CHRISTMAS is coming and the goose is getting fat – so let's get in the spirit of the season!
It only comes round once a year, but the holiday season will see many of us unite with family, open presents together and eat and drink all we can before falling asleep in front of a blockbuster.
And that's where The Sun comes in to help!
Wondering where to get that last minute gift online? Check. Want to know the best gossip and schedules for Christmas specials on the TV? Double check. And are you looking for more festive cheer than a box of jumping reindeer? Of course you are!
Read our Christmas Day live blog for all the latest Yuletide festivities and info…
- Louis Allwood
Byron launches the Jingle Bun Burger with Guinness
WE all love a Christmas sandwich, but what about a Christmas burger? And Byron's looks incredible.
A must for Guiness fans, this year's festive burger looks delicious – and there's Bailey's milkshakes too!
This year, Byron's festive burger is a must try for foodies, and to get the party started it's all about boozy burgers and merry milkshakes.
Available to eat in, and order through Deliveroo here, the Byron X Guiness Jingle Buns Burger is available for a month from November 25, so don't miss out.
Guinness have partnered with Byron to create the one of a kind burger, the Byron X Guinness Jingle Buns Burger.
The special festive burger consists of a"6oz patty, consisting of a blend of four 100% prime Aberdeen Angus cuts – flank, chuck, brisket and short rib", which is "then topped with a Guinness paste, deep fried onion ring, bacon, crisp lettuce, blue cheese…and for the pièce de résistance a sweet and tangy Christmas caramelised onion chutney, all encased in a glazed brioche bun!"
- Order Byron on Deliveroo – click here
UK ODDS-ON for White Christmas
THE UK IS ODDS-ON FOR A White Christmas, according to the latest odds from Ladbrokes.
The bookies now make it just a 1/3 shot for snow to fall anywhere in the UK on Christmas Day, with 5/1 on offer for Londoners to see the white stuff.
Elsewhere, Edinburgh remains the most likely city to see snow at 5/2, with Birmingham and Newcastle being 3/1 apiece in the betting.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: "It looks as though White Christmas punters look set to get their wish this year, with plenty of cities up and down the UK bracing themselves for a battering of the white stuff."
Christmas Day weather revealed
TEMPERATURES are set to PLUMMET in the South of England on Christmas Day with frost gripping the country, it’s been revealed.
Brits will wake up on Christmas Day to fog and frost as temperatures turn chilly during the festive holidays.
The last week of the year is set to be settled weatherwise – but it will be very cold for many.
In the south of England and Wales, temperatures are set to plummet on Christmas Eve, just in time for the big day.
Areas in the North West are set to be slightly milder on December 25.
- Joseph Gamp
Why is Christmas Day on December 25?
Christmas Day is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, but there is actually no official date of the birth recorded in the Bible.
By the early-to-mid fourth century the Western Christian Church placed Christmas Day on December 25.
It is thought that date was chosen as it is exactly nine months after the Christians believe Jesus was immaculately conceived, on March 25.
December 25 might have also been chosen because of the winter solstice – the shortest day of the year.
- Joseph Gamp
‘Heatbroken’ families forced to spend Xmas apart over cost of quarantine hotels
Families have been left “heartbroken” after being forced to cancel Christmas plans over the cost of the UK’s quarantine hotels.
Colin Doney, a teacher from Northampton, had to cancel his flight home from Malawi due to the £2,285-cost of the 10-day quarantine required for travellers from red list countries.
His 77-year-old mother, who suffers from severe osteoarthritis, now faces spending Christmas Day alone after his father died last year.
“My flights were booked to return home to be with mum but the quarantine stipulations have made it too costly,” Mr Doney, 52, told the PA news agency.
“I’m upset that I won’t be home, mostly because mum will be alone for the day.”
Mr Doney has been teaching at a school in Malawi for almost two years but said it would cost more than a quarter of his annual wage to fly home for the festive period.
His father was diagnosed with cancer in January 2020 then “died alone in hospital” due to Covid restrictions five months later, something the family are “still angry about”.
He said his mother is sad that plans for the day will not go ahead, but the family had been “prepared for the worst” amid news of the Omicron variant.
“Infection numbers here in Malawi are low and we’re double vaccinated,” Mr Doney added.
- Joseph Gamp
Best Selfridges beauty gift set
Want a little bit of luxury, without the conscience? Selfridges has got a beauty gift set for that.
The Project Earth beauty bag is ideal for the eco-conscious, green-thinking friends of yours, and worth over £150.
Alongside a reusable Kraft paper board and cotton bag, the kit includes the leading names of the up-and-coming green beauty world, like: Georganics Peppermint Natural Toothpaste, Dame Organic CBD Tampons, Face Halo Original, The Natural Deodorant Co. Deodorant Balm, FOAMIE Body Bar, Truthbrush bamboo toothbrush, and much more.
Cut down on your plastic, not your gift-giving expertise.
Project Earth beauty bag, £55 from Selfridges – buy here
- Joseph Gamp
EastEnders to return to full episodes in the New Year – but NOT every night
EASTENDERS will return to full length episodes over the New Year.
The BBC soap has been producing reduced-length episodes of around 20 minutes since returning to screens last September.
Episodes have started to return to 30 minutes occasionally but now in the new year it's set to become more permanent.
In fact Monday, Thursday and Friday night episodes will be back at full length.
Meanwhile Tuesday's edition will remain shorter to fit in with Holby City's 40 minute episodes.
And fans are overjoyed at the news.
One wrote: "Great news. The 30 minute episodes are invariably so much better and give much more scope for writers to flesh out scenes and focus on character.
- Joseph Gamp
Christmas Day weather revealed
TEMPERATURES are set to PLUMMET in the South of England on Christmas Day with frost gripping the country, it’s been revealed.
Brits will wake up on Christmas Day to fog and frost as temperatures turn chilly during the festive holidays.
The last week of the year is set to be settled weatherwise – but it will be very cold for many.
In the south of England and Wales, temperatures are set to plummet on Christmas Eve, just in time for the big day.
Areas in the North West are set to be slightly milder on December 25.
- Joseph Gamp
GCHQ's Christmas card featuring festive brainteasers
EVERYONE loves a brainteaser at Christmas – but can you outsmart GCHQ’s fiendish puzzles? The brilliant minds at GCHQ have included seven puzzles for people to get their teeth into as part of their festive greetings card.
This year the STEM-focused quiz is aimed at children and teens aged between 11 and 18 but adults are also encouraged to take part and see if they are cleverer than their kids.
The agency, which works to the keep the country safe, is encouraging secondary schools and colleges up and down the country to today take part in the #GCHQChristmasChallenge.
The aim is to persuade more young people to take an interest in STEM subjects and consider future careers in the intelligence services.
GCHQ director Sir Jeremy Fleming, said: “From Enigma to artificial intelligence, GCHQ's history is full of talented people tackling the country’s most complex challenges. If we’re to help keep the country safe, problem-solving skills and teamwork are absolutely crucial.
“That’s why this year’s Christmas puzzles are aimed at young people. I want to show young people that thinking differently is a gift. It is only with the right mix of minds that they can solve seemingly impossible problems, just like we do at GCHQ.”
- Joseph Gamp
Save £130 on a Samsung Crystal UHD TV
What's the deal: A price reduction of almost 20% on a 2021 release from Samsung – a 65-inch TU7020 Crystal UHD 4K HDR TV
Why we love it: Who doesn't love a 65-inch television for little more than £500.
The trade-off here is that this is a fairly lower-end television from Samsung: but if you've got enough space to justify a TV of this size and you're in search of a model from the most popular brand on the market, this is perfect for you.
Samsung 65-inch TU7020 Crystal UHD 4K HDR TV, £569 (save £130), Amazon – buy here
- Joseph Gamp
The eight places to get cheap Christmas TV deals
CHRISTMAS is coming very soon – but you've still got time to pick up an incredible TV deal.
We might have passed the busiest sales time at the end of last month, but that doesn't mean you can't pick up a high-quality television at a cheaper-than-usual price.
In fact, we've been taking a look through a number of key retailers – Amazon, Currys, John Lewis, and Very – and we've been impressed by what we've found.
To save you sifting through, we've put together this select list of the 8 best Christmas TV deals you can find online right now.
We've got all sizes and budgets covered from brands like Samsung, Panasonic and Sharp, and we're confident that you'll find a TV that you like.
So if you're hoping to watch the Queen's Speech on a brand-new screen this Christmas? Read on: we've got it sorted.
You might also want to take a look at our Sun Vouchers Christmas deals, as well as the Currys flash Christmas sale.
- Joseph Gamp
Queen will have ‘formal’ Christmas with Harry & Meghan expert claims
THERE might be thousands of miles separating them this Christmas – but Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will still find a way to celebrate the festive season with The Queen, an expert has claimed.
Earlier this month, royal correspondent Neil Sean discussed how the Royal Family will be marking Christmas this year on his YouTube channel.
The Queen is expected to spend her first Christmas since Prince Philip passed away at her Sandringham estate in Norfolk surrounded by her close family – including Prince William and Kate Middleton.
That said, the expert claims Her Majesty will still make an effort to include the Duke and Duchess of Sussex – who now live in Montecito, California – in the celebrations.
Neil claimed: "There will be some gifts but it will be very formal.
"[The Queen] is far too gracious to be childish and not include [Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the gift package."
- Joseph Gamp
Best Benefit gift set
Looking for a stocking filler or secret santa gift? The Benefit Beauty Sleigh Bells is one of their top beauty gift sets for the price and contents.
From the best-selling Porefessional primer, to the classic Hoola and Gimme Brow+, this ticks all the boxes as a sweet little gift.
For less than £20, and worth over £40, you can't go wrong.
Benefit Beauty Sleigh Bells, £19.50 from Boots – buy here
- Joseph Gamp
Best Estée Lauder gift set
Estée Lauder have gathered together some of their most iconic products into one wonderful gift just in time for Christmas.
Packaged in a festive toiletries box, you get eyeshadows, lipsticks, mascara, revitalising serum and even the famed Advanced Night Repair, among other products.
The whole package is worth over £302 too, which is a better reason than any to treat yourself or someone else this festive season.
- 29 Beauty Essentials Includes 5 Full-Size Favourites, £69 from Estée Lauder – buy here
Who will replace Holly and Phil on This Morning during Xmas?
THIS Morning is testing out a string of new presenting line-ups this week after Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby went on their Christmas break.
Today we saw Vernon Kay, 47, hosting alongside Josie Gibson, 36, for the first time in place of the long-standing pair.
Tomorrow, Vernon will return but Josie won't – with the former Family Fortunes presenter alongside Rochelle Humes, 32.
He has been a long-time target of the daytime hit and was due to host a show back in August but had to pull out after catching Covid.
Vernon was supposed to team up with Rochelle then and was forced to cancel saying: "I’m absolutely gutted."
- Joseph Gamp
Strictly Christmas routines (continued…)
Comedian and broadcaster Giedroyc will be dancing a couples choice with British professional dancer Neil Jones to Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice.
Giedroyc has presented the BBC’s Children In Need and Let It Shine, and along with her comedy partner Sue Perkins she co-hosted seven series of The Great British Bake Off.
British TV presenter Chiles will be performing an American smooth to a rendition of White Christmas by Otis Redding with new professional dancer Jowita Przystal.
Chiles, 54, has presented a number of TV shows across the BBC and ITV ranging from football to business programming as well as documentaries and talk shows.
Platinum-selling pop star Anne-Marie will be dancing the cha cha with Graziano Di Prima to a rendition of Feliz Navidad by Gwen Stefani.
Newsreader Moira Stuart will perform a salsa with dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec to Justin Bieber’s Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.
- Joseph Gamp
Strictly Christmas Special dance routines revealed
Fred Sirieix, Mel Giedroyc, Adrian Chiles, Jay Blades, Anne-Marie and Moira Stuart will dust off their dancing shoes for the all-star festive episode of Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One on Christmas Day.
First Dates host Sirieix, 49, will dance the quickstep with Australian professional Dianne Buswell during this year’s festive special to Merry Christmas Everyone by Shakin’ Stevens.
After a career working front of house at Michelin-starred restaurants, the French maitre’d has since appeared in a number of series relating to the food industry, including specials alongside TV chefs Gordon Ramsay and Gino D’Acampo.
Repair Shop presenter Blades, 51, will be dancing the jive to the Only Fools And Horses musical song Hooky Street with choreographer and dancer Luba Mushtuk, from Russia.
Originally from Hackney in east London, Blades was made an MBE earlier this year for his services to craft.
- Joseph Gamp
Emmerdale's explosive Christmas Day scenes
THE residents of Emmerdale are in for an explosive Christmas – as The Woolpack goes up in flames.
First look pictures show the moment the explosion goes off at the pub, sending a fireball out through the windows into the street.
In recent weeks, Al Chapman (Michael Wildman) has been conniving and plotting to get his hands on the Woolpack as he plans to turn it into luxury flats. Having succeeded in investing and becoming a partner, he has already inflicted major changes on the team.
But will this Christmas Day inferno mean his plans have gone up in smoke? Or could it work in his favour? And how, with the pub so damaged, will joint owners Chas (Lucy Pargeter) and Marlon Dingle hold onto their livelihoods?
Producer Kate Brooks said: "It's not just the Woolpack that goes up in flames on Christmas Day, as secrets and lies explode, ripping through the lives of some of our much loved villagers and making it a Christmas they'll never forget".
- Joseph Gamp
When is the last date for Christmas post?
Royal Mail is encouraging customers to send their Christmas post earlier than usual this year, as well as ordering online well in advance.
It said that will help postmen and women "deliver the bumper festive mailbag".
If you’re sending letters or packages to loved ones in the UK, here are the last dates to pop them in the post.
It's always better to try and send your parcel a few days before the deadline if possible.
- Friday, December 17: Royal Mail Bulk Mail Economy
- Saturday, December 18: 2nd Class, 2nd Class Signed For and Royal Mail 48®
- Tuesday, December 21: 1st Class, 1st Class Signed For, Royal Mail 24 and Royal Mail Tracked 48®
- Wednesday, December 22: Royal Mail Tracked 24®
- Thursday, December 23: Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed®
Which areas are impacted by Royal Mail delays?
Royal Mail keeps its website updated with the latest delays, so you can keep an eye out for any problems affecting your area.
You can also sign up for email updates to be alerted to any changes.
These are the areas that are affected by the disruption:
- Belfast West DO (BT10 – BT12 and BT17)
- Belper DO (DE56)
- Bowthorpe DO (NR5, NR8)
- Burnham On Crouch DO (CM0 8)
- Buxton NR SUDO (NR10 5)
- Chelmsford DO (CM1 to CM3)
- Congleton DO (CW4 and CW12)
- Eccles DO (M30)
- Farnborough DO (GU14)
- Finsbury Park DO (N4 and N15)
- Havant DO (PO9-10)
- Hornsey DO (N8)
- Kinlochleven SPDO (PH50)
- Longton DO (ST3 and ST11)
- New Ferry DO (CH32, CH62 and CH63)
- Northwich DO (CW8 to CW9)
- Pontypridd DO (CF37, CF38 and CF46)
- Rayleigh DO (SS6)
- Shrewsbury DO (SY1 to SY5)
- St. Helens DO (WA9 to WA11)
- Stocksbridge (S36)
- Upminster DO (RM14)
- Upton DO (CH30 and CH49)
- Warrington DO (WA1 to WA2 and WA4 to WA5)
- Willesden DO (NW10 and NW26)
EastEnders spoilers: Denise and Jack’s wedding plunged into chaos
EASTENDERS' Denise Fox and Jack Branning's wedding is plunged into chaos this Christmas.
In the lead up to Christmas, Chelsea appeals to Kim to put the issues with Denise behind her.
The next day, an emotional Denise tells Kim how much it would mean to have her there on her special day and Kim considers it but later tells her kids they’re going back to Scotland.
The following day, Denise is excited to tell Chelsea that Kim may come to their big day.
Meanwhile an emotional Kim plans to leave Walford.
- Joseph Gamp
What is midnight mass?
Midnight mass is a tradition that sees Christians gather for a service on Christmas Eve.
The service generally starts just before midnight, depending on whether the church is Roman Catholic of Protestant.
Some churches have also made the services start a little earlier to make it easier for young families to get home.
While there is nothing in the Bible to dictate that Christians need to go to mass on Christmas Eve, the tradition is believed to have started to honour Jesus' birth.
It is believed the tradition started in the Western World from about 430AD under Pope Sixtus III in the Basilica of St Mary Major.
Midnight mass became widely popular by the twelfth century.
There are also services generally held at dawn, and during Christmas Day.
- Joseph Gamp
Corrie Xmas war as Sarah brings Platts and Barlows together
CHRISTMAS at at the Platts and Barlows may not be as merry as they hoped as the two families join together for a festive shindig.
In the lead up to Christmas, Sarah reveals her plans for a joint Christmas with the Barlows, leaving David’s appalled at the thought of sharing the day with the Barlows.
The day after, Sarah rounds up the Platts and Barlows and suggests they sort out their differences as she wants a joint family Christmas.
But as the two families trade insults, Sarah wonders what she’s let herself in for as her idea of a magical Christmas turns into something of a nightmare.
On Christmas Day, Audrey cracks open the wine for breakfast and Gail declares she’s not lifting a finger.
Meanwhile, David slams round in a grump and Peter and Carla do a runner, leaving Sarah in despair over their ungrateful families.
Fed up of her family and with everyone gone, Adam takes her in his arms, suggesting their real Christmas starts now.
- Joseph Gamp
What's inside Boots Premium Beauty Edit?
- Rituals The Ritual of Sakura Foaming Shower Gel 200ml
- Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Original Starter Kit 50ml
- Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm 12ml
- Emma Hardie Purifying Pink Clay Detox Mask – Australian Pink Clay 15ml
- Huda Beauty Silk Balm Deluxe Mini 1.8ml
- Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray Deluxe 15ml
- PSA LIQUID PANACEA Centella & Kombucha Firming Recovery Booster 15ml
- Disciple Dreamy Skin Retinyl Night Oil 10ml
- Origins GINZING™ Energy Boosting Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer 15ml
- Too Faced Lip Injection Maximum Plump 2.8ml
- Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer 30ml
- Clarins Velvet Cleansing Milk 100ml
- Patchology FlashPatch Rejuvenating Eye Gel 5g
- Peace Out Acne Dots (6 dots)
- Caudalie Vinoperfect Glycolic Night Cream 15ml
- Laura Mercier Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick – Fresh 0.42g
- Erborian Skin Hero 5ml
- StriVectin Anti-Wrinkle Intensive Eye Concentrate For Wrinkles Plus 7ml
- Fenty Skin Fat Water Pore-Refining Toner Serum 10ml
- Bite Beauty Upswing Full-volume Mascara 5.5ml
- Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment 7g
- MAC Cosmetics Powder Kiss Liquid Lipstick – Mull It Over 5ml.
It's a must have for beauty fans, so set your alarms for December 14 as you won't want to miss this.
You can buy the Boots Premium Beauty Edit here.
Boot's Premium Beauty Edit worth £200 for FREE
THIS is one for beauty lovers, as Boots is giving shoppers the chance to bag their Premium Beauty Edit worth over £200 for free.
With brands including Rituals, Liz Earle and more, it's a great time to snap up must have make up icons for free.
Calling all beauty fans, you won't want to miss this one.
The limited edition Premium Beauty Edit is available at boots.com from December 14.
The exclusive edit contains 22 beauty goodies worth £200, and shoppers will be able to get their hands on it for free with this exclusive offer.
Beauty fans who spend £85 on premium beauty at boots.com will be able to get it for free.
- Premium Beauty Edit (Worth £200), Boots – buy here
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