Christmas Day 2021 news: Tree decorating tips and best songs for a Merry Xmas

One piece of tape is all you need...

Apparently, you've been wrapping your presents all wrong.

According to one expert, you only need a single piece of tape to wrap those presents perfectly.

Professional organiser and gift-wrapping expert, Natasha Swingler, showed followers exactly how to wrap a rectangular present in a  posted to her popular Instagram page.

She started by placing the object on a sheet of wrapping paper, and slowly formed the paper to the present by folding it many times diagonally across the top of it. 

The only piece of tape needed was at the bottom of the present to secure it all in place.

Her followers were mesmerized by her trick, with one calling it “epic.”

Another complimented the video, saying: “Omg is there anything you can't do … this is amazing.”

Explained: When is the All Stars Musical on TV?

There isn't too long to wait for the show to be on.

All Star Musicals will air on ITV and the ITV Hub on Boxing Day from 8pm.

It is produced by MultiStory Media, part of ITV Studios. Global distribution is handled by ITV Studios.

All Star Musicals at Christmas 2021 full line-up

ALL Star Musicals at Christmas is back this year!!!

Six new celebrities are all hoping to steal the show and be crowned the All Star Musical Champion 2021.

The cast will perform a range of iconic musicals, including; Cats, Moana and The Rocky Horror Show.

Here’s who you can expect to see on your screens this Boxing Day:

• Fern Britton
• Catherine Tyldesley 
• Ben Miller
• Gyles Brandreth 
• Anita Rani
• Radzi Chinyanganya

Read more about the celeb line up here.

Don't leave your prezzies last min!!

Industry leaders warned that online shoppers should not leave their Christmas present hauls until the last minute due to the problems.

But Brits could find presents might not arrive in time for the big day anyway.

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) said disruption across the board would only continue if Covid cases continue to go up.

It told  "There’s a real sense that Covid is taking more of a hold and this could lead to more absences and supply could be disrupted.

“It’s essential that workers know that if they feel unwell they should take time off.”

Xmas deliveries could be cancelled 

In a worrying turn of events, Christmas deliveries could be CANCELLED and shops could close early. This is as Omicron continues to wreck havoc for retailers.

Shops have run up against supply chain chaos and delivery issues due to Covid, leaving Brits worried about whether presents will arrive on time.

Royal Mail warned earlier this week that cards and presents could be delayed as rising numbers of staff self-isolate and call in sick.

Read more here.

Reduce, reuse, recycle

If you want to add some extra glam to your prezzies, or haven't got round to wrapping your prezzies but have a lot of Primark bags lying about - listen up.

Many of you will have noticed Primark’s new Christmas shopping bags - the red and brown striped paper.

Well, these bags are actually recyclable. Primark want to encourage YOU to use them to wrap up your gifts this year.

And, many people are doing just that, to try and save some money on gift wrap.

Exact date snow is expected to fall 

It may very well be a white Christmas this year as forecaster have predicted the exact date Brits will see snow this month.

Storm Corrie is set to lash the country, with blizzards and biting winds blasting in straight from the Arctic just after Christmas.

But while most are agreed that temperatures will drop below freezing towards the New Year, others say it could well be much colder on December 25 too.

And one weatherman has warned there could even be a whopping 10 inches of snow in some places on the big day.

How to reduce stress on Christmas Day

With Christmas just around the corner, we can imagine there's many of you still frantically shopping around for the final bits and bobs (or presents!).

However, thanks to , these six top tips will help you get sorted for the big day.

1. Make a list and check it twice

2. Seasonal tipples

3. Dinner table décor

4. Seating arrangements

5. Funky festive playlists

6. Santa’s little helpers

Read the article in full here.

Mince pie galore

Every year we dream about that buttery pastry, those plump raisins and that crunchy sugar on top of the mince pie.

According to data from Kantar, Brits are expected to spend more than £100million on the Christmas treats this year.

Supermarkets have also reported a 10% rise in the number of sales as Brits raced to buy the pastries following warnings there could be a shortage.

So here's where you can get the tastiest and best value mince pie from:

Your pint's at risk of not being drunk this Xmas

Pubs and restaurants have already closed early. Many have faced cancellations while staff have caught Covid and had to isolate. 

The British Beer and Pub Association said boozers will sell 37million fewer pints, worth £297million in trade this year.

What's more is that around two million people could be self-isolating by Christmas Day if Omicron infection rates continue to grow.

Pub with mates or dinner with the fam?

It's going to be a tricky one this Christmas as pubs and restaurants are closing after punters were asked to choose between partying or keeping loved ones safe from Omicron.

A new high of 88,376 daily infections was recorded yesterday — but the Government said it will hit its target of a million booster jabs a day by the weekend.

On Wednesday Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty called for limits on meeting friends. 

The mixed message appears to put the PM at odds with his leading experts. And it means millions have to weigh up a pint with pals — or Christmas at home with the in-laws in eight days’ time. 

Weirdest Christmas gifts we've found online

It may be the season to be jolly, but we're not really sure the person receiving these will be jolly.

In saying that, there's always someone that will appreciate these.

• Greggs Festive Christmas Jumper, £34.99, NotJust Clothing - 
• Peeing Elf Decoration, £10.95, eBay - buy here
• Santa Dog Costume, £15.96, Amazon - 
• Grow Your Own Jesus, £3.40, Amazon - 
• Christmas Dinner Bibs, £10, John Lewis - 

Santa tracker

There are only SEVEN days until Santa departs and starts making his way to you!

In the meantime, there’s an abundance of games you can play on the  – including taking a selfie with Santa (before he jets off).

William Hill slashes odds on White Christmas

William Hill slashes odds on White Christmas, with some northern cities now odds on!

Bookmaker William Hill today made Scotland’s capital Edinburgh and Newcastle odds on for a White Christmas in 2021, with all 13 major UK airports now at their lowest levels in a decade.

That means the collective book on a White Christmas is 4-1 or shorter, considerably lower than the widespread White Christmas in 2010.

Christmas Eve church traditions

While the Bible does not specify Jesus’ date of birth, it is thought that December 25 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.

By attending midnight mass, Christians dedicate the festive season to God.

According to Mike Hayes, director of campus ministry at Canisius College in Buffalo, midnight mass is a vigil.

, he explained: “This is what we are essentially doing by attending any ‘Vigil’ mass, we wait in joyful hope for the coming of the Saviour.”

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.

Is there post on Christmas Eve & Boxing Day?

Royal Mail will still deliver post as normal today, Christmas Eve (December 24, 2021).

This means there is one more chance you will receive something special in the post.

Normal Royal Mail services will resume on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, due to Boxing Day falling on a Sunday.

This means that the two bank holidays roll over to Monday and Tuesday.

As such there will be no Royal Mail deliveries on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, December 27 or 28.

Long range weather forecast for Christmas

The Met Office have said that Christmas day will be settled this year and cold spells will remain.

They said “Remaining generally unsettled at first, with wettest and windiest conditions likely moving further north with drier and brighter spells developing in the south and southeast at times.

“Temperatures likely to be milder than earlier in the month, with temperatures near to above normal, although some colder spells remain possible.

“It is likely to become more settled around Christmas and towards New Year with increased chance of overnight frost and fog during clearer spells.”

Tips for Families on a Budget 

1.    Try the ‘Secret Santa’ challenge. If you have an extended family, or a large group of friends, set

up a Secret Santa round so you only have to buy one gift each. 

2.    Create a Christmas budget:  Christmas is a really expensive time of the year and it’s easy to lose track, so separate it from your normal spend.

3.    Don’t shop without a deal: Stretch the pennies close to Christmas by only buying when it’s on offer. You may need to hold your nerve and shop a little later or compare prices across retails, but putting in a little work means you’ll save a lot.

Testing the weirdest booze combinations on sale this Xmas

Spirits expert Kate Rowe rates this year’s more unusual Christmas-themed booze out of five and suggests the best ways to enjoy them.

• Taste The Difference chocolate orange brownie flavour Irish cream liqueur: 5/5 - £7, sainsburys.co.uk - 
• Edinburgh Gin apple and spice liqueur: 5/5 - £14.95, amazon.co.uk - 
• Finest Irish cream liqueur lebkuchen spiced gingerbread: 3/5 - £12, tesco.com - 
• Spiced sugar plum light up snow globe gin liqueur: 4/5 - £20, Marks And Spencer (in stores) - 
• Shimmering chocolate orange gin liqueur: 4/5 - £12, morrisons.com - 

Read more Christmassy combinations here.

Gift wrap ideas for the perfect present

Whether you’re going large with extravagant celebrations or keeping it eco and low-key, here’s how to present your parcels perfectly.

ECO-FRIENDLY - Avoid any wrapping with glitter, glue or sequins. It’s bad for the environment and can’t be recycled.

Try wrapping gifts with classic brown paper or even fabric. You can keep both and reuse next year. 

EXTRAVAGANT - Ribbons and bows are an inexpensive way to add glamour to any gift. Curl ribbon ends by pulling them through almost-closed scissor ends.

Pop on a pretty matching label. You could even add a personal note to finish off your gift

Queen ‘regretfully’ CANCELS Christmas party

THE Queen has cancelled her family Christmas party over Covid fears.

Her Majesty said it was "with regret" the annual royal get-together would not be going ahead as planned - but that it was "the right thing to do".

The decision was described as "a precautionary one" as it was felt the festive lunch would "put too many people's Christmas arrangements at risk if it went ahead.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment further as it is a "private family event".

The monarch had been due to host The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, among 50 or so members of the royal family at Windsor Castle next Tuesday.

Expert reveals what happens if you buy too many Xmas gifts for kids

Australian parenting author and educator Maggie Dent has revealed why being overly generous can be bad for your child.

Speaking to Fabulous, , creator of the  book and podcast, said: “We now live in a very consumerist society and parents and kids are heavily marketed to.

“This has put huge pressure on well-meaning parents to feel they need to buy toys and other gadgets which they believe will stimulate their children and help with their development.

“But actually too many toys can limit a child's creativity and lead to an addiction to ‘stuff’, which children can tend to get bored with easily.

“Children, particularly little ones, don’t need a lot of bells and whistles and they certainly don’t need a lot of stuff. 

“They are naturally curious and will probably learn more and get more enjoyment from the box a toy comes in than the toy itself.”

Maggie advised that parents don’t “overdo” their presents - and one can be enough.

The Queen’s cancelled Xmas lunch plans

The monarch had been due to host The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, among 50 or so other members of the Royal Family, at Windsor Castle on Tuesday.

There was due to be wine, crackers and a feast inside the castle – before the Queen set off for Sandringham, Norfolk, for the big day itself.

It will be the monarch’s first Christmas in 73 years without her husband Prince Philip, who died at the age of 99 in April.

Tuesday’s party had been moved from Buckingham Palace to Windsor where the Queen remains on “light duties” after health scares.

Three of her four new grandchildren — August, Lucas and Siena — all born this year, had been expected to join the party.

But US-based Prince Harry, Meghan, Archie and their daughter Lilibet, who was also born this year, were not scheduled to fly over for the bash.

‘Snowbomb’ to bring white New Year

A "SNOWBOMB" could see Brits ring in the New Year in wintry white conditions.

A blanket of snow is set to fall after Christmas when temperatures plunge well below zero and icy winds sweep through.

While snow on December 25 now seems unlikely for most, the brutal weather is expected to hit two days later.

Storm Corrie - the third of the season after havoc-wreaking Arwen and Barra - will bring severe gales, heavy rain and widespread frost.

There is also a chance wintry showers in a the post-Christmas "snowbomb", which could last well into January.

It's all down to a south-western front of rain and wind moving across the UK, according to Netweather.