I love the holidays. From Thanksgiving through New Year’s is my favorite time of year. Okay, who am I kidding; my holiday season begins on Halloween. I love the music, decorations, and fellowship of the season. Christmas movies, music, and decorations, just can’t be beat. And I love learning holiday facts. With that in mind, here are a few of my favorite Christmas websites.

The Night a War Took a Break

The Christmas Truce If you’re unfamiliar with this story you should read this article. On December 24th, 1914 during one of the bloodiest conflicts the world has ever known, deep in the trenches during WWI, peace broke out. What began as shared singing of Christmas carols across enemy lines became a celebration, which included sharing food, drink, and gifts.

There’s a Cat in the Tree

Tree Decorating 101 This isn’t quite what you might think. It’s for cats. It’s cats decorating a Christmas tree, with step-by-step instructions and photos. I mean. It’s cats!

A Ghostly Christmas

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Nearly every Christmas season I read Charles Dicken’s the Christmas Carol. I have two copies. I’d be happy to loan you one, but there’s no need. This site has the complete book for free.

And if you want the whole experience go to Dickens Fair a vintage exhibition hall converted to old London with dance halls, tea rooms, and period costumed Christmas revelers. Enjoy the photo gallery and videos.

If you’d like to create the Dickens era in your home, try this A Victorian Christmas.

Take a Photo Like a Pro

Strobist: How To Photograph Christmas Lights.  Are you like me and never know the best lighting, perspective, or distance to photograph your Christmas lights? If so, Strobist has the answers.

Good Grief

How Charlie Brown Christmas Came to Pass Do you love Charlie Brown Christmas? Is it a tradition in your family? Did you know that Charles Schultz and Vince Guaraldi’s first short, “A Boy Named Charlie Brown” was originally rejected by every television network? Read the back story on this site.

Fa La La La La La

Christmas Carol App – Last Christmas a dozen or so friends and I put on our winter coats, hats, and gloves, and went caroling. One member of our choir (I use the word loosely) informed her neighbors we were coming and several of them requested a visit. Along the way children and a few adults joined us. We weren’t always on key, but we were enthusiastic. I’m not certain which app we used, but one of our friends sent a caroling app to all of us. It was a heck of a lot easier than holding sheets of music.

We wish You a Merry Christmas, We Wish…

There you have it seven websites and one app that I hope will add joy to your holidays.

Photo Credit: Unsplash Photos  Photo by Rodion Kutsaev