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Mariah sings for Mickey in a very festive red dress as Ms Carey joins the Christmas celebrations at Disney World

By GEORGINA LITTLEJOHN

All I Want For Christmas: Mariah Carey performs her festive classic as she joins in the celebrations at Disney World, Florida

It's one of the most well-known Christmas songs of recent times that has been described as a 'holiday standard'.

And being heavily pregnant with twins wasn't going to stop Mariah Carey belting out her Yuletide classic 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' for a delighted audience at Disney World this weekend.

The pop star looked happy and glowing as she performed at the theme park in Orlando, Florida for the resort's Christmas celebrations.

Mariah, 40, who is expecting twins next Spring, sang her classic Christmas song in a cute red dress with white trim.

Then she disappeared and came back on stage in a black dress to to sing her new holiday single 'Oh Santa,' which is currently at No. 1 in the US charts.

Cinderella's Castle: Mariah comes out to perform against the famous Disney backdrop

But while she was in Orlando singing her heart out, her husband Nick Cannon was on the other side of the States, hosting the Christmas celebrations from Disney Land in Los Angeles.

Thankfully the couple did get to spend the holidays together as they had pre-recorded the shows - which were broadcast this weekend - earlier this month.

Glowing: Pregnancy is clearly suiting Mariah who beamed for her audience as she came on stage

Christmas cheer: Mariah came back on stage in a black dress to wrap up the concert

Mariah was joined at the Christmas Day Parade in Orlando - which was hosted in by American Idol presenter Ryan Seacrest - by singer Selena Gomez.

Performing in a white dress, Selena, 18, sent the crowd into a frenzy as she performed 'Winter Wonderland'.

Hello, Disney! Selena Gomez dressed all in white with festive red shoes as she came on stage to sing Winter Wonderland

Other artists performing at the event included this year's American Idol winner Lee DeWyze who sang Little Drummer Boy and Glee's Amber Riley.

It was the 27th annual parade at the Disney resorts and it travels along the park's Main Street with lots of famous characters including Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck.

Live from LA: While wife Mariah performed in Florida, Nick Cannon hosted the event at Disney Land in California

From Idol to Main Street: Ryan Seacrest reports from Disney World's parade

Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas is you (Disney Christmas Parade 2010)

source: dailymail

Merry Tweetmas! Celebrities take to their Twitter pages to spread some Christmas cheer

By GEORGINA LITTLEJOHN

Fairy on the tree: Kylie Minogue sent a video Christmas message with her inside a bauble

It's the one day of the year that they can forget about their celebrity duties and relax at home with their families.

But for some famous faces, Christmas wasn't complete this year without an online update of their Yuletide comings and goings.

Some, including Jonathan Ross, just wanted to offer their best Christmas wishes to their fans and followers.

Others, such as Dannii and Kylie Minogue wanted to post a video message to everyone.
And some celebrities just wanted to show off their families and where they would be eating their turkey feast, just like Gordon Ramsay.

The celebrity chef and his family spent the day touring round some of his restaurants to visit his staff before stopping at Claridge's for their Christmas dinner.

Christmas smackers: Dannii Minogue blew her followers some kisses in her video message from her home in Melbourne

They started at the Savoy Grill where Ramsay posed with the kitchen staff for a picture to Tweet.

He wrote: 'Merry Christmas from all the amazing team @ The Savoy Grill , lunch is about to start xxx'

Then it was on to the York & Albany, his restaurant in Camden and where his children - daughters Megan, 12, Matilda, eight, and ten-year-old twins Jack and Holly - posed with Santa Claus, with Ramsay writing: 'Kids with Santa @ The York&Albany , there slightly miffed he's so fat , and sounds Australian ! X'

Sexy Miss Santa: Myleene Klass sent her followers' pulses racing in her strapless red dress and Santa hat

It was then on to Claridge's where his wife Tana took a picture of him and the children with the chefs which he posted and wrote with it: 'Just arrived @ Claridges for lunch and the Chefs Table is in full flow ! Can't wait to start eating.'

Meanwhile, TV host Jonathan Ross got wife Jane Goldman to take a picture of him and his puppy Snowball and wrote: 'Here's a Christmas pic of Professor Snowball and me.

Happy Holidays! Big love to Pagans, Jedward fans and all the Little Gaga Monsters x'
Pop star Kylie and her X Factor judge sister Dannii Minogue treated their faithful followers to a video message in which they sent their Christmas love, Kylie from London and Dannii from Melbourne.

Baby's first Christmas: Danielle Lloyd poses with her five-month-old son Archie in his Santa Claus costume

Spoiled rotten: Big Brother 8 contestant Chanelle Hayes showered her five-month-old son Blakely with gifts on Christmas Day

Looking stunning in the sun a red halterneck, Dannii wrote: 'Wishing everyone a very happy Christmas all the way from sunny Melbourne! See you in the new year. Love and kisses Dx.'

And Kylie, who sent a message that saw her blowing kisses from a Christmas tree bauble wrote: '*MeRrY ChRiStMaS* everyone at home in OZ!!!!! Miss you, kiss you!! Love Kylie xxx'

Former model Gail Porter posted a very Disney photo of her daughter Honey with her Toy Story toys and A Muppets Christmas Carol and wrote: 'Now that's what I call Christmas. With extra sunrays. X'

Christmas Saturday: Frankie Sandford, one fifth of girl group The Saturdays, wore reindeer earrings

And pregnant TV presenter Myleene Klass set her followers' pulses racing when she posed for a picture in a strapless red dress and a Santa hat.

Describing her Christmas day with three-year-old daughter Ava and partner Graham Quinn, Klass said: 'Gray and I scrambling around looking for batteries, building a dolls house and eating Santa's mince pies. Merry Xmas everyone...

'Before I fall into my food coma, I hope you're all having a wonderful Xmas with your families.'

Enjoying their first Christmas as a mother was model Danielle Lloyd and reality TV star Chanelle Hayes.

Santa Gordon and his elves: Celebrity chef Gordan posed with his staff at Savoy Grill

Ho ho ho! Gordon's children - Megan, 12, Matilda, eight, and ten-year-old twins Jack and Holly - pose with Santa at the York & Albany restaurant

Both Lloyd and Hayes posted photos of themselves cuddling their respective sons, Archie and Blakely.

Celebrity Big Brother star Lloyd dressed her five-month-old son in a cute Santa Claus costume, while Hayes posed surrounded by presents with her little boy.

She wrote on Twitter: 'Merry Christmas everybody!! This is my first Christmas with my own little family. Christmas with my boys!! So happy and blessed.'

The Saturdays singer Frankie Sandford showed off her reindeer earrings as she spent Christmas with her family at home in Essex.

Puppy love: Jonathan Ross posed for a Merry Christmas picture with his pooch Snowball

Seasonal sunshine: Gail Porter Tweeted a picture of her daughter Honey and her new toys as the sun shone through the window

Kylie Minogue - Santa Baby Christmas In Rockefeller Center 30-11-2010

source :dailymail

Christmas tree lighting,

People take photos of a Christmas snowman installation at a shopping mall in Jakarta on December 24, 2010. Indonesia's top Islamic body said on December 23 that Christmas decorations in malls, amusement centres and public places were 'excessive and provocative' in the Muslim-majority country. Nearly 90 percent of Indonesia's 234 million people are Muslim, most of whom practise a moderate version of the religion.

A woman (R) takes pictures of her friend in front of a Christmas tree at a shopping mall in Beijing on December 23, 2010. China on December 23 pledged its backing to eurozone countries amid an ongoing debt crisis and said Europe would be a 'major market' for investment of Beijing's massive foreign exchange reserves.

A man rides on the escalator next to a Christmas tree decoration at a shopping mall in Beijing on December 23, 2010. China on December 23 pledged its backing to eurozone countries amid an ongoing debt crisis and said Europe would be a 'major market' for investment of Beijing's massive foreign exchange reserves.

People shop in a shopping mall decorated with Christmas ornaments in Jakarta on December 24, 2010. Indonesia's top Islamic body said on December 23 that Christmas decorations in malls, amusement centres and public places were 'excessive and provocative' in the Muslim-majority country. Nearly 90 percent of Indonesia's 234 million people are Muslim, most of whom practise a moderate version of the religion.

People shop in a shopping mall decorated with a giant Christmas tree made of 59,327 mineral water bottles from visitors in Jakarta on December 24, 2010. Indonesia's top Islamic body said on December 23 that Christmas decorations in malls, amusement centres and public places were 'excessive and provocative' in the Muslim-majority country. Nearly 90 percent of Indonesia's 234 million people are Muslim, most of whom practise a moderate version of the religion.

source: Daylife
photo: Gettyimages

Foreign tourists pose with an elephant dressed in a Santa Claus costume

Foreign tourists pose with an elephant dressed in a Santa Claus costume for a group photo during a promotional event to mark the Christmas season at a school in Ayutthaya province on December 24, 2010. The event, where the elephants passed out presents to the school's students, was held as part of a campaign to promote Christmas in Thailand.

An elephant dressed as Santa Claus distributes candy to students during Christmas celebrations at Jirasart school in Ayutthaya, 70 km (44 miles) north of Bangkok, December 24, 2010.

An elephant dressed in a Santa Claus costume gives out gifts to students to mark the Christmas season at a school in Ayutthaya province on December 24, 2010. The event was held as part of a campaign to promote Christmas in Thailand.

Elementary school students at Jirasartwitthaya school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, reach out to receive presents from elephants dressed as Santa Friday, Dec. 24, 2010. The Christmas event has been held for at least five years at the Thai school where the majority of the students are Buddhist.

Thai mahouts dressed as Santa's helpers gather outside Jirasartwitthaya school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, prior to a show featuring elephants dressed as Santa Claus Friday, Dec. 24, 2010. The Christmas event has been held for at least five years at the Thai school where the majority of the students are Buddhist.

An elephant dressed in a Santa Claus costume performs by standing on its hind legs before giving out gifts to students to mark the Christmas season at a school in Ayutthaya province on December 24, 2010. The event was held as part of a campaign to promote Christmas in Thailand.

A Thai mahout, dressed as Santa's helper, watches outside Jirasartwitthaya school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, prior to a show featuring elephants dressed as Santa Claus Friday, Dec. 24, 2010. The Christmas event has been held for at least five years at the Thai school where the majority of the students are Buddhist.

Elephants dressed in Santa costumes in Thailand

source: Daylife
photo: Gettyimages

Christmas and New Year celebrations

The New Year tree is decorated for Christmas and New Year celebrations at Independence Square in the Ukrainian capital Kiev, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010. New Year is widely celebrated as the most popular holiday in Ukraine, with Orthodox Christmas on Jan. 7.

A man carries a shopping bag while walking in front of a Christmas tree at Union Square in San Francisco, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010.

A Christmas tree and ornaments decorate a park in the Beirut suburb of Sin el-Fil on December 22, 2010.

A Christmas tree is erected in front of Al-Amin Mosque in downtown Beirut on December 22, 2010.

People walk in front of a lit Christmas tree in Aristotelous Square in the northern Greek port city of Thessaloniki, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010.

New Year Tree 2010 Kharkov, Ukraine

Christmas Tree @ Beirut Souks

Christmas Tree Union Square San Francisco 2010

An Aristotle square Christmas

Christmas lights at Disney world

source: AP photo, Gettyimages

Heston Blumenthal's perfect Christmas: From succulent turkey to perfectly crisp potatoes, Britain's top chef serves up a festive feast to remember

By HESTON BLUMENTHAL

His Hidden Orange pudding has been the hit of this year’s festive treats, selling out in days. Here, exclusively for the Mail, Heston Blumenthal gives his guide to the perfect Christmas dinner.

The perfect roast: Heston Blumenthal gets busy in the kitchen

ROAST TURKEY

Serves 6, with leftovers

Prepare: 20 minutes, plus brining
Cook: 3–4 hours (40mins/kg), plus resting

Ingredients
4–4.5kg free-range turkey
800g salt
200g unsalted butter, at
room temperature
3 onions, sliced
2 carrots, sliced
3 leeks, sliced (white and pale
green parts only)
50ml dry white wine
15g rosemary
15g thyme

Method
1. Chop the wing tips off the turkey and reserve for the gravy.

2. Brine the turkey on Christmas Eve by mixing the salt and 10 litres of water in a clean container and stirring until the salt has dissolved. Submerge the turkey in the brine, cover with a lid or foil and leave in a cool place for at least nine hours or overnight.

Remove the bird from the brine and submerge it in cold water for one hour, changing the water at 15-minute intervals. Dry the turkey well with kitchen paper.

3. Preheat the oven to 210c, fan oven 200c, gas mark 6. With clean hands, work the skin away from the flesh of the bird and rub 100g of butter between the skin and the flesh, being careful not to tear the skin. Rub any remaining butter over the skin of the bird. Season with salt and black pepper.

Set the bird on top of the onions, carrots and leeks in a roasting tin; add the wine and cook in the oven for 30 minutes to colour the skin.

4. Melt the remaining 100g butter in a pan and add the rosemary and thyme.

5. Reduce the oven temperature to 130c, fan oven 120c, gas mark ½. Baste the turkey with the herb butter and cook until the thickest part around the neck or thigh reaches 70c (you’ll need a probe thermometer). Continue basting every 45 minutes (when the butter gets used up, use the cooking juices in the roasting tin to baste). This should take three to three-and-a-half hours, depending on the size of the turkey and the type of oven.

It is important to check that the turkey is cooked by cutting into the thickest part (between the breast and thigh) to be sure that none of the meat is pink, and the juices run clear.

6. Remove the turkey from the oven and allow to rest for at least 30 minutes before carving. Reserve the pan juices and vegetables for making the gravy.
Per serving 560kcals/8g carbs/6g sugars/38g fat/20g saturated fat/2.6g salt

source: dailymail

Christmas celebrations

Christmas decorations are seen at a traditional Christmas market in Vienna December 21, 2010.

A boat, the traditional Greek symbol of Christmas, is illuminated in Aristotelous Square in the northern Greek port city of Thessaloniki, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010.

A man looks at Christmas decoration in Sin El Fil, northeast of Beirut December 21, 2010.

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 21: Thousands of hoiday tourists visit Rockefeller Center on December 21, 2010 in New York City. With only four shopping days left before the Christmas holiday, many New York businesses are experiencing robust sales as shoppers ease economic concerns to buy clothes, appliances and technology goods.

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 21: Thousands of shoppers converge along 34th St. and Herald Square on December 21, 2010 in New York City. With only four shopping days left before the Christmas holiday, many New York businesses are experiencing robust sales as shoppers ease economic concerns to buy clothes, appliances and technology goods.

Children look at Christmas decoration in Sin El Fil, northeast of Beirut December 21, 2010.

Shoppers walk through a street illuminated with Christmas lights in Valletta December 21, 2010.

A boat, the traditional Greek symbol of Christmas, and a Christmas tree are illuminated in Aristotelous Square in the northern Greek port city of Thessaloniki, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010.

Crowds throng to a shopping mall decorated for Christmas in Hong Kong on December 21, 2010. Christmas shopping is now in full swing with restaurants and retail outlets jam packed all over the territory.

People visit a traditional Christmas market in front of the Empress Maria Theresa monument in Vienna December 21, 2010.

A woman looks at Christmas tree ornaments at a traditional Christmas market in Vienna December 21, 2010.

A picture shows the skyline by night with some buildings showing fetive decoration from the Kowloon peninsula in Hong Kong on December 21, 2010. Christmas shopping is now in full swing with restaurants and retail outlets jam packed all over the territory.

A photographer takes pictures outside a shopping mall decorated for Christmas in Hong Kong on December 21, 2010. Christmas shopping is now in full swing with restaurants and retail outlets jam packed all over the territory.

A woman takes pictures of Christmas decoration in Ashrafieh, east Beirut December 21, 2010.

Hundreds of people queue outside St Pancras Station in London for the Eurostar train to France and Belgium Tuesday Dec. 21, 2010. Major delays and cancellations persisted Tuesday at European airports including London's Heathrow, and on the Eurostar train link, leaving thousands stranded across Europe as Christmas approached.

Passengers queue for Eurostar trains on December 21, 2010 at Paris gare du Nord railway station during ongoing delays caused by the weather. Thousands of angry travellers forced to sleep in airports and train stations across Europe faced more misery Tuesday as fresh snowfalls paralysed transport systems just days before Christmas.

Crossing guard Lisa Green dresses as a ginger bread house on the final day of school before the Christmas holiday break, Tuesday, Dec 21, 2010, in Brunswick, Maine. Green wears a variety of hand-made costumes to celebrate a half-dozen holidays each school year.

Pakistani Kaleem Masih paints Santa Claus and a Christmas message on a wall as he and others decorate their colony ahead of Christmas celebrations, Islamabad, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010.

A girl wearing an Angel costume talks to children at the 16th annual Christmas Celebration for the Homeless at the Estrel convention center on December 21, 2010 in Berlin. German singer Frank Zander founded the event, which offers an evening of Christmas goose dinner, performances and Christmas gifts for the German capital's many homeless.

People enjoy a dinner in Berlin, December 21, 2010. For the 16th time German Musician Frank Zander hosts his annual Christmas dinner for homeless and poor people in the German capital.

A view of Paris' snow-covered roofs on December 19, 2010 after heavy snowfalls. Heavy snow disrupted European air travel this weekend and stranded hundreds of drivers in their cars as far south as Italy as a white Christmas appeared increasingly likely for many places.

People climb snow-covered stairs to the Sacre Coeur basilica on December 19, 2010 in Paris after heavy snowfalls. Heavy snow disrupted European air travel this weekend and stranded hundreds of drivers in their cars as far south as Italy as a white Christmas appeared increasingly likely for many places.

People enjoy ice skating on the snowcovered Trocadero gardens near the Eiffel Tower, on December, 19, 2010 in Paris. Heavy snow disrupted European air travel this weekend and stranded hundreds of drivers in their cars as far south as Italy as a white Christmas appeared increasingly likely for many places.