Did you know that one of the oldest and largest Holiday parades in the world is Toronto’s Santa Claus Parade? I was lucky to be streetside last weekend to view this year’s great display, and would love to share some photos below!

What really marks the start of the Holiday Season for you, Parade? Sales? Snow? Let us know!

First, go to Wishmodo.com and sign in, you don’t even need to make an account because you can sign in with your Facebook. Unlike lots of other plugins for Facebook this one doesn’t post to your wall or your friends walls every time you do something (like add an item to your wishlist), but it does give you the option to post your wishlist afer you’ve created it to share with your friends.

Also, making a wishlist is super easy. You just install a wishmodo button into your browser and surf online as you usually do (there are also links on the site to some of the best online retailers and items, if you want to search that way). Once you find something you like just click the Wishmodo Button and it’ll be quickly added to your wishlists!

Obviously a huge time saver for us for Christmas coming up (so quickly!) let me know if you try it out and if you like it too!

There’s a new Comment System added to the Blog, here, so you can comment, tweet, or share using your own Facebook, Twitter or Yahoo logins! Let me know what you think about this upcoming holiday movie, or share the trailer with your friends on Facebook!

We redesigned the All Things Christmas Forum this weekend – what do you think?

Finally, don’t forget to follow us on Twitter – and possibly Win an Xmas DVD!

Rochdale’s town council has decided to start putting up the annual Christmas Lights this week. Citing budget reasons;

“We are currently undertaking a major project to replace old street lighting and are installing the festive displays too, which is more cost effective than having separate crews working at the same time” said Rochdale council’s executive director John Patterson.

Some people think it’s sensible, while others are humbugging the idea. Although, given past patterns, I suspect there’s simply someone on the council that’s as big a Christmas Fan as we are;

Rochdale council has a history of getting into the Christmas spirit early.

In 2009, it defended its decision to put up lights in Milnrow in August by claiming they would be used to mark festivals of other faiths.

Last year, it began installing displays in mid-September, saying the job took eight weeks and it had to start early in time for the ‘big switch-on’.

I, personally, would probably be OK with lights being up in my town Year-Round, but understandable to only turn them on in the Holiday Season, like November/December.

How early do you usually put up your lights?

Source: Metro.co.uk

Talk about this story on the All Things Christmas Forum. Thanks to The Mole for posting it!

Meet Gazer;

“Gazer’s job is to guide these wishing stars safely to the North Pole by pointing them in the right direction. He takes a lot of pride in his duties as he knows without him,these children’s wishes wouldn’t come true.

The wishing star’s trail wraps around Gazer’s body and appears on his hat with his eyes locked on the star.” – Designed by Keith Lapinig of Queens, NY.

The Great American Elf Adventure began with Macy’s hiding actual elf statuettes in their stores, nationwide! They gave clues on Facebook and Twitter as to the locations, and people could go and pick them up! Next, you designed your elf, and uploaded a picture to Facebook, where it was voted on, and eventually, Macy’s chose a winner!

I really like Gazer – and like what he represents, Christmas Wishes.

There are several other great designs, you can check out the Top 10 Gallery Here or, visit the Facebook App and see all the entries!

Also – just a reminder – Add @ThingsChristmas on Twitter for your chance to win a Free Xmas DVD – we’ll draw a winner on October 31 2011 if we have 1000 followers by then!

First, we’re now on Twitter as @thingschristmas! Blog Posts, interesting articles, contests, trivia challenges and lots more will be shared on Twitter, so please be sure to join! I’ve got a lot of BIG IDEAS!

Also, if we reach 1000 followers before October 31st I’m going to give away a Xmas DVD randomly to one of our followers! So be sure to add us, and share us with anyone else you know that LOVES CHRISTMAS.

Secondly, I just wanted to remind all of our Facebook Fans, that we have a GREAT Forum on the site, so you should stop by and share your photos, recipes, gift ideas & more on the All Things Christmas Forum!

So, stay tuned for lots of Christmas Cheer from All Things Christmas News Blog! Bye for now!

“Christmas Grinch strikes the metro. A family woke up to find their nativity scene stripped of a few important figures, including the baby Jesus. But they refuse to let this crime ruin their holiday.

As he was posting the note, a neighbor stopped to bring him a very unexpected gift; a new set including Mary, Joseph, a wise man and yes, even a baby Jesus.”Read the entire article (with video) online.

Showing the real sprit, at least the story has a happy ending!

Just 10 Days left till Christmas!

“I am responsible for two of the worst songs in history. One is Do They Know It’s Christmas?” Geldof says, and in case you didn’t know, “and the other one is We Are The World.” Both are well known as compilations of popular artists of their day. Do They Know It’s Christmas came out 26 years ago, if you don’t count the 2004-remake.

I personally don’t hate that song at all, however there are at least a few people who agree on our Christmas Forums, stop by and let us know which Christmas Songs are simply terrible, too.

[Source: Daily Mail Online]

Lucky not only can you watch this on NBC if you live in the states, you can also watch the Parade LIVE Online, see the links below.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
http://social.macys.com/parade2010/
When: Thursday, November 25, 2010 starting at 9:00am
Watch on NBC or Online (NBC Live)

Here is the link to the EarthCam feeds, which has 7 Cameras on Times Square, three of which are in HD.

Once Santa arrives at the end of the Parade, it’s most people’s signal for the real start of the Christmas Season. Even if you celebrate, like we do, year round. I hope everyone has a safe & happy Thanksgiving if you’re in the USA!

Here is the Track List (from the Daily Mail website):

Here Comes Santa Claus
For a young rebel, Elvis had quite traditional tastes, and this jaunty tune was another Forties classic, written by ‘The Singing Cowboy’, Gene Autry.

Blue Christmas
Elvis’s version of this 1948 country lament added rock ’n’ roll touches while enshrining the song as a Christmas standard.

Santa Claus Is Back In Town
This erupts into a storming, somewhat lascivious blues number and
was Elvis’s choice to open his first festive record.

Silent Night
Elvis is one of more than 300 artists to have recorded a version of this. Bing Crosby, the Christmas specialist, got there first, of course.

I’ll Be Home For Christmas
Another adaptation of an old Bing Crosby hit which was the most popular request among serving American soldiers during the Second World War. Within months of releasing his own version, Elvis would be drafted.

O Come All Ye Faithful
A grand interpretation with crashing drums, orchestra and choir, this opened Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas, his second Christmas album.

Santa Bring My Baby Back
One of two songs commissioned for Elvis’s Christmas Album, this swinging number was penned by two Presley writers, Schroeder and ­Deme­trius. Schroe­­der later wrote It’s Now Or Never.

O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Back in reflective mood, The King croons his way through this timeless carol in its less familiar US version.

The First Noel
Elvis captures the sound of a church recital with this take on a devotional favourite, adorned with organ, piano and choir.

Winter Wonderland
Back to his country and rock ’n’ roll roots, Winter Wonderland was 37 years old by the time Elvis recorded it.

If Every day Was Like Christmas
Red West, one of Presley’s Memphis Mafia entourage, wrote this for his old high school friend. It was recorded in Nashville in 1966 and released as a single.

On A Snowy Christmas Night
Sentimental ballad recorded, like the rest of The Wonderful World Of Christmas, in May 1971.

The Wonderful World Of Christmas
Christmas was indeed a wonderful world for Elvis, who would shower family and friends with presents. His gifts for wife Priscilla included a horse, a pearl and diamond ring, and a toy poodle she named Honey.

It Won’t Seem Like Christmas (Without You)A song of regretful absence closes Christmas Peace. Elvis spent many Christmases away from home, but 1971 found him at Graceland, though trouble was looming. He and Priscilla would split in February, 1972.