Why do we have Christmas trees & what if anything do they have to do with the story of Mary & Joseph & the baby Jesus? When did the tradition of sending Christmas cards begin? What was so special about oranges that they became the favoured treasure in a Christmas stocking? Why do we have stockings anyway? What is frankincense? The twelve days of Christmas? These are just some of the questions answered in succinct informative entries in this enaging A
- Z of Christmas & the meaning behind the traditions we love or hate. Each entry

Includes:: a dictionary definition the origin of the word or phrase including its Latin roots & sometimes a further relevant snippet of information such as a biblical reference or a general description. Then follows the entry sometimes just a single paragraph giving more detailed information in concise accessible language. Christmas is so all-encompassing that everyone is caught up in it believers & non-believers alike: here is a book which will remind those who have forgotten or inform those who never knew where it all came from.


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Christmas Conspiracy When Lieutenant Nate Rylands daughter is kidnapped he finds hope in the most surprising of allies: Darcy Burkhart the woman he once considered his greatest opponent. But Darcys son has also been taken & nothing will keep them from bringing their children home. Soon Nate finds himself admiring & desiring Darcy in a way he never would have thought possible... The Reckoning Psychiatrist Alexandria will do anything to find her cousins missing daughter even if that means pairing up with Holt Chamberlain the man who broke her heart years ago. As Holt & Alex uncover the mystery can they also discover a way to overcome their past & admit their love for each other? ...

This is a wonderful book full of delicious seasonal recipes including much loved favourites & exciting new ideas to keep children happily occupied during the exciting weeks before Christmas. Recipes include chocolate truffles cheesy Christmas stars & coconut mice. This book is illustrated with easy to follow step-by-step instructions. It

Includes:: gift-wrapping ideas to make delicious treats into wonderful Christmas gifts.

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After the fantastic Decorating Cakes & Cookies" baking queen Annie Rigg is back with gorgeous & achievable ideas for Christmas cupcakes. If you are a novice baker & would like to make something pretty but un-fussy to bring to a festive party why not look at the Simple chapter for inspiration? Try the gingerbread cupcakes which will fill the house with the warming spiced smells of Christmas. Cute cupcakes will appeal to the little kid in all of us
- make a basket of adorable snowmen complete with marzipan noses & ribbon scarves or even a flock of robins & put a smile on someones face. Decorative cupcakes are that little bit more sophisticated & bound to impress. There are imaginative ideas such as little cakes topped with miniature gifts or glass stars. Theres something in this delightful book to suit every occasion."
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All you need to make the amazing Christmas decorations are the beautifully illustrated pull-out sheets in this exciting pad & some scissors & some sticky tape. Simple step-by-step instructions show how to make snowflakes folded stars paperchains angels & decorations to hang from a Christmas tree by cutting folding & sticking. All the cuts & folds that need to be made are indicated on the double-sided sheets making it easy to create stunning decorations without too much effort. ...

This is an inspiring tale of Christmas goodwill & acceptance from Shirley Hughes one of the worlds best-loved picture-book creators. When Bronwen & Dylan are frightened by ghostly noises from the chimney on Christmas Eve they run straight into the arms of their neighbour Mrs ORiley. As they step next door for the first time its not just Bronwen & Dylan who can stop being afraid of whats on the other side of their walls
- Mam might just find a blessing there too. 1930s Liverpool is brought alive with evocative drawings in a story that recognizes the richness of human kindness even in times of hardship & poverty. This is an original story by Shirley Hughes. Its gorgeousness really does stand out on Christmas tables. It is destined to be a modern classic.
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A festive addition in the brilliant new series of activity books for pre-schoolers full of simple activities for little children to try out. As well as being a whole lot of fun the activities will help to develop important skills such as hand control coordination & concentration. ...

1857. After the fire of mutiny has swept through British India young Lieutenant Victor Narraway arrives at a battered military base at Cawnpore. It is just two weeks before Christmas but no one is able to celebrate: they have been betrayed. A soldier under arrest for dereliction of duty has killed a guard & escaped to join the rebels taking crucial information that led to the massacre of nine men on patrol. Someone must have helped him & medical orderly John Tallis is the only man unaccounted for at the time. He is now on trial for his life & Narraway is commanded to defend him. Narraway knows that his is an impossible task. The British Army needs justice to be carried out in full & there seems no doubt of Talliss guilt. But Narraway cannot see any motive for his actions. Will an innocent man hang before Christmas? ...

At the age of twenty-three Charlie Mason is endowed with good looks good manners & a happy disposition. Following three years at Cambridge & one in his fathers business he is now looking forward to a jaunt in Paris with Simon Fenimore his oldest friend. Yet Paris is not what he expects. & in just a few days his young eyes are opened to the horror & ugly drama of its underworld. Published before the outbreak of war in 1939 Maughams purpose in Christmas Holiday was to warn the complacent insular British middle-class of the immense upheavals taking place on the Continent. ...

A Victorian tale of murder & intrigue taking place on a snowy Christmas in 1897... During a bitter snowstorm a mysterious stranger descends on the Netheridges country home in Whitby where a group of renowned actors have gathered to prepare a Boxing Day production of Dracula. Amidst an atmosphere of competing theatrical egos & artistic disagreements the unknown Mr Ballin is brutally murdered. Determined to uncover the truth but without help from the police who cannot reach the house through the snow Caroline Fielding begins to investigate the circumstances surrounding the puzzling affair. Who was the victim? Was his appearance at the house as innocent & as circumstantial as he professed? & which of the guests knows more than they are letting on? ...