Saturday, 26 November 2022

It's starting to look and feel Christmassy!

In the UK many cities, towns and villages are busy preparing for Christmas, and the shop windows are looking nice and Christmassy 🎄 🎅 🎄


Have you started your Christmas preparations? I have started to write Christmas Cards and we have some 'Christmas' food in the freezer ready for the Christmas festivities. 

I do enjoy writing Christmas cards and often put little notes in with them so family and friends can read and catch up with snippets of news.


"Firstchristmascard". Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

Did you know that the custom of sending Christmas cards didn't start until there was a postal service to deliver them! The first were sent in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole, boss of the Victoria and Albert Museum. He was far too busy to write letters so had an artist design 1,000 cards, illustrated with a festive family scene on the front and printed with the greeting, "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You". Horrified at being caught out, all his friends sent him one back the next year. In 1880 cards had become so popular that the public were warned for the first time to post early for Christmas. 

Fast forward to 2022 and we are still being warned to post early for Christmas as here in the UK our post may be delayed this year as Royal Mail have strike days planned! Oh dear, this is sure to slow up deliveries!

You can read more about the history of Christmas Cards here

And how about this!
Fruit Cake A Low Carb Alternative
"Please come into my kitchen and discover this 'low carb fruit cake which is a great alternative to a traditional fruit cake.' It can be enjoyed at any time of year but could prove a popular low carb Christmas alternative."


To learn more please use this link here

Finally, in the midst of all the Christmas preparations, please take time to sit down and enjoy a refreshing cuppa - will it be tea or coffee?


Is it starting to look and feel Christmassy where you live?

Readers - you will find a variety of articles and recipe ideas, within this blog. It is important to note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e., use a reliable meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan
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33 comments:

  1. Ananka27 November 2022 at 00:22

    Very Christmassy here up in Scotland. It is everywhere. Been getting my daughter's stuff and it is her birthday on Tuesday too :-O Probably put my tree up next week too!

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  2. DeniseinVA27 November 2022 at 00:43

    A fun post, thank you :)

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  3. Tom27 November 2022 at 01:05

    ...I amazed that so many people have had their lights on for several weeks.

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  4. Christine27 November 2022 at 02:02

    I have started sending email greetings to a bunch of people instead of cards, seems to work.

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  5. Christine27 November 2022 at 02:02

    But I do mail most of my cards still

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  6. J.P. Alexander27 November 2022 at 02:10

    Gracias por la receta . Te mando un beso.

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  7. Elephant's Child27 November 2022 at 03:27

    It is starting to look Christmassy in my city and my country. Not here, though. Not yet.

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  8. Margaret D27 November 2022 at 05:31

    Not many down here send Christmas Cards these days.
    Interesting to read about them Jan.

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  9. Angie27 November 2022 at 06:22

    Jan - it is certainly looking a lot like Christmas in our neck of the woods! The snow sure helps to add to the festive mood. I will start writing Christmas cards this week, and I always start with my international ones to make sure they arrive in time! And my preferred hot beverage is coffee - this time of year, it is nice to add some Kahlua or other liqueur!

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  10. Jules27 November 2022 at 07:15

    I will be making my cranberry sauce later today. I'm easing myself in gently this year :)

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  11. Valerie-Jael27 November 2022 at 09:01

    Enjoy your Christmas preparations! Valerie

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  12. It's me27 November 2022 at 09:42

    What a nice cup !! Grandma !💗🍀 I only decorate some small things for Christmas in my home no tree I never had one 🙈 it is not my thing..but I enjoy by other people or in all the garden centers and flower shops…love happy sunday Ria and Leaf 🍀💗🐾🍀🎄

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  13. The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen27 November 2022 at 11:13

    A very enjoyable read about Christmas cards. We wait until after Thanksgiving to begin our Christmas decorating so now it all begins. I'll join you with a cuppa tea please. Have a happy week!

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  14. Jo27 November 2022 at 11:16

    I've just started some Christmas preparations, I want to be early this year. I love Christmas cake, though I only discovered I like it a couple of years ago, it was something I turned my nose up as a child and never tried again.

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  15. David M. Gascoigne,27 November 2022 at 11:57

    We do not celebrate Christmas - or any other holiday for that matter - so I am perfectly happy to be free of all this stuff!

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  16. My name is Erika.27 November 2022 at 13:40

    I didn't know that about Christmas cards, and so this post was really fascinating. But a postal strike at the holidays is kind of scary. Here in the US it might be a rail freight strike. Something to upset the holidays I guess. Thanks for this post.

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  17. Victor S E Moubarak27 November 2022 at 14:02

    No decorations up yet, or lights outside the house. Is it OK to start eating mince pies now? I've already had chestnuts and other nuts. People say I'm nuts to start now.

    God bless.

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  18. ♥ Łucja-Maria ♥27 November 2022 at 14:04

    Very interesting post, I was delighted with the presented cup. Shop windows have been decorated for Christmas quite a long time ago. My city lacks Christmas decorations.

    On the first Sunday of Advent, accept warm wishes. May the coming weeks be special for you.
    Hugs and greetings from autumn Poland:)

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  19. Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas27 November 2022 at 16:03

    Love hearing about the tradition of sending Christmas Cards again!! I have to write mine out as soon as I locate where I put them!! LOL! Thanks so much for stopping by!! I really appreciate you taking the time to do so!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

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  20. Elkes Lebensglück27 November 2022 at 16:24

    Thank you for the wonderful recipe and I hope your mail isn't so slow!
    It's Christmas time for me too and I'm looking forward to this beautiful time!
    Happy Advent!
    Greetings Elke

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  21. DUTA27 November 2022 at 17:04

    I like the story of how the sending of cards originated in Britain.

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  22. Pam27 November 2022 at 17:08

    Wow, had no idea about the cards. My card is painted, not printed, not addressed, not even in the envelopes!! Tree is up and decorative. Debating on getting other stuff out...or not! Some gifts in bags and some wrapped. Loving the music playing, loving the lights, loving the decor out and about, hating the prices, hating the actual shopping......and this will all change.

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  23. Debbie27 November 2022 at 17:24

    it is starting to look like christmas in our area and our home!! and we have started working on my christmas bucket list!!

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  24. HappyK27 November 2022 at 19:13

    I enjoy writing out Christmas cards too.
    Interesting reading about the cards.
    No, haven't started Christmas decorating yet.

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  25. Bill27 November 2022 at 19:27

    Our Christmas cards are ready to go.

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  26. Kay27 November 2022 at 21:13

    Instead of cards, we do a newsletter which we send out to those who do not email. Therefore we send half our newsletters by email and half by snail mail. We also write notes on each one.
    I don't eat fruitcake, but my husband, mom and some friends LOVE it so I make it for them. However, this year I can't seem to find candied fruit. I think I might just drop in dried fruit instead.

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  27. Teresa27 November 2022 at 22:20

    Aquí en España todas las ciudades tienen sus luces y adornos navideños. En la casa todavía no los hemos puestos, es un poco pronto. Besos.

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  28. Bleubeard and Elizabeth27 November 2022 at 23:59

    Now that Thanksgiving is over, I can start my handmade Christmas cards, It IS starting to feel like Christmas.

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  29. Conniecrafter28 November 2022 at 01:56

    I am not sure I have all my Christmas cards done yet, need to check my list, and think of a sentiment I want to put inside. Neat to see the first Christmas card!

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  30. William Kendall28 November 2022 at 02:32

    I have somehow gotten through life without eating Christmas fruitcake.

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  31. Martha28 November 2022 at 13:23

    It is looking a lot like Christmas around here. There are lights and decorations everywhere!

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  32. Divers and Sundry29 November 2022 at 16:33

    We've done our decorating and begun listening to seasonal music. I don't make my own fruitcake, but I do enjoy eating it.

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  33. Carla from The River29 November 2022 at 19:09

    Oh goodness.. more postal troubles. We just struggled shipping a package to our son who is deployed to Africa.

    I enjoy mailing Christmas cards and I will continue to do so.. even if stamps get pricey. So many loved ones enjoy receiving them.
    Carla

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