Winter Getaways...
Below are our articles on the subject of Winter Getaways. If you can't see what you are looking for our other categories are displayed on the left under 'Our Quick Links'...
A Christmas Family Party
Mum's stressing out in the kitchen, your brother is drunk before dinner, your kids want their presents so bad they won't stop screaming: a few tips to survive your family's Christmas party....
A Christmas Themed Quiz
Why not test your Christmas knowledge with our Christmas themed quiz?...
A UK-American House Swap For Christmas: A Case Study
Do you ever wish you could spice up your Christmas? Every year it’s pleasant enough but sometimes you wish for something a little more? Well, for one family that dream of having a totally different be...
Alcohol Free Christmas Drinks
Have a Christmas to remember with these alcohol-free drinks!...
American Christmas Traditions
From Santa Clause to Turkey dinner, Christmas Traditions in the USA...
Australian Christmas Traditions
What would you do when you had to celebrate Christmas in the middle of the summer? Put on your bathing suit and have a beach party!...
Board Game Classics to Play at Christmas
Board games may have the reputation of being a bit old-fashioned, but as soon as you set one up and start playing, everyone will love it!...
Boxing Day Chill Out Food
Serve a satisfying hot meal or your cold meats with flair!...
Budget Gifts For Christmas
The holiday season is a very expensive period - but you don't need to spend a fortune on Christmas gifts with our bargain gift guide....
Children's Christmas Costumes: Making Your Own
Everything you need to know to create great looking, fun Christmas costumes at home so your children can look their best and enjoy the festive season....
Children's Christmas Parties
Kids love Christmas - didn't you when you were young? And kids love celebrating with other kids, so a children's Christmas party is a great idea....
Christmas Chutneys
Making chutney is deeply satisfying thing to do. Here, we tell you how to make three of the best....
Christmas Crackers: How They Came About
Pull, pull - and bang! What will be in your Christmas cracker this year? We discuss the origins of the Christmas cracker....
Christmas Crafts for the Children
When you're eight years old and waiting for Santa to come it's hard to concentrate on anything else. Why not give your children a Christmas treat with some festive arts and crafts to help pass the day...
Christmas Day Starters
Try these light, appetising starters that don't take too much time or space in your busy Christmas day....
Christmas Decorations and Themes for the Home
Decorating your house for Christmas is one of the most fun parts of the season. Why not set your creativity free and give your decorations a theme? There are plenty to choose from, helping you turn yo...
Christmas Dinner: Ideas for Starters
Two quick, easy, light and tasty ideas for the perfect starter to your Christmas dinner....
Christmas Drinks: Egg Nog
Christmas comes with many wonderful traditions, but few are as tasty as that wonderful drink called egg nog. Here's how to make it and how it originated....
Christmas Fancy Dress Parties
Fancy dress parties are a recent Christmas trend - and a great one at that. But which costume to choose, and more importantly: what not to wear?...
Christmas Hamper Scheme: Guidelines
There have been horror stories but are hamper clubs still safe to join? Read our advice to find out....
Christmas Holidays: Keeping the Kids Entertained
Some new practical and helpful ideas for keeping your children entertained over the Christmas holidays....
Christmas Party Hangover Cures
Some new hangover cure ideas to help you through the excesses of the festive season...
Christmas Recycling
Last Christmas, or even this coming Christmas may be the last thing on your mind right now but recycling can help you get a head start and do your bit for the environment at the same time....
Christmas Traditions in England
The English are great at keeping traditions alive, and this becomes clear at Christmas. From pantomimes to nativity plays and Christmas crackers, we have a merry old time....
Christmas Traditions in Mexico
Christmas celebrations in Mexico are a highly religious affair, with lots of re-enacting Bible stories, midnight mass and nativity scenes....
Common Favourite Christmas Songs
You know Christmas is near once you hear those familiar Christmas songs playing out everywhere you go. Here are a few that have stood the test of time....
Drawing Games to Play at Christmas
Hosting a multilingual Christmas party this year - or do you just want some hilarious entertainment? Then drawing games could be just your thing!...
Environmentally Friendly Christmas Cards
Christmas cards often signal the start of the festive season, but why not do your bit for the environment and go green next year?...
Favourite Festive Films
What better way to start Christmas day than with a seasonally themed movie? And no, we're not talking about "White Christmas"....
Female Fashion: What to Wear on New Year's Eve?
There's plenty of styles about this New Year but what's most important is that you feel good...
Festive Breakfasts and Brunches
Unhurried, delicious breakfast or brunches that will keep everyone quiet at Christmas - for a while at least......
Food for Unexpected Guests at Christmas
A few suggestions for sweet and savoury treats to produce for unexpected guests over Christmas....
Food to Freeze in Advance for Christmas
Top tips for getting organised ahead of Christmas dinner by using your freezer wisely!...
French Christmas Traditions
French Christmas traditions are like the French themselves: an extraordinary and very likeable mixture of culinary excellence and generosity....
General Knowledge Quiz for Christmas
Play our Christmas Quiz. From questions on history to hollywood....
German Christmas Traditions
Many Christmas traditions originated in Germany, like the Christmas tree, Christmas markets and those lovely little houses you place underneath the "Tannenbaum"....
Get Ahead: What to Make in November Ready for Christmas
Christmas requires enormous organisation but by starting early, the stress can be reduced. Here's what can be done ahead in November ready for Christmas....
Getting the House Ready for Christmas
Getting your house ready for Christmas may seem like a big job but with proper planning it can be easy....
Gingerbread Men and Homemade Fudge
No matter how times change, treats like Gingerbread people and homemade fudge will always be synonymous with Christmas and have been for over a century. Here are some quick and easy recipes so you can...
Going Away for Christmas
Christmas at home is lovely, but going away can be even better! We help you decide whether to go away for Christmas and how to tell your mother!...
Great Cook's Gadgets for Christmas Gifts
What better idea then to give keen cooks a handy gadget this Christmas. To fire your imagination, Lovely Christmas brings you 8 of the best....
Homemade Stuffings for Christmas
Stuffing can make all the difference to your Christmas joint-so why not make it yourself?...
Hot Buttered Rum and Spiced Orange
Think of warming Christmas drinks and mulled wine or hot chocolate spring to mind. But why not ring the changes and try some of the following alternative recipes....
How the Christmas Carol Came About
Have you ever wondered why we sing Christmas carols? Here's a bit history behind them....
How to Celebrate Chinese New Year
When Christmas is over and New Year has been and gone you may feel a little blue. But worry not, there’s a huge celebration just around the corner that you can get involved in....
How to Choose Christmas Cheeses
No Christmas feast would be complete without cheese to end the meal. Here Lovely Christmas gives you tips on how to choose perfect Christmas cheeses....
How to Have a Great New Year's Eve Party
Another year is coming to a close, and you're not about to let that pass unnoticed. Sure you know how to party - but we've come up with a few tips nonetheless....
How to have a Homemade Christmas
Christmas needn't be expensive, if you're 'crafty' it can be half the price and twice the fun....
How to have the Perfect New Year Dinner Party
Some useful to tips to help you plan a successful dinner party at New Year....
How to Make a Christmas Cracker
No Yuletide table is complete without a Christmas cracker to pull. But rather than spend a fortune, on shop-bought ones, why not make your own?...
How to Make Christmas Magical for Kids
Plenty of ideas to make the build up to Christmas extra special and exciting for your children....
How to Make Christmas Mince Pies
There’s no more English a Christmas tradition than the eating of mince pies… And once you’ve tasted them, you know why!...
How To Make Mulled Wine
Winters can get cold...but a steaming mug of mulled wine will warm you right up again! Here's how to make it....
How To Make The Perfect Christmas Pudding
If you are planning to serve a traditional Christmas pudding at your Christmas dinner this year, then you'd better get started. Here's our perfect Christmas pudding recipe to help you on your way....
How to Stay Positive at New Year
New Year is not always a happy time, especially for anyone spending the day alone....
How to Wrap Christmas Gifts
Giving presents is lovely isn't it? You spend ages picking the perfect gift and then you wrap it - and that's where the trouble begins! Check out our gift wrapping guide for some hints....
Ice Cream Cone & Summer in Winter Cupcakes
Summer themed cupcakes make a delicious change to heavier winter recipes for the Christmas celebrations....
Ideas for Using Leftover Christmas Turkey
New ideas for using up your leftover turkey meat - without a sprout in sight!...
Ideas for Your Office Christmas Do
It may be several months away, but now is a great time to start planning your Christmas work do. Here are three new ideas for alternatives to the traditional office Christmas party....
Interesting Christmas Dinner Additions
Delicious recipes and suggestions for Christmas ideas with a twist - with no turkey curry in sight!...
Make and Store Dried Fruit Based Cupcakes
Dried fruit cupcakes require very different techniques to be successful - here's how to achieve the perfect dried fruit cupcake....
Make the Most of the Sales for Christmas
Some tips and ideas for shopping in the sales all year round to save money on your Christmas....
Make Your Own Christmas Gifts
Lots of ideas for Christmas gifts that you can make yourself....
Make Your Own Christmas Hamper
This Christmas, why not make your own Christmas hamper? Here we give you lots of great ideas to help you on your way....
Make Your Own Decorations
Decorating your house for Christmas is one the nicest parts of the festive season so why not make it even more fun by making the decorations yourself?...
Making Christmas Cookies
Everyone loves Christmas cookies. They're a Christmas tradition and a magical childhood memory. Here's our quick and easy recipe to make delicious Christmas Sugar cookies that are so simple to make ev...
Midnight Mass at Christmas
Midnight Mass is one of the important christian church ceremonies of the year, and it features many wonderful traditions....
New Year Traditions Around the World
New Year is celebrated differently all over the world, here are some them....
Parcel Cakes With Fondant Wrapping
These Christmas parcel shaped cakes always impress visitors and guests....
Planning a New Year Party
Preparation is key to having a great New Years Party...
Planning what to Buy For Christmas
It may seem too early to plan ahead but by buying what you need now for Christmas, you could have a happier holiday season....
Planning Where to Have Christmas
Planning where to spend Christmas can be stressful, especially when you want to please everyone, so what can you do?...
Planning: Countdown to Christmas
Advice on how to plan ahead for Christmas, including buying presents and cooking the meal without getting stressed....
Playing Charades at Christmas
You might look silly playing it, but there's no fun like charades fun. Sounds like: a great party game!...
Poinsettia: The Christmas Flower Tradition
You might not realise it, but you probably know exactly what a Poinsettia looks like. The plant is the most popular Christmas flower - except it's not a flower....
Recycling Your Christmas Decorations
Recycling your Christmas decorations is a great way to do your bit for the environment - and can help you save a bit of money too!...
Save Money on Christmas
The Christmas season is an incredibly expensive period. But there are ways to keep your wallet happy....
Scandinavian Christmas Traditions
Scandinavia is a true winter wonderland - and when Christmas comes around, it becomes even more so. And the Vikings are still around, too!...
Scottish Christmas Traditions
Christmas was banned for nearly four hundred years in Scotland: no wonder there are not too many Scottish holidays traditions....
Should You Do a Round Robin Christmas Letter?
A realistic article to help you write that dreaded Christmas round robin letter - how to get the tone right without looking like a terrible show off!...
Should You Get a Real or Fake Christmas Tree?
Real trees have that fabulous Christmas smells but fake trees are more convenient and reusable - so which should you opt for?...
Should You Visit Lapland at Christmas Time?
A guide to visiting Lapland at Christmas time to help you make up your mind...
Spanish Christmas Traditions
The Spanish celebrate Christmas in a way that sticks pretty close to the Bible - apart from jumping over bonfires and singing to kids on a swing, that is....
Table Decoration Ideas for Christmas
Three new ideas for making your dinner table look wonderfully Chrismassy!...
Tasty Canapes for Christmas Guests
A few new ideas for delicious canapés to serve your friends over Christmas - without slaving away over a hot stove!...
Tasty Christmas Eve Suppers
These impressive supper dishes help us all to make the most of Christmas Eve....
The Christmas Pantomime
The pantomime play is a wonderful part of the Christmas season: who doesn’t like laughing, singing and dancing?...
The Christmas Stocking
Christmas stockings are largely an American tradition – but are they really? And how do you make a Christmas stocking?...
The History of Christmas Pudding
The origins of Christmas pudding are nothing like the sweet plum pudding we know today. Here Lovely Christmas tells you its history....
The History of the Yule Log
City dwellers are unlikely to have heard of it, but in many rural areas the Yule log tradition still persists....
The Perfect Christmas Dinner
Christmas dinner is the highlight of the festive season. Regardless of what you have on yours you can take any bet it's the best tating meal you'll have all year! But preparing the feast is by no mean...
The School Nativity Play
The School Nativity is the highlight of any child's year and, for most parents, an emotional experience! It's been a tradition since 1223 and shows no sign of slowing! If you want to enjoy the day, wi...
The Tradition of Mistletoe and Holly
Holly and mistletoe are everywhere during the holiday season. But why is that?...
The Twelve Days of Christmas
You might know the song, but do you know what the Twelve Days of Christmas really stand for? Here's the complete guide....
Throwing an Office Christmas Party
Is it your turn to organize the annual office Christmas party? Then here are a few pointers to make it a great night - and still keep your job....
Timings for the Turkey
Getting the timings right for Christmas dinner can seem a nightmare, but if you follow our step-by-step guide, you shouldn’t go wrong....
Tips on Adding Booze to Cupcakes
Boozy cupcakes are a grown-up delight and our tips help you create the perfect alcohol infused cake....
Tips on Making a Christmas Photograph Album
Christmas photo albums are a great way of holding onto beautiful memories… On paper and on the internet!...
Traditional Nativity Celebration
It's all in the name: the Nativity is the story of how Jesus came into this world, and it is told, depicted and re-enacted throughout the entire Christian community....
Traditional Shortbread at Christmas
What is Christmas without homemade treats and fresh baked biscuits? Shortbread is a traditional family favourite and with our quick and easy recipe you can treat your family to a childhood classic....
Transporting Iced and Decorated Cupcakes Safely
Making cakes can be the easy bit! Expert tips on how to transport them can really help you spread your baking wings....
Turkey Vs Goose: A Quick Guide
Can't choose between turkey or goose for Christmas? Read our handy guide to help you decide....
Unwanted Christmas Gifts: What to Do?
We all receive gifts we're not too keen on but why not make some good use of them?...
Vegetarian Christmas Meals
Well worth a little effort, these meat-free dishes are a little different at Christmas time....
We Had a Street Party Christmas: A Case Study
Christmas is about getting everyone together isn’t it? For one street in Liverpool the Christmas celebrations got much bigger than that....
What is the Significance of Advent?
Advent is a period of prayer, focussing on faith, penitence and church-going - and of celebrating the Comings of Jesus Christ....
Wheat and Gluten Free Christmas Pudding
A wheat and gluten free Christmas pudding that speaks for itself - the proof is in the pudding!...
Where did Santa Claus come from?
We all know him - but do we really? Who is the man wearing the big red suit, where does he live and why does he do what he does? Meet Santa Claus....
Which Turkey to Order?
Choosing a turkey can be a confusing business, but with a little background know-how, you should be well on your way to selecting a fine specimen this Christmas....
Why Christmas Lights?
Never does the world shine brighter than during the Christmas season: Where do Christmas lights originate?...
Why Do We Give Christmas Cards?
It's one of the biggest tasks at Christmas and panic sets in as soon as you recieve your first one - send Christmas cards! Given as a token of goodwill to family a friends, writing and sending dozens ...
Why is Boxing Day so Called?
No need to put on any other gloves than those nice woollen ones: Boxing Day is not a celebration of human punching power. Or is it?...
Why The Christmas Tree Came About
Millions and millions of Christmas trees are sold every year around the world - so how did the tradition come about?...
Winter Flowers for Hanging Baskets and Outdoor Decorations
With a few well-selected plants and a bit of imagination, winter hanging baskets and displays can add a whole new dimension to your Festive outdoor decor....
Xmas Tree Truffle Cupcakes
These charming cakes are bound to impress your Christmas guests....