How a giant golden peanut helps British soldiers in the US celebrate Christmas

At Christmas time, workplaces around the world embrace the spirit of the season - and military bases are no exception in their efforts to spread festive cheer.

Speaking with BFBS Forces News about a relatively new golden peanut-themed office festive tradition – more on that later – Lieutenant Colonel Claire Curry, the British Army Air Corps liaison officer based at the US Army Aviation Centre of Excellence in Fort Novosel, Alabama, shone a spotlight on an area that makes working in the military so rewarding.

She said: "One of the areas that makes our Armed Forces so special is the camaraderie, the teamwork and an aspiration to make Christmas enjoyable when deployed overseas away from friends and family."

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Lt Col Curry, whose job is to improve interoperability between the US and the UK, explained how she and her international colleagues keep up morale around Christmas.

Based on the fact that the local city is the Peanut Capital of the World, they award a golden papier-mâché peanut-shaped trophy for the best decorated Christmas door.

The concept was initially started by the Dutch LNO and Sergeant Major who had decorated their doors to represent a selfie booth.

Keen to take part in the fun and represent Britain, Lt Col Curry decorated her office door with an aviation theme in 2022 and, much to her surprise, she won.

The judging is taken fairly seriously and is anonymous.

Arriving with clipboards, wives of the US senior leadership rate each door on originality, relevance and effort.

After the prize-giving, the team then share an international Christmas meal together.

The winner of 2023's best-decorated door was the German liaison officer at the US Army Aviation Centre of Excellence.

This year's winner was France, with Australia coming a close second with a festive kangaroo jumping out of a frozen door.

What is life like as a Brit at Fort Novosel?

The British Army has about 2,000 military personnel and their families stationed in various states across the US, ranging from California to Nebraska, and has more liaison exchange officers in the US than any other nation.

They work to further the crucial partnership between the UK and the US on behalf of the British Chief of the Defence Staff alongside His Majesty's Ambassador.

There are just a handful of British personnel at Fort Novosel, but that doesn't stop the men and women from celebrating British traditions and sharing the familiar taste of home with their counterparts from around the world.

For example, Pimm's, bacon sandwiches, HP sauce and Victoria sponges were served as part of the King's Coronation, which they celebrated with other countries from the Commonwealth.