Making Your Own Christmas Mincemeat from Scratch. Because Christmas baking should smell like Christmas

There’s something deeply comforting about making your own Christmas mincemeat from scratch. 

It’s one of those quietly magical kitchen rituals that instantly makes the house smell like Christmas itself, citrus, spice, fruit, and a hint of festive indulgence drifting through the air.

At That’s Christmas 365, we’re firm believers Christmas isn’t just a date in December, it’s a feeling you can summon at any time of year. And homemade mincemeat is one of the simplest ways to do exactly that.

Forget the idea that mincemeat is fiddly or old-fashioned. In reality, it’s straightforward, endlessly adaptable, and once you’ve made it yourself, shop-bought versions rarely compare.

What Is Christmas Mincemeat, Really?

Despite the name, modern Christmas mincemeat no longer contains no meat at all. It’s a rich mixture of dried fruits, sugar, spice, citrus zest, fat (traditionally suet), and alcohol. Historically it did include meat, but today’s version is all about flavour, texture, and festive warmth.

It’s the heart of mince pies, but it’s also wonderful spooned into pastries, stirred through cake batter, or layered into festive desserts.

Why Make Your Own?

Making your own mincemeat gives you:

Complete control over sweetness and spice

Freedom to adjust alcohol levels (or skip it entirely)

Better texture and fresher flavour

A deeply festive kitchen experience

It also makes a lovely homemade gift when spooned into a jar, tied with ribbon, and labelled with the year.

A Classic Homemade Christmas Mincemeat Recipe

This recipe is traditional, reliable, and easy to adapt.

Ingredients

300g raisins

300g sultanas

200g currants

100g mixed peel

1 large cooking apple, grated (skin on)

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

Zest and juice of 1 orange

150g dark brown sugar, or maple sugar

100g shredded suet (vegetable suet works perfectly)

2 tsp mixed spice

1 tsp cinnamon

½ tsp nutmeg

A pinch of salt

100ml brandy, rum, or whisky (to taste)

Method

Mix everything except the alcohol in a large bowl until well combined.

Cover and leave overnight so the flavours can begin to mingle.

The next day, stir through the alcohol.

Spoon into sterilised jars, seal, and store in a cool, dark place.

Your mincemeat will be usable almost immediately, but it improves dramatically after two to four weeks.

Customising Your Mincemeat

One of the joys of making mincemeat from scratch is making it yours.

You might like to try:

A splash of orange liqueur instead of brandy

Chopped dried cherries or cranberries for sharpness

A little grated fresh ginger for warmth

Vanilla or almond extract for depth

Replacing some sugar with maple syrup or honey,or use sugar alternatives

There’s no single “correct” version – just the one that tastes like Christmas to you.

How Long Does Homemade Mincemeat Keep?

Properly jarred and stored, homemade mincemeat will keep for up to a year thanks to the sugar and alcohol. Always use a clean spoon when serving, and keep it refrigerated once opened.

If you’re making it well ahead of Christmas, give the jars an occasional gentle shake to redistribute the flavours.

Beyond Mince Pies

Yes, mince pies are the classic, but don’t stop there. Homemade mincemeat is brilliant in:

Festive traybakes

Christmas muffins

Puff pastry pinwheels

Sponge puddings

Layered trifles

It’s one of those ingredients that quietly elevates almost any bake into something unmistakably Christmassy.

A Christmas Tradition Worth Keeping

In a world of convenience, making your own Christmas mincemeat is a gentle reminder that some traditions are worth slowing down for. It doesn’t require fancy equipment or specialist skills – just time, care, and a love of Christmas flavours.

Whether you make it in July or late November, it’s a small act that brings the spirit of Christmas into your kitchen, one fragrant spoonful at a time.

And that, to us at That’s Christmas 365, is what Christmas is all about.

Broken Presents, Wrong Sizes & Christmas Let-Downs: How to Deal with Gift Mishaps Gracefully

Christmas morning is meant to be magical. The kettle’s on, wrapping paper is everywhere, and for a brief moment everything feels perfect. 

Then it happens: a present is broken straight out of the box, the jumper is two sizes too small, or the gadget simply isn’t what you hoped for.

If you’ve ever sat there smiling politely while thinking “Oh no…”, you’re not alone. 

At That’s Christmas 365, we believe that even the wobbly, disappointing bits of Christmas deserve kindness, perspective, and a practical plan.

Here’s how to deal with broken presents, wrong sizes, and festive mishaps—without spoiling the season.

First Things First: Pause Before You Panic

It’s completely normal to feel disappointed, frustrated, or awkward—especially if the gift came from someone who clearly meant well. Before reacting:

Take a breath

Remind yourself that Christmas is about people, not perfection

Avoid reacting in the heat of the moment

A calm response now makes everything easier later.

Dealing with Broken or Faulty Gifts

If a present arrives damaged or doesn’t work properly, don’t assume all is lost.

What to Do Straight Away

Keep all packaging – boxes, receipts, and labels matter

Take photos of damage or faults as soon as possible

Check the retailer’s returns policy – many extend returns over Christmas

In the UK, consumer rights usually protect you if an item is faulty, even if it was a gift. Retailers are often far more accommodating in the festive period than at any other time of year.

If the Gift Was Bought Online

Online purchases are often easier to resolve. Many retailers allow:

Gift returns without the purchaser present

Exchanges rather than refunds

Extended January return windows

If you don’t have the receipt, ask the giver discreetly later—most people would much rather you have something usable than suffer in silence.

When the Size Is Wrong (Clothes, Shoes & Wearables)

Ah yes, the festive sizing lottery.

How to Handle It Politely

Thank the giver genuinely—it’s the thought that counts

Avoid trying things on publicly if you already know it won’t fit

Check the tag before removing it

Most clothing retailers allow size exchanges without fuss, especially around Christmas.

If You’re Unsure About an Exchange

Some people worry about offending the gift giver. Remember:

They chose the item because they care

Exchanging it ensures it’s actually worn and enjoyed

Keeping something that doesn’t fit helps no one

Kind honesty, handled gently, is rarely taken badly.

When the Gift Just Isn’t “You”

Not every present is broken or the wrong size—sometimes it’s simply… not your thing.

Before rushing to return it, consider:

Could it be re-gifted thoughtfully later?

Would a charity shop donation do genuine good?

Could it be repurposed or used creatively?

If you do return it, many shops will offer store credit—sometimes leading you to something you’d never have chosen yourself but end up loving.

What If You’re the One Who Gave the Problem Gift?

It happens to everyone at some point.

If someone tells you a present is broken or doesn’t fit:

Thank them for telling you

Reassure them it’s absolutely fine

Offer the receipt or help with an exchange

Grace goes both ways at Christmas.

Keeping Christmas in Perspective

A broken ornament, a faulty gadget, or a too-tight jumper can feel upsetting in the moment—but they don’t define the day.

Christmas memories are built from:

Shared meals

Familiar films

Quiet conversations

Laughter over small mishaps

Often, it’s the imperfect moments that become the stories we laugh about year after year.

A That’s Christmas 365 Thought

Christmas doesn’t need to be flawless to be meaningful.

If a present breaks, doesn’t fit, or misses the mark entirely, it’s not a failure—it’s just part of real life woven into the festive season. Handle it kindly, fix what you can, and let go of the rest.

After all, Christmas lasts far longer in the heart than it does under the tree.

Why We Chose to Celebrate Christmas for 365 Days a Year

For many years, That’s Christmas 365 followed a familiar and well-worn rhythm. 

We would pour our hearts into the season, celebrate Advent, revel in Christmas Day, enjoy the gentle lull of Twelfth Night… and then, quietly and contentedly, we would put Christmas to bed. 

The decorations would come down, the notebooks would close, and the blog would rest until late the following year.

And for a long time, that felt exactly right.

But something changed.

Christmas Was Never Really “Over”

As a married couple who live and breathe Christmas, we began to notice something we could no longer ignore: Christmas never truly leaves us. 

Even in February, there are moments of generosity that feel unmistakably Christmassy. In spring, there is hope and renewal. In summer, there are gatherings, shared meals, and kindness between neighbours. In autumn, anticipation quietly begins to build again.

The spirit of Christmas kept showing up — long after the tree was boxed away.

We realised that while the season of Christmas has a beginning and an end, the miracle of Christmas does not.

Readers Were Still With Us

Another turning point came from you.

Messages, emails, comments, and quiet interactions continued throughout the year. People weren’t just visiting us in December — they were returning in March, July, and October. They were reading reflections, revisiting traditions, seeking comfort, and looking for meaning that extended beyond a single month.

It became clear that That’s Christmas 365 wasn’t just a festive countdown site. It had become something gentler, deeper, and more enduring.

Christmas as a Way of Living

At its heart, Christmas is not only about one extraordinary day. It is about:

hope in dark moments

generosity without expectation

welcoming others

comfort, warmth, and reflection

love made practical

Those values do not expire on 26 December.

By expanding the remit to cover Christmas all year round, we gave ourselves permission to explore Christmas as a way of living — not just an annual event. That meant writing about kindness in January, gratitude in April, traditions in August, and preparation without pressure in October.

It meant allowing Christmas to breathe.

A Healthier Relationship with the Season

Ironically, celebrating Christmas all year has made December calmer.

Instead of cramming everything into a few frantic weeks, we can spread the joy, the planning, the memories, and the meaning across the year. There is less rush, less stress, and far more room for reflection.

Christmas becomes something we walk with — not something that overwhelms us and then disappears.

Staying True to What Christmas Means to Us

This decision was never about commercialising Christmas endlessly or pretending it is December every day of the year. It was about honouring what Christmas truly represents to us as a couple: continuity, faith, warmth, and shared humanity.

By keeping That’s Christmas 365 alive throughout the year, we are not extending the noise of Christmas — we are preserving its quiet miracle.

Christmas Lives Here, All Year Long

So this is why we no longer “put Christmas to bed”.

Because Christmas still speaks in January.

Because hope still matters in June.

Because kindness is always in season.

And because the miracle of Christmas was never meant to last for just a few weeks.

Welcome to Christmas — all year round.

A Merry Christmas from us both

To all our wonderful readers,

As Christmas Day arrives, we wanted to take a quiet moment to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas from both of us here at That’s Christmas 365.

What began as a shared love of Christmas – its traditions, its stories, its food, its history, and its heart – has grown into something far bigger than we ever imagined. 

This site exists because of you: your visits, your messages, your shared memories, and your willingness to keep the spirit of Christmas alive all year round.

Whether you are celebrating today surrounded by family and friends, enjoying a peaceful Christmas for two, working through the festivities, or spending the day quietly on your own, please know this: you are not forgotten, and you are part of our Christmas community.

Christmas is not about perfection. It is about kindness, warmth, reflection, and those small, human moments that mean far more than any perfectly wrapped gift. If today is joyful, we hope it is full of laughter and good food. If today is difficult, we hope it brings you moments of comfort and reassurance.

Thank you for walking this Christmas journey with us throughout the year. Thank you for reading, sharing, and supporting what we do. Running That’s Christmas 365 together is a joy, and being able to share it with such a thoughtful and engaged readership is something we never take for granted.

From our home to yours, from our family to yours, we wish you peace, warmth, and a very Merry Christmas.

With heartfelt thanks and festive wishes,

The husband and wife team behind That’s Christmas 365. 

Man Utd players kick off Christmas with festive visit to Francis House Children's Hospice

Manchester United goalkeepers Tom Heaton and Senne Lammens spread some Christmas joy on a visit to Francis House Children’s Hospice.

The Manchester United first-team players visited seriously ill young people and their families at the hospice in Didsbury, handing out an array of United-themed presents, including scarves, hats and calendars.

Heaton and Lammens met with a group of children, their parents and siblings in the home from home surroundings of the family lounge at Francis House and heard how the hospice supports them with respite care and a range of palliative care services.

Bertille Chuipa, mum of Anderson who receives regular respite at Francis House  said: “For the players to find the time to come and see people like Anderson I think that is really important. Having met them today, it’s a nice kick off for the Christmas period.”

Senne enjoyed spending time with fans at Francis House. He said: "We are grateful for what we do and the life we have and it’s really nice to see all the happy faces. It’s nice to give back to them as well because we also have a lot of support from them. It’s been an honour to be here."

The players then moved onto Francis Lodge, the teenage and young adult wing at the hospice, where they were greeted by more than a dozen young people and hospice staff.

Josh, who receives respite care at Francis House, said: “It was a privilege to meet Senne and Tom. I’ve watched Manchester United from being a little boy so it means a lot. It feels like an early Christmas present at this time of year. They gave us a bag with some gifts in and I’m looking forward to opening it!”

After the visit Tom Heaton said: "These visits are a great reminder of how much football can impact people’s lives, and as a player, the responsibility to be a role model and to have an affect on people in a positive way. Francis House does an incredible job supporting these families, so for us, we just came to meet some of the families and try to bring some festive cheer. There's been an incredible atmosphere here and it's been an honour to be a part of."

The visit organised annually by the Manchester United Foundation is enjoyed by Francis House families in addition to children receiving treatment at nearby Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and The Christie Palatine Treatment Centre.

Sharon Doodson, director of care at Francis House, thanked the Club for the visit. She said: “It’s always such a joy when United come to visit. Seeing our children, young people and families light up with smiles and laughter, sharing their love of football with people they admire, is truly magical. Moments like these fill the hospice with warmth and leave memories that stay with them long after the day has ended.”

Francis House supports over 435 families from across Greater Manchester. The hospice services are all given completely free of charge and include respite care, homecare, sibling support, end of life care, emotional and bereavement support.

The hospice needs to raise £15,900 a day in donations to continue to provide long-term support to the children, young people and their families.

For more information on Francis House or to give a donation visit www.francishouse.org.uk

If Your Christmas Food Delivery Doesn't Arrive... Don't Panic!

Sometimes things go awry, despite the best planning 

We’ve all seen it – or heard it. Christmas Eve, packed shop, frazzled nerves… and suddenly someone realises their carefully planned Christmas food delivery hasn’t arrived. Panic sets in. Voices rise. Festive goodwill wobbles.

If that happens to you, here’s what to do next – calmly, practically, and without letting Christmas be ruined.

First things first: pause and breathe

It’s easy to feel that Christmas has been “cancelled”, but it hasn’t. Food delivery problems are stressful, yes – but they are fixable. Take a moment, breathe, and switch from panic mode to problem-solving mode.

Check the basics (before assuming the worst)

Before heading into meltdown territory, quickly check:

Delivery confirmation emails or texts – wrong date, missed slot, or a reschedule?

Neighbours – many deliveries are left with someone nearby.

Safe places – sheds, porches, garages and bins (yes, really).

You’d be surprised how often the food has arrived… just not where expected.

Contact the retailer – calmly but firmly

Customer services will be overwhelmed on Christmas Eve, but it’s still worth contacting them.

Ask specifically:

Has the order been marked as delivered?

Is there a partial delivery?

Can a refund or emergency credit be issued immediately?

Even if nothing else, you’ll usually get your money back – and that gives you options.

Switch plans: Christmas is flexible

This is the most important mindset shift. Christmas dinner does not have to look like the advert.

If the big shop hasn’t arrived:

Buy what’s available, not what was planned

Scale down – fewer courses, simpler dishes

Swap the “centre-piece roast” for something quicker

A roast chicken, gammon joint, sausages, salmon, cheese boards or party food can all save the day.

Use what’s already in your kitchen

Before heading back out into the crowds, check what you already have:

Freezer staples

Tins and jars

Pasta, rice, potatoes

Frozen veg

Cheese, crackers, chutneys

A “make-do” Christmas made with what you have often becomes the one people remember most fondly.

Shop smarter, not harder

If you do need to shop:

Try smaller local shops, petrol stations, or corner stores

Avoid chasing “perfect” – aim for “good enough”

Look for ready-to-eat or minimal-prep options

Christmas Eve is not the day for culinary ambition.

Let go of the guilt

This is crucial.

A missed delivery is not your fault.

Your Christmas is not ruined.

Your value as a host, partner, or parent is not measured by roast potatoes.

What people remember is warmth, kindness, laughter – not whether the pigs in blankets were artisanal.

Turn it into a story, not a disaster

Years from now, no one will recall the delivery slot number – but they will remember:

“That year everything went wrong…”

“…and we ended up eating whatever we could find”

“…and it was actually brilliant.”

Those are the stories that last.

One final thought

If Christmas food doesn’t arrive, Christmas itself hasn’t gone anywhere.

Lower the bar. Keep the people. Put the kettle on.

Everything else is just trimmings.

Why Sprouts Are the Underrated Heroes of the Christmas Feast

And how to choose and cook them to true brassica perfection!

Few Christmas foods divide opinion quite like the humble sprout. Mention them at the dinner table and you’ll often hear groans, jokes, or exaggerated childhood trauma stories. 

Yet sprouts are not the villain of the Christmas feast — they are, in fact, its most underrated heroes.

Cooked properly, sprouts bring freshness, balance, texture, and a welcome bitterness that cuts through rich roast meats, stuffing, gravy, and all the trimmings. When mistreated, they become sulphurous, soggy, and unfairly blamed. The problem has never been the sprout. The problem has always been how we treat it.

At That’s Christmas 365, we believe it’s time to give sprouts the respect they deserve.

Why Sprouts Belong on the Christmas Table

Sprouts are part of the brassica family, alongside cabbage, broccoli, and kale, vegetables that thrive in cold weather and are at their very best in winter. Christmas is their season.

They earn their place on the plate because they:

Balance rich and fatty foods

Add colour and texture to the meal

Work beautifully with festive flavours like bacon, chestnuts, garlic, butter, and nutmeg

Are packed with fibre and nutrients (a quiet win during a heavy meal)

A Christmas dinner without sprouts is like a tree without lights — technically fine, but missing something traditional and grounding.

How to Choose the Best Sprouts

Perfect sprouts start at the shop, market, or greengrocer.

What to Look For

Firm and tight: The leaves should be compact, not loose or floppy

Bright green: Avoid yellowing or brown edges

Small to medium size: These are sweeter and cook more evenly

Heavy for their size: A sign of freshness

If you can find sprouts still on the stalk, grab them. They stay fresher for longer and look wonderfully festive in the kitchen.

What to Avoid

Strong cabbage smells (a warning sign)

Soft or spongy sprouts

Black spots or excessive leaf damage

Preparing Sprouts Properly (This Matters)

Before cooking, take a few simple steps that make all the difference:

Trim the very base of the stalk

Remove any damaged outer leaves

Rinse briefly in cold water

For larger sprouts, cut a shallow cross in the base or halve them for even cooking

This helps heat penetrate quickly and evenly — which is key to avoiding bitterness.

How to Cook Sprouts to Brassica Perfection

1. Boiling (Yes, But Briefly)

Boiling isn’t the enemy — overboiling is.

Use well-salted water

Cook for 4–6 minutes max

Drain immediately

Steam-dry for a moment before serving or finishing in butter

They should be tender with a slight bite, not army-green and collapsing.

2. Steaming (Clean and Reliable)

Steaming keeps flavour and colour intact.

Steam for 6–8 minutes

Finish with butter, seasoning, and perhaps a pinch of nutmeg or black pepper

Perfect if you want sprouts to taste like sprouts — but at their best.

3. Roasting (The Crowd-Pleaser)

If you’re converting sceptics, this is the method.

Halve sprouts

Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper

Roast at 200°C (fan) for 25–30 minutes

Add bacon lardons, garlic, or chestnuts halfway through

Roasting brings sweetness, crisp edges, and deep flavour.

4. Pan-Frying or Sautéing (Luxurious and Festive)

Ideal for Boxing Day or smaller Christmas dinners.

Parboil sprouts briefly first

Fry in butter with shallots, pancetta, or nuts

Finish with lemon zest or a splash of stock

This method gives sprouts a rich, glossy finish that feels properly celebratory.

Classic Christmas Pairings That Always Work

Sprouts with bacon and chestnuts

Sprouts with butter and nutmeg

Sprouts with garlic and Parmesan

Sprouts with honey and mustard glaze

These combinations don’t hide the sprout — they elevate it.

The Final Word: Respect the Sprout

Sprouts don’t deserve their bad reputation. They deserve timing, care, and a little love. When treated properly, they’re not just an acceptable side dish they’re essential to the balance and tradition of the Christmas feast.

So this Christmas, don’t apologise for serving sprouts. Cook them well, serve them proudly, and let them shine as the underrated heroes they truly are.

Because Christmas dinner wouldn’t be Christmas without them.

Let That's Christmas 365 Take You Through The Final Christmas Countdown

As Christmas 2025 hurtles towards us, the pressure can feel very real. 

Lists get longer, time feels shorter, and suddenly everything seems essential. But here’s the truth: not everything actually is.

If you’re in the final countdown, this is your moment to focus on what truly matters, deal with what’s still outstanding, and let go of the rest without guilt.

What You Still Need to Do (The Real Essentials)

These are the things that genuinely make Christmas work rather than just look perfect.

1. Food Basics

You don’t need a gourmet spread, but you do need:

A main meal plan (even if it’s simple)

Key ingredients bought or ordered

A rough idea of timings on the day

Shortcut wins:

Frozen veg is absolutely fine

Shop-bought desserts are still Christmas desserts

A smaller menu beats an over-ambitious one every time

2. Gifts That Are Already Covered

If gifts aren’t all wrapped or lavish, that’s OK. What matters is:

Everyone has something thoughtful

Digital gift cards and IOUs are valid and practical

Experiences beat objects when time runs out

Remember: late wrapping is not a moral failure.

3. A Tidy, Not Perfect, Home

You are not hosting a photoshoot.

Clear floors and surfaces

Clean loo and sink

Enough seating and crockery

That’s it. Nobody cares if a cupboard is chaos behind a closed door.

What Can Wait (Or Be Skipped Entirely)

This is where the pressure can ease.

1. Over-the-Top Decorations

If the tree is up and the lights work, you’ve done Christmas.

You don’t need themed rooms

You don’t need matching colour schemes

You definitely don’t need to replace decorations “just because”

2. Homemade Everything

Homemade is lovely.

Store-bought is still festive.

If baking, crafting, or DIY decorating is stressing you out:

Drop it

Nobody will miss it

Your sanity matters more

3. Trying to Please Everyone

You are allowed to:

Say no to visits

Keep plans small

Change arrangements if health, energy, or money demands it

Christmas is not a performance review.

If Push Comes to Shove: What Actually Matters

When everything is stripped back, Christmas comes down to:

Being fed

Being safe

Feeling connected (even quietly or briefly)

Getting through the day without burning yourself out

Everything else is optional.

A quieter Christmas, a simpler table, fewer presents, less rushing — none of these mean you’ve failed. In many homes, they’re the reason Christmas actually feels better.

A Gentle Final Thought

You don’t need to do everything for Christmas to arrive.

It will come whether the wrapping paper matches, the gravy is homemade, or the decorations are Instagram-ready.

Do what you reasonably can.

Let the rest go.

Christmas doesn’t need perfection... it just needs people. 

Why Maple Syrup Works So Well at Christmas

Maple syrup pairs beautifully with traditional Christmas flavours such as cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, orange, cranberry, and vanilla. 

Unlike white sugar, it brings complexity rather than just sweetness, making it especially suited to darker spirits like bourbon, rum, and brandy.

It also dissolves easily in cold drinks, which makes it far more cocktail-friendly than granulated sugar during the festive rush.

Maple Old Fashioned (A Christmas Classic)

A seasonal twist on a timeless favourite.

You’ll need:

50ml bourbon or rye whisky

1 tsp pure maple syrup

2 dashes Angostura bitters

Orange peel and cinnamon stick (to garnish)

How to make it:

Stir the bourbon, maple syrup, and bitters with ice until well chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Express the orange peel over the glass and drop it in. Garnish with a cinnamon stick for a festive aroma.

Why it works at Christmas:

Rich, warming, and quietly luxurious, perfect after a big festive meal.

Maple Spiced Rum Punch

Ideal for parties and easy to scale up.

You’ll need (per glass):

40ml dark spiced rum

15ml maple syrup

60ml cloudy apple juice

A squeeze of fresh lime

Grated nutmeg (to finish)

How to make it:

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a glass filled with fresh ice. Dust lightly with nutmeg.

Festive tip:

Serve in a heat-resistant glass and gently warm it for a winter punch version.

Cranberry Maple Gin Fizz

Bright, festive, and not too sweet.

You’ll need:

40ml gin

20ml cranberry juice

10–15ml maple syrup

Soda water

Fresh cranberries and rosemary (to garnish)

How to make it:

Shake the gin, cranberry juice, and maple syrup with ice. Strain into a tall glass and top with soda. Garnish with cranberries and a sprig of rosemary for a Christmas look.

Why it’s great for Christmas:

The sharp cranberry balances the maple perfectly, making this ideal as a pre-dinner drink.

Maple Espresso Martini (Festive After-Dinner Treat)

A cosy Christmas dessert in a glass.

You’ll need:

40ml vodka

20ml freshly brewed espresso (cooled)

15ml coffee liqueur

10ml maple syrup

How to make it:

Shake everything hard with ice until frothy. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with coffee beans or a light dusting of cocoa.

Christmas pairing:

Perfect with mince pies, chocolate truffles, or a slice of Christmas cake.

Hot Maple Buttered Bourbon

For cold nights and quiet evenings.

You’ll need:

40ml bourbon

1 tsp maple syrup

Small knob of butter

Hot water

Pinch of cinnamon or mixed spice

How to make it:

Add bourbon, maple syrup, butter, and spice to a mug. Top with hot water and stir gently until melted.

Why you’ll love it:

Comforting, soothing, and wonderfully indulgent—this is Christmas in a mug.

Choosing the Right Maple Syrup

For cocktails, always use pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup. Grade A amber or dark maple syrup works best, as it has enough flavour to stand up to spirits and spices.

A small bottle goes a long way and makes a thoughtful Christmas pantry staple too.

A Final Festive Stir

Maple syrup brings warmth, richness, and a gentle sweetness that feels tailor-made for Christmas cocktails. Whether you’re hosting friends, planning a festive date night, or simply enjoying a quiet drink after a long December day, these maple-based cocktails add something a little special to the season.

Pour carefully, sip slowly, and enjoy the glow of Christmas—one maple-sweetened cocktail at a time.

That's Christmas 365 would like to thank Maple From Canada for their incredible support in creating this feature. https://www.maplefromcanada.co.uk

The Three Wise Men of the Nativity: Who Were They and Where Did They Come From?

At That’s Christmas 365, we love exploring the stories and traditions that sit just beneath the surface of Christmas. 

Few figures are as fascinating, or as widely misunderstood, as the Three Wise Men, also known as the Magi.

They appear briefly in the Nativity story, yet their journey has echoed through art, music, and Christmas tradition for nearly two thousand years. 

So who were they, where did they come from, and why do they still matter to Christmas today?

What the Bible Tells Us (and What It Doesn’t)

The Wise Men appear only in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 2:1–12). The text tells us that Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, seeking a newborn king after observing a remarkable star.

What may surprise many people is this:

The Bible never says there were three Wise Men

They are never described as kings

Their names are not mentioned

The tradition of “three” comes entirely from the fact that three gifts were presented.

Who Were the Magi?

The word Magi refers to a respected class of learned men in the ancient world. They were often associated with:

Astronomy and the study of the stars

Interpreting dreams and signs

Religious and philosophical scholarship

These were not entertainers or magicians in the modern sense, but serious thinkers, advisers whose insights were sought by rulers and courts.

Historically, Magi are most commonly linked with Persia, though some scholars suggest origins in Babylon or neighbouring regions.

Where Did They Come From?

Matthew simply says they came “from the east”, which in the ancient world could mean hundreds or even thousands of miles away.

Likely regions include:

Persia (modern-day Iran)

Babylon (modern Iraq)

Parts of the Arabian Peninsula

What is beyond doubt is that their journey would have taken weeks or months, guided by what became known as the Star of Bethlehem, until they reached Bethlehem.

This long journey speaks volumes about their determination and belief that the sign they saw truly mattered.

Why Are They Called Kings?

The idea of the Wise Men as kings developed later in Christian tradition, influenced by Old Testament passages such as Psalm 72 and Isaiah 60, which speak of kings bringing gifts and honour to God’s chosen one.

By medieval times, the Magi were firmly portrayed as crowned monarchs, reinforcing a powerful Christmas message: that Christ was recognised not only by shepherds and ordinary people, but by figures of wealth, learning, and authority from far beyond Judea.

The Meaning Behind the Gifts

The gifts of the Wise Men are among the most symbol-rich elements of the Nativity:

Gold – symbolising kingship and royalty

Frankincense – used in worship, representing divinity

Myrrh – associated with burial, hinting at suffering and sacrifice

Together, they reflect the Christian belief in who Jesus was — and what his life would mean.

Why the Wise Men Still Matter at Christmas

At That’s Christmas 365, we see the Wise Men as a reminder that Christmas is not just a cosy, local story. It is a global one.

They represent:

Faith that crosses borders

Curiosity and courage to follow the unknown

Recognition that Christmas is for everyone, everywhere

Their presence in the Nativity reminds us that Christmas reaches far beyond Bethlehem — and far beyond one day in December.

A Christmas Reflection

Whether you imagine the Wise Men as richly robed kings or thoughtful scholars beneath a winter sky, their story is one of patience, belief, and hope. They followed a sign they did not fully understand, trusting it would lead them somewhere extraordinary.

That spirit, of seeking light in the darkness, sits at the very heart of Christmas.

How to Cut Your Christmas Food Bill This Year (Without Cutting the Joy)

Christmas doesn’t have to come with a credit-card hangover. With a little planning, a few smart swaps, and a willingness to ignore the pressure to “overbuy just in case”, you can enjoy a generous, traditional Christmas while keeping your food bill firmly under control.

Here’s how to do it — calmly, practically, and without feeling deprived.

1. Plan First, Shop Second

Impulse buying is the single biggest reason Christmas food bills spiral. Before you step foot in a supermarket (or open a shopping app):

Write a realistic menu for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the days immediately after

Count exactly how many people you’re feeding — not how many you might feed

Decide which meals actually need to be special and which can be simple

Christmas doesn’t require luxury ingredients for every single meal. Save the splurge for where it truly matters.

2. Be Honest About How Much You Actually Eat

Most households massively overestimate Christmas consumption.

Ask yourself:

How much of last year’s cheese board went untouched?

Did anyone really want pudding after a full roast?

How much party food ended up forgotten in the fridge?

Buying slightly less is not being mean — it’s being realistic.

3. Don’t Fear Frozen (It’s Your Secret Weapon)

Frozen food has an unfair reputation at Christmas, but it’s one of the best ways to save money.

Frozen veg is often cheaper, just as nutritious, and never wasted

Frozen desserts can be portioned exactly

Bread, rolls, and pastry freeze beautifully and defrost quickly

Freezer space is worth more than gold in December — use it wisely.

4. Shop Little and Often Instead of One Big Panic Shop

A single massive Christmas shop encourages excess “just in case” purchases.

Instead:

Do one early essentials shop (tins, flour, sugar, long-life items)

Add fresh items closer to Christmas

Keep receipts and review what you’re actually using

This spreads the cost and reduces waste.

5. Supermarket Own Brands Are Your Friend

At Christmas especially, supermarket own-brand ranges often match branded products in quality — sometimes surpassing them.

Items where own brand makes little difference:

Flour, sugar, rice, pasta

Tinned tomatoes, beans, pulses

Stock cubes, sauces, condiments

Mince pies and biscuits (many are made by the same bakeries)

Reserve premium brands for the things you genuinely taste and appreciate.

6. Be Strategic With Meat

Meat is usually the most expensive part of Christmas dinner — but it doesn’t have to be.

Choose joints that stretch (turkey crowns, rolled pork, gammon)

Ask your butcher about smaller joints or half portions

Remember leftovers are only useful if you actually enjoy eating them

A perfectly cooked smaller joint beats a huge, dried-out one every time.

7. Reduce the “Nibble Creep”

It’s not the main meals that quietly drain your budget — it’s the constant grazing.

Instead of endless tubs of snacks:

Choose one savoury nibble and one sweet treat

Plate snacks rather than leaving bags open

Replace some nibbles with popcorn, nuts, or homemade dips

Less out means less eaten — and less wasted.

8. Batch Cook Once, Relax Later

Pre-Christmas batch cooking saves money and stress.

Make soups, stews, or curries for the days after Christmas

Use cheaper cuts of meat or plant-based proteins

Freeze portions so you’re not tempted by takeaway menus

Future-you will be very grateful.

9. Alcohol Is an Easy Place to Save

Festive drinks add up frighteningly fast.

Ways to cut back without feeling deprived:

Pick one “special” bottle and keep the rest simple

Add soft-drink mixers to stretch wine and spirits

Remember not everyone drinks, don’t buy for 'imaginary' guests

A smaller selection, enjoyed properly, costs far less than overflowing cupboards.

10. Accept That “Enough” Is Enough

Christmas marketing is designed to make you feel like you’re never doing quite enough.

But:

Enough food is enough

Enough choice is enough

Enough generosity is enough

A warm, relaxed Christmas table matters far more than excess.

Cutting your Christmas food bill isn’t about penny-pinching or denying yourself joy. It’s about spending intentionally, wasting less, and putting your money where it actually enhances your Christmas, whether that’s one lovely meal, a bottle you’ll truly enjoy, or simply the peace of mind that January won’t start with regret.

A calmer Christmas starts in the kitchen — and often, in the shopping list.

Lidl Offers Best Deals on Christmas Vegetables

With other retailers on the market offering this with loyalty scheme prices, it makes Lidl’s one of the most lucrative options for all shoppers this festive season.

To offer the best value, Lidl works on long-term agreements with producers and growers, ensuring that promotional prices do not affect the price paid to the farmer.

The full range will be available in stores nationwide from today (18th December 2025) until 24th December 2025, whilst stocks last.

Our Christmas Tradition: A Christmas Carol (1951), Mince Pies and a Bottle of Port

At That’s Christmas 365, everything we do is rooted in genuine love for Christmas, not just the lights, the food, or the shopping, but the traditions that quietly anchor the season and give it meaning.

 And for us, the driving forces behind the site, there is one tradition that has never wavered.

Every single Christmas season, without fail, we sit down together to watch the 1951 film version of A Christmas Carol, accompanied by mince pies and a bottle of port wine.

It is non-negotiable. Christmas simply doesn’t feel complete without it.

Why the 1951 Version Matters

There are many adaptations of Dickens’ timeless story, but for us, A Christmas Carol stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Alastair Sim’s portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge is, in our view, definitive. He captures every layer of the character — the bitterness, the pain, the sharp wit, and ultimately the profound humanity that emerges by the film’s end. This is not a pantomime villain or a cartoon miser. This Scrooge feels real.

There is something deeply comforting about the film’s pace, its shadowed Victorian streets, and its quiet moral certainty. It doesn’t rush. It doesn’t shout. It allows the story to breathe, and to sink in.

Each year, no matter how many times we’ve seen it, we still find new details to notice, new lines that resonate, and new moments that land just that little bit harder.

Mince Pies: A Christmas Essential

No screening would be complete without mince pies.

Freshly opened, dusted with icing sugar, still carrying that unmistakable Christmas aroma, fruit, spice, and nostalgia. They are not just a snack; they are part of the ritual. The moment the pies come out, Christmas feels official.

They sit beside us as Scrooge is visited by Marley’s ghost, disappear during the Ghost of Christmas Present, and are long gone by the time Tiny Tim speaks his famous words.

And the Bottle of Port

Alongside the mince pies is a bottle of port wine, rich, warming, and quietly festive.

Port feels like a Christmas drink that belongs to another era, which somehow makes it perfect for a Victorian story. It slows the evening down. It encourages conversation, reflection, and that gentle sense of indulgence that Christmas does so well.

A small glass poured, the lights low, the film beginning — it’s not about excess. It’s about atmosphere.

A Moment of Stillness in a Busy Season

Christmas can be loud. Busy. Overwhelming.

This tradition gives us a pause — a moment to sit together, switch off from the outside world, and reconnect with why Christmas matters to us in the first place. Kindness. Reflection. Change. Hope.

Those themes are at the very heart of A Christmas Carol, and they align perfectly with what we try to promote through That’s Christmas 365 all year round.

Why We Share This With You

That’s Christmas 365 isn’t just a website, it’s a reflection of how we live Christmas ourselves. The traditions we write about are the ones we genuinely treasure, and this is one of the most important.

If you’ve never watched the 1951 version, we wholeheartedly recommend making it part of your own festive season. Pour yourself something warming, grab a mince pie (or two), and give it your full attention. Sometimes we even add an artisan pork pie or a nice chunk of Stilton cheese to the menu!

You might just find, like we have, that it becomes a tradition you return to every single year.

Because sometimes, Christmas isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing the same beautiful thing, again and again.

And here, for your viewing pleasure, is the 1951 version of A Christmas Carol. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Buckingham Palace Stages "First Ever" Christmas pop-up shop

For the first time ever, a Christmas pop-up shop has opened at the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, transforming part of the 200-year-old stables into a glittering festive boutique while the Mews is closed to visitors for the winter.

The Royal Mews Christmas Shop, open until from 5 January, brings together the festive ranges of official royal gifts, food and drink from Royal Collection Trust, a department of the Royal Household.

Seasonal drinks and nibbles will also be available, adding to the festive spirit. 

With a selection of classic products and future heirlooms from the Royal Collection Trust Shops, the below gift guide includes ideas for loved ones including children, collectors of British chinaware, and party hosts.

New for this year are mini 20cl bottles of gins infused with botanicals hand-picked from the grounds of royal residences including Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. 

Also newly launched is the Property of the Royal Kitchen range of kitchen accessories, which takes its inspiration from the Great Kitchen at Windsor Castle – the oldest working kitchen in the country. 

Official Royal Collection Trust chinaware is made in the UK, being cast, fired, and decorated by hand at The Potteries in Stoke-on-Trent, using the same traditional techniques that have been used for the past 250 years.

Also new are wine accessories including crystal wine glasses, delicately etched with a pattern of knotted vines and grape leaves inspired by the Grand Punch Bowl, a majestic wine cistern in the Royal Collection known to have been used by Queen Victoria. The glasses are the perfect way to serve the Palace Collection Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir. 

Further highlights include tree decorations handcrafted in India using traditional embroidery techniques, which help keep jobs and traditional craft skills alive, and children’s plushies made of 100% recycled materials. 

The ranges can be purchased online from royalcollectionshop.co.uk, Royal Collection Trust Shops in London, Edinburgh and Windsor, and the pop-up The Royal Mews Christmas Shop.

The income from purchases contributes to the care and conservation of the Royal Collection and helps Royal Collection Trust to share it with everyone, wherever they are.

Millions connect with Church of England’s Christmas campaign as parishes invite communities to share the joy

Image by Jim Cox

Churches all over England are preparing to welcome millions through their doors this Christmas, with record numbers of services registered. 

Meanwhile, new figures suggest nearly one in two UK adults will attend a service or event in 2025.

Traffic to AChurchNearYou.com (ACNY), the Church’s national church-finder, is surging, with public hits reaching 891,000 yesterday, up from 743,000 on 7 December (around 20 per cent week-on-week increase). 

Over the last weekend alone, Church of England content recorded 1,393,467 video views, 95,650 engagements, including 5,707 clicks (mainly to ACNY) and 7,432 shares.

The recently published Christmas isn’t cancelled video has been seen nearly 2 million times across social media, generating 125,000 likes, comments and shares - far above industry averages. Related posts reached 2,413,574 impressions.

ACNY data shows parishes are stepping up activities to welcome their communities with 6,870 services tagged ‘Advent’ (already ahead of last year’s final 6,658), 23,147 services tagged ‘Christmas’, set to comfortably surpass last year’s total of 23,525.

Resources created by the national Church for local parishes to use for free are being used across the country, with 49,326 downloads of Advent and Christmas materials from the ACNY Resource Hub, helping churches invite and prepare.

Since 1 November, 5,403 services/events have been added to calendars and 2,196 shared via social media or email, signalling strong intent to attend locally. Looking ahead, there’s a 91 per cent increase in Candlemas services from last year and a 23 per cent increase in ‘Blue Christmas’ services compared to 2024.

This surge reflects an apparent wider national trend. New polling this week found that nearly one in two UK adults (45 per cent) plan to attend a church event or service this Christmas, up from 40 per cent last year, drawn by tradition, atmosphere and spiritual reflection. The polling was carried out by Savanta on behalf of the charity, Tearfund.

The engagement builds on the Church of England’s Joy of Christmas campaign, which offers videos, reflections and devotional content for people of all backgrounds - whether exploring faith for the first time or looking to deepen their discipleship. 

The campaign also features the Church of England’s first-ever Christmas picture book, The Grumpy Owl and Joy of Christmas, with its animated version already viewed more than 12,000 times on YouTube.

Wanting to Be Left Alone at Christmas Doesn’t Make You Wrong or Weird

Christmas is often presented as a season of constant togetherness. Packed diaries, busy houses, loud gatherings, long conversations, and an unspoken assumption that everyone should want to be surrounded by people from morning until night. 

When that isn’t how you feel, it can be deeply uncomfortable.

If you find yourself wanting quiet, space, or even complete solitude at Christmas, it does not mean there is something wrong with you. It does not make you cold, ungrateful, antisocial, or “doing Christmas wrong”. It simply means you are listening to your own needs.

And that matters.

Christmas Is Emotionally Intense

Christmas amplifies everything. Joy feels louder, but so does grief. Loneliness can feel sharper. Exhaustion accumulates quickly. For many people, Christmas isn’t just one day – it’s weeks of expectation, noise, social pressure, and emotional labour.

If you’re already overwhelmed, burnt out, neurodivergent, grieving, chronically ill, anxious, or simply tired, the idea of constant company can feel less like celebration and more like survival mode.

Wanting to be left alone can be your nervous system asking for rest, not a rejection of Christmas itself.

Solitude Is Not the Same as Loneliness

One of the biggest myths around Christmas is that being alone automatically equals being lonely. In reality, many people experience the opposite.

Solitude can be:

Calming

Grounding

Restorative

Safe

Emotionally regulating

For some, being alone with a book, a film, music, or a quiet meal is the most meaningful way to mark the season. That’s not emptiness – it’s intention.

You are allowed to enjoy Christmas quietly, softly, and on your own terms.

Not Everyone Recharges Through Socialising

There is nothing unusual about needing space, especially at a time when social interaction is intensified and prolonged.

Some people recharge through company. Others recharge through silence. Neither is superior.

If being around others drains you rather than energises you, forcing yourself into constant social settings can actually make Christmas harder, not better. Protecting your energy is not selfish – it’s sensible.

Boundaries Are Not a Personal Attack

Choosing to step back, decline invitations, or ask for time alone is often misinterpreted as rejection. In reality, it’s usually about self-preservation.

You can care about people deeply and still need space.

You can love Christmas and still want quiet.

You can value relationships without needing to perform festivity.

Setting boundaries is not about pushing people away – it’s about staying emotionally well enough to engage at all.

Christmas Doesn’t Have One Correct Format

Some people love big meals, full houses, and busy schedules.

Others prefer:

A simple meal

One trusted person

Or no company at all

None of these approaches are more “correct” than the others.

Christmas traditions are personal, not universal. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for choosing a version of Christmas that works for you.

You Are Allowed to Rest

Rest is not laziness.

Silence is not failure.

Solitude is not a flaw.

If the kindest thing you can do for yourself this Christmas is to slow down, step back, and be alone, that is enough. You are not missing the point of Christmas – you are honouring your wellbeing.

A Quiet Christmas Is Still a Valid Christmas

There is room in this season for loud laughter and quiet reflection.

For busy homes and peaceful spaces.

For togetherness and solitude.

If you want to be left alone at Christmas, you are not weird.

You are not broken.

You are not doing anything wrong.

You are simply human – and that deserves understanding, not judgement.

At That’s Christmas 365, we believe Christmas should be shaped around people, not pressure. However you spend it – quietly, socially, or somewhere in between – your Christmas counts.

Why the Philips 600i Series Air Purifier AC0650/20 or Philips AC0651/10 Air Purifier Makes a Perfect Christmas Present

Finding the perfect Christmas gift each year can be a challenge, you want something thoughtful, useful and ideally a little bit “wow.” 

This festive season, a smart home gadget that enhances wellbeing and everyday living ticks all those boxes. 

That’s why a Philips air purifier from the 600 range is such a brilliant present idea for friends, family or even yourself. (That's Christmas 365 has one in our home office.)

A Gift That Gives Back All Year

Air purifiers aren’t just a one-day novelty present — they make a difference every day. 

Whether someone lives in a busy urban area, has pets, suffers from allergies, or just loves a fresh and cosy home environment, an air purifier improves daily life in a subtle but powerful way.

Clean Air for Health & Comfort

The Philips 600 series models use advanced NanoProtect HEPA filtration to remove up to 99.97 % of ultra-fine airborne particles, including dust, pollen, pet dander and even microscopic pollutants down to 0.003 microns. That means cleaner, fresher air in living rooms, bedrooms or home offices — perfect for people with asthma or allergies. 

Ideal for UK Homes

These compact purifiers are designed to suit typical UK rooms, effectively cleaning spaces up to around 44 m², which covers most living rooms, larger bedrooms or open-plan dining areas. Their sleek white design blends effortlessly with modern interiors. 

Peaceful & Practical

Christmas is a season for relaxation and togetherness, so quieter tech is a bonus. In Sleep mode, Philips 600 purifiers run at around 19 dB, that’s quieter than a whisper, so they won’t disturb Christmas movie nights or late-night reading. 

Energy efficiency is another practical perk: these units run on minimal power (around 12 W), keeping running costs low even if they’re switched on all day. 

Smart Control Made Simple

Many models in the 600 range connect to the Philips Air+ app, so your giftee can monitor air quality, adjust settings and check filter life from their phone — perfect for tech lovers or busy households. 

The Little Extras That Matter

Filter lifetime indicator, removes guesswork and helps keep performance optimal. 

Multiple fan speeds, including turbo for rapid clean-ups and sleep for night-time calm. 

Compact design, easy to move between rooms and fits snugly on shelves or side tables. 

 A Thoughtful, Versatile Present

Whether it’s for a parent who deserves a healthier home environment, a friend with pets, a house-proud sibling, or anyone who values wellbeing, a Philips air purifier is a gift that shows you care about comfort and health — not just for Christmas Day, but all year round.

Gift idea summary:

Practical & meaningful

Enhances air quality & wellbeing

Quiet & energy efficient

Smart control & easy to use

Fits most UK homes

And they are available at a special discounted price here:- https://amzn.to/3MOAhvz

SocialBox.Biz Issues Pre-Christmas Message

A landmark 2025/2026 survey released today in a pre-Christmas message by SocialBox.Biz reveals a "purpose gap" in corporate Britain: 60% of UK firms are missing out on the full social impact potential, despite rising pressure to deliver on Environmental, Social, and Governance targets. 

The findings show three out of five UK companies want to boost their social impact but are currently constrained by hardware refresh cycles and other factors. 

In response, SocialBox.Biz, a leading Community Interest Company (CIC), has issued a 2026 “Call to Action.”

This initiative provides a streamlined pathway for corporations to reduce Scope 3 emissions by diverting functional hardware from scrap heaps to reuse before it reaches the IT disposal stage. Call SocialBoxBiz before you scrap it so that SocialBoxBiz can help you assess what items can still be reused first.

With each reused laptop saving 316kg of CO2, SocialBox.Biz’s innovation transforms old corporate IT into a lifeline for the elderly unable to afford technology and those transitioning out of homelessness.

“The data is clear: British businesses want to do more, but they are literally shredding their impact,” says Peter Paduh, Founder of SocialBox.Biz. “Recycling will no longer be enough. Our innovation allows firms to securely wipe data and reuse and rehome technology, turning it into a measurable social and environmental win.”

The 2026 SocialBox.Biz Innovation Framework:

Scope 3 Reduction: Verified carbon savings for annual ESG reports by prioritizing IT reuse over recycling.

Impact Plans for 2026: A new solution for firms without immediate hardware to sponsor IT training and CompTIA+ certifications for the vulnerable using existing PR or ESG budgets.

Data Security: Certified data wiping (NIST 800-88 and ISO 27001) that eliminates the risk of donation.

The CEO Pledge: An executive commitment to ensure no functional device is scrapped and to contact SocialBoxBiz first to check what can still be reused.

Entities seeking a potent solution for meeting 2026 environmental and social responsibility goals can participate immediately by visiting https://www.socialbox.biz/corporate-impact/

To help the 60% of UK firms currently missing their ESG targets due to hardware shortages, SocialBox.Biz has launched Impact Plans for companies to increase their impact by  supporting SocialBox.Biz community interest company with their ESG and Marketing budgets.

These innovative plans allow businesses to decouple their social contributions from physical IT refresh cycles. By utilizing existing PR or ESG budgets, companies can immediately sponsor essential IT training and computer classes for the elderly, and those transitioning out of homelessness.

Impact Plans provide a verified pathway to boost social value and reduce the "purpose gap" identified in the 2025/2026 survey, ensuring your organization makes a measurable difference even when you don't have surplus hardware to donate.

Bridge the digital divide today: Join the SocialBox.Biz Impact Initiative.

https://www.socialbox.biz/corporate-impact

Washington Irving vs Charles Dickens: The Writers Who Created Modern Christmas

Explore how Washington Irving and Charles Dickens shaped modern Christmas traditions, and discover whose influence still defines the festive season today.

When people think about the origins of the modern Christmas, one name dominates: Charles Dickens. 

Yet decades before A Christmas Carol warmed Victorian hearts, another writer had already begun restoring Christmas to the cultural imagination. That writer was Washington Irving.

Rather than rivals, Irving and Dickens should be seen as complementary figures — one rekindled the idea of Christmas, the other set it alight.

Washington Irving: The Revivalist

Washington Irving’s Old Christmas (1819–1820) arrived at a time when Christmas was quietly fading in Britain. Industrialisation had disrupted rural traditions, and earlier religious opposition had stripped the season of much of its joy.

Irving’s contribution was subtle but powerful.

He presented Christmas as:

A season of hospitality and open houses

A bridge between rich and poor

A celebration rooted in continuity and memory

A time of warmth rather than doctrine

Importantly, Irving looked backwards. His Christmas was nostalgic, idealised, and deliberately old-fashioned, a reminder of what Christmas used to be, or what people wished it had been.

His England was filled with roaring fires, long tables, seasonal food, and communal goodwill. Readers responded not because it was realistic, but because it was comforting.

Charles Dickens: The Reformer

Charles Dickens took Irving’s revived Christmas and gave it urgency.

When A Christmas Carol was published in 1843, Britain was grappling with poverty, child labour, and social inequality. Dickens transformed Christmas into a moral force.

His Christmas:

Demanded compassion and generosity

Challenged greed and indifference

Centred on family, children, and redemption

Insisted that kindness was a social duty

Unlike Irving’s gentle nostalgia, Dickens’ Christmas looked forward. It asked readers not just to enjoy Christmas, but to change because of it.

Style and Tone: Comfort vs Conscience

Washington Irving Charles Dickens

Gentle and reflective Emotional and urgent

Nostalgic Reformist

Observational Moralistic

Focus on atmosphere Focus on action

Irving invites readers into a warm room and asks them to remember.

Dickens opens the door and asks them to do something.

Shared Themes That Endure

Despite their differences, both writers agreed on the essentials:

Christmas should bring people together

Shared meals matter

Generosity defines the season

Social barriers should soften at Christmas

Together, they helped move Christmas away from strict religious observance and towards the family-centred, community-focused celebration we recognise today.

Who Had the Greater Influence?

The honest answer is: we needed both.

Without Irving, Christmas might have continued to fade as an old rural custom.

Without Dickens, Christmas might have remained a pleasant nostalgia rather than a moral force.

Irving reminded people why Christmas mattered.

Dickens showed them how to live it.

Why This Still Matters Today

Modern debates about Christmas — commercialisation, tradition, kindness, excess, echo the concerns both men addressed in the 19th century.

When we:

Long for a “traditional” Christmas

Worry about losing the spirit of the season

Emphasise generosity over spending

We are still standing at the crossroads between Irving’s memory and Dickens’ message.

A Shared Literary Legacy

Christmas as we celebrate it today, warm, generous, family-focused, and morally charged, is a literary creation as much as a religious or cultural one.

Washington Irving gave Christmas its heart.

Charles Dickens gave it its conscience.

Together, they didn’t just describe Christmas — they saved it.

Old Christmas: How Washington Irving Shaped the Christmas We Know Today

Old Christmas by Washington Irving: The Story That Helped Shape Modern Christmas.

Long before Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol, an American author helped revive and romanticise Christmas traditions that were already fading from public memory. 

That writer was Washington Irving, and his series of essays collectively known as Old Christmas played a quietly influential role in shaping the way Christmas is celebrated on both sides of the Atlantic.

Published in 1819–1820 as part of The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent., Old Christmas looked back nostalgically at the festive customs of rural England, presenting Christmas as a time of warmth, hospitality, and continuity.

Who Was Washington Irving?

Washington Irving is best known today for Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, but he was also one of the first American writers to achieve international literary success.

At the time Old Christmas was written:

Irving was living in England

Christmas celebrations were in decline in many parts of Britain

Industrialisation was changing social structures and rural life

Irving wrote as both an outsider and an admirer, capturing what he saw as the spirit of an older, gentler England.

What Is Old Christmas?

Old Christmas is not a single short story, but a series of connected essays, including:

Christmas

The Stage-Coach

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

The Christmas Dinner

The Christmas Ball

Together, they follow the narrator as he travels from London to a country estate to spend Christmas with a traditional English family.

Rather than focusing on religion, Irving emphasises:

Hospitality and open houses

Generosity to rich and poor alike

Seasonal food and drink

Music, dancing, and storytelling

Christmas is portrayed as a social glue, a time when divisions soften and communities reconnect.

A Nostalgic Vision of “Merry England”

One of the most important contributions of Old Christmas is its idealised image of “Merry England”.

Irving presents:

Snow-dusted countryside

Warm hearths and roaring fires

Plentiful tables and cheerful servants

Ancient customs lovingly preserved

Whether or not this England truly existed as described is beside the point. What mattered was the idea, Christmas as a timeless, benevolent tradition worth protecting.

This vision deeply appealed to readers at a time when modern life felt increasingly rushed and impersonal.

Influence on Victorian Christmas Traditions

Although Irving was American, his work influenced British writers, most notably Charles Dickens.

Themes echoed later in A Christmas Carol include:

Christmas as a moral force

The importance of generosity and goodwill

Shared meals as symbols of unity

The blending of nostalgia with social conscience

Dickens added sharper social critique, but Irving laid much of the emotional groundwork.

In many ways, Old Christmas helped re-legitimise Christmas as a warm, family-centred celebration after centuries of suppression, neglect, and religious controversy.

Why Old Christmas Still Matters Today

Old Christmas continues to resonate because it speaks to anxieties that feel very modern:

Fear of losing traditions

Longing for slower, more meaningful celebrations

Concern that Christmas is becoming too commercial

Desire for connection across social boundaries

Irving reminds readers that Christmas is not about excess, but about continuity, kindness, and shared humanity.

A Quiet but Lasting Legacy

While Old Christmas may not be as widely read today as Dickens’ works, its influence is undeniable. It helped transform Christmas from a fading folk observance into a revived cultural celebration rooted in nostalgia, generosity, and togetherness.

Every time we imagine Christmas as:

A fireside gathering

A season of open doors

A bridge between past and present

We are, in part, seeing Christmas through Washington Irving’s eyes.