Novelty Santa decorations and gifts for Christmas 2011

You know it's nearly Christmas when you see Santa everywhere you look - he gets everywhere!

Look at these fun Santa decorations we've found on sale this Christmas!

 Santa Speaker

Connect to your MP3 player to this extra cute Santa speaker (from Next) to hear music from Santa!

Santa Toilet Seat Cover And Mat

Liven up your bathroom visits with this unusual Santa themed bathroom set with "Santa Sat Here" slogan, the perfect cheeky Santa novelty this Christmas.

Sure to be a conversation starter.

Santa Bath Mat : cute Santa design bathmat from Marks and Spencer. Made of cotton, so you can wipe your wet feet on Santa!

Santa Cookie Jar  - Another unusual Santa accessory this Christmas: how about this Santa Cookie Jar? Now you can eat cookies from Santa too!

Santa Tea Light Holder

Cute Santa design tealight holder at Debenhams.






For a huge range of Christmas decorations and novelties, try 24studio, who have the best range of Santa novelty decorations we have found online, plus tons of other unusual Christmas stuff.

I'm The Happiest Christmas Tree!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqnjGEg0PVo

More Christmas ideas...

Christmas Living 2011

I'm really getting in the mood for Christmas now, especially since I received my Christmas catalogue from 24studio...

I love browsing through all those glittering decorations, trees and lights, it makes me wish I had a bigger house so I would have room to decorate each room with a different theme!

Here are three different colour schemes that you can achieve really easily, with pre-decorated trees: green tree, with red and gold (very traditional Christmas colour scheme), or, black tree, with copper and gold decorations (blends with all kinds of home decor, from traditional to modern), and then there is the white tree with blue and green decorations, which looks great in a modern home.

This indoor Christmas tree comes in two different sizes, and has all the lights and baubles supplied with it ready for you to decorate, and it's really easy to assemble.

You can always customise your tree a little by adding a few additional decorations of your own, whether they're family hand-me-downs or new decorations.

Visit the website for more Christmas decor ideas, plus Christmas gifts for the whole family.

100 Great Gift Ideas for Christmas 2011

One hundred great gift ideas for Christmas 2011 - forget the high street, these days online shopping is the way to go for Christmas shopping. No more crowds, no more trudging around in the sleet and snow - you can get Christmas all wrapped up in plenty of time without ever leaving the house! Here are 100 of the best Christmas Gifts on offer this Christmas, taken from our Christmas Book 2011.

One hundred great gift ideas for Christmas 2011! Part 1: Character Toys.
Favourite childrens' characters from yesterday and today!

1. Mickey Mouse Hot Dog Dancer - dancing, musical Mickey Mouse.

2. Spongebob Squarepants Sea Battle game -No batteries required, just good old fashioned battling fun.

3. Dora The Explorer walkie talkies - featuring Dora and Boots, great fun for little chatterboxes!

4. Hello Kitty Remote Controlled Car - a fab pink car, with removeable Kitty figure, forward and reverse functions.

5. Talking Bob The Builder plush toy - a huggable, plush Bob The Builder character who says phrases from the show.

6. Paddington Bear Plush - always popular, a large plush Paddington Bear, complete with red duffle coat and blue hat.

7. Thomas The Tank Engine & Friends 4-Piece Play Set : 4-in-1pop-up playset with crawl-through tunnels, ideal for indoor and outdoor play!

8. Fireman Sam Talking Plush : features five favourite phrases and the theme tune from Fireman Sam's TV show.

9. In The Night Garden Sing n Slide Nursery Book - Joing Upsy Daisy, Iggle Piggle and friends for hours of fun with this interactive electronic book, with sounds, songs, phrases, music and lights!

10. Cars 2 Scalextric Set, with Lightning McQueen and Nigel Gearsly, 3.4 metres of track, scenery and controllers.

100 Christmas 2011 Gift Ideas, Part 2: Gifts For Animal Lovers.
For pet owners and animal lovers, ten great Christmas gift ideas.

11. 100 Dogs and A Cat jigsaw - bright, fun, 1000-piece jigsaw featuring a hundred dogs... and one cat!

12. Yoga Pets Mugs - novelty mugs featuring cats or dogs in yoga poses!

13. Home Is Not Home Without A Cat Coaster - slogan coaster for cat lovers, by StoneWitWords.

14. Dog mug and box set - beautiful porcelain mug featuring dogs design, with matching gift box.

15. Pet Photoshoot - pet portrait sessions for lasting memories of favourite pets.

16. Slimline Kittens calendar - a new page per month with cute kitten images.

17. Meerkat Gift Set - plush meerkat and jelly sweets.

18. Cat keyring / bottle opener - fun and function combine in this cat-shaped keyring and bottle opener!

19. Horse Breeds and Horse Care Book - everything a horse lover needs to know in one encyclopedia.

20. Dog calendars - large format calendars with full colour photographs. Choice of dog breed.

Top 100 Christmas Gifts 2011, Part 3: Gifts For Football Fanatics!
For soccer lovers, how about a football themed gift this Christmas?

21. Personalised Football Team Calendar - large (A4) format calendars with full colour photographs. Choose their favourite football team!

22. World Football Records 2011 - Fully updated for 2011 to include stats from the South Africa world cup.

23. Football Toilet Rolls - for the football fan who has everything!

24. Football Rubiks Cube with football team theme - choose from four football teams.

25. Personalised History Of Your Favourite Football Club - Choose their favourite football team and personalise with a message!

26. Table Top Football Game, a mini-football game for two players.

27. Football Team Monopoly - a fun version of the property board game, with a football theme. Three team options to choose from.

28. Bootiful Game Football Mug - football mug with 'bootiful game' slogan.

29. Football Club Annuals - great value Christmas gifts, choice of 13 teams available.

30. Signature Football, with four team options, featuring signatures of players past and present.

100 Christmas Gifts For 2011, Part 4: Gifts For Fashionistas.
Find unusual gifts for fashion lovers this Christmas, ab fab darling...

31. Fashion Makeover and Photoshoot for Two - a great gift idea for fashion lovers, each session includes style consultation, make-up, photoshoot, and a complimentary A4 print.

32. Rio Easy Art Nails - fun nails in three easy steps, with varnishes and printing stamps for intricate designs.

33. Babyliss Big Hair - gorgeous shiny vouminous hair in a flash.

34. Hooped Fashion Bracelet, stylish, expandable design with fashion charms.

35. Jean Paul Gaultier - Madame Rose n Roll Eau De Toilette - a scent straight from the catwalk.

36. Cosmetic Vanity Case - a large buckle case packed full of gorgeous coloured make-up: eyeshadows, lip glosses, powders and brushes.

37. Rio Eyelash Extension Kit, for natural looking longer, fuller lashes, complete with all accessories, instructions, DVD and storage case.

38. LED Starlight Umbrella - a sparkly, stylish way to shelter from the rain!

39. Stone Set Ball Pen - a sparkling design handbag pen. Bling!.

40. Cosmopolitan Watch - stone set, with black dial amd linked metal bracelet.

100 Christmas Gift Ideas For 2011, Part 5: Sweets And Treats.
Perfect stocking fillers for anyone with a sweet tooth!

41. Jelly Baby Gift Set - make your own jelly baby!

42. Cadbury Gorilla - Dairy Milk gift set with plush gorilla.

43. A Foot Of Fudge - a genuine foot of fudge in novelty ruler packaging, also available as coconut ice, nut brittle, chocolate and nougat.

44. Baileys Fondue Set - complete with marshmallows, chocolate and mini bottle of Baileys.

45. Wooden Train And Chocolates - traditional wooden train filled with foiled Christmas chocolates.

46. Hello Kitty Pencil Case And Chocolates Gift Set - 3 pocket pencil case with love heart chocolates.

47. The Old Sweet Shop Tin - a shaped tin with retro sweets: flying saucers, shrimps and bon bons.

48. Haribo Starmix Tub - packed with Haribo Starmix favourites.

49. Cadbury Chocolate Machine - refillable classic chocolate machine.

50. Personalised Christmas Mug Set - Personalised with any name, complete with Cadbury buttons. Also available in a 'My First Christmas' design.

100 Christmas Gifts for 2011, Part 6: Handicraft Gifts.
Novel gift ideas for crafty types.

51. Cupcake Sewing Tub - goregous sewing basket with cupcake pin cushion.

52. Classic Calligraphy Set - includes an assortment of barrels, nibs and ink cartridges, plus paper and font ideas.

53. Pin And Button Sewing Basket - goregous design sewing basket, fully lined with pin cushion and pull out accessory tray.

54. Victorian Decoupage Christmas Craft Card Set with cards and attachments.

55. Bumper Sticker Packs, rolls and sheets of decorative stickers, ideal for crafty creations.

56. Knitting Pin Roll With Needles - handy knitting needle holder roll with 6 pairs of knitting needles.

57. Wooden Christmas Craft Stamps, set of five Christmas scene designs.

58. Box of Mixed Faux Jewels, features a selection of craft jewels in 7 pretty designs.

59. Rose Cross Stitch Set - choose from red or white design, with paper template, yarn and needles.

60. Christmas Card Attachments - choose from three designs featuring Christmas decorations, parcels and Santa's outfit.

100 Gift Ideas for 2011, Part 7: Christmas Novelty Gifts
Festive Fun Gift Ideas

61. Reindeer Door Stopper - cute, fun and bright, also available as an Angel design.

62. Musical Christmas Bear - with flashing cheeks, plays 'We Wish You A Merry Christmas'.

63. Baby's First Christmas Shoe Tree Decoration - in pink or blue, a lovely keepsake gift for baby.

64. Santa Cookie Jar, a cute ceramic cookie jar in the shape of Santa Claus.

65. 14 Piece Nativity Set, with stable and figurines.

66. Personalised Gingerbread Apron - Christmas themed apron for little chefs.

67. Peter Rabbit Baby's First Christmas Photo Frame - cute keepsake and an ideal gift for Christmas.

68. Santa Sweet Dish, a cute novelty item.

69. Set of 2 Bottle Stoppers - featuring snow globe designs - one snowman and one Santa style.

70. Mini Christmas Hamper - includes a Christmas pudding, tea and coffee, shortbread and more Christmas treats.

100 Christmas Gifts For 2011, Part 8: Collectables And Figurines.
Ten Christmas gift ideas for collectors.

71. Me To You Money Box - cute figurine from the Me To You collection, with piggy bank.

72. Piggin' Facebook, a humorous figurine from the popular Piggin' collection.

73. Disney Traditions: Cinderella, a musical figurine of Cinderella (Disney).

74. Royal Doulton 'Rebecca' Figurine - beautiful figurine from the Royal Doulton 'Pretty Ladies' collection.

75. Lilliput Lane 'Drunken Duck Inn', part of the Lilliput Lane collection.

76. Snowbabies: Fresh Fallen Snow - delightful figurine from the Snow Babies range.

77. Laughing Winnie The Pooh Figurine, part of the Disney Showcase collection. Tigger figurine also available.

78. Betty Boop Santa's Little Helper - cute figurine from the Betty Boop collection.

79. Maasai 'Hiba' Figurine, part of the Maasai collection by Gleneagles Studio.

80. My Blue Nose Friends: Bells - cute reindeer figurine from the My Blue Nose Friends collection.

100 Christmas Gifts 2011, Part 9: Books.
Wordy Christmas Gifts.

81. Paperback 8 Pack: Thrillers, a collection of thrillers. Authors include Wilbur Smith and Ian Rankin.

82. The Titanic Experience - a collectable book about the legend of theunsinkable ship, includes 30 rare and newly researched facsimile documents and an audio CD.

83. The Complete Encyclopedia of Formula One - packed with facts and figures including driver profiles and statistics, and details of F1 circuits.

84. Best Ever Recipes From Around The World, a collection of ten cookbooks featuring cuisine from around the world. - #.

85. How To Trace Your Family Tree - a practical handbook for anyone interested in geneology and family history.

86. AA Learner Driver Kit, comprehensive kit including driving test books, L-plates and CD.

87. Reference Library - collection of six books make up a study library, including dictionary, thesaurus, atlas and more.

88. Pregnancy And Babycare Guidebook - essential reading for parents and parents-to-be.

89. Danielle Steele Collection, set of eight novels by Danielle Steele.

90. LED Book Light - perfect for book lovers, flexible book light clips onto your book for night time reading.

Top 100 Christmas Gifts 2011, Part 10: Personalised Gifts.
Personalised Christmas gifts for something a little more special!

91. Personalised Giant Pencil Case - large pencil case personalised with any name, plus personalised pencils, and accessories.

92. Personalised Tea and Coffee Mugs, personalise with name and tea/coffee/sugar preferences.

93. Personalised Clock, in a choice of designs: fire engine or ballerina.

94. Personalised Wooden Puzzles - set of three wooden puzzles in a personalised box.

95. Personalised Baileys Gift Set - engraved glass and miniature Baileys, plus Baileys' truffle chocolates!

96. Personalised JLS Clock - Great gift for the number 1 JLS fan, with inset image and personalised with any name.

97. Personalised Rocking Chair for children, in a choice of two colours/designs: racing car or flowers.

98. Personalised Vodka, a smooth pure vodka, with personalised label, with gift box.

99. Personalised Star Of Fame - immortalise yourself on the star of fame foundation database, includes A3 framed certificate.

100. Personalised Honeysuckle Cottage, cute dolls' house with figurines and furniture.

To buy all of these great Christmas gifts and many more, visit the 24studio website.

Salt Dough Christmas Decorations

Looking for ways to have a thrifty Christmas? why not have a go at making your own Salt Dough Christmas Decorations,

Ingredients needed:
200ml water
10oz plain flour
10oz salt
1 tbsp vegetable oil

Method:
Mix it all the ingredients together then when you're ready roll the mixture out, cut into shapes with cookie/biscuit cutters, my personal favourites being Snowmen, Gingerbread Men and Bell shaped cookie cutters,

Place on a baking tray, make sure you have made a hole in the top of the decoration for the ribbon to go through afterwards, a cocktail stick is a good thing to use. (make sure you make the hole big enough as when you bake the dough the mixture will grow slightly)

A personal favourite of mine is to add a sprinkle of cinnamon to the mix before baking to make the decorations smell nice and Christmassy (don’t use too much though)

Bake in an oven at approx 180C for 20 minutes, then paint and/or varnish or add glitter to make your own unique decoration.

Perfect for giving as a gift, or if the kids have helped you, keeping for sentimental reasons, they can even be re-used for years to come.

If you are truly inspired by all things Christmas then take a look at 24studio.co.uk/christmas they stock a wide range of Christmas gifts, trees, cards, wrap and decorations almost all year round as well as Craft material and Craft kits.

Christmas Trees

Many people see the Christmas tree as the most important of all their Christmas decorations, and I can see why, as usually it is the biggest decoration in the house, and maybe even the one that costs the most money.
Most people have a distinct style of Christmas Tree, often favouring the same sort of style year after year, whereas there are some people who change their Christmas Tree year after year following the different trends. Speaking of which do you remember the other year when one of the high street stores featured upside down Christmas Trees in their shop windows, the country went mad for them! I was not one of them though, as I firmly believe that Christmas Trees should stand from the ground up!
Some people prefer real Christmas Trees to Artificial Trees, maybe its something to do with the smell of them, or the pine needles, or the fact that they don’t have to pack them away at the end of Christmas, or maybe its even for environmental reasons.
Choosing a real Christmas tree can be a daunting task if you don’t know what you are looking for or what the best tree is for your needs, as some real trees apparently don’t shed needles, while others do, so if you’ve got a pet its best to try and find one that retains its needles. I found this useful article today on Choosing a Christmas tree if you need help and advice.
I’ve found a great online shopping site that has a vast range of artificial, LED, traditional and pre-lit Christmas Trees, and the great news is their Christmas Range is out now. I love the Retro Pre-Lit Christmas Tree they have for sale - the multi coloured lights take me right back to my childhood.
Happy days, it’s a lot less stressful when you can shop early.

Advent Calendars

The first advent calendars appeared in 19th-Century Germany, when various methods of counting the days between the start of Advent and Christmas Day were used. Starting on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, or simply on 1 December, the Protestant Christians would keep track of the days by making marks on their doors with a piece of chalk, which would then be rubbed off one by one as Christmas approached. Other practices then developed, including burning a candle or putting up a small religious picture to mark each day.

These days during Advent, people make or buy Advent calendars as a way of counting the days to Christmas. Usually these calendars have twenty-four 'windows'.

Traditional calendar windows open up to show a picture of something linked with this time of year. One may show an angel or one of the shepherds who visited baby Jesus. Others may show pictures of Christmas presents, a candle or anything else to do with Christmas. The last window to be opened usually shows Jesus himself, lying in a manger.

Popular advent calendars today usually have chocolate hidden behind each window. The theme/ picture displayed is usually a character from a TV show or film.

Some people like to make their own Advent Calendars, this Homemade Origami Calendar pattern is one of my favourites, but doesn’t really leave much room for treats.

If it’s an advent calendar full of treats you're looking for, especially if you have younger children then a Wooden Advent Cabinet might be more suitable, where you have 24 little drawers in which to pop a sweet or a chocolate.

Dont forget to put an extra special treat in door number 24 though!

Christmas No1 Songs (UK)

Ah, the Christmas No1 - a highly sought-after achievement in the world of pop - and often the subject of much speculation.

It used to be an open contest, then Cliff Richard started to dominate things in the late 80s and 90s, then the Spice Girls had a turn. These days there is something of an X-Factor monopoly on Christmas number ones (apart from the one year when we all rebelled and put Rage Against The Machine up to number one at Christmas - Facebook power!)

Christmas 2010 and it was the X-Factor again beating everyone else to the number one spot, with Matt Cardle's "When We Collide".

Here's a list of all the Christmas No 1 songs from the last few decades!

Christmas Number 1 Hits of the Past

Noughties Christmas Number Ones:

• 2009     -     Rage Against the Machine     "Killing in the Name"
• 2008     -     Alexandra Burke     "Hallelujah"
• 2007     -     Leon Jackson     "When You Believe"
• 2006     -     Leona Lewis     "A Moment Like This"
• 2005     -     Shayne Ward     "That's My Goal"
• 2004     -     Band Aid 20     "Do They Know It's Christmas?"
• 2003     -     Michael Andrews & Gary Jules     "Mad World"
• 2002     -     Girls Aloud     "Sound of the Underground"
• 2001     -     Robbie Williams & Nicole Kidman     "Somethin' Stupid" 
• 2000     -    Bob The Builder     "Can We Fix It?" 

Nineties Christmas Number Ones:

• 1999     -    Westlife     "I Have A Dream" / "Seasons in the Sun"
• 1998     -    Spice Girls     "Goodbye"
• 1997     -    Spice Girls     "Too Much"
• 1996     -    Spice Girls     "2 Become 1"
• 1995     -    Michael Jackson     "Earth Song"
• 1994     -    East 17     "Stay Another Day"
• 1993     -    Mr Blobby     "Mr Blobby"
• 1992     -    Whitney Houston     "I Will Always Love You"
• 1991     -    Queen     "Bohemian Rhapsody" / "These Are the Days of Our Lives"
• 1990     -    Cliff Richard     "Saviour's Day" 

Eighties Christmas Number Ones:

• 1989     -    Band Aid II     "Do They Know It's Christmas?
• 1988     -    Cliff Richard     "Mistletoe and Wine"
  
• 1987     -    Pet Shop Boys     "Always on My Mind"
• 1986     -    Jackie Wilson     "Reet Petite"    
• 1985     -    Shakin' Stevens     "Merry Christmas Everyone"
• 1984     -    Band Aid     "Do They Know It's Christmas?"
• 1983     -    The Flying Pickets     "Only You"
• 1982     -    Renée and Renato     "Save Your Love"
• 1981     -    The Human League     "Don't You Want Me"
• 1980     -    St Winifred's School Choir     "There's No-one Quite Like Grandma"

Seventies Christmas Number Ones:

• 1979     -    Pink Floyd     "Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)"
• 1978     -    Boney M     "Mary's Boy Child" / "Oh My Lord"
  
• 1977     -    Wings     "Mull of Kintyre"
  
• 1976     -    Johnny Mathis     "When A Child Is Born (Soleado)" 
• 1975     -    Queen     "Bohemian Rhapsody"
• 1974     -    Mud     "Lonely This Christmas"
• 1973     -    Slade     "Merry Xmas Everybody"
• 1972     -    Jimmy Osmond     "Long Haired Lover From Liverpool"
  
• 1971     -    Benny Hill     "Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West)"
• 1970     -    Dave Edmunds     "I Hear You Knocking"

Santa! Stop Here!

Look at this cute Personalised Santa Stop Here Sign - also available in a reindeer design. 


Personalised with any name up to 11 letters, this simple stake sign pushes into soft ground - make sure Father Christmas doesn't miss your house!


More Christmas ideas.

Cute Santa Claus Christmas Tree Topper

I love cute Christmas decorations, so imagine how excited I was to find this gorgeous Santa Christmas tree topper - he's adorable and will brighten up any Christmas tree!

You can buy the Santa tree topper here:
http://homeshopping.24studio.co.uk/search/22826505



For more Christmas inspiration, Christmas gifts and decoration ideas, visit www.24studio.co.uk/christmas

Christmas Crafts

The run-up to Christmas is the perfect time to get crafty - especially if you have excited children to keep entertained!

Christmas crafts can be a lot of fun, and you could create some unique Christmas gifts, Christmas decorations or other accessories / novelties - as well as having lots of messy fun with paper, glue and glitter.

You can save items all year round for your Christmas craft box - find your inner magpie! - save anything shiny, bright or glittery, as virtually anything can be put to good use once your creative juices get flowing.

As a starting point, your Christmas craft box should include: paper and card (ideally in assorted colours), scissors, PVA glue, paints and pens, foil, and glitter. Also worth saving are pine cones, pieces of old wrapping paper, greetings cards, ribbons, bows, sequins and any other shiny bits or bobs you can save throughout the year.

The easiest Christmas craft projects to make are customised gift tags, paper chains, advent calendars and tree decorations.

You'll find some great Children's Christmas craft ideas at : www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/christmas/.

Enchanted learning also have a selection of printable childrens Christmas activity books and worksheets with colouring, writing, questions and all kinds of fun activity to keep them busy.

Christmas Craft projects on the site also include puppets, wreaths, stockings and fun novelty items - and when you make your own gifts, you can personalise in any way you wish! 

Also worth a visit is www.allfreecrafts.com/christmas/index.shtml - packed with clever Christmas craft ideas, you'll find inspirational ideas for Christmas gifts and treats, some may be too tricky for younger children.

Why not get crafty this Christmas and make some special Christmas gifts - if you have children to help you, even better, some of the most memorable keepsakes and enduring Christmas ornaments are handmade by little hands!

If craft isn't your thing, you can start shopping for Christmas gifts and Christmas decorations nice and early with www.24studio.co.uk/christmas - they also stock all kinds of Christmas novelty items, cards, wrap, trees, and a range of craft materials and craft kits.

Christmas Countdown - start your Christmas Planning Now!

 

Only 163 days to Christmas 2011!

If you're ready (are you ready?) to start planning for Christmas, take a look at christmas.organizedhome.com/printable/christmas-planner, a great resource for printing your own Christmas planners, calendars and checklists.

Even if extensive Christmas planning isn't your thing, you'll probably find it helpful to write a Christmas List.  

Make a simple list of friends and family, anyone you need to buy a Christmas Gift for. Then list any other essential Christmas items you may need, such as new decorations, lights, tableware etc.

Don't forget Christmas cards, wrapping paper, Christmas crackers - and you may wish to think about your Christmas menu.

Once you feel you have everything down on your list, set a budget for each new thing you need to buy this Christmas, and make a note of your budgetted amounts at the side of each item on your Christmas list.

Add up all the amounts to see what your grand total is - this is an estimate of what you are likely to spend this Christmas, although it is likely to be a conservative estimate - most of us end up spending more than we intend each Christmas. You might add an extra 'contingency' amount onto the subtotal for this. Consider Christmas parties, secret Santas and party outfits.

Next, divide your grand total by the number of months left between now and November, to create a monthly saving budget. If you start your Christmas planning in July, you have four months to prepare!

Now you can start a Christmas savings plan to ensure you have enough funds to pay for everything!

Happy Christmas planning!

Virtual Christmas Tree Fun

Have fun decorating a virtual Christmas Tree - great for the kids, click on the tree below to get started and you can adorn the tree with candy canes and baubles etc.
Thanks to http://www.christmaswebmaster.com/decorate.html for this resource.

Christmas Cards

All About Christmas Cards

Most of us send Christmas cards to friends, relatives and colleagues each year - but do you know why we send Christmas cards?

The first commercial Christmas cards were created and sent way back in 1843 when Sir Henry Cole of London came up with the idea to help promote his 'penny post' idea that had been launched just three years earlier. The first Christmas cards featured an illustration of a family drinking wine - controversial as it was deemed inappropriate to associate alcohol with a religious festival. The idea of Christmas cards soon caught on though, and by the following year several thousand were sold, and by 1875 the idea had caught on in the USA.

Traditionally Christmas cards featured festive designs and illustrations - from Christmas trees, baubles, gifts and family scenes, nativity and other religious designs, winter scenes and snowmen, reindeer, cute animals and of course, everyone's favourite Christmas card character - Santa Claus.

Today, Christmas cards have evolved into a massive industry - Christmas cards come in every imaginable design, size, shape and quality, with a vast choice of message and greetings. Most Christmas cards feature an image on the front, with an optional greeting, and then a full message inside, typically "Merry Christmas And Happy New Year". You can also buy personalised Christmas cards.

The internet age has also brought technology into the Christmas card world - virtual Christmas cards are sent by email and many prefer this paper-less option as it has less environmental impact.

Many businesses, small and large, send Christmas cards to their customers - a goodwill gesture no doubt designed to raise brand awareness and revenue!

You can buy special Christmas cards that give a percentage of profits to a charity - many charities now have their own Christmas card ranges nowadays, so you  can combine your Christmas card buying with charity.

You can buy extravagant and special Christmas cards, cards for every member of the family, for a whole family, from a whole family, Christmas cards for specific relatives, even Christmas cards for pets!

Consider buying multipacks of Christmas cards if you have a large family or a lot of friends.

Countdown to Christmas - 171 Days To Go!

Only 171 Days until Christmas! 

The countdown has begun:

It's now less than six months until Christmas 2011!  

Ho-Ho-Ho!

Great Christmas Shopping Website Link

Christmas Shopping fanatics!

Check out this website www.24studio.co.uk/christmas - packed full of wonderful Christmas stuff, and it's on sale even in the summer! (A Christmas maniac's dream!)

They specialise in personalised gifts (also great for Christmas!), but what I like about this online shopping website (UK) is their fab range of random and funny Christmas novelties.

Like.... this Santa Toilet Seat Cover (yes, you did read that right, it's a cover for a toilet seat!!)

I never really considered Christmas decorations in the bathroom before, but why not!? The message on the hat (and on the mat) reads "Santa sat here"....
Very cute, I think I need one!
Buy Santa Sat Here toilet seat cover and mat set from 24studio.

Wandering around their website I also found these charming angel / reindeer door stops - shame they don't have one in a Father Christmas design but these are still very festive and sweet.

Available from 24studio (UK based) :

Buy festive door stops

One final thing I had to show you, also from Studio:
Santa LED window light in Santa / reindeer design.

These are very sweet window decorations (can also be fixed to a wall) - each has 10 LED lights built in and comes with stickers for fixing to your window, and transparent cable to keep things neat.

Santa / Reindeer LED window decorations by 24studio.

24Studio also have an impressive selection of Christmas cards and wrap, so are a good place to start your Christmas shopping, especially if you like to start early!
Christmas decorations, Christmas cards and wrap, Christmas trees & lights, Christmas gifts.

Christmas Resources for Children

Here's a great resource for teachers, parents and anyone looking to entertain or educate young children about Christmas: www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/teacher/christmas.html

This brilliant collection of resources includes advent calendars and Christmas craft projects, maths and english projects with a Christmas theme, and all kinds of information about Christmas traditions. Plus, free Christmas clip art, music clips and fun Christmas stories for children.

This is a great resource for entertaining children at Christmas (and in those excited weeks before Christmas!)

Christmas Fun

Featured Christmas link: www.northpole.com

Looking for Christmas fun, games and activities for kids and grown ups, with printable stories and colouring pages, Christmas countdown calendar, e-cards, recipes and Christmas ideas. Visit www.northpole.com for Christmas fun!

http://www.northpole.com/

 

Christmas Shopping - is it ever too early to start?

I'm one of those people who does most of their shopping in December. Each year I say that next year I will be more organised and start Christmas shopping earlier, ("I'll just get bits and bobs all year round when I see them") but somehow I never seem to manage it!

I think the problem is that I am not wealthy enough to do this - my budget is dictated by necessity week in, week out, so it's hard to justify splashing out on Christmas presents in July when need other things more, like umbrellas!

Plus, you need a spare room or large cupboard to store/hide all these purchases until Christmas arrives!

Maybe I'll try and start my Christmas shopping early this year, I'm sure I would have a less stressful December if I could do that!

Track Santa Claus on Christmas Eve

One modern take on Christmas that is fast becoming a tradition in our house, is tracking Santa on NORAD.

On Christmas Eve, you can log on to the NORAD website and watch Santa's progess as he makes his way across the world, delivering Christmas Gifts to all the good boys and girls as they sleep!

For most of the year, there is not much to see on the website, as Santa and his little helpers are resting before their busy season begins! Check back in December for an update!

http://www.noradsanta.org/

Only 214 Days Until Christmas

Woo hoo! - only 214 days left until Christmas 2011!

Is anyone else counting the days?

• Christmas Day 2011 falls on a Sunday!

Christmas Decorations - Traditional Or Modern

Christmas Decorations - what's your style?

Do you prefer traditional or modern Christmas decorations?

I used to favour traditional Christmas trimmings, using themes of red, gold and green, with bows, swags and hand-me-down baubles. Nowadays I have changed my viewpoint and prefer a modern Christmas look for my home, and I've relegated all my old decorations to the attic (well you never know, I might change my mind again and decide I want red and gold and ribbons!)

Traditional Christmas Decorations.
For me, traditional Christmas decorations are a safe option - guaranteed to make your home feel comfortable, festive and welcoming. Real Christmas trees draped with fairy lights, gold tinsel and rich red ribbons tied in bows. Glass baubles in red, gold and green, and hand-me-down tree ornaments passed down through the generations.
The benefit of using a traditional Christmas decor scheme is that it's easy to mix and match, and easy to update the look with just a couple of new items each year. You might choose to rotate some items, keeping some aside for next year, choosing different combinations of tinsel and baubles each time. Home made and antique decorations and ornaments blend seamlessly with a traditional Christmas decoration scheme. To compliment the tree, drape swags and wreaths around shelves, mantles and door frames to co-ordinate the traditional look.

Modern Christmas Decorations.
If your home is decorated in a modern style, or perhaps you're just bored of red and gold, there's a whole world of modern Christmas trimmings out there. Every colour you can imagine - black Christmas trees are a popular choice these days. Christmas lights are far more exotic and spectacular than a few years ago - chasing lights, fibre-optic lights and even solar Christmas lights can be found on the high street. Plus, all kinds of beautiful modern tree ornaments and baubles, wall hangings, window decorations and free standing Christmas trimmings.
Why not try black, silver and purple? Or blue and white shimmering baubles for a frosty look? Whatever colours you love, you can find Christmas trees and baubles to match.

Don't get stuck in a rut this year - try something new with your Christmas decorations!

Great British Christmas Traditions

Christmas Traditions

These days, many argue that Christmas has lost it's original meaning and has become too commercialised and focused on gifts, money and partying. Yet there are some long-standing Christmas traditions that remain strong, even in these days of online shopping and last minute spending.

In the UK, Christmas shopping begins early - the shops often start stocking Christmas items early in Autumn, and, once halloween and Guy Fawkes are out of the way, all the shops and supermarkets really ramp up their efforts and Christmas shopping mania really begins! (Of course when it comes to shopping for Christmas gifts, there's no reason why you can't shop for Christmas all year round - just keep an eye out for suitable gifts throughout the year and have a special cupboard, box, or space in the attic to store everything ready for Christmas!)

Christmas shopping aside, Brits get busy preparing Christmas puddings and cakes many weeks before Christmas, as well as ordering the turkey!

Preparations for school nativity plays and Christmas fayres and fetes begins in the autumn term and often the main event is played out in late November or early December.

November is also a good time to start thinking about Christmas cards - particularly if you have relatives or friends overseas. It'also a good time for children to consider writing a letter to Santa Claus - here the child can say which presents they would really like for Christmas this year and declare that they have been a good boy or girl!

Decorating the home with festive trimmings usually comes later - mid-December seems to be the most popular time, although there are always some people who like to get their Christmas decorations sorted by the start of December - including tonnes of outdoor lights and novelties!

Closer to Christmas itself, on Christmas Eve it is traditional in the Uk for children to hang up their stockings - so that Father Christmas can leave them a little something. Often, a mince pie and drink are left for Santa too - and even a carrot for Rudulf and his colleagues! Meanwhile, preparations for Christmas lunch begin - vegetables peeled and prepared, turkey prepared for a long slow roast in the oven ahead of the big meal on Christmas day.

On Christmas morning, the celebrations normally begin with the family opening gifts and sharing Christmas greetings.

Christmas lunch is usually served at lunchtime and is a chance to show off all the family's best crockery, glasses and tableware. Often the dinner table features festive decorations or centrepieces with candles. Each Christmas lunch guest usually receives a Christmas cracker which can be pulled with fellow guests. Christmas crackers normally contain a small gift, a party hat and a bad joke!

Another Great British Christmas tradition occurs mid-afternoon when families sit down to watch The Queen's Speech - a long standing tradition where the British Monarch addresses the nation.

Other Christmas traditions popular in the UK, old and new include the hanging of mistletoe for romantic Christmas kisses, watching classic film 'The Great Escape' on TV, secret santa gift schemes, office parties, and, for the very lucky, perhaps even a holiday in the sun to see in the new year!

Christmas Shopping - Start early for the best bargains!

Whether you love or hate Christmas shopping, chances are you have to take on this job at some point.

Some people like to get started on their Christmas shopping nice and early, while others prefer to leave it all to the last minute then have a frantic last-minute shop!

If you're a fan of starting your Christmas shopping early in the year, you can start at Studio, who start selling Christmas stuff in the summer time! They have all kinds of Christmas decorations, trees and gifts and you can even spread the cost.

Christmas Pudding Recipe

Christmas Pudding

Here's a recipe for Christmas pudding. Ideally you want to make the pudding in October and add alcohol at regular intervals in the weeks running up to Christmas for added flavour. Enough for 2 average sized puddings.

Ingredients

• 225g / 8oz caster sugar
• 110g / 4oz plain flour
• 225g / 8oz suet (can be vegetarian or traditional suet)
• 340g / 12oz sultanas
• 340g / 12oz raisins
• 225g / 8oz currants
• 110g / 4oz chopped candied peel
• 110g / 4oz breadcrumbs
• 55g / 2oz flaked almonds
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 5 beaten eggs
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• pinch of salt
• 150ml / 5fl oz brandy (or rum)

Method

• Lightly grease two 1.2 litre (2 pint) pudding basins with butter.
• Mix together all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
• Stir in the beaten eggs and brandy/rum, then mix well.
• Spoon the mix into the two basins. Cover with baking parchment and foil, then tie securely with string.
• Place your two pudding basins in a large steamer of boiling water, or large pan with inverted saucers at the bottom, and cover with a lid. Water leve should be around one third the height of the pudding basins.Boil for 5-6 hours, topping the boiling water up from time to time, if necessary. 
• Remove from heat and cool. Check the puddings are cooked and then refresh the baking parchment and foil covers with fresh ones and secure with string. 
• Store in a cool cupboard until Christmas, periodically unwrapping to create skewer holes and spoon in some extra booze. 
• On Christmas Day, to serve your Christmas puddings, steam for 2 hours and serve with brandy butter, rum sauce or cream.

Christmas Clip Art - Free Christmas Images and Graphics

Here are some great links for free Christmas Clip Art and Graphics that you can use for your Christmas projects - whether you're doing something online or making Christmas posters, cards, gift tags, childrens projects etc.

http://www.christmas-clipart.com/ - a nice collection with some modern, cute designs

http://www.christmas-graphics-plus.com/ - good collection of mainly traditional clipart images, and some animated GIFs.

http://www.shermanisd.net/Instruction/ChristmasClipArt/christmas_clip_art.htm - Christmas clip art and borders

http://freecuteclipart.blogspot.com/search/label/Christmas%20Clipart -  a few nice Christmas images and animated graphics

White Christmas Song Lyrics

White Christmas

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas,
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten and children listen,
To hear sleigh bells in the snow.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmasses be white.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas,
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright,
And may all your Christmasses be white.


Lyrics:  Irving Berlin

Christmas Shopping website

Featured Christmas Shopping Link:

www.christmasmonth.com

Another good place to start your Christmas shopping, with a range of Christmas items, decorations, gifts and gift baskets.

Christmas Shopping link

A good online shopping resource for Christmas shoppers: all kinds of Christmas items are available at 
www.happychristmas.com/

They sell Christmas decorations, toys and have all kinds of Christmas offers - worth a visit for Christmas shoppers.

They also have a nice selection of Christmas e-cards : www.happychristmas.com/ecards/

Cheap Christmas Gift Ideas

If you're looking for great value Christmas gifts, check out this article on www.lovemoney.com

Featuring 12 Great Cheap (Money Saving) Christmas gift ideas, the article is good inspiration if you need creative ideas for great value gifts for Christmas.

Another good resource is www.moneyunder30.com/cheap-gifts-53-inexpensive-christmas-gifts  - for more traditional Christmas gift ideas, all thrifty for the money conscious.

If none of these ideas take your fancy, visit 24Studio for great value Christmas gift ideas.

Christmas - a history

Christmas is a worldwide phenomenom - culturally and economically. In many places Christmas has now become more of a commercial festival than a religious one, however many still enjoy Christmas traditions to some degree,

Christmas traditions enjoyed the world over include the decorating of Christmas trees, sharing of meals, exchange of gifts, church services, public holidays and Santa Claus.

If you are interested in the history of Christmas, visit the History channel's in-depth website article: http://www.history.com/topics/christmas

Christmas Stockings - why do we hang them?

Christmas stockings - background
 
The legend of Christmas stockings is linked to that of St Nicholas and Father Christmas.

The story goes that there was a poor man with three daughters, in the days when it was common to pay a dowry. The man, being poor, could not afford any dowry for them and worried that his daughters would never marry.
The girls had hung their stockings to dry on the fireplace, and legend has it that St Nicholas, who was the Bishop of Myra, and believed to be the inspiration for Father Christmas, dropped some gold coins down the chimney, which landed in the girls' stockings.

When news spread of this, others began to hang stockings too in the hope that they would receive gifts.

Search for Christmas gifts

Get Ready For Christmas With The Kids

If you have children in your family, or your friends have children, I'm sure you'll agree that they add an extra dimension to Christmas - the fun, the excitement, the suspense in the run up to the big day!

If you've ever spent time with kids in the run up to Christmas, you'll know that the excitement can almost get too much - so much waiting (and behaving!)

Here are five ideas for entertaining children in the last few weeks before Christmas without spoiling them!

1. Take them Christmas carolling - ah bless their cotton socks, even the naughtiest most-hyper child will be transformed into a little angel once they start belting out "Away In A Manger".

2. Long walk outdoors - whether it's crisp and cold, or wet and windy, a walk outdoors is a sure-fire way to tire out little legs and create a diversion in little minds. Try to point out Winter wonders as you go along, winter berries on the trees etc! Perhaps try and collect pine cones or holly that can be used as part of a Christmas decoration project!

3. Bake mince pies and treats - good old fashioned baking can fill an afternoon and what could be more Christmassy than mince pies? If you don't fancy messing with the oven, try making truffles or sweet treats that don't need an oven! As a bonus, things like truffles can be boxed and use as inexpensive gifts - grandmas will love gifts made especially for them by little hands!

4. Visit the grottos, garden centres and Christmas fayres - Santa might be there, but you don't need to spend time in queues or paying to see him, young children are often captivated by the displays in shops and around the town. They also love seeing houses that are covered from roof to floor in lights and decorations (and a lot of people enjoy decorating their homes this way), so keep an eye out for these Christmas wonders and remember to take the kids for a look, they will love it!

5. Get busy with the wrapping paper and sellotape -  let the children get crafty - collect a box of old/surplus wrapping paper, cards, tape, decoration, bows, glitter and glue and let them go wild. (A plastic sheet for the floor might be an idea before you start!) You could collect things all year so that you have a box full of materials by Christmas time - remember to supply them with safety scissors! They can make all kinds of fun stuff - you could even get them to wrap sweets and treats and put them under the tree!

One thing's for sure, if you have kids, your Christmas preparations will be a lot more fun!

Traditional Religious Christmas Icons

Ever wondered why poinsetta and mistletoe are used to symbolise Christmas?

Here's a nice article / gallery of images with detailed commentary about traditional religious Christmas symbols, from poinsetta and mistletoe to robin red breasts and Christmas stockings...

www.bbc.co.uk/religion/galleries/christmas/

Credit Crunch Christmas

Top Five Things To Do This Christmas Without Flexing Your Wallet!

1. Go Sledging - this will be more fun IF it snows....
2. Build a Snowman - as above
3. Have a Snowball Fight - er....
4. Sing Christmas Carols - no snow required
5. Pour Water On Public Steps & Watch The Results - just kidding folks, you don't want to get sued!

Silent Night - song lyrics

Silent Night

Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, All is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child
Holy Infant so Tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from heaven afar;
Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia!
Christ the Saviour is born!
Christ the Saviour is born!

Silent night, holy night!
Wondrous star, lend thy light!
With the angels let us sing
Alleluia to our King!
Christ the Saviour is here,
Jesus the Saviour is here!

Silent night, Holy night!
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord at thy birth;
Jesus Lord at thy birth.

Original Lyrics (Stille Nachte) - Father Josef Mohr

Jingle Bells - Song Lyrics

Jingle Bells

Dashing through the snow
On a one-horse open sleigh,
Over the fields we go,
Laughing all the way;
Bells on bob-tail ring,
Making spirits bright,
Oh what fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight....

Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way!
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh

A day or two ago,
I thought I'd take a ride,
And soon Miss Fanny Bright
Was seated by my side;
The horse was lean and lank;
Misfortune seemed his lot;
He got into a drifted bank,
And we, we got upsot....

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,
Jingle all the way!
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.

A day or two ago,
The story I must tell
I went out on the snow
And on my back I fell;
A gent was riding by
In a one-horse open sleigh,
He laughed as there
I sprawling lie,
But quickly drove away....

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,
Jingle all the way!
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.

Now the ground is white
Go it while you're young,
Take the girls tonight
And sing this sleighing song;
Just get a bob-tailed bay
Two-forty as his speed
Hitch him to an open sleigh
And crack! you'll take the lead....

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,
Jingle all the way!
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.

lyrics: James Pierpoint