The Ultimate Christmas Mulled Wine Recipe

Mulled wine is a Christmas essential. For a full flavored fruity warm mulled wine follow this simple recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 bottle of RED WINE [CLARET]
• 1 mug of ORANGE JUICE
• 1 table spoon of BROWN SUGAR
• 2 shot measures of BRANDY

• 1 stick of CINNAMON
• 3 CLOVES
• 1 generous pinch of GINGER
• 1 generous pinch of NUTMEG
• 1 LEMON/ORANGE zest

METHOD

Be careful not to let it get too hot or the alcohol may evaporate.

• Put the ORANGE JUICE in a saucepan and and the BROWN Sugar.  Heat slowly until the sugar has melted.
• Add the CINNAMON, CLOVES, GINGER, NUTMEG and LEMON/ORANGE zest to the pan and continue to heat slowly.
• Add the full bottle of RED WINE to the saucepan and put the lid on.

Now serve, drink and relax.

Let us know what you think of our receipe when you have tried it.

Christmas activities for kids

The Christmas holidays are a good opportunity to spend some good quality time with the kids.  How about choosing some of the activity ideas below?

Make your own paper snowflakes.
There are some great instructions out there that use just a little paper and a pair of scissors to help you make simple paper snowflakes.

Instructions for Making Paper Snowflakes: http://www.papersnowflakes.com/instructions.htm

For the more adventurous and older kids you can help them make a 3D paper snowflake.

How to Make a 3D Paper Snowflake: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-3D-Paper-Snowflake

Make a festive gingerbread house.
Make a house out of gingerbread and decorate it with a a festive touch.  This can take as much or as little time as you like.  The BBC has some good instructions to get you started with a list of ingredients and a step by step method

Simple gingerbread house: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4900/

Take a look at these pictures for some design ideas: http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=festive+gingerbread+house


Make your own Christmas Cards
This is an easy one for all ages.  Some card, pens, some stickers, coloured paper and glue... the possibilities are endless.  A hand made picture of Rudolph with a big red stuck-on nose will be welcomed by any grand parent.

Decorate the house together.
If you have a Christmas tree to decorate, some paper-chains to put up or some snowflake window transfers to put in the windows do it with the kids and include their bedrooms.  For a good choice from across the internet take a look at snowflakewindowstickers.co.uk

If you have any good Christmas activity recommendations for kids let us know.

Christmas Essentials

What are the ingredients for the best ever Christmas? Essential ingredients for the best ever Christmas vary from your take on religion, to the country you live in and the friends and family you have a round you.  Is there a definitive list of ingredients that, with the right method will give you the perfect Christmas?
Family and Friends
Family and friends surely have to be a key ingredient?  Maybe the most important?

Food and Drink
For those that are lucky enough to have the foods they love many tastes and smells have become linked to the modern western Christmas.  The traditional meats include Turkey, Beef, Gammon and others even sausages wrapped in bacon "pigs in blankets" for some.  Cranberry Sauce, Apple Sauce, mustard, bread sauce or your favorite dressing complements your meet.  Then there is the selection of vegetables.  Maybe asparagus, carrots, parsnips or peas but whatever you choose to fill your plate there is always a brussle sprout not far away! For some Christmas recipes take a look at http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/special-occasions/christmas-recipes. It is all washed down with the best mulled wine, spirits and soft drinks. Checkout our Ultimate Mulled wine recipe here: http://christmasessentials.blogspot.com/2011/07/ultimate-christmas-mulled-wine-recipe.html


Religion
Some people relish in the religious traditions and visit their church to remember how it all started.  Some go to Church for the chance to sing festive carols they have been humming since shops and radios have been playing them for the last couple of months.

Decorations
The Christmas Tree has to be the centre piece decoration; all decorated with lights and an assortment of baubles, and maybe even some sweets for the kids. The presents fight for space underneath the tree. Around the room are the cards and some candles and often some sprigs of holly with bright red berries. As a taster modern decorations include Snowflake Window Decorations, Snowflake Fridge Magnets and toys that sing a carol and dance when you clap your hands.

Presents
Christmas would not be the same without a pair of socks being unwrapped by someone! Trying to guess what is under the carefully wrapped paper is part of the fun.  Big presents from Mum and Dad and more from friends.  There may even be a sock full of presents from Father Christmas if you have been good enough to stay off the Naughty List. Is there and nut, a orange and coin in the toe this year?

The Music
Cliff Richard anyone? There was a time where he ruled the charts year on year for the Christmas number one spot. Those days are gone however there a some great quality tunes that get repeated year on year.  The Pogues, Bing Crosby and the list is a long one.  For a fresh take on christmas and music take a look at Christmas A Go Go: http://christmasagogo.blogspot.com/.

What is the best bit of Christmas for you?  Add your comments and lets make a comprehensive reference for Christmas ideas.