Have you thought about how you are going to set the table at Christmas?

Could your list look anything like this?:

1. Candles
2. Napkins (paper or cloth)
3. Tablecloth or placemats
4. Name cards
5. Christmas crackers (filled with paper hats, gifts and riddles) 
6. An eye-catching centrepiece

Looking for ideas?

Be inspired by Ramon, The DIY Mommy or Kinwoven—and a lot more creatives on YouTube!

PS I must confess that I love looking at beautifully laid tables. But with four adult children, four partners and two boisterous grandchildren visiting over the holiday season, our Christmas table never looks quite as spectacular as the ones in the video.

Using lights to decorate at Christmas time can be traced all the way back to Yule, a Norse tradition celebrating midwinter. 

People just love decorating their homes at Christmas—with wreaths and boughs of evergreen, garlands, flowers, candles and fairy lights, and Christmas stockings on the mantlepiece above the fire.

Of course, some people might overdo the festive decor. 

Take a look at some of the most festive houses in Britain.

What do you think? Are they kitschy or cool?

Christmas cards are an essential part of the celebrations. We even send them to our direct neighbours.

We used to place the cards on the mantlepiece above the fire in the living room, on empty shelves and on the TV. And when space became rare, they were hung on ribbons on the walls. 

The tradition of Christmas cards began in Britain during the time of Queen Victoria. And they are still a big tradition in the English-speaking world today.

It’s a tradition I still keep today.

Although I send out e-cards, I do like to send real Christmas cards to special friends and family members. But I love to receive them, too—so that I can decorate our living space!

Do you send out Christmas cards? And do you decorate your living space with cards?

Today I have an old English Christmas song for you:

“Christmas is coming and the geese are getting fat.
Please put a penny in the old man’s hat.
If you haven’t got a penny, a ha’penny* will do.
If you haven’t got a ha’penny, God bless you.”

*halfpenny

A roasted goose at Christmas has been a tradition since ancient times.

According to the British Poultry Council, around 250,000 geese are eaten every Christmas across Britain. With the average bird feeding six people, a roast goose might be the perfect choice for your gathering during this festive period.

Having said that, I must confess, I’ve never eaten goose.

Have you?