I’d love to know what kinds of things to buy when you are intentionally building a Christmas heirloom collection for your family.

Are you drawn more to classic ornaments and keepsakes, wooden decorations, porcelain pieces, handmade items, seasonal books, collectible mugs, or nostalgic childhood decorations?

And I’d also love to hear about the traditions behind them — are there any little rituals, Advent traditions, family activities, or seasonal memories you’ve created around these objects over the years?

I’m especially interested in the kinds of things that become part of a family’s Christmas atmosphere and memories through the years.

Hello there!

Since I have already inquired about my issue on several forums but haven't received any response, I thought I would ask here as well, in the hope that someone might be able to help me.

For a long time, the German Folia brand offered a special type of paper that was sold as decorative wrapping paper specifically for Christmas. As you can see in the attached image, it was available in several variations – one side was always colored with a pattern resembling kraft paper, while the other side had a metallic finish (gold or silver), though not as shiny as typical foil papers. These papers were sold in rolls measuring 70 cm in width and 2 meters in length.

I contacted the company to ask whether this type of paper is still available, but unfortunately I was informed that it is no longer being produced. This is a huge disappointment for me, as I haven't been able to find a similar paper anywhere else (at least not in the black-gold and silver-gold versions… the red-gold, white-gold, and blue-silver versions are still available, but only as smaller-sized Bascetta star craft kits).

Would anyone happen to be able to recommend a similar type of paper? It would be an enormous help!

Thank you very much in advance!

So, as the titles suggests, I am looking for a specific Christmas decoration that my family threw away some years ago. I’m hoping to replace said Christmas decoration, as it was a major fixture of my childhood and I would like to keep it going; thus I am here, hoping one of you lovely folks could lend me a hand.

Item description: it’s a light up cottage covered in tiny little lights that shine different colours. There is a tree, possibly willow, but can’t be sure, coming through the roof of the cottage and also lights up. The cottage is covered in snow and I believe it has at least 1 or possibly 2 snowmen outside the front. It doesn’t have sound, I.e. a specific Christmas song or anything. It definitely a vintage-esque Christmas decoration, as I remember from my early childhood, so we are talking at least 20+ years here.

I can’t think of much else to describe it much more detail, as it was thrown away some 4-5 years ago, but I may follow up with a simple sketch of what I remember, just in case this could help any of you guys. I would really appreciate the help, as I’ve looked all over and seem to come up short.

Many thanks and also MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Wishing you all the best.

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3EoKbKwawI2CgeSTLFV0HH

• iTunes: https://music.apple.com/us/album/a-synthwave-christmas-ebenezer-scrooge-in-the/1860225042

• Amazon Music: https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0G64JLJV5

• Audiomack: https://audiomack.com/cozycoffeelofi-1/album/a-synthwave-christmas-ebenezer-scrooge-in-the-invisible-world

• Tidal: https://tidal.com/album/480611761

This week we were hit with a curveball regarding our Christmas party. It’s been planned and booked for weeks as we are located in a small town and eateries can get booked up quickly.

The founder of the company retired back in the summer and had the mis fortune of being diagnosed with an illness which he is currently receiving treatment for. This means that is immune system is taking a hit.

As he had an invite to our Christmas do he doesn’t feel comfortable in coming now if it’s in a public space as it’s too risky due to his immunity levels. Fair enough.

Our new manager has suggested now that we change the plans and now have our “party” in the office and not venture out so then the old boss can still come. We would then order take out in place of a sit down meal.

the sweetener for this new option is that we would each receive a cash sum “from the money saved from going out”. This would also now be a bring your own bottle event where as going out would involve a few drinks paid by the company before we go for the meal in the evening (also paid by the company).

AiTA feeling that we shouldn’t be changing the plans for one person?

I understand he is poorly and wouldn’t wish it on anyone, but he could still catch a virus of a member of the staff as there is a dozen of us.

The party in the workplace would be held in one of the production areas - it’s soulless, cold and uninviting.

When we go out it’s the only time I really see the team let their hair down a bit as it’s relaxed and out of the workplace.

The cash sum to me seems like a “dangling carrot” which I find a bit of an insult as we have been promised pay rises for over 12 months and they have materialised yet. There is always an issue stopping them from happening.

What are your thoughts? What would your choice be?

A Christmas song for anyone who might be working in retail or services over the festive season and is fed up of the Bublé and bad cover versions on their work playlist.

Does anybody know where in the UK I can see the Director’s Cut of Bad Santa. From what I can gather, it is only available on a region 1 DVD, so even if I imported I’d need a cracked DVD player TIA