2023 has been a strange year with a lot of unexpected events in our world. I hope that wherever you are that these oddball and quirky Yuletide tidbits give you a giggle, a jolt and some pause for thought while you enjoy your Christmas celebrations. I hope you get some much needed rest. Right now, some big warm hugs are being sent on digital data packets (or presents) from my heart to yours. Much love, your friend, CC.
The simple pleasure of Christmas through the eyes of a child
Yesterday I was on the train returning home from Kingston upon Thames. Most people were carrying large shopping bags and looking pretty exhausted and fed up…..and then quite spontaneously three little children began to sing Christmas carols….and everyone smiled and began to talk to one another. Everyone’s mood changed…………
Janet Weight Reid
It would seem that for the most part we humans insist on making life complicated and in doing so forget the pure joy of simple pleasures.
Santa invoking the dancing imps of hell
The Icelandic Yulecat
Anyone for a blood-thirsty gigantic floof to come traipsing into your home?
Yuletide technicolour yawns via Adam Sharp
Aside from being Yule and the birth of baby Jesus, Christmas Day is also the day to exchange gifts, drink and then vomit somewhere discreetly. Here are some funny euphemisms used throughout the globe:
- Talking to God on the big white telephone (Ireland)
- Go through the drink list backwards (Ireland)
- Review the menu (Ireland)
- Make room for dessert (Ireland)
- Feed the fish (when at sea) (England)
- Do a 3D burp (Ireland)
- Open the technicolour fire hydrant (England)
- Yell at your shoes (Ireland)
- Lay the fox (France)
- Throw a pie (Czech Republic)
- Shout for Gregory (Portugal)
- Call for the moose (Norway)
- Speak Norwegian (Finland)
- Cast out the squid (Spanish)
- Flay the goat (Wales)
- To feed the dog (french)
- Fare i gattini (make kittens) – Tuscany
- To give it to the ducks. (“A da la rațe”). Romania
- Park the Tiger (Australian)
- Technicoloured yawn (Australian)
- Blowing chunks (Australian)
- Park a custard (Australian)
- Liquid laugh (Australian)
- Calling up Ruth (Australian)
Some cute vintage Christmas cheer from yesteryear
A language map of Christmas 🎄
Summer Solstice on the Māori calendar
On the Māori calendar each year during the month of December, the Southern Hemisphere bares witness to the summer solstice.
Piripi Smith or Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Raukawa says, “This is the time when the Antares star rises, the summer star. It’s also when the Sun unites with the Goddess of the Summer.”
“For the Napier locals, an opportunity to see for the first time how their new celestial star compass connects them to a calendar used by Māori.”
Matiu Nohokau Eru of Ngāti Kahungunu and Tūhoe says “We’re here today, to acknowledge the uniting of Anatares and Hineraumati. There’s a rock over there, the summer solstice rock and it marks the place where the Antares star and the sun will rise.”
Cat versus Krampus
Feline 1, Krampus Nil.
A history of Yule and Christmas from the Neolithic to today
The origins of Christmas stretch back thousands of years to prehistoric celebrations around the midwinter solstice. And many of the traditions we cherish today have been shaped by centuries of changing beliefs, politics, technology, taste and commerce.
Visit English Heritage to discover the history of Christmas through the ages, starting around 5,000 years ago in the Neolithic. Of course the sacrifice of animals is always ignored and this upsets me a lot.
Yuleshard. n. a person ill-prepared for Christmas #OldWeirdScotland
Being tipped upsidedown is just par for the course when you’re a polar bear wrangler.
Could there be anything more reminiscent of Christmas than this image?
Reindeer relaxing in the snow under the Northern Lights – you’re welcome.
How to make a Christmas gin punch by English Heritage
As if you needed any other reason to have some gin on Christmas Day!
Paris at Christmas time in 1962
This is one of those slice-of-life photos that really capture a mood and a long-lost era, the fairy lights ooze nostalgia.
Christmas music from the Middle Ages
Luminous Edinburgh Christmas market in 2012
My personal memory of an extremely cold Christmas spent in Edinburgh (a novelty for me as I am used to summer Christmases)
When your Christmas lunch turns on you…
Yule was traditionally (in ancient times) a strange and wild part of the year where master and servant relationships were turned upsidedown and so this man is being skewered by his turkeys. Considering what is done to millions of these birds each year I’d say this is fair enough!
Originally tweeted by Undine (@HorribleSanity) on 06/12/2020.
Wholesome holiday scrabble with basset hounds
Originally tweeted by Doc Kevin Lee Elder (@DocKevinElder) on 15/12/2020.
A woman, proud as punch of her shark eating a gingerbread man
If you come from the antipodes this version of Christmas makes perfect sense.
Christmas in Russia
Yes it’s minus 40 but this otherwordly decor would make you forget all about that
What do you think? Hope you enjoyed devouring these juicy morsels and that wherever you are and whoever you’re with you’re having a good Christmas
Content Catnip 
Another eclectic bag of festive treats here!! Merry Christmas to you!!
LikeLike
Merry Christmas!
When I see a vomit on a footpath, typically on a Sunday morning walk, I say, “Look, a street pizza!”
LikeLike
Merry Christmas 🎄 to you too Sean 🙂😀 I hope you have some nice times and food with your family. Glad you found this post amusing, I love the street pizza 🍕 thing hehehe I have seen a few of those recently, Christmas street pizzas must be the time of year, hehe what a generous gift….a street pizza 😄
LikeLike
All my best festive season wishes for you and your clan, over there across the Tasman Sea.
LikeLike
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, friend ♥️ To a better new year!
LikeLike
Merry Christmas to you too my lovely friend, yes cheers to a much better new year and thank you for reading 📚 😊
LikeLike
The last image is gorgeous!
As a non-fan of freezing temperatures, I’m happy to enjoy the visuals in image form rather than in person. 🥶
LikeLike
He he he, thank you I am so glad you like it Gia, yes I must admit I’m the same, I love looking at snow but from inside a warm and cosy room though not outside! Thank you for reading 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for including me in such awesome content. Some of those pics are just stunning!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome my friend thank you for reading. Big hugs xxx
LikeLike
Excellent post! I think the children will make it. Have a lovely and leisurely time, my dear friend. 💖🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much dear Aladin 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
These were great! Happy Christmas, xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Lani, hope you have a great Christmas too xx big hugs
LikeLiked by 1 person