Festive drinks, the holiday table, mistletoe

This is an archived issue of our Almanac.com Companion email newsletter.

Daily Newsletter for Friday, December 22, 2017

christmas singers

Let me be merry now, ’t is time;
     The season is at hand
For Christmas rhyme and Christmas chime,
     Close up, and form the band.

–Elizabeth Drew Stoddard (1823–1902)
Friday, December 22, 2017
 356th day of the year


Ralph Fiennes (actor) was born on this day in 1962.
Joe Strummer (singer) died on this day in 2002.
 
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Wassail to Punch Recipes

 10 Christmas Drinks to Get Into the Holiday Spirit
Toast the season with ten of our most festive Christmas drinks and cocktails! The holidays deserve fun and fragrant drinks—from our Ho, Ho, Ho Cocktail to mulled wine, spiced cider, eggnog, a Christmas punch, and more!
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The Old Farmer’s Almanac Gardening Notebook
A gardener’s most useful tool is knowledge from past seasons. Don’t rely on sticky notes or memory! You’ll love our beautiful Gardening Notebook with its waterproof cover—easy to bring to the garden. Keep records so you know when pests arrive and when to put preventative controls in place to avoid damage. Also, track what blossoms when, first and last frost dates, what was planted where, what worked, favorite varieties, what you want to move, and other notes. 
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$12.95
 
Easy Napkin Folding Ideas

 How to Fold a Napkin: Easy Napkin Folding Ideas
How do you fold a napkin properly? Here are two easy ways to fold cloth napkins for your next shindig, including the classic dinner napkin fold, as well as two more fun techniques to enhance your beautifully-set table in only a few minutes!
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The Old Farmer’s Almanac Weather Notebook
Keeps avid weather watchers engaged and entertained day after day for up to 4 years! 
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$14.95
 
The Holiday Table

 Christmas Table Decoration Ideas
As we gather together for holidays, the table we gather around becomes an important part of the festivities. Here are tips and ideas for decorating your dining room at Christmas.
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Magical Mistletoe

 Why Do We Kiss Under the Mistletoe?
Of all the plants used as Christmas decorations, none has as long and interesting a history as mistletoe. Discover the meaning of mistletoe, fascinating folklore, and why people kiss beneath it.
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The 2018 Old Farmer's Almanac Weather Watcher's Calendar
Features amazing photography, weather proverbs, historical weather events, and trivia! 
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$9.99
 
Benefits of Snow

 The Beauty and Benefits of Snow in the Garden
We finally had our first snow of the season. Whatever you may think of snow (and snow removal!), remember the old saying, “A good winter with snow makes all the plants grow.” 
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The 2018 Old Farmer’s Almanac Gardening Boxed Daily Calendar
Gardeners will be delighted with this nicely illustrated and gift-boxed page-a-day calendar!
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$14.99