Last night, the TV show 20 to 1 featured the top 20 crazy customs we keep. And one of the customs they listed was putting up Chirstmas lights on the outside of our houses!

They showed many examples of decorated houses, including the incredible displays in Deck the Halls (2006 movie) and a Chevy Chase film from the late 80s. There were also a number of interviews with celebrities about what they thought of extravagent displays of Christmas lights.

It was interesting how some people were amazed at the time and expense people went to, while others thought it was part of the magic of Christmas. There was also mention of the competitive nature of Christmas lights in some places - one person has 20 lights so there neighbour has to put up 25, and so on!

Apparently, there is one Australian town (Casino in NSW) where a particular family is not allowed to put up lights anymore - well, at least not to enter the local lights competition as no one could ever beat their display! That doesn’t seem to fit the spirit of competition or Chirstmas!

There was no mention of communities and neighbourhoods that work together to provide Chirstmas joy - streets where there is unity so families can visit a number of displays in one place.

Does your area compete over Christmas lights or work together? Do you think one way or the other gets better or more impressive light displays?

When many Christmas carols are learned by hearing them and trying to figure out the words, it isn’t surprising that sometimes the words sung aren’t exactly as expected. Especially when teh singer is young and doesn’t always know the words or meanings of the songs to be able to judge their errors.

Here are some song errrors I’ve heard of - do you have any others?

• Frosty the snowman is a ferret elf I say
• You’ll go down in listerine (How’s that for commercialism taking over!)
• Olive, the other reindeer
• Sleep in heavenly peas
• Good tidings we bring to you and your kid
• Come, froggy faithful

Have you ever thought about how many names Santa has? There’s not just Santa, Santa Claus or Mr Claus - there is quite a range and sometimes children get confused when Santa is called something else in a book or story.

Here are some of the most ocmmon names for the jolly man who loves chidlren and makes their Christmases special…

Santa Claus - or Santa for short - or Santo Clos (in Mexico)

St Nicholas - or St Nick for short (also spelt Nikolas)

Father Christmas or Pere Noel (in French) or Pare Noel (in Spanish) or Noel Baba (in Turkish)

Sinterklaas (Dutch variation of Saint Nicholas and believed to be the origins of Santa Claus))

Kris Kringle

Odin ( a Germanic God also associated with Christmas)

Tomte or Nisse (Nordic folklore names)

Neclaus

Grandfather Christmas

Grandfather Frost or Father Frost

Papai Noel (in Brazil) translates as Father Noah

Are there any others you know of?

Fruit mince can be bought in any supermarket, but it is so much nicer to use home made mince when making puddings, cakes, fruit mince tarts and the like. So here is a simple recipe for fruit mince - good to make it in or before October for best results at Christmas.

Oh, and jars of mince can themselves be a lovely Christmas gift!

1/3 cup raisins, chopped finely
1/3 cup currants
1/3 cup sultanas
1 Tbs mixed peel, finely chopped
1/3 cup sugar
1 Tbs butter (melted)
1 Tbs brandy
1 apple, grated

Mix the fruit and peel, then add the remaining ingredients. Once thoroughly mixed, bottle and seal tightly.

* a small amount of grated ginger is a nice touch
* it is best to sterilise your bottles before adding the mince - as easy as heating them in the oven or in a pot of boiling water. Be careful not to burn yourself.

There is nothing more loving and special as a gift than something hand made specifically for the recipient. Of course, if they are skilled crafters, the gift is truly valuable, lol!

If you are anything like me, there is no way you could sit down in December and start making some lovely gifts for people - who has that much time in December?

So this year I figure I might get started early by starting some craft projects now when I am relaxed (holidays are wonderful things!) I found a few needlework projects relating to Christmas but then I figured it didn’t have to have a Christmas theme to be a Christmas present, lol, so I’m going to ‘catch a falling star’ instead.

And I’m also looking for inspiration for a scrapbooking page that I may create as a hanging picture for my parents and in laws. Figure its a unique gift for people who just buy anything they want or need during the year!

I’ve been meaning to post this since Christmas!

This year, my kids decided that Mummy needed to have a stocking too, as Santa only brings gifts for kids. So, I gave them some shopping money (they’re 3 & 5 and don’t get pocket money yet), and they took their Oma to Chadstone to buy items for Mummy’s stocking. They made some great choices, include a Christmas angel with my name on it, a headband, a book to read, and some bubble bath.

On Christmas morning, we all had fun opening our stockings together, and the boys were so proud of the stocking they had put together for Mummy.

There is a lot of fun and delight to be had from Christmas lights, for the young and the young at heart! Some homes have lights in their tree, some have  just a few lights visible to the world, but there is a growing number of homes (and businesses) that make a display every Christmas for many people to enjoy.

Next year, when you are thinking about where to go for some Christmas magic, try some of the magnificent light displays across the Australian Capital Territory.

Sharing…

Share the light displays you know of - give an address or directions to find the displays so other people can enjoy those lights, too.

Rank the displays as follows:

4 Santas - spectacular displays that are an event in themselves

3 Santas - displays that are worth taking a detour to on your way home

2 Santas - displays that locals should know about for choosing the best route home

1 Santa - nice displays that perhaps aren’t worth travelling to, but are enjoyable just the same

There is a lot of fun and delight to be had from Christmas lights, for the young and the young at heart! Some homes have lights in their tree, some have  just a few lights visible to the world, but there is a growing number of homes (and businesses) that make a display every Christmas for many people to enjoy.

Next year, when you are thinking about where to go for some Christmas magic, try some of the magnificent light displays across the Northern Territory.

Sharing…

Share the light displays you know of - give an address or directions to find the displays so other people can enjoy those lights, too.

Rank the displays as follows:

4 Santas - spectacular displays that are an event in themselves

3 Santas - displays that are worth taking a detour to on your way home

2 Santas - displays that locals should know about for choosing the best route home

1 Santa - nice displays that perhaps aren’t worth travelling to, but are enjoyable just the same

There is a lot of fun and delight to be had from Christmas lights, for the young and the young at heart! Some homes have lights in their tree, some have  just a few lights visible to the world, but there is a growing number of homes (and businesses) that make a display every Christmas for many people to enjoy.

Next year, when you are thinking about where to go for some Christmas magic, try some of the magnificent light displays across Western Australia.

Sharing…

Share the light displays you know of - give an address or directions to find the displays so other people can enjoy those lights, too.

Rank the displays as follows:

4 Santas - spectacular displays that are an event in themselves

3 Santas - displays that are worth taking a detour to on your way home

2 Santas - displays that locals should know about for choosing the best route home

1 Santa - nice displays that perhaps aren’t worth travelling to, but are enjoyable just the same

There is a lot of fun and delight to be had from Christmas lights, for the young and the young at heart! Some homes have lights in their tree, some have  just a few lights visible to the world, but there is a growing number of homes (and businesses) that make a display every Christmas for many people to enjoy.

Next year, when you are thinking about where to go for some Christmas magic, try some of the magnificent light displays across South Australia.

Sharing…

Share the light displays you know of - give an address or directions to find the displays so other people can enjoy those lights, too.

Rank the displays as follows:

4 Santas - spectacular displays that are an event in themselves

3 Santas - displays that are worth taking a detour to on your way home

2 Santas - displays that locals should know about for choosing the best route home

1 Santa - nice displays that perhaps aren’t worth travelling to, but are enjoyable just the same

There is a lot of fun and delight to be had from Christmas lights, for the young and the young at heart! Some homes have lights in their tree, some have  just a few lights visible to the world, but there is a growing number of homes (and businesses) that make a display every Christmas for many people to enjoy.

Next year, when you are thinking about where to go for some Christmas magic, try some of the magnificent light displays across Tasmania.

Sharing…

Share the light displays you know of - give an address or directions to find the displays so other people can enjoy those lights, too.

Rank the displays as follows:

4 Santas - spectacular displays that are an event in themselves

3 Santas - displays that are worth taking a detour to on your way home

2 Santas - displays that locals should know about for choosing the best route home

1 Santa - nice displays that perhaps aren’t worth travelling to, but are enjoyable just the same

There is a lot of fun and delight to be had from Christmas lights, for the young and the young at heart! Some homes have lights in their tree, some have  just a few lights visible to the world, but there is a growing number of homes (and businesses) that make a display every Christmas for many people to enjoy.

Next year, when you are thinking about where to go for some Christmas magic, try some of the magnificent light displays across Queensland.

Sharing…

Share the light displays you know of - give an address or directions to find the displays so other people can enjoy those lights, too.

Rank the displays as follows:

4 Santas - spectacular displays that are an event in themselves

3 Santas - displays that are worth taking a detour to on your way home

2 Santas - displays that locals should know about for choosing the best route home

1 Santa - nice displays that perhaps aren’t worth travelling to, but are enjoyable just the same