Hellooooooooooo!!

[Carole B]

Originally Posted by Sally Donaldson

"Sally, the Christmas Pudding link was nothing to do with a 'food topic' but a different definition of flaming. And, the next post giving a description of a Christmas pudding was for the benefit of forum members who may not be familiar with UK foods and customs."

Aretina, I realised you were demonstrating another aspect. However food is an integral part of Christmas so I passed on some more information for those not acquainted with customs here in the UK..

My apologies if this is slightly 'off topic' but I need to say it...

Sally,
Please can you learn how to use the 'Quote button' when replying to posts, or if you only want to select a specific phrase in a post (but beware not to take something out of context), just select the tool between the 'image' and the 'hash' button on the toolbar here that looks like this: and cut and paste what you want between the [quote ] [/quote ] code provided.

I only ask because so often I get some way into reading your posts only to find that I am reading quotes from others and your, short comment or a link, is tagged on the end. Alas, just putting inverted comma's around a few words does not make it a 'quote' on a forum, and serves to confuse rather than clarify!
Thanks Sal!.

[Nielo]

Originally Posted by noelle

I think the old traditional decorations are best . In our family when I got married I was given one of the decorations from my parents Christmas tree for my first tree. I remember it was a very fragile silver glass robin with a metal clip to fix it to the tree When my own children left home they each chose one from our tree. Since our grandson was born we have bought him a decoration for his family tree every year . He loves putting the new one on to the tree I also love the candle in the window at night but hate the electric ones but I suppose they are safer.

I remember my parents had clip on candle holders and real candles on the tree. I suppose it was dangerous but the tree only went up on Christmas eve so was not stood, lit for any length of time.

The new fairy lights are much improved, I have spent many a Christmas eve going through all the little bulbs to find the one that was either not screwed in tight enough or blown. I always made sure we had some spares just in case.

[Charles Phillips]

[quote=Nielo;103670]I remember my parents had clip on candle holders and real candles on the tree. I suppose it was dangerous ....-[quote]

Apropos the health and safety aspect of this, there is a wonderful song, words by Ira Gershwin and music by Kurt Weill, called The Saga of Jenny.

The first verse sings:

"Jenny made her mind up when she was three
She herself was going to trim the Christmas Tree
Christmas Eve she lit the candles threw the tapers away
Jenny was an orphan on Christmas Day"

The rest of the song gets better - the best version is by Lotte Lenya, but it isn't on youtube. There is a version here (but I haven't posted it as a proper link because IMO it isn't good enough! Delete the space after www. if you want it.) http://www. youtube.com/watch?v=_p6XJuOqguI

[juliancoll]

It's a conspiracy - a bloody conspiracy I tell you!

[Nielo]

Originally Posted by FrancyFra

Hi everyone,
I'm Francesca. I'm an italian girl.I always lived here.
I'm 22 years old, I have a son,and I'm very happy.
I have never been in the UK, but I'd like to go there.
I hope that my English is acceptable!!!!(I've studied English for 3 years, and I think it is not enough)
I've already bought many Christmas decorations for my house.
I've plenty of ideas...too much!!
How do you prepare your decorations?
I would like to create a warm and elegant atmosphere !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please, help me.

Francesca, I’m sorry that this thread turned out to have a less than warm or elegant atmosphere.

Back to your original question; one way of creating an atmosphere that is warm and elegant is to use the sense of smell. In the UK some people make mulled wine at Christmas. The smell of the wine and spices has become so strongly associated with Christmas that you can now buy scented candles to try and recreate the atmosphere.

Some people also scent their houses with oranges studded with cloves, which creates a very evocative smell and can be used as decorations as well.

Here is a recipe for mulled wine that you might like to try.

Christmas Mulled Wine

2 bottles of red wine (you don't have to buy expensive wine)
2 ounces of brandy
4 cinnamon sticks
A handful of cloves
A dash of nutmeg
2 lemons
2 oranges
¼ cup sugar
Wash and cut the lemons and oranges into slices, leaving the peel on.
Place the wine in a large pan and slowly simmer. Do not bring to a boil.
Add the lemons, oranges, brandy, spices and sugar. Leave to simmer for approximately 20 minutes. Add cinnamon sticks and simmer for a few minutes more.
Serve warm in mugs or glasses.

I hope you like it