Christmas Recommendations: Pretty Please?!

I like Stickman too!

Sarnia..yes I've read The Christmas mouse..in Christmas at Fairacre...(short stories) ..love them all..?

I shall be doing exactly the opposite, avoiding all things 'Christmas' related (wish me luck). Already I feel quite sick of it all.

No TV or radio as far as possible, lots of long walks, reading, knitting and DIY/decorating will do. I'll play my old music CDs on the DVD player and watch films on Netflix instead.

It's interesting that, this year, among my friends, our usual like or dislike of Christmas is wildly exaggerated. Some are going OTT - and others ignoring.

I used to do it all for the children, then grandchildren, joining in the enforced jollity (through gritted teeth) yet secretly yearning for it all to be over. This year, no kids, yippee, I can be myself!

Well it's just got to be 'It's a Wonderful Life' on the telly - my most favourite film in all the world, cry every time I watch it! Also no Christmas would be Christmas without a viewing of 'The Snowman'. We play a Bing Crosby CD when opening our gifts and always light the fire (we have central heating, so very rarely use the fire). I also light spicy Christmas candles and must have a glass of fizz with my breakfast. Plenty of nibbles to put us on until we sit down to a late afternoon Christmas Dinner. I love pies (well I am a northerner!) but never buy them because they are so naughty, but make an exception at Christmas and always get in pork pies topped with cranberries, my favourite Christmas treat ???

always get in pork pies topped with cranberries, my favourite Christmas treat
Oh yes, I don't normally like pork pies but they are delicious
Too late now though

Thanks Casdon for your recommendation. It sounds a lovely winter book & right up my street. I’m off to our local independent bookshop tomorrow to order a copy!

Well, not Nigella's plate of cold ham, stirfry, topped with an unappetising-looking fried egg, topped with pickled peppers.

It reminded me of something totally inedible I was served in hospital one Christmas Eve when I had just had DC1, although that was a beef burger topped with a fried egg and greasy gravy.
Revolting.

Annie Lennox; 'Cornucopia of Christmas' album.

Nice to meet another 'Miss Read' fan. Have you read her book 'The Christmas Mouse'? Well worth it if you haven't read it yet.

I like Miss Read books but haven't read that one. I must investigate, thank you.

Hetty58 when I was working, shopping & hosting Christmas dinner for 8 or 10 I used to get stressy. I did every Christmas dinner from 1978 up until 2009. My lovely mum used to ring me every Boxing Day and say ‘well - it’s as far away now as it’ll ever be!’ It always made me chuckle and sigh contentedly that yet another Christmas Day with dinner had gone well but boy, it was my more favourite day -

I miss that call on Boxing Day as it’ll only be our 3rd one without her.

Oh dear, I’m filling up now ...
Such an emotional time on top of an emotional year isn’t it folks?

Urmstongran this year, more than ever, brings our happy memories back, my thoughts are with you and others ?

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I always watch National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. Sometimes there are good adaptations of MR James (Thank you Mark Gattis)

The Dark is Rising is a lovely spooky book for the build up to Christmas and I also read The Children Of GreenKnowe.

And I can't do Christmas without Love Actually because what is life without Alan Rickman?

You too Jaxjacky and thank you. x
These days it doesn’t take much.

I think good films, a documentary or two and some comedy (loved last year’s Gavin & Stacey) will do the trick. Plus some chocolate ...

Hmm. I thought Love Actually was pants.
Each to their own.
?

I’m creating a scrapbook for my grandchildren to read on the 24th. It is based on the meter from Night Before Christmas, but is based on our family with a nod to the Corona grinch. It has taken time and lots of imagination to do the story and pictures, but has filled so many empty hours. I may miss seeing their faces, but hope they will enjoy it.

This series is not Christmassy but is a ‘will she, won’t she romance’. It’s on Netflix and is called Virgin River. I told my 87 year old neighbour about it as she said she felt lonely. The next morning she emailed me to say she had watched 3 episodes back to back. It’s like a ‘Dr Finlay’s Case Book’ set in Canada.

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I can’t wait for my son to come home and we can watch Elf for the millionth time on Christmas Eve .

I did too Urmston

Last Christmas is a heart - warming and not at all schmaltzy Christmas film, not one for the kids though.

I cook loads of pigs in blankets for breakfast. I love the original Christmas Carol with Alistair Sim, although not a fan of black and white movies generally. I've popped a scratch card and Lindor chocolate in my crackers and will have a cinnamon candle making the house smell of Christmas

Nannarose aah, I love Little Grey Rabbit.
Alison Uttley lived nearby where I live.

Amazon Prime has dozens of Christmas films that are free to watch if you have prime. I have been watching them to see if I could find the Christmas spirit. Some brought a tear I have to say

Lovely thread for a 1st time post. Has to be 'Box of Delights' in our house - BBC children's classic from the 80s and Jeanette Winterson's 'Christmas Days' well worth a read. Merry Christmas to all