Christmas Links #26

Troupes take to the streets for 195-year-old play:
"Troupes of performers are set to stage a 195-year-old traditional folk play in streets across the island."

‘They were on an eight-mile pub crawl – hence their slight disarray’: Fiona Duncan’s best phone shot:

"While shopping in Yorkshire one December, the photographer came across a group of very merry Santas."

The Long Road to ‘Lana’: Why SZA Took Two Years to Drop the ‘SOS’ Deluxe Album:

"In most cases, deluxe albums are intended as a chart-focused second wind for their parent albums, and usually have just a handful of extra tracks — remixes, leftovers, maybe a hot new single to give an extra boost — while the artist is saving the more-promising new material for their next proper album."

Rare Earth: Christmas Trees:

"Helen Czerski and Tom Heap celebrate the urban trees of Britain."

Get ready for a trip in the TARDIS on Christmas Eve! The Doctor Who Prom is on TV...

"Today at the BBC Proms: music, monsters and a few familiar faces from the BBC’s universally popular sci-fi series ‘Doctor Who’."

Stream Christmas radio shows with Orson Welles:

"Take a break from Mariah Carey and the holiday tunes and get into the Christmas spirit with streaming audio of four vintage radio shows featuring Orson Welles."

‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ Dodged Every Twist Thrown at Hollywood to Become a Hit Franchise:

"Over the last five years, director Jeff Fowler and his team navigated fan backlash, a pandemic and a strike en route to unexpected success."

Everyone knows about Santa Claus, but have you heard of Wangkarnal the Christmas crow?

"It's a hot night before Christmas and an eerie figure is perched on a hilltop, gazing over Gija country."

Santa Was Legitimately Nightmare-Inducing — And 24 Other Photos That Show How Much Christmas Has Changed In A Century:

"Less merry, more scary..."

Filmstrip: "The Nativity"

"Cathedral Films produced dozens of Christian education filmstrips in the 1960s using live actors and on-location photography (though the "location" is likely northern California). Unique to their Story of Jesus series, of which the Christmas story The Nativity is part, is the inclusion of two soundtracks for each filmstrip. Each soundtrack record was marked "this side for teaching" on one side and "this side for general use" on the other."

Christmas Links #25

Liverpool life in 1964 captured in 32 photos from 60 years ago:

"These photos show how much life in the city has changed."

New tech means bumper Christmas strawberry crop:

"Strawberry growers in West Sussex have developed new technology which has increased production in time for Christmas."

In the spirit of both Zen and Christmas holidays, I’ve decided to become a digital dropout:

"This year I am adapting my own rituals – and with them, hopefully, the landscape of my brain - as the ultimate gift to myself."

The wonderful, horrible, madcap world of the Christmas movie:

"Our festive viewing habits reflect Yuletide’s carnivalesque nature, a time when eccentric choices are celebrated."

The Full English Breakfast: History of a British Tradition:

"The Full English is a much-celebrated British breakfast tradition in pubs and restaurants, but how did these particular foods make it onto the English plate?"

Training home for Christmas?

"Sophie Law has been speaking to Great Western Railway about the changes to the timetable between Christmas and New Year."

Don’t thank Santa — thank a quantum engineer:

"The true (scientific) story of Christmas (lights)."

Behind KFC’s Fully-Functional Holiday Bucket Lid Vinyls:

"Courage’s Marina Khouzam and Ethan Gans discuss Colonel Sanders’ historic connection to holiday records, and what it took to turn the brand’s famous bucket lids into working vinyl records, writes LBB’s Jordan Won Neufeldt."

Christmas Links #24

Earth's Magnetic North Pole Officially Has A New Position:

"Just before Christmas, let's hope this doesn't screw up the deliveries of the North Pole's most famous resident.."

Santa will not be writing back to letters from kids this year, says Canada Post:

"But corporation says Santa will still read those mailed by Dec. 23."

Town centre Christmas market branded 'depressing':

"A new town centre Christmas market has been heavily criticised by residents."

The Christmas that went wrong: I was hungover – so I bought everyone in my family a Moby CD:

"A term’s worth of techno clubs and afterparties at university in Glasgow didn’t do much for my education or my choice of Christmas gifts."

The Collection Season 7 on Blu-Ray:
"The first Jon Pertwee season will be the next to be released on Blu-ray as part of the Doctor Who Collection series."

‘Doctor Who’ Showrunner Russell T Davies and Writer Steven Moffat Tease Christmas Special:

"The pair also talk to The Hollywood Reporter about casting Nicola Coughlan and pitch a Whovian farce."

Starbucks Has a Pumpkin Spice Latte Problem in China:

"For years, Starbucks was the dominant coffee chain in China. Now rivals offering local flavors and cheaper prices are crushing the company’s bottom line in its second-largest market."

Why your favorite movies fake their locations:

"And why so many of them are shot in Vancouver."

Elton John reimagines ‘Step Into Christmas’ with new video starring Cara Delevingne:

"Singer and model team up for visual revolving around 1973 Christmas single."

From Figgy Pudding to Parson Brown: 8 Christmas Lyrics Explained:

"Christmas songs are a beloved part of the holiday season, but some lyrics can leave us scratching our heads. Who exactly is “Parson Brown,” and what in the world is “figgy pudding”?"

Christmas in Damascus is different this year, after al-Assad’s fall:

"The ancient Old City comes alive with lights, music and joy, Syrians talk about their their hopes now al-Assad is gone."

See also: Christians in Damascus light up Christmas tree

All The Friends Christmas Episodes, Ranked:

"From the holiday armadillo to Phoebe's classic Christmas jingle, here are the best festive offerings from Friends."

Christmas Links #23

Keely Hodgkinson voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year:
"Luke Littler secured second place, while Joe Root took third in the race for the prestigious award."

Liverpool life in 1994 captured in 43 photos from 30 years ago:

"From shops to events, people and more."

Trains, tracks, and tradition: Lionel celebrates 125 years of Christmas fun:

"As kids for generations have done, Landon Tennant looks longingly at a streamlined Lionel Santa Fe engine as it chugs around a tiny display with houses, mountains and bridges at TrainLand, a hobby shop on Long Island, New York."

Mary, Joseph and a donkey take on London's Tube:

"Knitted nativity figures including Mary, Joseph, a donkey and the angel Gabriel have been offering commuters "signs of the Christmas story" throughout December."

‘Very disheartened’: trans actor speaks out as Disney changes her Pixar character to be cisgender:

"Studio says ‘many parents would prefer to discuss certain subjects with their children on their own terms and timeline’."

Business Daily: Lapland: The world’s biggest Christmas economy?

"How has Lapland, the northernmost region of Finland, become a global hub for the Christmas economy?"

12 Days of Fuck This: 9 Songs That Make Me Want to Die:

"There are actually a lot of Christmas songs I like, if you can even believe. But there's way more that I find cloying and cutesy. "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer?" Run me over instead."

'Santa':

"A bold and controversial statue of a Christmas icon, blending adult undertones with playful humour, stands year-round in a traffic circle."

‘We jumped the shark in the very first episode!’ Thirty-five years of The Simpsons:

"From launching with an inexplicable Christmas show to wowing the public – and then being widely derided, the meta-cartoon changed TV for ever. Now, some say it’s back to its best."

‘We’re Very Optimistic’: Sugababes Are Coming Back to Australia More Confident Than Ever:

"With a legacy that includes six UK No. 1 singles and millions of global sales, Sugababes’ vinyl-icon place in pop history is unshakable. Rolling Stone AU/NZ caught up with them ahead of their return to Australia."

Christmas Links #22

In the Bleak Midwinter - the world's favourite Christmas carol:

"Ashutosh Khandekar heads back to a particularly bleak midwinter in the early 20th century, as he traces the chilly history of one of today’s most beloved carols."

Why Switzerland is busy fixing up its vast network of nuclear bunkers:
"Most homes have Cold War-era bunkers, but they’ve been turned into wine cellars and storage units."

The 8 best sustainable British cheeses to garnish your Christmas cheese board:

"From soft, buttery cheddar to crumbly caerphilly, here’s our pick of cheeses that will benefit you, the animal and the environment."

I'm Jewish And Haven't Seen Any Christmas Movies Before, So I Watched And Rated 9 Classics — Here Are My Brutally Honest Thoughts.

"I'm gonna hold your hand when I tell you this: some of these movies aren't as good as you think they are."

The Extremely Offline Joy of the Board Game Club:

"Hungry for in-person interaction, Gen Z and millennial players are joining old-fashioned chess, mahjong and backgammon groups."

Mums find Christmas more stressful than anyone else:

"62% of mums say they find Christmas at least fairly stressful, compared to 44% of dads and 45% of women who do not have children."

The original Charlie Brown Christmas special promo from 1965, with an additional scene:

"Here is the charming original CBS promo for "A Charlie Brown Christmas" from 1965."

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens:

"Charles Dickens' timeless classic about a bitter old man who has a Christmas epiphany. Read by Sean Baker. Produced by Anne Bunting."

Liverpool life in 1984 captured in 45 photos from 40 years ago:

"Many will remember the city as it looks here."

The changing face of a Lincolnshire Christmas:

"Our festive traditions are constantly evolving - Christmas trees remain popular but mince pies and carols appear to be falling out of favour. Historian Dr. Kate Williams explains why that is and what makes a modern Christmas."

Christmas Links #21

School nativity play gets the hump:
"Live animals have starred alongside children at a Wokingham school's nativity play."

Brussels sprouts will be 25% bigger this year, thanks to silt and sea breezes:

"Farmers say good growing conditions will result in a bumper crop, with the average sprout 30mm in diameter."

In the Studio: Creating Selfridges’ Christmas windows:

"Behind the scenes with the teams designing the London store’s festive windows."

Orson Welles’ ‘Don Quixote’ may get 2nd, better do-over:

"Don Quixote may sally forth again, but this time in a manner that does justice to filmmaker Orson Welles’ vision."

How designer Christmas trees became the ultimate status symbol for hotels:

"From Tracy Emin at The Connaught to John Galliano at Claridge's, we take a look at the creative collaborations that have been brightening up luxury hotel lobbies over the years."

I spent Christmas alone in Venice – it was glamorous and glorious:

"Italy's most atmospheric city proved the ideal choice for a solo, festive break, with plenty of surprises."

Gen of Deek: The Best UK TV Shows of 2024:

"What was your favourite British TV show this year? From Doctor Who to Wolf Hall, Slow Horses to Baby Reindeer and more."

Hot Dog Santa Brings Christmas Cheer to Children:

"On Christmas Day in 1921, a Swedish immigrant quietly wheeled his hot dog stand to a street corner in Boston’s North End and distributed 500 free hot dogs to hungry children."

'Mr Christmas' making magic for children for 30 years:

"Dave Gorman spends each December dressed as Father Christmas."

'I made viral Christmas tree pastry and it's the perfect breakfast for the big day':

"As someone who doesn't really have a sweet tooth, the festive season seems to be my one downfall, so I was all too willing to give this simple yet tasty recipe a go."

Christmas Links #20

 

Ho-ho-no! Children in tears after vicar tells them Santa is not real:

"Rev Dr Paul Chamberlain apologises for talk at Hampshire school after angry parents say he ‘ruined Christmas’."

12 Santas That Trigger Me: The 12 Days of Fuck This:

"If you're unfamiliar with the Jezebel lore, I hate this holiday and have previously tried to figure out why. But this year, I'm going to do as Sheryl Sandberg said and lean in, baby."

Taylor Swift Surprises Young Hospital Patient With Christmas Gift Day After Visit: ‘In Case Santa Doesn’t Come Through’:

"The singer visited Mercy Hospital in Kansas City days after the end of her Eras tour."

Dachshunds don Santa suits and festive hats for Hyde Park Sausage Dog Walk:

"Dachshunds sporting Santa suits, elf costumes and Christmas tree hats took to the streets of London in the annual Hyde Park Sausage Dog Walk."

Father Christmas comes to Westhoughton for bell ringing celebration:

"Westhoughton was filled with the joyful sound of bell ringing yesterday morning, Saturday, following a visit from Father Christmas, to raise money for a great cause."

Scuba Claus: Dozens of Santas dive for charity:

"More than 100 scuba divers dressed in Santa Claus outfits are set to take part in a charity dive."

‘Home Alone’ Money Mystery: How Much Would It Cost for the Big House & Family Vacation to Paris:

"Every year around this time, as people settle into watching their favorite holiday films, there is one big question that always seems to come up without fail: Just what kind of jobs did Kevin McCallister’s parents in “Home Alone” have to be able to afford that sprawling house and take a family of 15 to Paris for the holidays?"

Holiday Trek: The Motion Pictures (Captain Please Come Home):
"The Holiday Adventure is Just Beginning."

Charles Dickens’ characters come alive in a Dutch town enamored with the English author:

"The Dutch city of Deventer transformed Saturday into a pocket of 19th-century England, with 950 people in costumes bringing characters from Charles Dickens’ books to life."

Step into Snoopy's World: A Guide to the Snoopy Museum in Tokyo:

"Get up close and personal with Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang. We created this ultimate Snoopy Museum Tokyo guide to help you prepare for your visit. Here’s your chance to learn about the museum’s exhibitions, how to buy admission tickets, and things to do when you get there!"