Enjoy the Boxing Day Holiday.
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Have fun on Boxing Day!
Boxing Day is a traditional British holiday dating back 800 years.Boxing Day Holiday falls the day after Christmas, on 26 December.
Boxing Day 2011 is now a memory. We'll have to wait until Wednesday 26 December 2012 for the next Boxing Day Meanwhile, enjoy reading about Boxing Days in the past. Take a look at the video links if you want to see some of the mad activities of Boxing Day.
Boxing Day has always been a day for fun, and mad events such as midwinter swims, sometimes in fancy dress ( left) are found all over Britain.
The name "Boxing Day" comes from the tradition of giving Christmas "boxes" or gifts, to the poor. In the past, churches had clay collection boxes which were broken open after Christmas Day, and the gifts and money given to the poor and needy. This was usually done the day after Christmas on 26 December, whch then became known as "Boxing Day".
The term "Boxing Day" has led to many cartoons and jokes over the years- as in the drawing below by the famous satirist George Cruikshank.
Scene Featuring Puns on "Boxing Day", a Child Has His Ears Boxed
Buy at AllPosters.com
Boxing Day has nothing to do with the sport of boxing!
In the rich and aristocratic households in days gone by, the servants were gathered together on Boxing Day, and Christmas boxes of gifts or money were distributed to the workers.They were then allowed to have the rest of the day as holiday to spend with their family.
Today, some of the old Boxing Day traditions still survive, and many new ones have sprung up.
Christmas Day is usually spent quietly with the family. Boxing Day is the day to get outside, whatever the weather. Watch sport. Play sport. Have fun!
There are so many things to do on Boxing Day.If you know of something in your area please add to the guestbook.
Photos thanks to flickr
This Boxing Day lens was made Squidoo Lens Of The Day on Boxing Day 2011.
Contents at a Glance
- Boxing Day - a great day to go to a foot...
- The History of Boxing Day
- Bookmark this Boxing Day page - come bac...
- More Boxing Day Traditions
- Wrap the children up on Boxing Day with...
- Boxing Day Horse Race Meetings in the U...
- Wrap up warm on Boxing Day and over the...
- Traditional Boxing Day Food.
- Boxing Day Food- my favorite Boxing Day...
Boxing Day - a great day to go to a football match or a horse race meeting.
On Boxing Day the British love to watch or play their favorite winter sports.
Boxing Day is a major day in the sporting calender in the UK and Ireland.
Most European countries take a winter break from league football ( soccer)), but in Britain the Boxing Day football matches are a huge crowd puller.
If my beloved football (soccer) team Manchester United are playing at home on Boxing Day you'll find my family at Old Trafford, along with over 76,000 other fans
This great picture of the North stand at Old Trafford, "Theatre of Dreams". thanks to smemon and flickr creative commons
All over the country thousands go to watch hundreds of matches in all leagues. Log on to BBC Sports Football Fixture List to find a match near you.
For lovers of Horse Racing, Boxing Day is a top race day.
This great photo of horse racing at Huntingdon on Boxing Day 2010 is thanks to Lens Envy and flickr creative commons
The most famous race is the King George VI at. Kempton Park, near London.
To see where horse racing meetings are taking place on Boxing Day 2010 in the UK go to Boxing Day Race Meetings in the UK . You can click through on this site to book tickets .
For information about horse racing fixtures in Ireland go to Horse racing fixtures in Ireland.
Most European countries take a winter break from league football ( soccer)), but in Britain the Boxing Day football matches are a huge crowd puller.
If my beloved football (soccer) team Manchester United are playing at home on Boxing Day you'll find my family at Old Trafford, along with over 76,000 other fans
This great picture of the North stand at Old Trafford, "Theatre of Dreams". thanks to smemon and flickr creative commons
All over the country thousands go to watch hundreds of matches in all leagues. Log on to BBC Sports Football Fixture List to find a match near you.
For lovers of Horse Racing, Boxing Day is a top race day.
This great photo of horse racing at Huntingdon on Boxing Day 2010 is thanks to Lens Envy and flickr creative commons
The most famous race is the King George VI at. Kempton Park, near London.
To see where horse racing meetings are taking place on Boxing Day 2010 in the UK go to Boxing Day Race Meetings in the UK . You can click through on this site to book tickets .
For information about horse racing fixtures in Ireland go to Horse racing fixtures in Ireland.
The History of Boxing Day
Boxing Day on 26 December is also St Stephen's Day- the Feast of Stephen
Boxing Day is the name given to the day after Christmas,the 26 December . It is also St Stephen's Day, or the Feast of Stephen.It became known as Boxing Day in Britain following the old custom of giving Christmas gifts, or boxes, to the poor on this day.
In recent history,the Boxing Day tradition remains of giving Christmas gifts, still known as "a Christmas box" to tradespeople who call at your door- the postman, the dustbin man ( refuse collector), the milkman and the paperboy still call at many houses in Britain, and an envelope (the modern Christmas box) with some neatly folded cash always meets with approval and helps to guarantee good service during the coming year! This is not usually done now on the exact day, 26 December, as Boxing Day is a holiday, but the gifts are still called Christmas boxes.
The Christmas Carol, Good King Wenceslas, tells how the King went out on the Feast of Stephen, to give alms to the poor. King Wenceslas was King of Bohemia in the 10th Century., known for his generosity to the poor.
"Good King Wenceslas looked out, on the Feast of Stephen
When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even..."
So begins the famous carol, written by English clergyman John Mason Neele, published in 1853.
Boxing Day historically was a day for giving to the poor.
Bookmark this Boxing Day page - come back and see what's been added
Keep an eye on Boxing Day Events 2012
More Boxing Day Traditions
Morris Dancing, photo thanks to stanbury and flickr creative commons
The Boxing Day Swim
Photo thanks to fimb and flickr creative commons
Boxing Day beach football at Scaborough thanks to mythago and flickr creative commons
Wrap the children up on Boxing Day with this Harry Potter hat and scarf
Warm clothes are essential in the Northern Hemisphere
Boxing Day is usually cold in the Northern Hemisphere. If, like me, you'll spend the day outside whatever the weather, the whole family needs to be toasty warm and cosy.
This Hogwar'ts hat and scarf set would be a great Christmas present for a Harry Potter fan.
This Hogwar'ts hat and scarf set would be a great Christmas present for a Harry Potter fan.
Hogwart's Knit Hat & Scarf
Amazon Price: $18.69 (as of 02/17/2012)
A practical gift that a child will actually like if their Harry Potter fans.
Boxing Day Horse Race Meetings in the UK and Ireland
Boxing Day in the UK is a great day for Race Meetings
Go Horse Racing on Boxing Day. These were the fixtures for Boxing Day 2011. You can click through the links below for up to date information on Horse racing at these venues.
- Sedgefield Race Course Boxing Day Horse Racing
- Horse racing days out at Sedgefield Racecourse - a day at the races with exciting jump racing, horseracing hospitality & premium events.
- Wolverhampton Racecourse Boxing Day Horse Racing
- Wolverhampton Racecourse information on horseracing fixtures, racing, events and sponsorship opportunities. Racing news, racing links and a list of today's racing fixtures.:- Boxing Day Racing
- Market Rasen Boxing Day Horse Racing
- Racing Fixture List Fixture List
Tickets and Online buying
Entertaining - The William Hill Winter Festival Kempton Boxing Day Horse Racing
- Here you will find a comprehensive guide to The William Hill Winter Festival at Kempton Park for the best Christmas festival horse racing
- In Northern Ireland, Boxing Day Racing at Down Royal
- In County Down, Northern ireland, there's a great Boxing Day Race meeting.
- Go to Fontwell, West Sussex , for a wonderful Boxing Day Race meeting
- Close to Arundel and Chichester, this picturesque course hosts a great Boxing Day race meeting.
Wrap up warm on Boxing Day and over the Christmas Holidays
Toasty warm fleecies from ebay.
Here are some great winter warmers for you to buy from ebay. A fleece sweater keeps you warm without the bulkiness of a big wool sweater.
Traditional Boxing Day Food.
Enjoy a great spread with no cooking on Boxing Day
My Boxing Day Buffet looks something like this- but without the chef!
On the day after Christmas Day, Boxing Day, the 26 December, it has always been the tradition to enjoy a meal with the minimum of cooking.
In the stately homes of England, the servants would leave a cold buffet for the guests to enjoy whilst they had the day off.
These days, the cook needs a day off after the Christmas meal, so a cold buffet is very much a Boxing Day Tradition.
Our Boxing Day meal usually includes;
Cold turkey, salmon, ham, quiches, pork pie, game pie
Winter salads, pickles, chutneys, relishes
Maybe some baby new potatoes in their jackets or french fries (frozen- no peeling!) Jacket potatoes are perfect too.
A huge fruit bowl.
Traditional cheeses such as Blue Stilton or Tasty Lancashire with crackers
Christmas cake ( eaten with cheese in the North of England)
Mince pies
Sherry trifle- it's a great Boxing Day Tradition. click here for my best ever sherry trifle recipe
Its a huge, timeless meal. Everything can be collected together days in advance. and nothing can spoil so it can be eaten whenever people get back from the day's activities.
On the day after Christmas Day, Boxing Day, the 26 December, it has always been the tradition to enjoy a meal with the minimum of cooking.
In the stately homes of England, the servants would leave a cold buffet for the guests to enjoy whilst they had the day off.
These days, the cook needs a day off after the Christmas meal, so a cold buffet is very much a Boxing Day Tradition.
Our Boxing Day meal usually includes;
Cold turkey, salmon, ham, quiches, pork pie, game pie
Winter salads, pickles, chutneys, relishes
Maybe some baby new potatoes in their jackets or french fries (frozen- no peeling!) Jacket potatoes are perfect too.
A huge fruit bowl.
Traditional cheeses such as Blue Stilton or Tasty Lancashire with crackers
Christmas cake ( eaten with cheese in the North of England)
Mince pies
Sherry trifle- it's a great Boxing Day Tradition. click here for my best ever sherry trifle recipe
Its a huge, timeless meal. Everything can be collected together days in advance. and nothing can spoil so it can be eaten whenever people get back from the day's activities.
Boxing Day Food- my favorite Boxing Day recipes
Try these for your Boxing Day supper.
Boxing Day supper is an easy to prepare buffet
Cold cuts, chutneys, baked potatoes and chutneys, followed by sherry trifle and cheese.
No preparing on the day, easy to come home to.
Here are some essentials for the perfect Boxing Day supper.
No preparing on the day, easy to come home to.
Here are some essentials for the perfect Boxing Day supper.
Where to go bonkers on Boxing Day
The Observer Sunday newspaper featured Boxing Day madness
Check it out!
Go Bonkers on Boxing Day
Boxing Day Barrel Rolling photo thanks to The Observer, 20 December 2009
Go and see a new movie on Boxing Day
The biggest films of the year are on new release at Christmas
Take the chance over the Christmas Holidays of going to see a new movie.
Here's what was new at the Cinema and Movie theaters for Boxing Day 2011
Here's what was new at the Cinema and Movie theaters for Boxing Day 2011
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - the trailer
- This is the Hollywood version of the top selling novel by Stieg Larssn. The Swedish film with subtitles was huge. This is a completely new movie, bound to be a huge success.See the trailer here
- Mission Impossible- the Ghost Protocol
- Here's the trailer for the New Mission Impossible Movie that's coming to a cinema near you around Christmas. A great Boxing Day out for the family.
Make you own Boxing Day activities
Blow away the Christmas cobwebs on Boxing Day
If I'm not at Old Trafford I'll be out walking on the Lake District Hills.We pack sandwiches, a flask and some Christmas cake and set out for the day. You meet lots of people, who all greet each other with a "Hello" and a smile- its great to be out in the countryside.
This rather arty photo was taken by me on Boxing Day 2008. Its taken on the top of Loughrigg, having walked up from Rydal and Grasmere, looking over towards the Fairfield Horseshoe.I think you can see the shadows of 6 people and 2 dogs!
This was on one of the famous White Moss Walks, which begins at White Moss and goes up Loughrigg Fell- a wonderful place to take Brilliant Lake District photos. You can read about White Moss walks, and see photos and directions by clicking here
This rather arty photo was taken by me on Boxing Day 2008. Its taken on the top of Loughrigg, having walked up from Rydal and Grasmere, looking over towards the Fairfield Horseshoe.I think you can see the shadows of 6 people and 2 dogs!
This was on one of the famous White Moss Walks, which begins at White Moss and goes up Loughrigg Fell- a wonderful place to take Brilliant Lake District photos. You can read about White Moss walks, and see photos and directions by clicking here
Here are lots of warm accessories from ebay for Boxing Day.
Think about buying Christmas gifts for the outdoors
These warm hats , scarves and gloves would , make excellent Christmas gifts or stocking fillers / stocking stuffers.
I always like to receive a new warm scarf that I can wear on Boxing Day.
I always like to receive a new warm scarf that I can wear on Boxing Day.
Boxing Day in Australia.
Boxing Day In Australia falls in the middle of summer, and its a day for big sporting events.
The Boxing Day Test Match starts at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 26,against the touring side. For those of you unfamiliar with cricket, it is day 1 of a 5 day match. In 2009 the match was between Australia v Pakistan.
Picture of Boxing Day Cricket, Melbourne 2009, thanks to pj-in-oz and flickr creative commons
In 2010, the match was between Australia and England, as part of the mighty Ashes series of 5 matches played every two years alternately in England and Australia.
If you're curious about the Ashes check the ECB Official website for the English point of view, or Cricket Australia for the Aussie angle.England won the Ashes in Australia in the 2010-2011 series! Brilliant ( sorry Aussie friends)
The Boxing Day Test 2011 is between Australia and India. If you're lucky enough to be In the Australian sunshine the Christmas you can find details and book tickets on the MCG website
The Sydney to Hobart yacht race is another major Boxing Day sport.
Thanks to Georgiesharp and flickr creative commons for this great photo.
The links below give more information- please leave suggestions in the guestbook if you have more ideas.
The Boxing Day Test Match starts at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 26,against the touring side. For those of you unfamiliar with cricket, it is day 1 of a 5 day match. In 2009 the match was between Australia v Pakistan.
Picture of Boxing Day Cricket, Melbourne 2009, thanks to pj-in-oz and flickr creative commons
In 2010, the match was between Australia and England, as part of the mighty Ashes series of 5 matches played every two years alternately in England and Australia.
If you're curious about the Ashes check the ECB Official website for the English point of view, or Cricket Australia for the Aussie angle.England won the Ashes in Australia in the 2010-2011 series! Brilliant ( sorry Aussie friends)
The Boxing Day Test 2011 is between Australia and India. If you're lucky enough to be In the Australian sunshine the Christmas you can find details and book tickets on the MCG website
The Sydney to Hobart yacht race is another major Boxing Day sport.
Thanks to Georgiesharp and flickr creative commons for this great photo.
The links below give more information- please leave suggestions in the guestbook if you have more ideas.
- Boxing Day Cricket at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
- News, information and history of this great sporting fixture. Cricket at the MCG on Boxing Day is watched by cricket lovers around the world on TV.
- The Sydney to Hobart Boxing Day Yacht race
- The official site for all news, gossip,and preaparation for the big Sydney Hobart race.
On the day, follow the action online on this site.
It's a long long way to the next Boxing Day.
On Boxing Day 2011 this Boxing Day lens was made Lens of the Day! This is a a great Squidoo achievement, of which we're very proud.
Here's the countdown to next Boxing Day.
Here's the countdown to next Boxing Day.
Countdown to Boxing Day
Boxing Day: December 26, 2012
The one essential item for Boxing Day- a great warm hat
Keep those ears warm on a chilly Boxing Day Holiday
If you're outdoors on Boxing Day, or any time around Christmas , one absolute essential is a warm hat or beanie to keep your ears as warm as toast, and what could be nicer than this festive red and white striped beanie.
I'd love to find this in my stocking!
I'd love to find this in my stocking!
Trendy Striped Beanie - Red White W28S20E
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 02/17/2012)
Warm , cute, and Christmassy, this is the perfect Boxing day hat.
Boxing Day on YouTube
Some of the thing the Brits get up to on Boxing Day!
Some of the crazy things we do on Boxing Day.
Be sure to check out the Iron men dancing. Its a type of Morris Dancing,( which is an old British tradition) usually done in matching uniforms, but done in "fancy dress" for Boxing Day.! Its great!
Be sure to check out the Iron men dancing. Its a type of Morris Dancing,( which is an old British tradition) usually done in matching uniforms, but done in "fancy dress" for Boxing Day.! Its great!
curated content from YouTube
The Boxing Day Sales
Bargain Hunting- a new Boxing Day activity!
Until a few year ago all the shops would be closed on Boxing Day to give the shop workers a holiday.
The law changed a few years ago, and Boxing Day is now the busiest shopping day of the year.
Shoppers pile in to exchange their unwanted Christmas gifts, and to bag bargains in the sales. Its madness!
This Boxing Day shopping madness is not just confined to the UK.
This photo, thanks to avlxyz and flickr creative commons is of Boxing Day shopping crowds in Melbourne, Australia.
You would actually have to pay me to go shopping on Boxing Day, but thousands of people love it- its a new Boxing Day sport!
The law changed a few years ago, and Boxing Day is now the busiest shopping day of the year.
Shoppers pile in to exchange their unwanted Christmas gifts, and to bag bargains in the sales. Its madness!
This Boxing Day shopping madness is not just confined to the UK.
This photo, thanks to avlxyz and flickr creative commons is of Boxing Day shopping crowds in Melbourne, Australia.
You would actually have to pay me to go shopping on Boxing Day, but thousands of people love it- its a new Boxing Day sport!
Book a vacation on Boxing Day
Apparently Boxing Day is the top day for booking a holiday/vacation
Figures from the travel industry show that on Boxing Day , immediately after Christmas, record numbers of people log on to travel sites and book their vacations.Where to go? Skiing in January? A sunshine holiday? Or how about planning next years's summer holiday?
I love in a beautiful part of the world, The Lake District, in the North of England, UK. The Lake District is a top tourist destination, with lots of great accommodations, but if you want to make sure of reserving the dates you want at the place you want, book early! Our Grasmere self catering cottage is a one off, with fantastic views, and it's already got lots of bookings for 2012.
I love to visit St Ives in Cornwall. St Ives has beautiful beaches, great coastal walks, fantastic art galleries and great restaurants. Like the Lake District, it's a tourist honeypot, and I've already booked my 2012 stay there to make sure I got into my favorite spot for the dates I wanted! I took this picture of St. Ives from my bedroom window!
Even in a recession, it makes sense to book your vacations early if you are flying overseas, and the best deals these days are often for early bookers.
Boxing Day in the news
What are people saying about Boxing Day?
Boxing day- see what people are saying about Boxing Day Holiday.
- Women's Boxing: US Olympic Team Trials Day 5 Weigh In
- Each day's boxers must show up on weight or else forfeit their matches. Because there are only three Olympic weight classes for women, several of the fighters in this tournament are boxing outside of their comfort zone, but there haven't been issues ...
- US Olympic Team Trials for Women's Boxing -- Day 3: Boxing Love
- Hometown favorite Alex Love came out very strong against boxer-puncher Marlen Esparza of Houston, but Esparza turned it on in the later rounds, delivering a truly impressive boxing display. She's the most versatile fighter in the tournament and the ...
- DIARY - European Market Holidays to December 2012
- ... DECEMBER 26 Austria - Boxing Day Belgium - Boxing Day Bulgaria - Christmas Eve Croatia - St. Stephen's Day Cyprus - Boxing Day Czech Republic - Christmas Eve Denmark - Boxing Day Estonia - Boxing Day Finland - Boxing Day France - Boxing Day Greece ...
- US Olympic Team Trials for Women's Boxing -- Day 1: The Draw
- This year marks the debut of women's boxing in the Olympic Games. It's been a long road to parity. When Joe Zanders addressed the fighters at today's press conference, he told them, "You're representing a lot of ladies who didn't have the chance to be ...
Boxing Day 2012 is coming -eventually!
Please tell me if you have anything to add- or just what you think.
This Boxing Day Lens was Lens of the Day on Boxing Day 2011. I received lots of great messages!
Please leave me a message- I love messages!
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collettehrock
Jan 8, 2012 @ 2:17 am | delete
- What I was doing on Boxing Day, spending my gift cards as the sales, with the rest of the mad shoppers, this was a great lens
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alwaysjules
Jan 5, 2012 @ 5:58 pm | delete
- Enjoyed this lens. Congratulations on Lens of the day.
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KathieWoolridge
Jan 5, 2012 @ 8:51 am | delete
- Looks like much fun!
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RawBill
Jan 2, 2012 @ 7:57 pm | delete
- You have covered well what Boxing Day means to me here in Australia. I can usually be found in front of the TV watching the cricket (in 2008 I actually spent the day at the MCG) or out and about enjoying the great summer weather. Congrats on LOTD.
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Image_Girl
Dec 28, 2011 @ 8:54 pm | delete
- A very nice lens! I'm sending this to my US friends who always ask. one really did think it was about boxing matches... Between family!
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More great lenses on holidays from Rocketmoms.
Publicise your Boxing Day Events 2012
If you know if anything happening in your area on Boxing Day 2012 why not add them below.
It doesn't matter if its a local event , a family event, or a national event- anything welcome!
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ViolinStudent
Dec 27, 2011 @ 11:42 am | delete
- Thanks for this page. I'm in the US, so Boxing Day has always been a bit of a mystery to me. I always think of SOCCER! This is my chance to watch Premier League Games All Day Long.
--Art Haule
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YayasHome
Dec 27, 2011 @ 2:22 am | delete
- We were able to have a nice, relaxing day of catching up on much-needed sleep. Christmas was great, but we definitely needed the rest. Hope your day was all you wished for.
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lasertek
Dec 26, 2011 @ 9:23 pm | delete
- Fun and informative lens!
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_Joan_
Dec 26, 2011 @ 11:12 am | delete
- The original intent behind Boxing Day was a beautiful one. I wish we could pick that up in the US with the idea of setting aside a special day for all the people who work in the service industry and often have to work on holidays.
I'm sad to see that the stores are now open on Boxing Day and the service workers are working harder than ever.
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robbwindow
Dec 26, 2011 @ 9:12 am | delete
- Happy Boxing Day Squidoo too
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whitemoss
My home White Moss House was owned by Wordsworth. It's now a guest house in England's Lake District You can stay here!
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There's a new Mission Impossible movie this December
Remind yourself of the great Mission Impossible movies
Mission: Impossible (Special Collector's Edition)
Amazon Price: $5.86 (as of 02/17/2012)
Buy this Mission Impossible DVD for the Mission Impossible fan in your life this Christmas. Then go to see the new Mission impossible at the Cinema.
If you're staying in, here's a great DVD for Boxing Day.
Put your feet up and watch this great oldie on Boxing Day night.
![White Christmas (Anniversary Edition) [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51fNSps5UuL._SL160_.jpg)
White Christmas (Anniversary Edition) [Blu-ray]
Amazon Price: $21.37 (as of 02/17/2012)
Always popular, a classic oldie for all the family to watch in the evening of Boxing Day.
Read the Book and see the Movie for Boxing Day
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo- buy it for your Kindle
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium Trilogy)
Amazon Price: (as of 02/17/2012)
This is the film that everyone will be talking about. Read the original book, in book form, or for your Kindle.The movie is released this Christmas Holiday.
Readers in the UK can buy this from the link below.
UK readers can buy from Amazon.co.uk
