Good Twin / Evil Twin ?

I have two sons.

My favourite one talks to me pleasantly, is funny, makes himself a cup of tea and is occasionally helpful around the house.

The other one spends much of his time on the internet, playing electronic games or watching TV. He is intolerant of those around him, rude when spoken to, does little for himself and even less for anyone else.

They were born on the same day yet they are not twins.

'Good Twin' is a mature 20-something and 'Evil Twin' is a self-centred teen, 10 years his junior. Except that these ages are misleading.

An Only Child.

As a pre-schooler, my son was happy, cuddly, inquisitive, creative, chatty, always giggling. Primary school was a culture shock as he realised that the whole world did not revolve around him. However, he was mostly happy.

Senior school was a disaster and gave birth to Evil Twin.

My son is approaching 19, his 'Evil' self is exactly 5 years younger than his real age and his 'Good' self exactly 5 years older.

Good Twin re-emerged after a single term at university and is battling Evil Twin. I hope Good Twin wins.

Mum

White Christmas Collection Highlights

From the film Holiday Inn:



Link to duet with Rosemary Clooney (from the same film)

Bing Crosby sang duets with many artists, including Frank Sinatra:



& around 70 years later, with Michael Bublé!



Bublé has taken on this role of White Christmas duets. Disappointing not to find a video of the Shania Twain duet but here's the audio only version:



Also, the Kellie Pickler version was dreadful but a duet with Kelly Rowland is good.



...which brings us to the end of the White Christmas Collection Highlights.
Hope you enjoyed it.

BeeBop!

December - the recurring theme of Christmas

Trying hard not to be so 'humbug' about the whole Christmas thing, I've put up some decorations and a very nice tree AND splashed out on a couple of garden lights. It all looks quite nice... but there's no magic.

Starting with Christmas Cards - I dislike waste and, to me, that is exactly what Christmas cards represent. Whilst I genuinely appreciate the warmth of the greeting, the card itself presents a problem. To not waste the effort that went into the design and printing, in the past I used old cards to create new cards or gift tags for the following year, the surplus of which I donated to the village school who sold them cheaply at Christmas Fairs. Brilliantly, I have found somebody else who will use cards in this way so all cards are now recycled with very little effort from me.

Bah... Humbug!

Writing cards is a major effort, though, as I have lost my ability to write legibly. During the past 3 or 4 years, I've managed to send some cards to people I know. No plan, no list, just writing a few cards in response to those that trickled through the door. By mid-December, there's more of a deluge and, unable to keep up, I give up so only about 40% of the Happy Xmases have been reciprocated. That's assuming that Royal Mail employees can decipher the address scrawled on the envelope.

It's only a few days to Christmas and I haven't purchased a single present. Nor have I any inclination to do so but it's expected and, to be honest, the heavily decorated tree looks lonely without any wrapped gifts beneath it. However, the gift tokens that we'll be buying for our many nephews and nieces (because that's what they want) won't do the tree justice. Gift tokens - no wonder there's no magic... oh my god, I'm going to stop now. I've depressed myself into humbug mode after all... this wasn't the direction I meant to go with this post but, well, hey ho ho!

Em.Nester

CHRISTMAS Party Planning

This post was submitted on behalf of online party supplies wholesaler Novelties Direct of Watford, Hertfordshire.

Planning a last-minute party for Christmas or New Year?!Here are some tips...

Start with a Party Pack for the appropriate number of people plus a few more. For a small company celebration or family gathering, there are Party Packs for up to 10 people with various themes: gold, silver, rainbow, Monte Carlo, 'Tux Nite', '42nd Street' and more.  For more people, buy more packs or check out larger party packs for up to 25 people and save money with party packs for up to 100 guests.

You'll need some party decorations, of course: balloons, tinsel, wall hangings, danglers, glitzy table centre-pieces and perhaps a life-size, free-standing 6ft cardboard cut-out Santa?

Don't forget the Christmas Crackers! A variety of options available including a pack of 100 Christmas Crackers for under £30 inc. vat. Wow!

If you are organising a kids' party (for any age up to 109) you may want some inexpensive novelties or stocking fillers. And, finally, who is the most important guest at a Christmas Party? Provide your Father Christmas with a lovely red outfit (luxury Santa Suit / budget Santa Suit) and look at other dressing up ideas, depending on your party theme: 'Miss Santa', Children's Santa Suit, Children's Elf costume, Christmas tree costume, various other Christmas dressing up outfits and accessories.

Have a great party, a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

www.novelties-direct.co.uk