Christmas is Coming!

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 14 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #12,722 in Shopping, #156,033 overall

On The First Day of Christmas

Christmas marked each year with feasting, present-giving and family gatherings, is a wonderful wintertime celebration.  Much of its energy comes from the contrast with the season.  In the midst of bitter, cold weather and long, dark evenings, when trees and fields are bare, we celebrate with an orgy of rich food, presents, lights, noise and green leafy decorations.

Before Christianity, winter festivals were celebrated by the lighting of fires to welcome the New Year and banish the old.  The riotous Roman festivals of Saturnalia and New Year both contributed elements still found today, including the giving of presents, and the decorating of houses with greenery.

It was during Victorian times that the Christmas festival underwent a great regeneration, becoming a family event and a time to be enjoyed above all by children.  The inventive Victorians were responsible for introducing several seasonal elements into the celebration, including Christmas trees and cards, a jovial Father Christmas and even festive crackers with novelty bangs. 

In our modern, fast-changing world, Christmas provides a valuable link with the past.  It is a unique time of year when each family celebrates with its own customs and personal festive touches, ensuring that Christmas remains our most enduring and popular celebration.

Merry Christmas!

For US and UK residents this, regularly updated, lens will provide you with ideas, information, links, recipes and products to make this the best Christmas ever! 

Christmas Lights Photos 

P1000152 by Abbo63

P1000152

P1000151 by Abbo63

P1000151

P1000153 by Abbo63

P1000153

P1000150 by Abbo63

P1000150

What can brown do for you?  304/365 by AndYaDontStop

What can brown do fo...

100_4642 by joannapoe

100_4642

All tied up by erika arlene

All tied up

this house had pink paint on it by bradleygee

this house had pink...

fairy lights by petit hiboux

fairy lights

Fading mask by ohnoitsdaveoh

Fading mask

Fading wave by ohnoitsdaveoh

Fading wave

Light graffiti 2 by ohnoitsdaveoh

Light graffiti 2

Light graffiti 1 by ohnoitsdaveoh

Light graffiti 1

Mistakes were made by Thirteen Of Clubs

Mistakes were made

"Oooh Ahhh Ride" by allyaubry

"Oooh Ahhh Ride...

209/354 - t-shirt junkie by B Rosen

209/354 - t-shirt ju...

 by bobcat rock

Ooooh, sparkly by Evil Erin

Ooooh, sparkly

ribbons and christmas lights make a pretty combination by AanikaP

ribbons and christma...

Webs & Wires_edit by Peter Sheik

Webs & Wires_edi...

Lights strung along the street by quinn.anya

Lights strung along...

Classic Christmas Cake Recipe from Delia Smith 

The Classic Christmas Cake

This, with no apologies, is a Christmas cake that has been in print since 1978, has been made and loved by thousands and is, along with the Traditional Christmas Pudding, one of the most popular recipes I've produced. It is rich, dark and quite moist, so will not suit those who like a crumblier texture. Recently we took some of these cakes along to book-signing sessions up and down the country and were quite amazed to see so many people take a mouthful and then buy a book!

To read the recipe click the Delia Smith Christmas Cake link below.

Delia Smith Christmas Cake 

Christmas Cake Recipe
Full details of Delia Smith's Classic Christmas Cake Recipe

Gifts for Her! 

Gifts for Her! 

Loading Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
eBay

The History of Christmas Cards 

In the Eighteenth Century schoolchildren returning home for the holidays would often bring home hand-written Christmas greetings for their parents. The printed pictorial Christmas card as we all know it, however, was the idea of Henry Cole who commissioned a design by H.C. Horsley and published it in 1843. Rowland Hill's Penny Post, introduced a few years previously in 1840, made sending written Christmas greetings both efficient and affordable and the custom grew in popularity. Following in the pattern set by Valentine cards, Victorian Christmas cards often depicted beautiful flowers, birds and young maidens. Humorous cards were also popular.

Christmas Cookery & Crafts on Amazon 

Click on any of the links to buy now or see more like this!

The Spirit of Christmas: Creative Holiday Ideas Book 13 (Bk. 13)

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $24.95

Christmas with Southern Living 2006

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Amazon Price: $23.96 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $29.95

Usually ships in 24 hours

Christmas Cookies: 50 Recipes to Treasure for the Holiday Season

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Amazon Price: $14.92 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $16.95

Usually ships in 24 hours

Simply Christmas: 201 Easy Crafts, Food and Decorating Ideas

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $29.95

Usually ships in 24 hours

The Spirit of Christmas: Creative Holiday Ideas

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $29.95

Christmas Links! 

Christmas Charity Shoeboxes
UK scheme distributing shoeboxes of gifts
Santa Claus and Christmas at the Northpole
Enjoy Christmas with Santa Claus at the North pole, an award-winning Christmas web site. Send a letter to Santa Clause or a Christmas card to a friend. Find yummy Christmas recipes, Christmas stories, Christmas entertainment and free games to play.
Christmas Nativity Play
Christmas Nativity Play for church, school, club, family. With Script, Carols Sheet Music, rehearsal, production notes, etc.
The Complete Christmas Collection
Christmas Recipes, Crafts and Kids Activities.
Christmas Dinner - eHow.com
Clear Instructions on How To Do (just about) Everything      
to do with Christmas Dinner.
Christmas Is Coming - Christmas is Coming
Christmas is Coming - and we are helping you make Christmas special, with Christmas crafts, decorating ideas, Chistmas gifts, Christmas recipes, printable Christmas cards, poems, quotes and carols.

Gifts for Kids 

More Gifts for Kids 

Gifts for Kids on eBay! 

Loading Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
eBay

Gifts for Him! 

Gifts for Him! 

Tell us what you want for Christmas here! 

porter246 wrote...

Great Lens!!! You Deserve a 5!!!

ReplyPosted November 17, 2007

Timewarp wrote...

Its the most wonderful time of the yeaaar!
Dog Breed Gifts

ReplyPosted September 18, 2007

LennyCastellaneta wrote...

I love you lens (and Christmas)! Thanks for posting it.
Lenny
http://www.squidoo.com/lennycastellaneta/

ReplyPosted July 12, 2007

Shar wrote...

Hi, Wonderful work... Happy Holiday,Shar
Stop in and Elf Yourself at my new lens...

ReplyPosted December 16, 2006

YourSmilingChef wrote...

What a great lens! It's colorful and very well done and I've added you to my faves. Thanks to you, I'm going to attempt Delia's Christmas cake while staying far away from the Prada bag!

ReplyPosted December 12, 2006

 
1 of 2 pages

Christmas Blogs 

Michael Jackson's 'Star Wars' Christmas - Starpulse Entertainment News
Michael Jackson spent his last Christmas with Carrie Fisher after inviting the Star Wars actress over to his Los Angeles home as a surprise for his three children.
Van Citters' Magoo's Christmas Carol Book | Cartoon Brew: Leading ...
Wow! If you want something done right, you gotta do it yourself. Animation director Darrell Van Citters (Renegade Animation) has written and self.
Avoiding The Christmas Rush In July
Avoiding The Christmas Rush In July. # 3472. Imagine for a minute that it is late December, not mid-July, and that the H1N1 virus has ramped up to the point where 10% of the country has the flu. That's 30 million people. ...
Wary Christmas looms for music retailers (Reuters) | Ohaiyo ...
Business news and investment research, discussions and analysis. Useful business insights and articles on the latest brands, trends and market movements.