A blog about anything to do with Christmas be it music, film, T.V. holidays, reviews, comment or personal memories. If you love Christmas you will love this blog!
How quickly Christmas passes once it arrives is always something that brings home to me just how fragile all of our lives are. There is a valuable lesson in that realisation somewhere, don't you think?
Thankfully, this time around I can look back on essentially a good Christmas. With much sadness overshadowing it this season I am proud of myself for the way in which I did everything possible to enter into the spirit regardless and even more proud of the effort I put into my little Christmas campaign. I know Christmas isn't technically over until early Jan but for me it is really only Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day - after that just seems like the run up to the new year.
The pictures you see here are of some of the gifts I got in my Christmas stocking or carrier bag from my friends. Simple gifts most but so thoughtful and accompanied by copious amounts of love I so wish I had taken some photos before unwrapping things.
Did my traditional bet on the horses this year today. I usually have a go on Boxing Day but my punting pal, Paul V, was working so I held fire until today instead. Different day - same boring result though, I'm afraid! My horse was touched off in the big race by 9/1 shot 'Emperor's Choice' by a short head at 11/1! Oh well, its not the end of the world - just a bit of festive fun but I do wish I could be lucky ONE year at Christmas time...
Oh well, that's it for this blog this year! I hope to return in 2015 (God willing) and wish you all a very happy New Year's Eve. Do enjoy yourselves but PLEASE no snogging the boss' wife and getting sacked, NO drink and driving (it might not just be you who gets killed) and refrain from STREAKING or dancing naked in the town fountain! HA HA Cold water is VERY cold in December and spending Jan 1st in a cell is not good!
I hope you have all had a great day and gotten plenty of joy giving, receiving and eating!
I myself have had a good but emotional day. Worked my socks off this morning changing my bed linen, hoovering my room and half the house and sorting out stuff to throw away or give to the charity shop. I was really sad to have to give in and get rid of a load of old video films and home recorded stuff I had stored in the cupboard down stairs but I knew I had to do it. After that I had a rest and watched 'The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher' on telly and loved every minute of the Victorian era detective story. To be quite honest, I think I have more in common with the Victorians than I do the modern day people and I guess because of that I love anything that depicts life at that time.
Had a fantastic Christmas meal after that! My Dad loves Beef for Christmas rather than Turkey and I don't mind that because I often go out to meals and get-togethers before the big day and get my fill of Turkey. After that my brother turned up with his two kids and it was time for the present opening side of things. I got to open LOADS of presents this year! If you remember, I bought 15 presents to open at my favourite Christmas fair in November. I got some great things including a leather journal and bath stuff set in a nice white box, masses of chocolate of various shapes and sizes, soaps, fragrances and even a lovely Christmas tablecloth!
Things were to get very emotional though when I opened some gifts from friends...
My friends, Sally & Ro got me a lovely, Christmas replica of one of those old candle holders (with a candle) from the era when Scrooge was invented. It has a flickering yellow light for the flame of the candle and is the kind of thing I would have instantly bought myself had I known about its existence. Something like that is simply the PERFECT present and I will cherish it for years! I even deliberately turned out all of the lights in the house and used it to walk up the stairs to my bedroom tonight for realism!
Then there was the Christmas stocking I unwrapped from Stephanie, Simon & Solana. Inside a real, woollen Christmas stocking they had put lots of gifts - many individually wrapped and tagged. The stocking was full of traditional things and fun items. There was a tangerine, some nuts, some chocolate tree decorations in the toe, a very patriotic mug and coaster set in the middle and other sweet gifts. I felt overwhelmed opening all of the items and felt like bursting into tears. Oh how I wish now I had taken some pictures or footage of the stocking BEFORE I started on it. I could seriously kick myself for not doing that now as if I had every time I'd watch the video I would feel loved all over again. I don't get to feel that very often in this world and have difficulty emotionally dealing with it when I do but the pain I feel afterwards is always worth it for the joy feeling loved brings to me.
My friends, Frank & Linda (Bin & Bean) also did something similar only their 'goodies' were housed in a shiny drawstring Christmas carrier bag. They also gave me some fabulous, fun gifts including two lovely chocolate Christmas figures and a special Christmas pen that lights up. Inside the bag they had put four or five Christmas cards - each with a lovely, warm Christmas message...
My friend Jan sent me a 70's pop quiz book along with a lovely message and I shall have loads of fun tackling all of the questions and seeing how many I can get right!
I have to confess that the fact my friends have taken so much trouble to give such thoughtful gifts got all too much for me in the end and while e mailing my thanks to them I had a good cry. Men should never feel bad about having a good bulb. Far better to show your emotions and be real than to hide them and fool nobody that's what I say...
I have also been thinking a lot today of my Nan. My first Christmas without her in my life has ironically been a good one in a lot of ways. I am as scared as hell about the future but I guess I'm no different to many of you in that. Life has been pretty good to me in a lot of ways but as far as relationships it has been cruel. My family and friends are all I have to sustain me here and on days like today I realise more than ever just how much they mean to me.
Thankfully, on the evidence of today, the feeling is mutual...
Here are a few photos that serve as proof of my success in spreading the spirit of christmas about the place in 2014. It really is heartwarming every time I open another card from a person or family I don't know but have shared Christmas with this year via my 'Thank You' campaign.
Christmas always comes around so fast once the calendar says 'December' and I have run out of time to do more cards and spread even more jolliness but even so I can at least pat myself on the back for trying to do something to make a difference this year. I think I will make 'operation spread Christmas spirit' an annual event from now on and will aim right now to DOUBLE the amount of cards I have delivered this year in 2015. Who knows, I might just end up starting a trend?
I am chuffed to bits to report that I have now received FIVE Christmas cards in the post in reply to the 'THANK YOU' cards I have secretly been popping through people's letterboxes under cover of night! I have one last batch of 15 or so to 'deliver' before the big day yet and will have delivered almost 50 when I've done that. I have been all around Hastings in the last week or so and almost got eaten by a dog who heard me creeping through a gate with a squeaky handle on it up on the West Hill last night. It has given me a lot of pleasure this year trying to spread the spirit of Christmas and the exercise along has helped to lift my spirits at a time I have inevitably been thinking of my Nan and feeling a little more lonely than usual. I know I say this every year but PLEASE do make the effort to check in on those who may be alone this Christmas. A short chat and/or a culpa can make such a difference to a persons day - in fact, that you bothered to call means a lot to a lonely person. I am fortunate to have Mum & Dad still at 49 and I have some truly wonderful friends but there is nothing like having a 'someone special' to snuggle up to in front of a log fire at Christmas, is there? Oh well, maybe I will find that person myself in 2015?
If you like Hastings and want to see what my home town looks like at the moment, take a look at this video of mine...
I had a great time this year at Shorelink Writers Christmas do at The Azur along Hastings seafront. The food was great, the company even better but it seems my ability to surprise and delight people with my Christmas antics is on the wane!
Dressed from head to toe in Victorian costume including, hat, cane, gloves and long red silk lined black cloak I felt sure I was going to make a splash and cause a few laughs on arrival. But no! When I arrived not one of my fellow cohorts looked remotely surprised! It seems my antics have become 'the norm' at this time of year now and my ability to shock has diminished! I have to admit that I was a tad disappointed about this as I spent quite a time earlier in the year working on my plan for this years Christmas bash. Then again, what can I expect when each year I can be relied upon to dress up and do something totally over the top? My friend, Ro, even suggested next year I might come as 'myself - could I really need to stoop that low! HA HA HA Anyway, as you can see here, I did manage to pose for a few 'dramatic' shots before the wind totally escaped my sails...
I spent a happy afternoon the other day in front of the telly watching a 2010 (I think?) programme about the top selling U.K. Christmas hits of all time. I did not agree with the inclusion of one or two of the songs myself (on the grounds that they are not Christmas songs just songs which happened to be a hit in December) but hearing the story behind each hit and listening to snippets of the 65 songs featured was a very Christmassy experience and was three hours well spent.
I could not bear to delete the programme from my Sky box without making a note of the list and for posterity (and anyone interested in Christmas hits or U.K. chart history) am now going to reproduce it here for you to gaze and wonder at. Personally, I would disqualify St Winnifred's School Choir (what a meanie! HA HA) and there would also have to be a long, drawn out 'Steward's Enquiry' into the inclusion of the Frankie Goes To Hollywood number but, hey ho, that's just my view...
Look out for a few Christmas video's to watch along the way as well - like this one from 'Dana'...
U.K. Top Selling Christmas Hits Of All Time (Up Until 2010)
65 - Santa Claus Is On The Dole - Spitting Image (1986) 43,000
64 - The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole (1946) 46,000
63 - So Near To Christmas - Alvin Stardust (1984) 47,000
62 - Have A Cheeky Christmas - The Cheeky Girls (2003) 47,000
61 - The Best Christmas Of Them All - Shakin' Stevens (1990) 50,000
60 - A Christmas Kiss - Daniel O' Donnell (1999) 52,000
59 - Santa Baby - Earth Kitt (1953) 55,000
58 - Merry Christmas Darling - The Carpenters (1990) 59,000 (A Re-Issue)
57 - Naughty Christmas (Goblin In The Office) - Fat Les 60,000
56 - Baby, It's Cold Outside - Tom Jones & Cerys (1999) 65,000
55 - Thank God It's Christmas - Queen (1984) 75,000
54 - Christmas Lights - Coldplay (2010) 85,000
53 - Cruise Into Christmas - Jane McDonald (1998) 100,000
52 - Once Upon A Christmas Song - Geraldine (2008) 105,000 (Peter Kay in drag)
51 - Step Into Christmas - Elton John (1973) 110,000
50 - I Believe In Christmas - Tweenies (2001) 112,000
49 - Driving Home For Christmas - Chris Rea (1988) 115,000
48 - 2000 Miles - The Pretenders (1983) 117,000
47 - Your Christmas Wish - The Smurfs (1996) 120,000
46 - A Winters Tale - David Essex (1982) 125,000
45 - Please Come Home For Christmas - Bon Jovi (1995) 148,000
44 - Little Donkey - Nina & Frederick (1960) 150,000
43 - Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town - Bruce Springsteen (1985) 151,000
42 - Hey Mr Christmas - Showaddywaddy (1974) 152,000
41 - Gaudette - Steeleye Span (1973) 160,000
40 - I'm Walking Backwards For Christmas - The Goons (1956) 160,000
39 - Bionic Santa - Chris Hills (1976) 170,000
38 - Little Town - Cliff Richard (1982) 180,000
37 - Another Rock N' Roll Christmas - Gary Glitter (1984) 180,000
36 - Walking In The Air - Aled Jones (1985) 181,000
35 - Santo Natale - David Whitfield (1954) 190,000
34 - In Dulci Jubilo - Mike Oldfield (1975) 200,000
33 - Pretty Paper - Roy Orbison (1964) 200,000
32 - Mr Hankey The Christmas Poo - Mr Hankey (1999) 201,000
31 - Proper Crimbo - Bo' Selecta (2003) 202,000
30 - Father Christmas Do Not Touch Me - The Goodies (1974) 205,000
29 - Silent Night - Bros (1988) 210,000
28 - Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy - David Bowie & Bing Crosby (1982) 212,000
27 - It's Gonna Be A Cold, Cold Christmas - Dana (1975) 230,000
26 - Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartney (1983) 260,000
25 - Saviour's Day - Cliff Richard (1990) 300,000
24 - Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Mel & Kim (1987) 310,000
23 - Pipes Of Peace - Paul McCartney (1983) 370,000
22 - Blue Christmas - Shakin' Stevens (1982) 400,000
21 - Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End) - The Darkness (2003) 410,000
20 - Stop The Cavalry - Jona Lewie (1980) 420,000
19 - Wombling Merry Christmas - The Wombles (1974) 460,000
18 - I Believe In Father Christmas - Greg Lake (1975) 470,000
17 - There's No One Quite Like Grandma - St Winnifred's School Choir (1980) 550,000
16 - I Wish it Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard (1973) 590,000
15 - The Power Of Love - Frankie Goes To Hollywood (1984) 660,000
14 - Merry Christmas Everyone - Shakin' Stevens (1985) 700,000
13 - All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey (1994) 750,000
12 - Stay Another Day - East 17 (1994) 770,000
11 - Lonely This Christmas - Mud (1974) 810,000
10 - A Fairytale Of New York - The Pogues feat Kirsty Maccoll (1987) 815,000
9 - Happy Xmas (War Is Over) John & Yoko (1972) 860,000
8 - Mistletoe & Wine - Cliff Richard (1988) 865,000
7 - When A Child Is Born - Johnny Mathis (1976) 890,000
6 - The Millennium Prayer - Cliff Richard (1999) 910,000
5 - White Christmas - Bing Crosby (1942) 990,000
4 - Merry Christmas Everybody - Slade (1973) 1,150,000
3 - Last Christmas - Wham (1984) 1,610,000
2 - Mary's Boy Child - Boney M (1978) 1,840,000
1 - Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas (1984) 3,650,000
Well, that's the list done folks! Let the debate, discussions and arguments begin on whether this record or that record should or shouldn't be in there! HA HA Personally, I think a few of these are 'dodgy' qualifiers as Christmas songs but this list was compiled by The Official Charts Company so it is the 'official word' on the subject so to speak. After typing all this guff, I'm too tired right now to discuss the implications of what such a chart means as far as the music business and pop music goes suffice to say that most of the chart is comprised of records from the 1970's and 80's. 1974, it seems, being perhaps the pinnacle of the success of 'the Christmas single'...
I had a HUGE amount of fun posting 'spread Christmas spirit - THANK YOU' letters through postboxes under cover of darkness last night! I really got the feel for what it must be like to be Santa himself (or a Burglar! HA HA) creeping about outside people's housing and trying to quietly deliver a card through their letterbox without being seen or waking anyone up!
A lot of letterboxes these days are a NIGHTMARE to use as they are REALLY stiff and tight and you almost have to force your hand through with the letter to stop it getting bent and buckled. I had visions of getting my hand stuck and the whole scenario ending up like a bad 'Some Mothers Do Ave' 'Em' script but thankfully that didn't happen. A lot of people also have darned 'security lights' and creep as silently as you might you get caught like a rabbit in the headlights when, in sight of the door, you hear a 'ping' and its broad daylight! Cor, I wouldn't want to be a modern day Burglar I can tell you! you feel guilty enough when you have GOOD and HONOURABLE intentions for your creeping about - how it must feel when you are 'up to no good' I can't imagine!
Anyway, I have now 'delivered' about 32 of my Christmas campaign cards and its going to be fun to see if I any replies. One house I visited last night particularly made me smile. They had a 'Santa stop here' sign in their garden and as the living room curtains were open I could see a little girl toddler walking about in the middle of the room. It felt really nice to think that my card with 'From Santa xx' on the front may help to make that families Christmas stories about the man at the North Pole seem real to that child and I left all 'gooey' inside dreaming of the days when I used to get SOOO excited about Father Christmas and presents.
I took a few pictures of some of the loveliest Christmas lights and decorations I saw last night, a few of which you can see here...
Next, I would like you to take a look at my Christmas video single for Youtube this year, 'December '73'. The footage in the video was shot in the village of Westfield. I said I would try and get to Westfield to bring you some pics and footage of the village and the villagers annual lighting up for charity event and I think you will love what you see here. Whether you will love my song as much (yes, I know the vocals aren't amazing!) I don't know but the final mix and master of the song isn't ready yet so what you hear in the video is the best demo I have of the song. I think my amateur video works quite well so I hope you like it. I chose to call the song, 'December 73' because it was 1973 that Slade were No1 with the ultimate festive classic, 'Merry Christmas Everybody'.
Ho! Ho! Ho! For now - here are one or two more festive pics from my letter delivering last night to warm the cockles of your Christmas heart xxx
