The Ultimate Christmas Book

1. The Ultimate Christmas Book by Jodie King

2. Contents 1-3 Poem:'Twas the Night Before Christmas 4 Recipe: Christmas Pudding 5 Carol: Silent Night 6 Top Tip: Making Christmas tags 7 Carol: Jingle Bells 8-16 A Christmas Story 17 Carol: Oh Come Al Ye Faithful Recipe: Christmas Cake 18 19 Top Tip: Christmas Light Storage 20 Recipe: Cranberry Sauce 20 Recipe: Bread Sauce 21 What to Watch, Read and Listen to This Christmas

3. 'Twas the Night Before Christmas Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there. The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads. And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled down for a long winter's nap. When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer. With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name! 1

4. 'Twas the Night Before Christmas "Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!" As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky. So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of toys, and St Nicholas too. And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot. A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack. His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow. 2

5. 'Twas the Night Before Christmas The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath. He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook, when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly! He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself! A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk. And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose! He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim,‘ere he drove out of sight, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a Good-Night!" by Clement Clarke Moore (public domain) 3

6. Christmas Pudding Recipe Method: • Get everything prepared. Chop the almonds coarsely. Peel, core and chop the apples. Sharpen your knife and chop the candied peel.(You can chop the almonds and apples in a food processor, but the peel must be done by hand.) Grate three quarters of the nutmeg (sounds a lot but it's correct). Mix all the ingredients for the pudding, except the butter, in a large bowl. Ingredients for the pudding: •50g blanched almonds •2 large bramley cooking apples •200g box candied peel (in large pieces) •1 whole nutmeg •1kg raisins •140g plain flour •100g soft fresh white breadcrumbs •100g light muscovado sugar (crumbled if it looks lumpy) •3 large eggs •2 tbsp brandy or cognac •250g packet butter (Taken straight from the fridge Ingredients for the brandy and ginger butter: •175g unsalted butter, softened • Grated zest of half an orange •5 tbsp icing sugar •4 tbsp brandy or cognac •2 pieces of stem ginger, finely chopped • Holding the butter in its wrapper, grate a quarter of it into the bowl, then stir everything together. Repeat until all the butter is grated, then stir for 3-4 minutes - the mixture is ready when it subsides slightly after each stir. Ask the family to stir too, and get everyone to make a wish. • Generously butter two 1.2 litre/2 pint bowls and put a disc of greaseproof paper in the bottom of each. Pack in the pudding mixture. Cover with a double layer of greaseproof paper or baking parchment, pleating it to allow for expansion, then tie with string (keep the paper in place with a rubber band while tying). Trim off any excess paper. • Now stand each bowl on a large sheet of foil and bring the edges up over the top, then put another sheet of foil over the top and bring it down underneath to make a double package (this makes the puddings watertight). Tie with more string, and make a handle for easy lifting in and out of the pan. Watch our video to see how to tie up a pudding correctly. • Boil or oven steam the puddings for 8 hours, topping up with water as necessary. Remove from the pans and leave to cool overnight. When cold, discard the messy wrappings and re-wrap in spanking new greaseproof or baking parchment, foil and string. Store in a cool, dry place until Christmas. • To make the brandy butter, cream the butter with the orange zest and sugar. Gradually beat in the brandy or cognac and chopped ginger. Put in a small bowl, fork the top attractively and put in the fridge to set. The butter will keep for a week in the fridge, or it can be frozen for up to 6 weeks. • On Christmas Day, boil or oven steam for 1 hour. Unwrap and turn out. To flame, warm 3-4 tbsp brandy in a small pan, pour it over the pudding and set light to it. 4

7. Silent Night by Joseph Mohr Silent night, holy night All is calm, all is bright Round yon Virgin Mother and Child Holy Infant so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace Sleep in heavenly peace Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight Glories stream from heaven afar Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia! Christ, the Saviour is born Christ, the Saviour is born Silent night, holy night Son of God, love's pure light Radiant beams from Thy holy face With the dawn of redeeming grace Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth 5

8. Top Tip Make Your Own Christmas Tags A very simple but effective tip for when you have run out of tags or just cant afford the expense of buying matching tags for all the wrapping paper you use. STEP 1- Just take a sheet of paper or card and cut out a star, circle or if you are creative a reindeer/Santa shape. STEP 2- Take that template and drraw around it onto the wrapping paper you are using to wrap that series of presents. Draw it out as many times as you need to create the right amount of tags and then draw around it on the paper/card to create the right amount of corresponding bases. STEP 3- Cut out all the shapes and attach each wrapping paper cut out to a paper/card version. STEP 4- Use double sided take, prit stick, cellotape or glue to hold the two sides together. Step 5- Fold one end over which will be taped to the present and then write your message on the clear side - hey presto tag created. 6

9. Jingle Bells by James Pierpoint Dashing through the snow In a one horse open sleigh O'er the fields we go Laughing all the way Bells on bob tails ring Making spirits bright What fun it is to laugh and sing A sleighing song tonight Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh yeah Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one horse open sleigh A day or two ago I thought I'd take a ride And soon Miss Fanny Bright Was seated by my side The horse was lean and lank Misfortune seemed his lot We got into a drifted bank And then we got upsot 7

10. A Christmas Story Our story starts a few weeks before Christmas as brightly lit trees fill bay windows, flickering lights adorn houses and gardens, and children around the world are starting to flip between hyper and overtired moods. Holly was 10 years old at the time so the holiday season was consuming her every thought and feeling. That building anticipation to the night Father Christmas would visit and leave the presents she was hoping for was almost too much! Holly had wide gorgeous blue eyes that were sparkling with excitement. She had two tartan dresses, worn with long white sleeved tops under, thick cream tights and shiny black shoes with sparkling jewels on top. Of course, she had to wear other items out of her wardrobe but that was the outfit that made her feel like a trendy princess and so if was never out of the wash for long. 8

11. A Christmas Story Holly attended a large primary school in the middle of Lincoln city that took her twenty minutes each morning to walk to. She walked the distance alone because her mum worked nights and got in from work just after Holly’s school day began. She was loved and supported as best her mum could manage but Holly knew she didn’t have the same upbringing as her class mates. She wasn’t concerned with phones, IPads and passing fads – she didn’t really notice them. The TV in her home was rarely on. Her mum brought her books home from work, which was a large warehouse distribution centre for high- street bookstores, so she had a constant feed of imaginative material to dive into. Holly excelled at school and actually enjoyed the walk to her school along the High Street in Lincoln’s city centre. She would stroll over cobbles and past Lincoln Cathedral which always made her stop and look up in wonder. It was so big and so old – how it had been built so long ago bemused her and depending on the weather it could look haunting, powerful, beautiful or inspirational. She was often entranced by its presence and amazed that others could march past it without a second thought.

12. A Christmas Story One sunny morning Holly set off for school full of the excitement that the month of December brought with it. She had her favourite tartan outfit on with a big brown fur lined coat and cream mittens. It was a crisp winter morning where the sun shines bright and the winds hold an icy edge. She took her time, looking in windows for sparkling decorations, thick reams of tinsel and an assortment of traditional, funky and somewhat crazy displays of Christmas joy. The journey to school was always a pleasant one for Holly, alone with the world and her thoughts. The time she spent within the school walls was unfortunately a different story. At the point she turned ten Holly had started getting bullied. Her refusal to disbelieve in Santa Claus had quickly led to teasing and on this particular day Holly’s teacher had decided to confront the young girl and find out what was at the root of the bullying. ‘Holly, why are you sat on your own again, do you not like your classmates anymore?’ Mrs. Heart asked simply. ‘I don’t think they like me very much miss,’ Holly replied. ‘Why would you think that?’ ‘Well they call me names and pick on me because I said I can’t wait until Santa Claus comes…I was going to wait up to try and see him this year,’ she said distantly as her thoughts turned to that comfortable idea. 10

13. A Christmas Story The teacher laughed,‘Santa isn’t real Holly, and it is your parents that put your Christmas presents under the tree.’ Holly stood looking at her teacher. She seemed genuine and yet just days ago her mother had said that if she believed something to be true enough then of course it was. Holly believed in Santa Claus with all her heart – he came every year she was certain of it. Mrs. Heart looked into Holly’s confused face and felt conflicted. The girl was incredibly intelligent and so compassionate to those around her. Her English stories would transport you into a perfect world full of love and joy and yet here she was stealing what remained of hers. She knew Holly had a tricky home life. The school had decided not to investigate it because Holly was always respectably dressed, contributed in classes and just an all-round exceptional student. ‘Oh Holly, we all want Santa Claus to be true. He is celebrated all around the world so he is more real than disbelievers would like to admit. He has an address in the North Pole, he has a million lookalikes, places are named after him, and how many people put mince pies out for him on Christmas Eve. I don’t want you to be disappointed Holly but at the same time I think it is probably time you come to terms with the fact that he is a fictional character, but a much loved one at that.’ 11

14. A Christmas Story ‘Thank you,’ Holly muttered and then stood up from her chair and left the room. She wrestled with everything that her mum had told her since she was tiny. ‘Hey Holly, I wonder if Santa has made your present yet’, one of the kids shouted. Holly just looked at him unamused, an insult was sure to follow. ‘He could always buy it from Amazon!’ The boy shouted and his mates were happy to laugh at the little girl looking lost in the centre of the playground. Holly endured the rest of the day and then began the walk home. She ignored the decorations, passed the cathedral without a glance and took herself up to her room when she entered her home. Finding out that Santa Claus was not real wasn’t something she was prepared to accept. The books she read were an extension of her world. She didn’t escape from reality she allowed the fiction into it. December was a world of reindeers, frantic elves, adventures to see Santa, singing, smiling and decorating houses to show everyone the extent of your belief. 12

15. A Christmas Story ‘I just believe’ Holly said aloud as though she needed to hear the words herself. Holly braved the bullies and held her head high the next day. She explained to Mrs. Heart that since it didn’t matter to anyone else whether she chose to believe in Santa Claus or not then she would carry on believing until someone proved her wrong. Mrs. Heart smiled to her and said ‘well they haven’t been able to prove or disprove other characters that have important roles in our world Holly, so I think your plan is a good one. I would sooner see you happy and I think it is time I had a word with your classmates,’ she said with a sympathetic smile. Holly went into break with a skip in her step and a grin on her face. When she finished school her mum was there to greet her as it was her night off. Holly was a chatter-box all the way home, explaining to her mum exactly why Santa Claus was real. Her mum listened patiently with a small smile enjoying her child’s enthusiasm. ‘I wish I had your confidence Holly’ she said honestly,‘you never let the world doubt you do you?’ ‘Why would I?’ Holly asked. ‘Why indeed?’ Her mum replied smiling. 13

16. A Christmas Story Her life was a constant struggle. She loved collecting Holly from school but work had to come first if they were to keep their house and have food, clothes and heating - especially heating. Gone were the days that she believed in anything other than a relentless work schedule. She tucked Holly in bed that night and read her a story that the girl had listened to a hundred times. It was a story about a reindeer that impressed Santa enough to join the sleigh pulling team. Holly loved stories where character overcame adversity and though her mother wondered if she was setting her child up for a harsh reality check one day, she couldn’t bare to break her heart until it was absolutely necessary. Once Holly was asleep she switched off her night light and took herself downstairs to read one of her own books. The heating would switch off any minute so she put on her chunky slippers and dragged her duvet down so she could snuggle in the chair. Before collapsing in the chair – where she would inevitably fall asleep she collected the cash from her coat pocket that she had made at the car boot that day, something she did every Wednesday. 14

17. A Christmas Story She went to place it in the coin jar in the cupboard in the corner. As she opened the door she found something odd. There was a snow globe sat in front of her coin jar. She glanced around the room quickly to make sure nobody was around and then turned her attentions back to the globe. A beautiful red and green ornamental base supported a clear clad dome containing a miniature Santa Claus and snow. On picking it up she revealed a note sat under its base. The note said: “This year I will be taking care of Holly’s presents personally. I hope you don’t mind my interference. She has so passionately defended my existence that this is the least I can do in return. Father Christmas” Holly’s mum looked at the note in disbelief. 15

18. A Christmas Story ‘And of course I would also like to bring a little something for you too…since you are the reason she believes in me so strongly’ Santa Claus explained in person as he stepped through the archway separating the living room from the kitchen. ‘Please don’t panic – I am real – watch…’ he said and clapped his hands. As he clapped his hands the snow in the globe sprung up and then fell gracefully to the base. He clapped his hands a second time and the snow sprang out of the globe and filled the room. ‘Oh God,’ Holly’s mum proclaimed. ‘Not quite, but similarly clandestine some would say’ Santa said with a chuckle. Holly’s mum sat down in her chair in pure disbelief. ‘I visit one person a year’ Santa said in earnest ‘so I want you to remember this and when Christmas Day comes you will not have to raise a finger. Just remember, life is full of hope and dreams, and if you will them to come true, some of them will, for you and for Holly. Don’t let reality distract you from the impossible – that is where all the fun stuff happens’ he said and then faded from view. The End. 16

19. O Come All Ye Faithful by John Wade O Come All Ye Faithful Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem. Come and behold Him, Born the King of Angels; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord. O Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation, Sing all that hear in heaven God's holy word. Give to our Father glory in the Highest; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord. All Hail! Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning, O Jesus! for evermore be Thy name adored. Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord. 17

20. Christmas Cake Recipe Method: 1. Put the dried fruit, zests and juice, alcohol, butter and sugar in a large pan set over a medium heat. Bring to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 5 mins. Tip the fruit mixture into a large bowl and leave to cool for 30 mins. Ingredients for Christmas Cake: •1kg mixed dried fruits (use a mix of raisins, sultanas, currants, cherries, cranberries, prunes or figs) • Zest and juice 1 orange • Zest and juice 1 lemon •150ml brandy, sherry, whisky or rum, plus extra for feeding •250g pack butter, softened •200g light soft brown sugar •175g plain flour •100g ground almonds •½ tsp baking powder •2 tsp mixed spice •1 tsp mixed spice •1 tsp ground cinnamon •¼ tsp ground cloves •100g flaked almonds •4 large eggs •1 tsp vanilla extract 2. Heat oven to 150C/130C fan/gas 2. Line a deep 20cm cake tin with a double layer of baking parchment, then wrap a double layer of newspaper around the outside – tie with string to secure. 3. Add the remaining ingredients to the fruit mixture and stir well, making sure there are no pockets of flour. Tip into your prepared tin, level the top with a spatula and bake in the centre of the oven for 2 hrs. 4. Remove the cake from the oven, poke holes in it with a skewer and spoon over 2 tbsp of your chosen alcohol. Leave the cake to cool completely in the tin. 5. To store, peel off the baking parchment, then wrap well in cling film. Feed the cake with 1-2 tbsp alcohol every fortnight, until you ice it. Don’t feed the cake for the final week to give the surface a chance to dry before icing. Why not try these great cake recipes as well Stollen: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/stollen_27553 Christmas Cake Pops: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/christmas_cake_pops_03112 Chocolate Fruit Cake: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/chocolatefruitcake_84675 Gluten Free Christmas Cake: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/search? dishes[]=christmas_cake 18

21. Top Tip Christmas Light Storage When you store your Christmas lights you will be in a rush to tidy away all the Christmas Clutter and restore some semblance of order to your house. DON'T RUSH IT Otherwise next year you will have to spend an hour (or longer) untangling Christmas lights and dampening your Christmas spirit before it has even got going. STEP 1- Take them off the tree and then lay them on the floor in a nice neat line (no kinks, no dogs as they have been shut into another room, and no missing this step) STEP 2- Find a used Christmas wrapper inner cardboard tube and then carefully wrap your Christmas lights around it. Use a little tape to secure the end and then wrap them in a bag and place them in a cardboard box. STEP 3- Make a cuppa and smile at your achievement. 19

22. Cranberry Sauce Recipe Method: 1. Top the sugar and orange juice into a pan, then bring to the boil. Ingredients for cranberry sauce: -100g light muscovado sugar -100ml orange juice (fresh or from a carton) -250g pack of fresh or frozen cranberries 2. Stir in the cranberries, then simmer until tender but still holding their shape, this will take about 5 minutes if using frozen cranberries or 8-10 minutes if using fresh. 3. The sauce will thicken as it cools, keep it in the fridge for 1 week. 4. On the day, bring to room temperature before serving. Bread Sauce Recipe Method: 1. For 20 minutes simmer the milk, butter, onion, cloves, peppercorns, garlic and herbs in a pan for 20 minutes. Ingredients for Bread Sauce: •600ml milk •50g butter •1 chopped onion •6 cloves •6 peppercorns •2 garlic cloves •1 bay leaf •3 thyme sprigs •100g white breadcrumbs •4 tbsp single cream or mascarpone • Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg 2. Strain and return the liquid to the pan. 3. Add the breadcrumbs and leave to simmer for 3-4 minutes. 4. Stir in the cream or mascarpone. 5. Add the nutmeg and season. 6. Serve! Tip: The sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance and then heated on the hob or microwave on medium for 3 minutes. 20

23. What to Watch, Read & Listen to This Christmas There are some classics that you simply cannot overlook when it comes to Christmas viewing, reading and listening. So here are our top five for each category to keep you entertained! Everyone has their favourites - it is what makes the season unique and personal to everyone! Whatever you enjoy - have a great Christmas! Top Christmas Books - A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens - How the Grinch stole Christmas! Dr Seuss - The Polar Express, Chris Van Allsburg - The Snowman, Raymond Briggs - Letters From Father Christmas, JRR Tolkien Top Christmas Films - Elf - Miracle on 34th Street National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - Home Alone - A Charlie Brown Christmas Top Christmas Songs - All I want for Christmas is you, Mariah Carey - Santa Claus is coming to town, John F Coots & Haven Gillespie - Last Christmas, Wham! - Merry Christmas Everyone, Shakin' Stevens - Winter Wonderland, Felix Bernard & Richard B.Smith 21