Its All About Christmas

The weeks leading to Christmas can prove very stressful and the tension can build greatly…the food needs buying, the carrots need cutting, the sprouts need scrubbing and the turkey could do with a basting. The cards won’t write themselves, the Christmas cake needs icing and those last minute presents need wrapping. After buying the same old presents for people year after year, the usual smelly’s for the uncle, a board game for your cousin and good old alcohol for your grandma, you’re left feeling drained and out of pocket! After all those years trying to please everyone else, it’s time to take a stand and be selfish for a change!

Add up the value of the presents you would usually buy, even the stocking fillers…every penny counts! At a very minimum, you’d probably be looking at around £300-£500 easily, which leads me to the very important question…what could one do with £500 to treat oneself?! Get online and book yourself a bargain holiday!

One of the best times of the year to grab a cheap holiday is early to mid December (before Christmas). Many people stick to their usual Christmas routine and wouldn’t dare disturb it by going on holiday…this is where you get to take advantage. Tour operators want to fill all seats on their flights and what better way of doing that than by reducing all prices of flights and accommodation! With the credit crunch looming, this year more than any other will have amazing sale prices. Due to the dip in the Euro, people are very concerned about their spending money and rightly so. This must be taken into consideration when searching for your holiday, aswell as checking out the extraordinarily cheap self-catering holidays, make sure you compare the prices with the all inclusive option and choose which one will give you better value for money on the whole.

Whether you prefer to relax alone or with your loved one, treat yourself to a week in Spain or the Canaries. Begin your search for your late deal holiday at the beginning of December, keep checking everyday to see how the prices fluctuate and then when you feel happy with the reduced price, get it booked!

Now for the cheeky part…as soon as you’re all booked up, call your friends and family and let them know about the fantastic bargain holiday you found and which you just couldn’t resist booking. Let them know that because of the holiday, you won’t be participating in this year’s exchange of gifts. Yes they may feel slightly upset and annoyed at first, but soon they’ll realise that they too will be saving money in the process.

I think if everybody took this advice and treat themselves to a cheap holiday instead of buying boring presents which no one really wants, we’d all enjoy our Christmas that little bit more and would certainly feel more relaxed during the festive period.

The Christmas holiday season in Spain is a truly magical affair. Although it doesn’t get going until seemingly the last minute, the Spanish throw themselves whole heartedly into the spirit of things and the festivities finally culminate on the 6th January.

The true mark of the beginning of Christmas in Spain is the Spanish national lottery draw held on December 22nd. ‘El Gordo’ or the fat one, is so called because it is the largest national lottery in the world with the total prize fund running into billions and it also has the best odds of winning. The draw takes place throughout the whole morning and the whole nation tunes in to watch the very elaborate drawing of the numbers. The tickets can cost up to 200 euros so many people club together to buy a share, although there are those who put aside a saving fund, sometimes up to 1000 euros to buy a few tickets for the family. The lottery draw is the moment when Christmas comes to Spain, this symbolic tradition has been going for centuries and Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without it.

Once the lottery draw has been made, the festivities really begin, students and children break up for the holidays and lights, decorations and trees suddenly appear overnight. The traditional Christmas decoration for a true Spanish Christmas is the ‘belén’ or nativity scene. Just like other countries across the world, where Christmas trees take centre stage in town and village squares, each town and village has its own belen. Some of these scenes are breathtakingly beautiful and elaborate and can be visited in town halls and churches across the land. Even personal ones can take over whole rooms in the house and just with the Christmas tree it is a magical family time spent putting it together and adding all the little touches. As well as the traditional religious characters and popular local scenes, one special character is paramount to the Spanish belen. He is known as ‘el Cagón’ and to be polite, he is a figure in a squat position doing a poo! His presence symbolises the fertilisation of the land for the coming year but of course provides much amusement for the children. Although an important and historical figure in the belén, he has been banned from public nativity scenes in many towns by local governments so as not to cause offence…

Just like other Christmas celebrations, here in Spain it is a time to gather the family together and celebrate with a meal. The main Christmas meal in Spain is held on Christmas Eve or ‘Noche Buena’

The meal on the eve of the 24th is the most important meal in the Spanish calendar and is always held in the evening, many people won’t even start until after midnight as the old saying goes, “ Esta noche es Noche Buena, y no es de dormir” this night is the Good Night, and is not meant for sleeping”

Generally, the celebrations usually begin early evening when friends and family meet in bars for a drink before returning home for the main event. Like most Christmas meals, the Spanish one involves a lot of preparation, many courses, lots to drink and lasts all night.

You can expect to find a large array of moth watering seasonal delights at the table during the meal. Popular foods for starters or appetisers are shellfish and cold cuts of meat which are usually followed by soup and then another fish dish. A traditional one is ‘besugo’ which is baked bream but you may also find lobster, crab, salmon, hake, sea bass or trout. Then for the main course the traditional roast is lamb or sucking pig although duck, or turkey served with truffles are becoming more popular. Dessert is traditionally a selection of sweets and cakes such as marzipan, ‘polvorones’ a sweet kind of bread or Spanish turrón which is nougat made with sweet toasted almonds and has been made in Spain for centuries. The only drink to accompany your meal is cava, the Spanish equivalent of champagne which many say is far better than its French counterpart.

Another must do for a true Spanish Christmas is midnight mass which people go to either before or after the meal, depending on the time they eat. Christmas midnight mass in Spain is known as ‘La Misa del Gallo’ or ‘Rooster Mass’ because the rooster was the first to announce the birth of Christ. Once the meal and mass is over, people return home to exchange gifts. Children will often only receive a small gift as ‘Papa Noel’ is less popular than the Three Kings who arrive on 5th January with presents for all the children. The evening, or morning, usually ends in a bar or disco where whole families gather to party and celebrate once the family festivities are over.

Christmas day is a quiet affair and the quietest in the Spanish calendar. People meet up for a walk or a drink and while many continue the celebrations with a meal in a restaurant, most people are still recovering from the evening before. In Catalonia, there is a wonderful Christmas day tradition which goes by the name of “El Tio.” Basically a decorated log or tree trunk is ‘fed’ with sweets and other goodies during the few days before Christmas and then on the day, Children sing the traditional catalan Christmas song and beat el tio with a stick when he produces sweets and other delights for all the family.

Shortly after Christmas day on December 28th there is another curious celebration unique to Spain called ‘The Day of the Innocents.’ Although the origins of this fiesta lie in murders of women and children committed by Herod in Judea, modern day celebrations are similar to those of April fools Day on a much larger scale. Newspapers print ridiculous stories and even prominent political figures get involved. Never believe anything you see or hear on this day and watch your step carefully!

New Year’s Eve or ‘Noche Vieja’ in Spain is celebrated much like everywhere else with a few unique exceptions. It is apparently tradition to wear red underwear which must be bought for you by someone else (although I’ve never been brave enough to check this one out for myself.) Another great and long standing tradition is ‘las doce uvas’ or the twelve grapes. At the stroke of midnight, one grape must be eaten with each chime of the bell or clock, anyone who manages all twelve are said to have good luck throughout the coming year. It is a tradition taken very seriously by many Spanish people and while some of us are still struggling at ten past twelve, there are lots of people well practiced in the art. Preparation is everything though, I remember helping to peel and deseed enough grapes for 10 people last year……. You can buy ready prepared grapes in tins but it is not the same somehow.

Once the grapes have been eaten and multiple kisses bestowed, the party really begins. Again, whole families from the young to the old can be seen in bars and discos celebrating the beginning of the New Year until the early hours.

For Spanish children, the best days of the festive season have to be the 5th and 6th of January. While the rest of us are packing away the trees and tired decorations, Spanish children everywhere are preparing for the arrival of the Three Kings. In Spain it is not Santa who brings the children their presents, but the Three Kings or ‘Los Reyes Magos’ On the 5th January, the eve of Epiphany children go to local parades which herald the arrival of the Three Kings. Each village parade consists of decorative floats with a variety of themes and sweets and streamers being thrown into the crowds. At the end of the parade, children get the opportunity to ask the Three Kings for their chosen gift and then leave their shoes out overnight in which their gift will be placed. In many villages though, the parade of the Three Kings culminates in a gathering at the local church or school hall where each child’s name is called out and they receive a small gift. The day of the 6th January is a national holiday, much like Christmas day and children wake up to presents left by the Three Kings. The typical dessert of the day is called “Rosca de los Reyes” and is a home baked ring style bread decorated with coloured jellies to symbolise the jewels worn by the three Kings. Inside is hidden a small surprise similar to what we find in Christmas crackers. Anyone lucky enough to find the hidden surprise may be crowned King or Queen for the day!

Christmas celebrations in Spain are fantastic and what I like is the way things are not commercialised as they are in the UK for example. Walking down the road at the beginning of December, you would hardly notice that Christmas is round the corner, there are very few Christmas adverts on TV and it seems ages before lights and decorations go up. However once the fever takes over, you are spoiled by the generosity of Christmas spirit bestowed on you by the locals, you get free gifts in the shops and free tipples in the town hall, lights and decorations appear as if by magic, there is music to be heard and people seem to suddenly take to the streets and squares just to wish you well and enjoy the atmosphere which goes on right until January.

The 6th January marks the end of the Christmas celebrations in Spain and then like everywhere else, it’s back to the same old. But don’t worry the next fiesta is just around the corner…

Christmas in Cheshire and in particular the city of Chester will attempt to ignore the doom and gloom that has been hanging over the country’s heads for the past few months. The county is planning numerous festive events during this year’s Christmas period. Even more than exciting events are planned over the past few years to help raise the spirits of both local people and the county’s many visitors alike. One major focus for Christmas events will be Cheshire’s Tatton Park, which has an amazing selection of events and activities to delight Christmas revellers. For the little ones Father Christmas will be found at the park’s well-stocked farm, including a beautiful month-old calf. The Mansion House will be home to numerous events as well as being fully decorated with traditional floral garland tributes all freshly collected from the spectacular gardens. Throughout the interior of the house, there will be large numbers of special Christmas displays as well as demonstrations of how to create traditional Christmas decorations. Each weekend through Christmas and New Year there will be live music in the state rooms for people to enjoy as they pass through the house. Visitors who choose the evening to tour the wonderful state rooms will enjoy doing so in candlelight offering a feel of a traditional Christmas complete with a choir singing Christmas carols. In the lead up at Christmas there will be multiple concerts featuring the Northern Chamber Orchestra, Mart Rodger’s Manchester Jazz, The Rat Pack Is Back and others. In addition, the stable yard will play host to carol concerts where the King Edward Musical Society will invite the public to sing along. In Chester, the public can enjoy the traditional Christmas Carol Concert – The Joy of Christmas at Chester Cathedral. Chester Zoo will also be offering traditional entertainment in the form of their 2008 Frost Fair. A Frost Fair is a nearly forgotten British Christmas tradition that dates back to the 15th century when Londoners used to enjoy skating on the frozen River Thames. Chester Zoo will be recreating the feel of these colder times along with entertainment, as well as a selection of festive food and a huge Christmas tree. On Northgate Street in Chester you will find an Italian Christmas with locals celebrating Christmas in the Market Town Hall Square, here you will be able to sample some delightful Italian food offerings amongst other activities. The UK’s largest Christmas tree was lit up in a spectacular show which featured former X factor star Shayne Ward. The tree can be viewed at Ellesemere Port’s Cheshire Oaks shopping facility. It should not be too difficult to find as it stands nearly 100 feet tall, and is decorated with over 80,000 baubles and an incredible 100,000 light bulbs. The Christmas experience in Chester has been widely publicized across the region and will offer an incredible selection of entertainment for the Christmas period including a stunning light show around the city centre as well as Santa and his Reindeer. You may also be able to spot some Fairies and win yourself £1000. After 3 PM visitors will be able to park for free and make use of the city’s Park ‘n’ Ride facilities.

With only eight days to go until one of the most anticipated (and stressful for some) day of the year, it’s more important than ever to make sure you’re organized and on the ball. With crazy work schedules and a multitude of other tasks at home to juggle, there is even less time to prepare for the holiday season this year. If you have not begun your Christmas preparations yet, now is the time to begin.

With proper activity planning and organizing, there is still enough time left to pull off a great holiday celebration. Here’s a countdown and check list to make sure everything gets done this Christmas, as well as some last minute ideas of things to do.

Day 8 – Haven’t sent holiday cards yet? You still have time if you get to it today. First, make a list of friends, relatives, colleagues and others to gauge the number of cards and stamps you need. At this point, you may also want to consider sending an electronic card or a personal email since time is of the essence.

Day 7 – If you are hosting people for Christmas lunch or dinner, make sure you send the invites out today. You can use online sites to send invitations and track RSVPs. You’ll also find some handy hosting and decorating tips at some sites, and tools to coordinate a potluck.

Day 6 – If you haven’t started decorating your house for Christmas yet, it’s time you start today. Bring down those boxes from the attic and decorate your Christmas tree with lights and ornaments. If you want to show your Christmas spirit outside your home, a wreath on the door is an easy idea, or consider putting a festive bow or lights on a tree in your front yard.

Day 5 – If your fridge resembles a museum with leftovers from days gone by, then it’s time to clean it out and take stock of what you have and what you need to buy for your Christmas meals. Hit the grocery store early in the morning to avoid lines, and so you can do some last minute gift buying for people on your list in the afternoon or evening.

Day 4 – This is the gift shopping day. Since you have the list of gifts; gift shopping will be relatively easy. Don’t be over ambitious and try to finish shopping for everyone today. If you have been scanning the newspapers, websites and outdoor advertisements on best deals and discounts; shopping will be easier.

Day 3- Wrap the gifts. You’ll have too much food-prep and cooking to do later, so get this out of the way now. Most people underestimate how much time it will take to wrap presents, so make sure you budget a few hours to do this. Time saver: pay a younger sibling, niece or nephew, or neighbor to wrap the gifts for you.

Day 2 –Time to start baking. If you are throwing a party or planning to gift cakes and cookies, it’s better if you start today. You’ll get ample time to try and test recipes, find replacements and do some re-cooking if necessary. You’ll also want to make another trip to the grocery store today and pick up any final items.

Day 1 – Food prep today will help make things run smoothly tomorrow. Make things like marinades, and sauces in advance, as well as side dishes that can sit overnight (this will also make them more flavorful). Chop up herbs and vegetables and refrigerate them so they’re good to go.

Day 0 – Hey, it’s Christmas day! We wish you a merry Christmas and hope these tips really helped you.

See you next year.

Most families enjoy spending Christmas with each other. It’s the same every year – you arrive at the same family house with the same people (plus or minus a family member or two depending on how the year has gone). You greet everyone and head immediately to the spiked punch bowl, determined to ignore your Uncle Andy’s annoying jokes and your Aunt Estelle’s well-meaning, yet obnoxious advice. If you’re looking to enjoy the holidays, why not spend your Christmas in a 5 star hotel instead of doing the same thing every year?

Christmas at a Five Star Hotel

Many don’t realize that, even if you’ve got children, you can spend Christmas at a 5 star hotel, as long as you do a little planning ahead of time. The first thing to choose is what 5 star hotel you’d like to stay at. Most 5 star hotel’s in the north can get pretty busy during the holiday season, while many 5 star hotel’s further down south, and in the Caribbean, are a bit slower, so if you’re planning to go to a snowy area 5 star hotel for Christmas, make sure you book well ahead of time.

Next, figure out if you’re going to open your Christmas presents at the 5 star hotel or when you’re at home. If you’ve got large presents, it is often much less expensive to open your presents at home rather than to ship them to a 5 star hotel. If you’re determined to keep the surprise a surprise, you can take pictures of the present that you are giving the other person and can wrap the photo, or put it in an envelope, and can give it to your partner on Christmas morning at the 5 star hotel. That will allow you to keep the surprise without having to spend a fortune shipping a large present to the 5 star hotel.

The Guilt

Some people feel really guilty about traveling to a 5 star hotel on Christmas instead of staying with family and friends. Don’t! Instead of feeling guilty, figure out how you can enjoy the time with your family and friends when you’re at home. Spend more time with them before Christmas and before you go to a 5 star hotel, or maybe you will want to invite them to the 5 star hotel with you to have your family party in a luxurious setting and a 5 star hotel, rather than having it at Uncle Al’s house once again.

No matter what you decide, make sure that you decide to include everyone in your planning. Let your family know sooner, rather than later, that you plan on going to a 5 star hotel for the holiday, and get your shopping done early, before you go to the 5 star hotel. If you’re looking for a more traditional Christmas, including having a tree, ask the hotel concierge at the 5 star hotel if they can bring in a tree for Christmas morning, and if they can have it decorated for you. A little planning and a few questions early on allow you to have a wonderful holiday season at a 5 star hotel; one that you may not have thought you would have before you traveled to a 5 star hotel.