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Posted on Dec 22, 2011 by 
Christmas songs are part of the season. Most establishments and radio stations play them as early as November. They help condition the brain and set the holiday mood. It is said that music releases a brain chemical called dopamine which is a neurotransmitter that rewards human activities linked to pleasure. This is the reason why most people feel good when listening to Christmas songs. It reminds people of pleasant memories and common holiday cheer
People shop more when establishments play them. Based on surveys, 95% of consumers are in the shopping vibe and tend to splurge when holiday tunes are played as compared to everyday music they are familiar with, for the reason that it ignites the festive mood and brings about good feelings.
Here is a list of top 10 most played Christmas songs in the UK:
1. All I want for Christmas is You – Mariah Carey
2. Fairytale of New York – The Pogues
3. Merry Xmas Everybody - Slade
4. Stop the Cavalry – Jona Lewie
5. Do They Know it’s Christmas? – Band Aid
6. Driving Home for Christmas – Chris Rea
7. Last Christmas – Wham
8. I Believe in Father Christmas – Greg Lake
9. Step Into Christmas – Elton John
10. Wonderful Christmas Time – Paul McCartney
Source: PPL & PRS for Music
Other popular Christmas songs include Jingle Bells, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, White Christmas, Merry Christmas Everybody, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Santa Baby. The types of songs played are also vital factors. Some Christmas songs actually drive people away. So it is best to stay with a common playlist that everyone loves.
Image from flickr./com/photos/amanda_munoz
It’s no secret that it rains a lot in Britain. Even tourists know this, and Britain natives are well aware of how often it can drizzle in their fair country. But if you’re not a local and are visiting Britain, what can you do to entertain yourself when it does (inevitably) rain? Read the following suggestions for perfect rainy day activities.
Visit A Museum
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Is there anything better than visiting a wonderful zoo with your family? Being up close and personal with all those wild animals is fun, exhilarating, and educational. The next time you’re traveling throughout Great Britain, you should definitely check out some of their local zoos. The ones listed below are perfect for a wonderful day out with your family
London Zoo
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It only takes a minute to take your blog to another level. All you have to do is click on the “Get Featured” link on top of the site. It will then ask you to enter your blog details and send the payment via Paypal.
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With the holidays just around the corner, English parents like many others around the world, will be scrambling to find the latest hot toy or video game for their kids. This often means driving around until said gift is located – it is frequently out of stock due to demand – and standing in long lines. Generally, the experience is quite foul – and all for a silly toy or clothing item that has scant intrinsic value and certainly very little educational substance.
The worst part is this scenario isn’t relegated simply to children’s games and toys. There are gifts to be purchased for older children and adults as well. And the cycle continues unabated.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are many choices for high quality educational gifts that anyone would love. We really mean that. In many cases the gift is so fun or cool it’s easy to dismiss the fact that you’re actually learning something in the process. For example, it may be the story behind the gift, or a certain cause that its purchase supports that makes it educational in a broader sense.
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Now more than ever personal research is important when planning a holiday. It doesn’t matter whether we’re talking a long weekend or a several month stay in a foreign country – knowing all you can before you go will pay huge dividends in the end.
Bargain shopping doesn’t end when you’ve purchased your plane or train ticket. Understanding the culture and economy of your host country can prove beneficial in unexpected ways. For example, many countries’ markets and retail operators strictly adhere to bartering principles that dictate no one ever pays the advertised price. That is, of course, unless you don’t know any better.
Research can also turn up local secrets. These tips can range from dinner recommendations to taxi-scam warnings to guidance in finding the best “for-free” attractions and activities a locale has to offer.
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The weather may be chilly in February 2012, but the runways will be hot, hot, hot. The event is set to kick off on February 17 and commence with menswear on February 22. There is certainly a lot to buzz about the event and fashionistas are getting ready to see some of the hottest designers Great Britain has to offer. If you’re into fashion, here are just a few things you should know about Fashion Week 2012 in London.
About the Event
Fashion Week 2012 in London is one of the biggest fashion events in the world. The event draws visitors from 25 different countries and is said to be one of the top influences in fashion. This isn’t a small fashion show to showcase the work of a handful of artists. Instead, hundreds of designers will be there in hopes of gaining their share of the l00 million pounds that the event generates in orders. Starting on February 17 at Somerset House, Strand, London the week promises to be big with some of the largest names in fashion and some of the hottest looks for autumn/winter 2012. Continue reading »
Thinking about a trip to London? Want to eat in the most decadent restaurants the city has to offer? Maybe a spot of tea or traditional English cuisine? It can all be found in London, if you know where to look. Here are just five decadent five-star restaurants in London.
The Dorchester
Located at Park Lane, Mayfair The Dorchester has been serving up excellence for over 80 years. A great way to treat yourself at The Dorchester is to enjoy afternoon tea, which includes a variety of finger sandwiches served on fresh baked bread. That isn’t all though. The tea also includes a variety of French pastries, scones with homemade jams and clotted cream, and a selection of grand and rare teas. It’s truly one of the best ways to experience a spot of tea in England.
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Masala is something that a lot of Londoners crave for. Though it is not really British in origin, it is now associated with the food from the city. And when we talk British cuisine, who comes to mind first? Different people would have different answers but I am sure that the name Nigella Lawson would come up a lot. Here is a different twist to masala, according to Nigella.
Ingredients
1 tsp vegetable oil
1 spring onion, finely sliced
1 chilli, red or green
1 garlic clove, microplaned or finely chopped
0.25 tsp Turmeric
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp umami seasoning **
2 egg, beaten
1 pinch Coriander, chopped for sprinkling overMethod
1. Preheat the grill.
2. Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan 20-27cm in diameter and fry the spring onion, chilli and turmeric until soft. Add the other spices and fry for another minute stirring occasionally.
3. Add the beaten eggs, swirling the pan to help the eggs set underneath.
4. When the omelette is nearly set, flash it under a hot grill to finish it off, and serve with fresh coriander and chapattis.
Nigella has some notes:
I should say that when I cook this for myself, on a weekday at least, I usually dispense with most of the ingredients: I chop two peppers, turn them around in a hot pan with a little bit of oil for a while, then beat them into a couple of eggs, adding some roughly chopped coriander and Maldon salt at the same time. I then pour everything back into the frying pan and cook for a few minutes before sitting the pan under the grill for a top-setting minute or so.
And feel free to add as well as subtract ingredients: grated ginger is good, as is chopped fresh mint and, indeed, dried. You can eat this, flat on the plate, with a knife and fork, or roll it up inside a chapati that you’ve just warmed through in the microwave.
** We also should note here that Umami (or MSG) has been declared safe by countless medical and scientific food regulators. It is in fact much healthier (and more tasty!) than normal table salt.
If you’re planning a trip to Great Britain, with kids in tow, you will be pleased to find that there is a wide array of awe-inspiring sites and attractions that will please everyone in your travel party – no matter what age. For activities that will no doubt have the kids squealing with delight and sharing their travel stories with friends, be sure to check out these five awesome sites for kids in Great Britain. Continue reading »
