Christmas

Read the most recent news stories about Christmas on Newser.com

Stories 321 - 340 | << Prev   Next >>

Sold-Out Kindles Still Available—for a Price

Amazon loses out as savvy buyers trade e-book for big returns

(Newser) - Amazon.com has run out of Kindle e-book readers, sending their prices soaring on the second-hand market and on sites like eBay, reports Bloomberg. Ever since an Oprah endorsement in October cleaned out the online retailer’s stock, those with Kindles in hand have sought to secure a return on...

They Used to Laugh and Call Her Names

Rudolph and Santa's other sleigh-pullers may be ladies

(Newser) - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer very likely is a girl, or so say wildlife experts who’ve turned their attention to Santa’s lead sleigh-puller. Male reindeer typically shed their horns before Christmas, so popular images of Rudolph’s team with big, branched antlers would mean they might actually be female,...

Economy Spells Weary Christmas for Toy Charities

Donations off as much as 30%, some say

(Newser) - Across the country, charities that dole out gifts to underprivileged kids have seen donations fall off steeply compared to last holiday season, USA Today reports. Some are reporting as much as a 30% decline in giving as the economy flags. “Families that would normally have been helping us by...

Madge's Family Xmas Includes A-Rod

Ritchie wants kids in London for holiday; singer counters by bringing Yankees star

(Newser) - Madonna agreed to her ex-hubby’s request that she bring the kids to Britain for Christmas—as long as Alex Rodriguez can come along, the Sun reports. Madge offered the Yankees star first-class airfare and a room in a top hotel in London because “she wants to treat him,...

Brangelina Push DIY Christmas
 Brangelina Push DIY Christmas 
Dec 16, 2008 11:12 AM CST

Brangelina Push DIY Christmas

Family aims to keep spending to a minimum, want kids to 'make something' for each other

(Newser) - Though they are among the richest couples in the world, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie don’t plan to drop a bundle on their six kids this Christmas. “We have gifts, but we try to keep the money spent to a minimum,” said Pitt in an interview with...

Physics Fuels Santa's Magic
 Physics Fuels Santa's Magic 
Dec 15, 2008 4:15 PM CST

Physics Fuels Santa's Magic

Nanotechnology, space-time distortions enable Christmas miracles

(Newser) - New research has shed light on the amazing ability of Santa Claus to deliver presents to children around the world in a single night, Reuters reports. Santa is able to distort the space-time continuum, says a North Carolina State expert: "He understands that you can stretch time, compress space...

First Dog Releases Last Video
 First Dog Releases Last Video 
Dec 15, 2008 2:42 PM CST

First Dog Releases Last Video

Olympic medalists Phelps, Liukin guest-star in 2008 'Barney Cam'

(Newser) - The White House released its final “Barney Cam” Christmas video today, continuing the adventures of the first dog, the AP reports. This year, the Bushes’ terrier dreams of representing America as an Olympic pole-vaulter and swimmer before clinching a US victory in the Ryder Cup. After waking, Barney decks...

Suri Pans Dad's Santa Act
 Suri Pans Dad's Santa Act 
Dec 15, 2008 10:08 AM CST

Suri Pans Dad's Santa Act

Cruise isn't fooling youngest child with Christmas getup, promises improvement

(Newser) - Tom Cruise’s acting skills got a thumbs-down from a very important fan—his daughter, E! Online reports. Cruise, who always plays the role of Santa during family Christmas celebrations, said astute tot Suri recognized him immediately last year: “I did my best Santa impression. She looked at me...

Disgusted No More: Britons Eating Brussels Sprouts

Britons say they like the veggie, but many will toss the leftovers

(Newser) - Brussels sprouts were once no-nos at Christmas dinner in Britain, but the veggie is gaining ground as people learn how to cook them, the Telegraph reports. Nearly two-thirds of Britons now like them, although one-third admit they refused to try them as kids, a survey says. Even jokes about the...

Website Seethes Over Newly PC Christmas Carols

(Newser) - A British website is accusing churches of political correctness after they made changes to age-old Christmas carol lyrics, the Telegraph reports. Vicars say the edits aim to remove gender-specific or racially charged words, but the editor of a Christian site calls it "a festive car crash. Half the congregation...

Madonna, Guy to Spend Christmas Together

Divorcing couple to make nice for kids

(Newser) - Feuding exes Madonna and Guy Ritchie have called a truce for Christmas, the Mail reports. The divorcing couple, still locked in a custody battle over their two sons, will spend the holiday together at Ritchie’s British estate. Rocco, 8, and David 3, have been with their mom while she’...

Holidays Is Familiar, Charming
 Holidays Is Familiar, Charming 
MOVIE REVIEW
Dec 12, 2008 10:08 AM CST

Holidays Is Familiar, Charming

Movie adds a little Latin spice to the usual holiday movie recipe

(Newser) - Nothing Like the Holidays is much like many other holiday heart-warmers, and that's not necessarily a bad thing, say critics. The "warm but generic family-stressing-for-the-holidays dramedy" tells the tale of an extended Latin clan getting together for Christmas and stars a who's who of Hispanic talent, Roger Moore writes...

Noonan: Expect a Frugal Holiday
 Noonan: 
 Expect a Frugal Holiday 
OPINION
Dec 12, 2008 7:41 AM CST

Noonan: Expect a Frugal Holiday

Nation not in an excessive mood

(Newser) - Will this be the last Christmas of the big-spending era? Will stalwart shoppers, who still can’t see this recession, grab big-ticket items, “sliding the platinum card along the counter with a ‘We who are about to die salute you’ flair”? Or will everyone hunker down for...

Downturn Naughty, Not Nice to Seasonal Santas

Recession killing to holiday cheer

(Newser) - If you dress up as Santa Claus for extra holiday holly, you may need a miracle on 34th Street to make it through Christmas. The recession has spread to the North Pole, reports the Boston Globe, as Santas-for-hire find less work due to scaled-back Christmas party budgets and report rising...

Ditch the Bells, It's Time for a New Jingle
Ditch the Bells, It's Time
for a New Jingle
HOLIDAY MUSIC GUIDE
Dec 7, 2008 7:46 PM CST

Ditch the Bells, It's Time for a New Jingle

Chronicle compiles list of reworked holiday faves

(Newser) - Chestnuts may still be roasting on an open fire, but that doesn’t mean you can’t refresh your Christmas playlist. The San Francisco Chronicle compiles a list of new twists on old favorites to help you give the jingle bells a rest:
  • Sufjan Stevens, "That Was the Worst
...

Xmas Cards Reflect Country's Somber Mood

Glitzy cards picturing holiday excess are out; simple and traditional is in

(Newser) - Greeting card companies have noticed a big shift in what Americans want from their season’s greetings this year, the Wall Street Journal reports. As economic worries mount, glitzy holiday cards have fallen out of favor fast. Designers have made this year's cards more traditional, deepening reds and greens and...

Pro-Impeachment Ornament Won't Grace Bush Tree

(Newser) - A Seattle artist who created a Christmas tree ornament advocating the impeachment of President Bush will not see it hanging on the White House after all, the Washington Post reports. The first lady ordered that it be yanked down. “Oh, dear,” said Deborah Lawrence. “This doesn’t...

Just in Time for Holidays: No Job
Just in Time for
Holidays: No Job
Nov 30, 2008 5:03 AM CST

Just in Time for Holidays: No Job

Families struggle to save traditions on Tiny Tim budgets

(Newser) - Few things ruin the holidays like losing a job. Yet that's what's happening to thousands of Americans just as they were planning to treat friends and families to gifts and holiday gatherings. The turnaround is excruciating as families struggle to save traditions on extremely tight budgets, reports the New York ...

Secrets of A Christmas Story
 Secrets of A Christmas Story 
Nov 29, 2008 5:13 AM CST

Secrets of A Christmas Story

(Newser) - A Christmas Story is beloved by all, as evidenced by the enduring Christmas Eve marathons on TBS. But there are probably some things you don’t know about the timeless flick. The Cleveland Plain-Dealer runs down 25 of them.
  • The Cleveland house used for exterior shots is now a museum
...

Zoo Makes Gifts from Reindeer Poo

(Newser) - Reindeer have found yet another way to give of themselves for our holiday benefit. An Illinois zoo is selling Christmas tree ornaments fashioned from the creatures' droppings, the Bloomington-Normal Pantagraph reports. The small droppings are dried, painted, and incorporated into whimsical designs. The $5 gifts have been dubbed “magical...

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