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The Christmas Zone

Happy Christmas, Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all Men

Father Cjhristmas and babe

Its that time of year again

It seems as if Christmas comes around much sooner each year. Perhaps it is simply that, as I age, the year flies by so quickly? In truth I think though that it is simply the commercial side of Christmas begins in early autumn these days.

By late September the first signs of Christmas are appearing. Shops will have a smattering of Christmas cards and one or two seasonal toys, and then suddenly, bang. they are full of Christmas goods.

Creating this Zone in early November then feels about the right time. Whether you celebrate Christmas as The Birth of Christ and a religious holiday, or as a time for giving and receiving presents, with plenty of over indulgences, is up to you. One thing is for sure, Christmas is celebrated around the World, even in many far flung places.

This zone will hopefully include some great hints and tips for enjoying the Christmas festivities, and may help with the mammoth task of planning the perfect Christmas.

Remember though the vital ingredient for a great Christmas is good cheer, so have fun and Happy Holidays.

by James Lynne

"Strings of street lights, even stop lights blink a bright red and green. In the air there's a feeling of Christmas." Ah, yes! Christmas is a time of magic and mystery, buying and giving, eating and d...More>
10 articles  Write NowWrite

by Ed Ostrom

Is it possible to have Christmas without Christ? I believe that the answer to the question is "Yes!" and "No!" It is possible to celebrate this Festive Season without Celebrating Jesus Christ. Many pe...More>
16 articles  Write NowWrite

by Pat Lunsford

Cherry cream cake is good at any holiday and makes an excellent center piece with its cream and cherry filling surrounded by chocolate frosting. Your family and friends will clean their plates in a hu...More>
25 articles  Write NowWrite

by Beth Mckinney

Traditional Pfeffernssen have a worldly flavor of licorice and pepper that spreads throughout the mouth as the hard nuggets dissolve. Grown-ups are more likely to appreciate them than children - I mys...More>
3 articles  Write NowWrite

by Mandeep Kaur

Today allergy is very common .Specially allergy to eggs and all the cakes are mostly made from eggs.but now u don't have to deprive Ur self from cakes if u are allergic to eggs try my egg less cake re...More>
1 articles  Write NowWrite

by Louanne Cox

E is for Eggs, besides being used in cooking, they are also used in cocktails, such as the Egg Nog, now how did someone come up with that name? It seems there are two stories, one tale says that the d...More>
2 articles  Write NowWrite

by Ann Krall

Romancing Christmas LunchThe most romantic Christmas lunches are at home, not at some fancy restaurant, not at a five-star resort. Even at noon when the sun is shining, you can still have the fireplac...More>
5 articles  Write NowWrite

by Meggie Hardy

Christmas Eve for many folks is like the pre-game celebration before the big event. If you're hosting the dinner, don't stress about what to serve. Lighten your load and keep the menu simple so you ca...More>
70 articles  Write NowWrite

Helium Christmas Debates

by Ethel Smith

After all the grocery shopping we do before Christmas, is it really any wonder that most of our refrigerators and store cupboards are still bursting at the seams well into the New Year?. I guess a lot...More>
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Silent Night

by Donna Carroll Batton

As generations age and move on in families, traditions change. When you're a child, enveloped in the magic of the season, you think Christmas will always be at grandmas, or Aunt Helen's, or wherever y...More>
13 articles  Write NowWrite

by Rick Badman

The Christmas tree originated as a pagan symbol. Jesus wasn't actually born on Christmas. Catholics adopted the winter solstice to be the time to commemorate the brith of Christ just like the pagans c...More>
6 articles  Write NowWrite

by Ethel Smith

When I was young it seemed strange to me, that at Christmas time I would sit on the knee, of a rather fat man all dressed in red who on Christmas Eve left presents on my bed. Just how this man travell...More>
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by David Dewitt

Christmas is my favorite time of the year. There seems to be a mixture of excitement and anticipation in the air that just seems to thrill the soul. Christmas would be nothing without its many traditi...More>
24 articles  Write NowWrite

by Wayfarer

A Scottish ChristmasOn a cold mid-winter eve, a large man in a hooded cloak visits a cottage in the hills. He sits a while by the fire, swaps stories and shares hospitality. When he heads back out int...More>
3 articles  Write NowWrite

by Rosetta Taylor

Like many western nations, the essentially secular nation of Australia has embraced the nominally Christian festival of Christmas with enthusiasm. That is not to say that there are not many millions o...More>
17 articles  Write NowWrite

Is Christmas for you?

Do you enjoy Christmas?
Love it
Like it
Hate it
Indifferent to it
Used to love it, but not anymore

by Barbara A. Black

For several years during the years my children were growing up, I began shopping for Christmas (for the next year) the day after Christmas! There were many reasons for doing so, but the basic two were...More>
7 articles  Write NowWrite

by Rachelle de Bretagne

Many people forget amid the search for the best turkey and all the trimmings that the main ingredient to a memorable Christmas party is congeniality. Take that away from the recipe and you may well ha...More>
11 articles  Write NowWrite

Good advice re your Christmas Tree

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by Ethel Smith

Christmas stockings are often, these days, used as part of the Christmas decorations. Let's face it, there are some lovely Christmas stockings available, so it is little wonder that we incorporate the...More>
4 articles  Write NowWrite

by Nance Carter

Everyone wants a safe and merry Christmas. If you take a few precautions now, you will be able to enjoy the holidays without experiencing any unpleasant episodes, and everyone will have a wonderful ti...More>
3 articles  Write NowWrite

Comments (1 to 5 of 5)

Ethel Smith
Nov 06, 09 at 03:54 PM
Thanks so mich Amanda. Its a great time of year to re capture your youth, I think :)
Amanda Dcosta
Nov 05, 09 at 08:10 PM
Hi Ethel. You have a beautiful zone here, definitely reflecting the mood of the season. Its like I can almost *smell* Christmas here :) and have a feeling of nostalgia too. You know how it is when u grow up and the family is spread all over the globe.... Well, I certainly liked your poem too on Santa Claus. Very child-like and yes- again there, a very nostalgic feeling. Beautiful zone, Ethel. Way to go!
Ethel Smith
Nov 03, 09 at 02:59 PM
Thanks Raven and Leigh. I should hopefully be able to keep updating this zone as Christmas approaches.
Leigh Goessl
Nov 03, 09 at 05:40 AM
Lovely zone Ethel! I agree with Raven, nice collection of materials, a lot of diversity in topics all tied beautifully together to Christmas.
Raven Lebeau
Nov 02, 09 at 03:07 PM
Nice collection of materials! And you're right, it is just about time for this sort of thing. I love the photo of the cake.
Journalist: Ethel Smith
Company: N.H.S
Title: Hospital clerk.
Helium member since Jan 26, 07
Number of Zones: 29

As poignant as ever.

by Linda Cann Pearson

If you are one of those people who tend to wait until the very last minute to do your Christmas shopping, don't panic. There will be plenty of options open to you, even on the last shopping day before...More>
2 articles  Write NowWrite

by Janet Donaldson

Nobody wants to feel like the Grinch when heading out to shop for Christmas, and with the adrenaline rush of the holidays, it can be a shoppers paradise loaded with sparkling lights and beautiful deco...More>
11 articles  Write NowWrite

Money saving at Christmas

by Ethel Smith

Well you could save a bundle of cash at Christmas by not giving any presents, or sending any cards, and sticking to your ordinary diet, which would mean that you would not have to spend extra cash on ...More>
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by Duarl Richardson

THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT An old man was searching through a garbage can. He lives in an old deserted van. Nights are cold and it's hard to stay warm to sleep. The old man gets on his knees and weeps....More>
52 articles  Write NowWrite

Christmas Ads

Following eiley123
  • If you are a cat lover, and have a pet cat, you will no doubt feel that it is part of your family. Cats may be independent creatures, who rather than live with you, allow you to let them keep you company, but they will still appreciate spoiling. Christmas is the perfect time to show your pet just ho...
    Fri, 11 Dec 2009 06:26:52 EST
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