Advent 4

Are you a Wise Man? Do YOU smoke cigarettes?

No, me neither. But I used to and my favourite-evers were Camel Filters. Although I never had any packs with Christmas themed adverts on them like these ones, from RJ Reynolds in Germany I think.

I can't imagine many, or any, countries these days allowing a tie-up between tobacco and Christmas. It's still ok for alcohol, but not cigarettes, or even cigars come to think of it which always had a Christmas themed ad until the 90s I'd guess. I'll see if I can find a cigar advert for later on in Advent.

But for now we'll close with the Camels, associated with (it's said) the Three Kings. I hope they were Wise Men who soon gave them up.

Advent 3

My first Christmas ..

 

Christmas stamps were issued by other countries well before the UK. I'll come back to the subject of UK Christmas stamps, and Tony Benn, later on in Advent.

Advent 2

Just crackers.

Advent 1

I was wondering what to put here to create a kind of Advent calendar. I've decided on some pictures of a nostalgic and vintage theme, with just a few words.

So to kick off we have a few old fashioned (vintage!) Christmas light bulbs. I'll probably put some more of these up in the next 23 days as I like them. This kind of bulb is usually in a string of 12, being rated at 20V (for anyone reading from overseas, domestic UK power is 240 volts).

They have been produced in this voltage and fitting (MES) format since at least the 1930s, and many of the original bulbs are still around and working today, having had relatively little use in total during the past 80 years.

This type of decorative bulb, called 'figural' when representing a particular item, person, or fruit, are an interesting and attractive thing to collect. It's even better if they're still working. So if you're looking around flea markets, reuse shops or car boot sales - my advice is - always carry a 9v battery.

 

Well well well,

so this old thing still works.

The Number One Job on the Number One Day

I hadn't seen this little gem of a cartoon for I don't know how long. I hope you like it.

If you're celebrating, have a good time. Merry Christmas.