Elf: The things you never knew
WHO was going to play Buddy before Will Ferrell was given the part and why did the lead actor suffer from terrible headaches during filming? Here are the secrets behind Elf.
Christmas
Key to crispy spuds on Christmas Day
EVERYONE likes a crispy roast potato with their Christmas dinner. Here is how to guarantee your serve perfect spuds on the big day.
Agonising confession to my daughter
‘MUM, is Santa real?’ She needs to know. So. Very. Simply. I. Offer. A. Quiet. “No.” What happens next is just … heartbreaking.
How to make Christmas easy
IT’S can be the most stressful time of the year, but these simple tips from a professional organiser will make getting through the silly season a breeze.
This $499 gadget is worth every cent
IF YOU are looking to spend some money on premium tech products this Christmas, it’s hard to look past the Sony WH-1000XM2 noise-cancelling headphones.
Don’t force hugs on your children
IT’S Christmas. The time of year kids get stacks of gifts from people they barely know. There’s a good reason you shouldn’t make them hug people to say thanks.
Worst PR fails of 2017
WHAT is Amazon doing? Tell us if you’re opening before Christmas. The retail giant’s odd launch is one of the worst PR fails of the year.
What you have to bring to Christmas
THERE are a couple of goodies you need to bring if you want to be welcomed to the Christmas Day feast this year.
Best foods to cure a hangover
AFTER a long night drinking you’ll probably be reaching for a kebab, but there are many better options if you want to cure that hangover.
Mum slams $100 ’must have’ Xmas toy
A MUM has taken to social media to post a scathing review of the LOL Big Surprise — one of this year’s “must-have” Christmas toys.
Why it pays to work Christmas Day
NOT everybody gets to spend Christmas Day eating and drinking with loved ones — but given there’s good money to make, not everybody is complaining, either.
Most stressful thing about Xmas
THE expectation of awesome Christmas “happiness” is the most stressful thing abut the whole palaver, writes Melissa Hoyer.
How to make your gift next-level
PERSONALISATION is the top trend of the 2016 party season, with well-known brands selling custom versions of their products. Here’s how it works.
What you never knew about Love Actually
IT’S a Christmas classic adored worldwide. But there are some facts about 2003 rom-com Love Actually that may still manage to surprise you.
Low-life thieves teach kids harsh Xmas lesson
IT WAS a Wishing Tree intended to teach daycare kids about the joy of giving. But callous thieves put paid to that.
You can eat these Christmas lights
IF YOU want to impress your mother-in-law this Christmas here’s how to do it. These cookie lights take decorations to the next level.
What was Starbucks thinking?
WE’RE all for a festive beverage during the holiday season, but Starbucks might have taken it too far this time. The coffee giant has launched the Christmas drink nobody asked for.
The mother lode of Christmas gifts
SOME parents give a little at Christmas, while others give a lot. This mother gives nearly 100 Christmas presents EACH for her three children.
‘I don’t give a toss what anyone thinks’
A UK mum accused of child abuse for buying her kids 300 Christmas presents last year is back with an even bigger haul.
Shoppers freak out over must-have toy
THIS weird toy is the must-have Christmas gift of 2016, apparently. The problem is, no stores have it in stock – and shoppers are getting desperate.
Christmas with Australia’s biggest family
IF YOU think the holidays are stressful, try having to buy gifts for this many kids and visit Santa in an old school bus.
How to wrap a present in 15 seconds
CHECK out this step-by-step guide on how to wrap presents in 15 seconds and under using the Japanese wrapping hack.
Office party a headache for bosses
BRACE yourself for hangover week, the country’s biggest party period, and the time of the year when people pull the most sickies.
What not to do at your work party
THE problem with Christmas parties is that people are pretty desperate for goss. So put down that shot, stop twerking, and please don’t have sex in the toilets.
We found the worst Christmas gift ever
WE’RE not even exaggerating. This thing comes wrapped in leather with a hefty price tag. It’s so weird that it has quickly become a laughing stock.
Did Chrisco folks send me a sex toy?
IT’S that time of year when thrifty Australians receive their Chrisco Christmas hampers. And this year, they’ve added some extra good vibes. No, really.
Everyone is hating on Bec Judd’s tree
IT LOOKS innocent enough, but this photo of Rebecca Judd’s Christmas tree – made from recycled wood – has been branded an “epic fail” on Instagram.
The world’s creepiest Christmas parade
CHRISTMAS is celebrated in many different ways, and this parade featuring demonic characters is definitely filed in the unusual category.
‘Get over it’: Australia’s weird obsession
EVERY single year, at around this time, you start to hear it. The whining. The confected outrage. Australia is angry for no good reason whatsoever.
‘It stinks’: The people who hate Christmas
THEY like turkey, presents and being with loved ones, but there’s one very good reason why Christmas Day sucks for these people. Miss Colombia knows their pain.
Firies save ducklings from drain
WHILE civilians were unwrapping their Christmas presents, big-hearted fire fighters were busy saving ducklings.
‘The light shines in darkness’
THE Queen has used her Christmas message to say light can triumph over the dark moments of the year.
‘Hello, is this planet Earth?’
A LUCKY woman just got an accidental Christmas call from space after astronaut Tim Peake misdialled her number.
The astonishing money Christmas songs rake in
MARIAH Carey makes an obscene amount every time her Christmas hit is played. But believe it or not, she hasn’t topped the list of highest sellers this year.
This year’s 12 biggest Christmas Grinches
THEY’RE ruining photos, stealing presents and even banning Christmas altogether. As we celebrate, these people have forgotten their festive spirit.
The world’s best Christmas lights
IF YOU thought your Christmas lights were the belle of the neighbourhood ball, take a look at this New York City suburb.
Obama’s favourite Xmas playlist
EVER wonder what music gets President Barack Obama in the Christmas mood? Sign in to Spotify to find out.
How the uber rich spend their Christmas
IF YOU’RE not waking to exotic-skinned handbags under a tree of custom-made baubles, what’s the point? Here’s how the other half spends Christmas.
The rise of the orphans’ Christmas
FORGET spending Christmas with your family. More and more young people are ditching tradition, and spending the big day with friends. And why not?
Madonna and Ritchie in court over son
MADONNA’S teen son Rocco is sick of her and wants to spend Christmas with his dad, Guy Ritchie. Now a judge has intervened.
You’re doing Santa presents wrong
DOES the fat man wrap his presents for your kids? And how many does he give? How can something so simple become so fraught?
The Christmas talk we must have
OPINION: FOR many people, Christmas isn’t awesome — in fact it can be really s***. We need to talk about it.
Surviving Christmas with a broken family
LET’S face it, some holidays are going to be bloody awful. But there are a few tricks that will make Christmas bearable, no matter your situation.
Adorable real life ‘Elf on the Shelf’
SANTA Claus is coming to town, and his little elves are on watch. A Utah dad has turned his four-month-old son into a real life ‘Elf on the Shelf’.
Answers for your Christmas dilemmas
LET’S face it: the festive season can be tough, particularly if your family ain’t exactly the Brady Bunch. But answers could just be a phone call away.
Dear Santa, I’ve been a naughty mum
IT’S not easy to admit these parenting sins. But when it comes to the naughty and nice list, Kylie Orr knows exactly where she belongs.
8 treats to indulge in this Christmas
MOVE over Christmas pudding, there are new desserts in town. Try some of these decadent treats to get yourself in the holiday mood.
10 conversations you need to stop having
WE ALL know them. The people we hate being stuck with at a party. So here are the 10 conversation topics you need to avoid.
This gift from Santa will warm your heart
A MAN working as a Santa at a shopping centre has sent out a powerful message for those struggling during this time of year.
Ho ho, oh no: Why Kris Kringles are terrible
IF YOU’RE going to participate in the office Kris Kringle, you may as well flush your money down the toilet. Here’s why.
Top 10 Christmas movies of all time
WE HAVE put together a Christmas movie playlist based on the best and biggest festive movies of all time.
What’s wrong with this massive pile of gifts?
HER children won’t be complaining, but a mum has been slammed and accused of “abusing” them after posting this photo online.
Is mum’s gift pile for kids ‘abuse’?
A MUM accused of “abusing” her kids after posting a photo of a pile of 300 Christmas presents she bought for them has hit back at online haters.
Santa’s been turned into a hot hipster
SANTA as we know him has been given a makeover. Model Paul Mason has been hired by a Canadian Mall to pull his best Zoolander moves as ‘Fashion Santa.’
Sally’s big health challenge
WHILE the country kicks into festive party mode, Sally Obermeder is taking a healthier approach to ‘party month’.
Now THIS is how to party …
DIAMONDS, drinks, ships and sports stars: the festive party season has officially slipped into overdrive.
Is it OK to double-dip? Science knows
TO DOUBLE-dip or not to double-dip? That is the question. Science has the answer, once and for all.
Home life: Home is where the heart is
OUR homes are more than just bricks and mortar. Why our homes are the centre of our universe?
What’s the deal with Boxing Day?
WHY are the colours of Christmas red and green, where did Santa come from, why do we say ‘Xmas’ and what is Boxing Day? We’ll tell you.
Man’s ultimate Christmas regret
IT’S a Christmas challenge Yule never forget. A man chugged one litre of creamy eggnog and still can’t believe what happened to him.
Why does Mrs Abbott look so sad?
PM TONY Abbott has released a Christmas message with a guest appearance by his wife, Margie. But what’s got her looking so glum?
What drop makes the biggest splash
AUSTRALIANS will spend more than a quarter of a billion dollars on booze for Christmas — and that’s just this week. So what’s the most popular drop?
Secret to a foolproof Xmas dinner
IT’S enough to make most cooks quiver with fear — the thought of being in charge of food at Christmas. But according to the Godfather of cooking, it’s a piece of cake.
Nine mouths of Xmas fed for a song
WHEN you’ve got nine mouths to feed for Christmas dinner and only $100 left in your pocket, how do you pull it off? Let this family show you…
The presents of Christmas past we miss
REMEMBER when Christmas presents required batteries and not wi-fi? We do. Here are the Christmas presents we received as kids that we still love.
What will the weather be on Christmas Day?
HEAT? Rain? Wind? Find out what weather you can expect at your place on the all important Christmas Day.
Christmas drinks really are good for you
PERHAPS all that pre-Christmas boozing has benefits after all. According to new research, it may even be ensuring you’ll face up to the big day fresh and flu-free!
What really happens in a massage
IT’S not uncommon for a massage to be given as a gift around Christmastime. But is it really beneficial, and what is it actually supposed to achieve?
How you should eat in 2015
THERE’S no question: Food in Australia is changing. But with all the variety we have now, and all the confusion over which diet is best, how in the world are we supposed to know what to eat?
8 surprising facts about this classic Xmas song
EVERYONE counts this as one of their favourite Christmas songs. Even goats love it. But there’s plenty you don’t know about it — including a juicy cameo appearance.
Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/christmas/page/5