10 h. ago New Christmas tradition is changing the way we shop in December

Retailers have seen a surge in demand for a specific type of meal

Politics

13 h. ago Kate shares rare glimpse of special royal Christmas tradition

The Princess of Wales shared an insight into her preparations for her annual Christmas carol service.

Politics

19 h. ago ‘Look what you’ve done to my children!’: a tale of winter wonderland disasters

These events are meant to make Christmas magical, and while many do, a few fall spectacularly short. Here, in no particular order, are some of the worst offendersIt’s the most wonderful time of the year: the season where British people traditionally complain about spending too much on rip-off Christmas events. This year’s festivities have already kicked off in earnest, thanks to the malfunctioning Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer drone show in Haywards Heath this week. By all accounts the drone show was a classic of the genre. It made big promises, offering families “a night of magic and wonder” complete with “state of the art production [and] 600 LED drones”. Then it charged big money, with some families paying hundreds of pounds to attend. And then, of course, it comprehensively underdelivered.Reports describe the event as not only being too short – about just 15 minutes – but also, due to the failure of several drones, completely unintelligible. “From the beginning, large numbers o...

Events

38 h. ago Norway donates a Christmas tree to London every year. Here's how the tradition began

London’s Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square is a famed British tradition with roots in the Norwegian forest

Politics

57 h. ago Coronation Street's Vicky Myers reveals sweet Christmas tradition amid 'naughty' Lisa Swain admission

Vicky has opened up about her plans for the festive season away from playing DS Lisa Swain in the ITV soap

Events

59 h. ago How to turn excess nuts and seeds into a barnstoming festive pudding – recipe | Waste not

Love ice-cream, don’t love Christmas pudding? This make-ahead semifreddo, jewelled with dried fruits, might just fit the bill Last Christmas we visited my in-laws in Cape Town, where, at over 30C, a traditional Christmas pudding just didn’t feel quite right. But my mother-in-law and her friend created the most delicious feast: a South African braai (barbecue) followed by an incredible ice-cream Christmas pudding made by mashing vanilla ice-cream with a mix of tutti frutti, candied peel, raisins and cherries. This semifreddo is a take on that dessert: a light frozen custard that still carries all the festive flavours.Tutti frutti semifreddo Christmas puddingWe stopped using clingfilm in our kitchen 15 years ago now, because it’s not easily recycled and because of health concerns about the possible transfer of microplastics into our food. Most semifreddo recipes tell you to line the freezer container with clingfilm, but I suggest using no liner at all, or silicone-free, unbleached bak...

Politics

65 h. ago German bakers preserve tradition of iconic Christmas delicacy rich with dried fruit and nuts

Bakers in the eastern German city of Dresden have been making stollen for Christmas for hundreds of years

Politics

3 d. ago More than half of Gen Z ditch Christmas dinner gravy for one unconventional condiment

Gen Z have turned their back on tradition and are now covering their Christmas dinners with a wacky range of controversial condiments

Politics

3 d. ago Meghan's Netflix Christmas special is hard to swallow, she talks about the importance of family but won't let her kids see their grandfather: SARAH VINE

Meghan talks a lot about family at Christmas and the importance of traditions, given that this is a woman who refuses to see her own father and won't let her children see their grandfather.

Politics

3 d. ago Gen Z ditch Christmas food traditions opting for curry sauce and mayo over gravy

A survey of 2,000 Brits found that Gen Z are breaking with tradition by adding an array of unconventional condiments to their festive plates

Politics

3 d. ago Gen Z's wacky Christmas condiments as they 'break traditional rules'

Gen Z are breaking with tradition and opting for something a little more saucy

Politics

3 d. ago Saunas, skating and celebratory toilet seats: 25 ways to get into the Christmas spirit

Are you feeling festive? If not, here are some great and unexpected shortcuts, from fish pie to ‘intermittent wrapping’ to watching a seasonal film every day of DecemberIf I haven’t wrapped up warm and wobbled around in circles, it isn’t Christmas. I can measure out my life in London’s ice rinks. Broadgate Circus in the early 00s, because it was cheapest and I was skint. Several seasons of Skate at Somerset House with my ex, because it was our “romantic” Christmas tradition (actually, he hated skating). This year, I’ll be mixing old and new: Hampton Court Palace, where people have been skating since the 1800s, and the inaugural Skate Leicester Square. As long as there’s a mug of something mulled afterwards, I’m happy. Rachel Dixon, travel writerYears ago, a regrettable ex-boyfriend bought me a merman Christmas tree ornament so bizarre that it short-circuited my brain, unleashing something primal within me. Ever since, I have scoured department stores, gift shops and the darkest reac...

Politics

4 d. ago ‘RichTok’ influencer sparks backlash over wild holiday traditions — including a Christmas tree for each pet

Becca Bloom’s holiday traditions also include wrapping presents in silk

Politics

4 d. ago Next's £36 jumper hailed as 'great alternative to traditional Christmas sweaters'

Next's Teal Blue Sparkle Tinsel Bow jumper is winning over shoppers as a stylish alternative to traditional Christmas jumpers, with customers praising its comfortable fit and festive feel without the novelty look

Economics

4 d. ago Jeremy Clarkson choir reimagines traditional Christmas carols

It comes as part of a campaign suporting Britiish farming

Politics

5 d. ago Exact date you should put Christmas tree up, according to tradition

If you like to stick to tradition at Christmas, follow this handy guide to putting your tree up. You can also follow advice about when to start putting the decs away

Politics

5 d. ago Loose Women's Katie Piper's festive chaos starts in November 'I make a list on WhatsApp'

EXCLUSIVE: As she becomes the face of Oxfam's 2025 Christmas campaign, Loose Women presenter Katie Piper opens up about family traditions and teaching her daughters about privilege

Events

5 d. ago Margam Park's spectacular Luminate Christmas light trail is back and this is what's new in 2025

Luminate is one of the most popular festive traditions for many families in the build up to Christmas

Politics

6 d. ago Brit mum drops seven stone on weight loss jabs after looking 'fatter than Santa'

Aisling McCarthy is flaunting her new look after she was able to shed the pounds thanks to weight loss jabs — after she was horrified by her traditional Christmas photo

Politics

7 d. ago Rick Stein's 'dangerous' family revelation sparks warning from BBC host

From his unusual family tradition to his controversial Christmas tipple, chef Rick Stein left his fellow radio guests stunned with his revelations

Events