Solstice plants, roast goose, real gingerbread

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

Daily Newsletter for Thursday, December 20, 2018

Christmas barn

Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat,
Please to put a penny in the old man's hat;
If you haven't got a penny, a ha'penny will do,
If you haven't got a ha'penny, God bless you! 

–Beggar's rhyme
Thursday, December 20, 2018
 354th day of the year


 
2019 Calendars > Learn More
 
Plants of the Winter Solstice

 Plants of the Winter Solstice
Many trees and plants were important to the celebration of the winter solstice (on December 21) both as symbols and as decorations. Find out their meaning …
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Buffets: Easy & Relaxed

 How to Set Up a Buffet Table
For stress-free holiday entertaining, set up a buffet table. Guests can mingle instead of being stuck in their seat, the host doesn’t have to hop up and down to wait on them, and everyone has freedom to eat what and when they wish! Here are 12 tips for setting up a buffet table.
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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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$14.95
 
Fun and Easy Rugelach

 Raspberry Walnut Rugelach

Sweet and flakey, rugelach (which translate to “little twists” or “rolled things”) are Jewish pastries which have become a popular dessert across America.
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The 2019 Old Farmer's Almanac Gardening Calendar
Our perennial best-seller for over 40 years! Features original, full-color illustrations.
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$9.99
 
Classic Christmas Goose

 Roast Goose

Traditionally, the finest possible fare—and most historic—for a holiday dinner is roast goose. (Remember that scene from Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”?) For an old-fashioned Christmas dinner, here’s how to roast the golden goose.
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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
 
Avoid Holiday Tummy Bugs

 5 Ways to Prevent Nasty Stomach Bugs Over the Holidays
Feeling sick to your stomach? Overindulgence in holiday goodies might not be the culprit. ‘Tis the season for stomach bugs. And, by the way, there’s no such thing as stomach flu.
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The 2019 Old Farmer's Almanac Weather Watcher's Calendar
For those who like to keep an eye on the sky! Dramatic images of fantastic weather phenomena. 
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$9.99