A humble yet splendid dish – and handmade fruit and nut clusters for ChristmasI brought a dish of baked cauliflower to the table the other day – creamy-white clouds in a spiced, brick-red sauce. Humble, yet somehow splendid with its festive colours and…
Stephen Mangan: ‘My strangest Christmas present? An aubergine’
The actor, who is playing Scrooge on stage, is a fan of Christmas games – and quizzes in particular. But there’s one question he can’t answer: why are Christmas cracker jokes so bad? Stephen Mangan, one of the most disarmingly likable comic actors arou…
Dear Santa… I’m not sure what I want
My son starts writing a letter to Santa – but quickly becomes distractedMy son’s in that sweet twilight period of Christmases past; neither completely ignorant of what Christmas is, nor so radically materialistic that he forms his entire year around it…
Vincentka vs garbage water – an original short story by Helen Oyeyemi
A chance meeting while waiting for a Prague tram and the gift of an ‘almost sister’… a seasonal short story by the prize-winning novelistWinter: Each time you step outdoors your toes curl – well, they try to – and you hiss into your scarf. The temperat…
Labour MPs report Boris Johnson to police over 2020 Christmas parties
Met asked to investigate reports of alleged breaches of Covid lockdown rules at No 10Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe prime minister has been reported to the police by Labour MPs over allegations there were at least two p…
UK hospitality firms hit by Christmas party cancellations over Omicron fears
Mixed messages about socialising during festive season also having an effect, say bossesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBosses of pubs, bars and restaurants across the UK are warning they are already receiving cancellations …
Operation Save Christmas: retailers’ desperate dash to meet demand
Large stores are having to be creative to meet booming online orders at a time of staff and stock shortagesAn army of 3,000 staff will fan out from Marks & Spencer’s head office this week with one mission in mind: meeting the Christmas boom.Staff w…
Santa is gay (at least in Norway)
In 2022 it’s been fifty years since you can love who you want in Norway.
When Harry met Santa — a Christmas commercial from the Norwegian Post Office. (You don’t need to speak Norwegian to get the gist.)
When is the perfect time to start preparing for Christmas? It’s right now | Zoe Williams
Starting late makes you look classy – but might also mean you miss out on festive treats. Too early and you will eat all your stocking fillersMy kids’ dad has a rule that nobody can discuss Christmas until his birthday has passed at the end of November…
Robert Downey Jr. Brings You Christmas Cheer with Muppets!
Muppet wonders will never cease. I thought I knew or had seen every 90s Muppet show/special. Wrong. In 1995 Robert Downey Jr starred as Mr Willowby in this 30 minute Muppet Musical. He sings and dances!
Stockard Channing (with a Swedish accent?) and…