season is all over is a problem that many people face. In this country, there is no legal deadline for taking down your Christmas lights, although you may get an odd look from your neighbour if they are still up in April!
Your neighbours do, however, have the right to complain to the local authority if they feel that your Christmas tree lights/decorations are too bright or dazzling and therefore unreasonably and substantially interfere with their use or enjoyment of a home or other premises. In such circumstances, the local authority will then open an investigation to see if any such complaints are justified.
8. It is against the law to open someone else’s present
Law - It is illegal under the Post Services Act 2000 to open, tamper with or delay a parcel that is not addressed to you and doing so could also constitute trespass to goods. So be aware, that opening and eating those chocolates addressed to your partner could, in theory, be against the law!We, at Witan Solicitors, would like, in true legal style, to wish you all but in no way guarantee a reasonably Merry Christmas and/or festive period, including but not limited to and a reasonably happy new year twelve (12) months from the date hereof.
Image by kjpargeter on Freepik
