So while you may have known that Christmas was originally pagan festival, you might not have known that in the UK it was made illegal for 12 years and in the US it was illegal for 260 years.
Now, I don't mean to sound like Scrooge, but charging to see Father Christmas is a joke. Whatever happened to the spirit of giving, that warm feeling you get from a hug from the big man himself?
It's been fun learning about Christmas here in the UK. It's a lot louder here. People seem to start celebrating in October, and I do miss that intense calm of a Finnish Christmas. Perhaps it's something only three feet of snow can really accomplish.
Google Maps has announced it will be following Santa's sleigh this year - despite being dropped by the 'official' aerospace tracking system. The No...
Google Maps has announced it will be following Santa's sleigh this year - despite being dropped by the 'official' aerospace tracking system. The No...
St Nick was said to secretly give gifts of cash to those in need, thereby making him the Patron Saint of children, sailors and prostitutes... which is a slightly worrying combination that would no doubt have caused a lot of finger-pointing in the ancient offices of BBC Newsnight.
It's that time of year again; time to decorate your home for the holiday season.
If you're looking for something completely free then head to Duke of York Square's Christmas grotto. It's beautifully decorated, children get to meet Father Christmas, have their photo taken, get a small gift and if they're lucky meet Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer.
The afternoon is also like a scene out of Love Actually with charades, bad board games and general silliness. I remember trying to play the 'traditional charades' as per the Brit tv show with Frenchies. They just didn't get the whole four words, first word, two syllables thing. They wanted to act out the whole film. I ended up looking like a Pernickety Brit.
Ed Balls had a shaky performance in the House of Commons on Tuesday as he faltered in his initial response to George Osborne's Autumn Statement. So...
If you, like us, love all things Christmassy, then make sure you pay a visit to the magical Lapland UK this festive season. Opening its doors to "Big ...
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So, Louisana in the US are going to be paying for children to learn about the Loch Ness monster, in a bid to disprove evolution. Their argument goe...
From Father Christmas in his scarlet coat to bright green mistletoe, we have a firmly entrenched idea of what our Christmas should look like, but how ...
Council officials making preparations for a crash landing by Santa's present-laden sleigh this weekend could have to reveal their plans publicly. C...
As we Western liberals reflect on the unshackling of thousands from life under dictatorship this year, our glee merely covers our own seasonal devotion to a charismatic and powerful despot: the self-styled 'Father Christmas'.
One in four children think Christmas Day celebrates Simon Cowell's birthday, while nearly a quarter think God was born in Essex, a survey has found. ...
If you could write to a Santa that existed, one who might reward you for being good, what would you ask for? Would you ask for a flat in Sloane Square? Someone to love and care for? Reassurance that we're doing ok, all things considered?
Many British Jews celebrate Christmas. Christmas is so overwhelming here that it's hard not to: so much of the culture, entertainment, economy and rhythm of work is Christmas-based that it's hard to avoid.
Children have been left devastated after authorities barred Father Christmas visiting their schools, because he had not had criminal record checks. ...
Ed Balls knows a thing or two about Christmas spirit. The shadow chancellor dressed up as Santa once again on Wednesday night for the House of Comm...
'Tis the season to be sorry after a teacher apologised after telling her class of seven-year-old pupils Father Christmas didn't exist - three weeks be...
GroupOn isn't all cut-price giant beanbags and cheap cocktails. Don't forget cupcake maker Rachel Brown getting swamped by thousands of unfullfillable...
A TV newsreader has been forced to issue an apology after telling (potentially young) viewers that Santa Claus is not real. Robin Robinson of FOX C...
