Christmas Songs Day 4 - Wham - Last Christmas

So for Day 4 I have chosen this classic from Wham 'Last Christmas'.

This was unbelievably released way back in 1984. It peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart, held off by Band Aid, who Wham were also part of, so not all that bad!!

Wham were huge back in the 80's - I remember, even at the tender age of 8 that year, having the biggest crush on Mr George Michael!!

The video was the height of cheesiness, and seems even more silly in retrospect - time has not been kind to those fashion styles!! However, the song has stood the test of time and still sounds great.

This is what it is - pop cheesy Christmas tastic!! I love Wham and I love this song, and it makes me feel very nostalgic and Christmassy all at the same time.

So there we have Day 4.

Day 3 - Band Aid 'Do They Know its Christmas'
Day 2 - Wizzard 'I Wish it Could be Christmas'
Day 1 - Johnny Mathis - Its Beginning to Look at lot like Christmas

Christmas songs number 3 - Band Aid - Do They Know its Christmas

My choice for number 3 is the charity single 'Do They Know its Christmas' by Band Aid.

Love it or hate it, you can't deny that this is one of the most famous / infamous Christmas songs ever. Some say this song is political and a little bit patronizing - I think people should just enjoy it for what it is.

Released in 1984, this was the idea of Bob Geldoff (whoo?? if you are under 30) and Midge Ure (who!!?) . Bob Geldoff was very famous back in the day and he was in a band too and so was Midge Ure - The BoomTown Rats and Ultravox respectively.

Featuring some of the biggest stars of the day, this was an absolute groundbreaking effort. U2's Bono, Status Quo, Phil Collins, Simon Le Bon, Tony Hadley, Boy George, Sting, George Michael plus more - this was on an epic scale!!

This song has had its criticism, but its endured. Its been rehashed for a new generation, but the original endures. Hitting number 1 in the UK single chart, its still on the best Christmas songs list to date.

So there we have it - Day 3. Happy Christmas :) chris

My Christmas Lists Part 6 - New Year's Eve Shopping List #2 - Going out

Next up in my series of helpful lists to get us all organised for the festive season, today its my shopping lists for New Year's Eve. For this occasion, its going to be different for everyone.

Some of us are staying home alone, some are celebrating by hosting friends and family. Some of us will be going out, some of us will be out all night! Some of us will be going close to home, visiting friends and family, some of us will be out on the town. But all of us will need our supplies to get the party started! 

Even if you are going out, you still need a tipple before you go and something light to eat. You might be out early doors, or just round to friends, in which case you might need to think about a drink and something to eat when you get home. 

So my second New Year's Eve shopping list is going to be all about going out:

• Red wine
• Rose wine
• White wine
• Spirits - vodka, whisky, brandy, rum, gin
• Mixers - cola, lemonade, orange, tonic water
• Tumblers, long glasses, wine glasses
• Prosecco or champers
• Mini pizzas
• Mini sliders
• Cheese and bread for toasting
• Tomato sauce
• Brown sauce
• Pasta salad
• Crisps
• Dips
• Boxed biscuits
• Chocolates
• Mince pies
• Tea, coffee, hot chocolate
• Cream and marshmallow topping
• Chicken dippers
• Beer and lager
• Cider
• Baileys or whisky liquer
• Sweets and toffee

My Christmas Lists Part 5 - New Year's Eve Shopping List #1 - Celebrate at home

Next up in my series of helpful lists to get us all organised for the festive season, today its my shopping list for New Year's Eve. For this occasion, its going to be different for everyone.

Some of us are staying home alone, some are celebrating by hosting friends and family. Some of us will be going out, some of us will be out all night! Some of us will be going close to home, visiting friends and family, some of us will be out on the town. But all of us will need our supplies to get the party started!

So my first New Year's Eve shopping list is going to be all about staying at home:

• Prosecco or fizzy wine
• Spirits of choice - whisky, vodka, brandy
• Sparklers
• Pizza
• Garlic bread
• Mini tartlets
• Mini cheesecake
• Ice cream tub
• Spray cream
• Hot chocolate mix
• Milk
• Mixers - cola lite, diet lemonade, pink lemonade
• Fresh orange
• Tonic water
• Crisps
• Dips
• Mixed indian dishes - bhaji's, samosa, pakora
• Mixed chinese dishes - spring rolls, chicken balls
• Mini sliders
• Mayonaisse
• BBQ sauce
• Chicken poppers, chicken nuggats, chicken dippers
• Bread
• Cheese
• Crackers
• Chocolate
• Peanuts
• Chocolate brazil nuts
• Coffee and tea
• Non alcoholic drinks
• Chilli con carne
• Assorted indian curries - tikka massalla, balti, korma, jalfrezi
• Assorted chinese dishes - sweet and sour, blackbean sauce, curry
• Rices for dishes - fried rice, pilau rice
• Sundries - naan breads, prawn crackers, poppadoms
• Panettone
• Mince pies
• Red wine, rose wine, white wine
• Biscuits
• Sausage rolls
• Mini hot dogs
• Onions
• Nachos
• Guacamole
• Salsa
• Beer
• Lager
• Cider
• Fruit ciders
• Ice

Christmas presents - the Don't list

You may have the best intentions, but when it comes to Christmas presents these are best avoided unless you are specifically asked :

• vacuum cleaner
• washing up liquid
• cloths, dusters, scourers
• cleaning equipment
• iron or ironing board
• exercise equipment
• electric bicycle
• sports clothes
• gym membership
• health treatments
• acne or spot treatments
• medical solutions
• control underwear
• mops or brushes
• toothbrush
• unbranded clothing
• used items unless they are vintage
• vintage items if they are just old and outdated
• imitations and fakes
• crude items like fake dog poo etc.. 
• clothes that are far too big in size (think size 18 when shes a size 12)
• clothes that are far too small (think size 10 when she's a 14)

My Christmas Lists Part 4 - Store cupboard stock take

Before you start your Christmas shopping order, you need to consider what you need to stock in your cupboards. Everyone knows that an event can be make or break dependent upon what you may or may not have in your cupboard to make the meal in question, or to salvage one that has gone a bit wrong.

Think of soups that are a bit bland - the saviour can be as simple as black pepper. Think meat that has not cooked quite as crisp on the skin as you prefer - a little fat can make all the difference. For the perfect mash you need butter, for the perfect roasties you need goose fat - but its all too easy to forget the details.

So with this in mind, here is my list of what you need in your cupboard this year to prepare, cook and rescue:

• Black pepper
• Spray oil
• Goose fat
• Garlic powder
• Soy sauce
• Stock cubes
• Mayonaisse
• Tomato sauce
• Butter
• Cinnamon
• Vinegar
• Balsamic vinegar
• Olive oil
• Cornflour
• Salt
• Ginger
• Chilli
• Fresh cream
• Red wine
• Sugar
• Bread crumbs
• Marzipan
• Stuffing mix
• Sauce mix
• Salad cream
• Passatta
• Chopped tomatoes
• Honey
• Nuts 
• Pickles
• Worcestershire sauce

My Christmas Lists Part 3 - Fabulous Starters to consider

My continuing lists to help organise everyone for the festive season which shall soon be upon us continues.

For part 3, I am considering options for starters - whether for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year's Eve, there should be something for everyone on this list:

• Seafood platter
• Pate and toast
• Lobster tails
• Soup of the day
• Scallops
• Salmon parcels
• Prawn cocktail
• Mini topped pork pies
• Canapes
• Sliders
• Potato skins
• Chicken goujons
• Bread and olive oil
• Tear bread
• Mini pizza
• Nachos
• Stuffed peppers
• Deep fried brie