December 25: Alternatives to Christmas

Bah! Humbug! Sick of Christmas? Ten other things you can celebrate instead!

1. The birthday of the Egyptian god Horus
2. National Pumpkin Pie Day
3. On this date in 1741 the Centigrade Temperature scale was devised by Anders Celsius and incorporated into a Delisle thermometer at Uppsala in Sweden.
4. The Internet's birthday: in 1990 the first successful trial run of the system which would become the World Wide Web took place today.
5. Taiwan Constitution Day
6. Anniversary of the coronations of Charlemagne and William the Conqueror
7. Humphrey Bogart's Birthday
8. Name day for those called Eugenia, Stella, Stacy or Anastasia.
9. Day of the Dog in the French Revolutionary Calendar.
10. Newtonmas/Gravity Day: Secular holiday celebrated in honour of Sir Isaac Newton, who was born on Christmas Day according to the old style calendar. He made important advances in science and mathematics. Since his birthday coincided with Christmas, his birthday is considered by some to be the perfect choice for a non-religious holiday. This is ironic because Sir Isaac Newton devoted more time to the study of Scripture than to science, and said, "I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God, written by those who were inspired. I study the Bible daily." Traditions: The Newtonmas Tree is an Apple tree, but because it's not nice to kill trees, Newtonmas trees are usually something green and treelike with apples, preferably synthetic ones, on them. Living apple trees are better, but they should be left where they are growing, although decorations like lights and ornaments are okay. Newtonmas morning everyone gathers around the Newtonmas Tree and exchanges gifts of knowledge. These gifts are usually books, but educational CDs, videos, and other media are acceptable also.

Merry Christmas!

My Christmas Novella!

A Very Variant Christmas

Last year, Jade and Gloria were embroiled in a bitter conflict to win back their throne and their ancestral home. This year, Queen Jade and Princess Gloria want to host the biggest and best Christmas party ever in their palace. They invite all their friends to come and bring guests. Not even the birth of Jade's heir just before Christmas will stop them.

The guest list includes most of Britain's complement of super-powered crime-fighters, their families and friends. What could possibly go wrong?

Gatecrashers, unexpected arrivals, exploding Christmas crackers and a kidnapping, for starters.

Far away in space, the Constellations, a cosmic peacekeeping force, have suffered a tragic loss. They need to recruit a new member to replace their dead colleague. The two top candidates are both at Jade and Gloria's party. The arrival of the recruitment delegation on Christmas Eve is a surprise for everyone; but their visit means one guest now faces a life-changing decision.

Meanwhile, an alliance of the enemies of various guests at the party has infiltrated the palace; they hide in the dungeon, plotting how best to get rid of the crime-fighters and the royal family once and for all. Problem is, they all have their own agendas and differences of opinion on how to achieve their aims.

Not to mention that this year, the ghosts who walk the corridors of the palace on Christmas Eve will be as surprised by the living as the living are by them.

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