2. The Ten Baubles on the E-X-P-A-T F-O-C-U-S Christmas Tree

by Jo James

In countries where Christmas is celebrated, it's hard to be indifferent to the festivities. You're either a Christmasophile or a Christmasophobe. Try to keep in mind that Christmas, like life, is what you make it.

With a few light-hearted observations and a bit about traditions from around the globe, may we present to you ten helpings of festive cheer, courtesy of the letters E-X-P-A-T F-O-C-U-S:

E - is for Expats and E-greetings. Too late to send a card, but you want to let someone know you're thinking of them? Send them a Christmas E-card. There are lots of sites offering free cards in a choice of designs. I liked the ones at http://www.virtual.finland.fi/xmas

X - is for Xmas???? Grrrrr!!!! Do you also loathe this lazy shortening of a great word? Keep Christmas merry by avoiding it altogether... Reject Xmas, embrace Christmas! Oh yes, and if you insist on sending me another Christmas family newsletter (also called a "round robin"), keep it cheery - leave out the parts about your illnesses and tone down those boastful anecdotes about your "extraordinarily gifted" offspring. Thanks!!

P - is for Peace on Earth, Partridges, Pear Trees, Presents and...Panettone! This Italian Christmas cake originates from Milan and is eaten as part of the celebration meal on Christmas Eve in Italy.

A - is for Advent, (Christmas) Art and Annunciation. There are countless works of art portraying scenes from the Nativity, but I always remember Fra Angelico's painting, depicting the angel who appears to the Virgin Mary to tell her she will give birth to the son of God. See an image of the painting at http://cgfa.sunsite.dk/angelico/p-angelic3.htm

T - is for Turkey, Tinsel, (Christmas) Trees and (I Saw) Three Ships. There is something so hopeful about the image of the three ships that "come sailing in". See and hear the carol "I Saw Three Ships" and other festive verse at http://www.carols.org.uk

F - is for Frankincense, Family, A "Fairytale of New York" (possible the greatest Christmas pop song ever?) and Festival of Lights. Diwali, the Hindu festival of light, celebrates the triumph of good over evil with fireworks and the lighting of lamps. What a nice idea, that twinkling fairy lights in our homes might remind us of the Christmas message, that of the triumph of light over darkness.

O - is for Orient, (Chestnuts Roasting on An) Open Fire and Ornaments. Since our daughter was born last year, our house has been systematically taken over by toys. Where previously we had room for two Christmas trees, there now remains space for only one, so I've had to be a bit creative in the tree-deprived room. I'm using ornaments (well, baubles actually but they don't start with an O!) to try something a bit more modern this year - a selection of the best baubles glamorously arranged in a crystal bowl. Naturally, it looks stunning and it's a space-saver, too!