Maybe gone are the days when families and friends went Christmas caroling, well maybe that was lost along with the Victorians? But we hope we can bring back some of that Christmas cheer of years gone by. We’ve provided some of our favorite Christmas carols which we hope could possibly entice you out onto the streets and bring some Yuletide joy to your neighborhood.

So, grab some friends, wrap up warm and embrace the joys of Christmas caroling! We’d love to hear what you think, whether we’ve missed an all time classic carol, or share some of your memories from the caroling,, click here to leave a comment.
Away In A Manger
One of the most well known Christmas Carols, Away In A Manger was first published in 1885 in a Luterhan Sunday School book which gave the misconception that the lyrics we’re written by Martin Luther himself.

Away in a manger,
No crib for his bed,
The little lord jesus,
Laid down his sweet head,

The stars in the bright sky,
Looked down where he lay,
The little lord jesus,
Asleep on the hay,

The cattle are lowing,
The poor baby wakes,
But little lord jesus,
No crying he makes,

I love thee, lord jesus,
Look down from the sky,
And stay by my side,
’til morning is nigh,

Be near me, lord jesus,
I ask thee to stay,
Close by me forever,
And love me i pray,

Bless all the dear children,
In thy tender care,
And take us to heaven,
To live with thee there

Deck the Halls!
Coming from Welsh origins from a song first sung in the sixteenth century called “Nos Galan”. The classical musicians Mozart once used the song Deck The Halls for a violin and piano duet. First published in 1881 the original author is still unknown but is suspected to have originated from America.

Deck the halls with boughs of holly,

Fa la la la la, la la la la. 

Tis the season to be jolly, 

Fa la la la la, la la la la. 



Don we now our gay apparel, 

Fa la la, la la la, la la la. 

Troll the ancient Yule tide carol, 

Fa la la la la, la la la la. 



See the blazing Yule before us, 

Fa la la la la, la la la la. 

Strike the harp and join the chorus. 

Fa la la la la, la la la la. 



Follow me in merry measure, 

Fa la la la la, la la la la. 

While I tell of Yule tide treasure, 

Fa la la la la, la la la la. 



Fast away the old year passes, 

Fa la la la la, la la la la. 

Hail the new, ye lads and lasses, 

Fa la la la la, la la la la. 




Sing we joyous, all together, 

Fa la la la la, la la la la. 

Heedless of the wind and weather, 

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Ding Dong Merrily on High!
Reputed to be French and from the sixteenth century it was originally written in Latin “Gloria in Excelsis Deo”. A song that is great fun to sing in a crowd and especially with children.

Ding dong merrily on high,
In heav’n the bells are ringing:
Ding dong! verily the sky
Is riv’n with angel singing.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

E’en so here below, below,
Let steeple bells be swungen,
And “Io, io, io!”
By priest and people sungen.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

Pray you, dutifully prime
Your matin chime, ye ringers;
May you beautifully rime
Your evetime song, ye singers.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis

Silent Night!
Joseph Mohr first wrote Silent Night as a poem in 1816, after giving the poem to his friend Franz Xavier Gruber the music was soon after composed for a guitar. Without doubt Silent Night is the most well known Christmas carol.

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

O Come All Ye Faithful!
Another carol that was originally in Latin and was first intended to be a church hymn. Composed by an Englishman in the 1700’s named John Reading it was first published in a collection known was “Cantus Diversi”

O Come All Ye Faithful
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

O Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing all that hear in heaven God’s holy word.
Give to our Father glory in the Highest;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

All Hail! Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
O Jesus! for evermore be Thy name adored.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

We hope some of these carols have brought back some memories for you and your family! Why not comment and let us know which are your favorites, or suggest some to other users!

Getting in the mood for Christmas is normally pretty easy, but keeping everyone happy coming up to Christmas and on the big day can sometimes be a nightmare. Over the years, regardless of what country you live  in, there is always a number of select movies that are played on the television, that really puts the spirit of Christmas into you, and makes it “feel like Christmas”. But oh no! Your favourite movie isn’t playing this year, what to do, what to do? In this modern age, just about everything is on DVD, which make for some great stocking fillers!

So here’s our top 10 run down, we’d love to hear what you think, whether we’ve missed your favourite movie, or share some of your memories from the movies in the list, click here to leave a comment.

Here’s out definitive list of the top 10 movies for you and your family to watch over the festive period this year!

10) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Chevvy Chase is Clark Griswold in the hectic and action filled National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, in the mist of his search for the perfect Christmas tree, putting enough lights on his roof to be seen from space, and planning what he’s going to do with his all important Christmas bonus, he is constantly dodging the numerous disasters that ensue. But with the help of Uncle Eddie, and some good ol’ Christmas cheer, he intends to make it the best Christmas yet!

9) Elf

After stowing away in Santa’s sack and arriving soon after at the North Pole, Elf was raised by, you guessed it, the elves! After gaining permission from Santa to find his father back in New York City, this fun story begins! Finding it hard to adjust to life in the real world, his father is in for a real shock! Staring Will Ferrell this movie will give you laughs from start to finish, regardless of age.

8) The Polar Express

Do you believe in Santa? Well in The Polar Express a certain little boy doesn’t, until he’s given the chance in a life time, a train that’s heading straight for the North Pole, and Santa’s home! The Polar Express is a story of self discovery and mystery which is bound to keep the whole family happy from start to finish.

7) The Snowman

The Snowman is the shortest movie on our list, lasting only 26 minutes with hardly a word muttered apart from the memorable “Walking in the Air” song. Based on the book by English author Raymond Briggs, The Snowman has inspired millions of children worldwide to build snowmen at Christmas time, you never know what will happen when the clock strikes 12!

6) The Muppets Christmas Carol

The cuddliest Christmas movie that’s made it onto our list it’s The Muppets Christmas Carol! Telling a child friendly tale of the classic book from Charles Dickens, with each of the Muppets playing a role from the book, a enchanting story soon entails. Great fun for children of all ages.

5) The Santa Clause

After an unexpected visitor disturbs bumbling dad Scott (Tim Allen) after reading The Night Before Christmas to his son, he accidentally startles a Santa impersonator, left with only with Santa’s 8 magical reindeer and sleigh along with one more important tool of the trade, a magical red suit with instructions if an accident should occur. After donning the suit Scott starts delivering presents to children, thinking he was dreaming and that he was The Santa Clause. Was he really dreaming?

4) The Nightmare Before Christmas

Created by the legendary Tim Burton, The Nightmare Before Christmas is a cult classic, set in “Halloween Town” a dream world full of monsters, ghosts and ghouls. But when Jack Skeleton opens a portal to “Christmas Town” and sees the jolly world he is suddenly submersed in, the great idea to pose as Santa Claus pops into his head. A spooky Christmas movie!

3) Jingle All The Way

Every Christmas there is a toy that every kid wants, Jingle All the Way follows a workaholic dad, who’s son wants, wait needs a TurboMan doll, the toy of all toys (for this year anyway!). Howard (Arnold Schwarzenegger) will go to any length to make sure his son gets what he wants for Christmas. Battling a psychotic mail man, a gigantic Santa Claus and a rip off elf who are all standing in his way and TurboMan!

2) How The Grinch Stole Christmas!

Living on snowy Mount Crumpit a steep mountain just north of Whoville, from which the Christmas loving Who’s inhabit. The Grinch hates the Christmas festivites in Whoville, taking his anger out on the warm-hearted Who’s he snatches up all the presents from under their Christmas tree’s to prevent Christmas from coming this year. Will the Grinch come to his senses and realise Christmas is more than gifts and presents? A great movie that can teach kids a valuable lesson (yeah right!).

1) Home Alone

Phew! We’ve finally made it to number one, and our choice for this coveted top spot, the one and only Christmas classic it’s, Home Alone.

What did you wish for this Christmas? Well Kevin McCallister wishes his family away this Christmas and is left to defend himself, and more importantly his home this Christmas from Ed & Marv, but they have no idea what’s instore for them when trying to take on Kevin in his own home. A hilarious family comedy that has gained iconic status over the years, and rightly so! That’s why it’s our number one Christmas family movie.

Well, that’s it folks! We hope you enjoyed reliving some fond Christmas memories, I know I did. Please leave a comment below to tell us how you think we did, and what changes you’d make!

With the Christmas period soon approaching, things start to get a little frantic! Yes it is the most festive time of year, but for just about everyone it’s also THE most stressful! That’s why we hope to provide an olive branch (or should that be holly?) in the form of hints, tips and useful info along with bucket loads of festive joy thrown in for good measure.

Over the next few months or so this blog will be updated with all things Christmas, whether it be the most festive movies to watch with the kids, or great gift ideas for that special someone, so please come back soon, and don’t forget to add us to your bookmarks, or subscribe via our RSS feed.

So we encourage you to put another log on the fire, get cosy and relax with a nice glass of eggnog and try and make it through Christmas alive!