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| Hello and welcome to The Essential List's festive special! Below you'll find a selection of holiday-related reads, from a travel piece about Sri Lanka's "love cake" that's only baked at Christmas, to a deep dive into why Mariah Carey continues to reign supreme at this time of year. We also have a fascinating history feature on 1946's It's a Wonderful Life, featuring an exclusive BBC archive interview with director Frank Capra. Wishing you a merry Christmas and a happy holiday season – and I'll be back in your inbox on Friday. | |
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 | ESSENTIAL FEATURES | The confronting Christmas classic | It's a Wonderful Life is remembered as a heartwarming Christmas tale, but beneath its sentimental surface is a profound exploration of mental health, societal expectations and the healing power of community. | |
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Puerto Rico's favourite holiday drink | This creamy, sweet drink is made with a trifecta of milks and, of course, rum – a staple of the island's festive season.
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| Four fascinating winter festivals in Europe | These vibrant festivals offer a fascinating glimpse into how folklore and religious traditions intertwine.
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| An insider's guide to shopping in New York City | A top stylist to the stars shares her tips for "getting lost" in the Big Apple's undeniably iconic shopping scene.
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| The addictive 'love cake' only baked at Christmas | Fruity, nutty and slightly tangy, this deliciously rich Sri Lankan Christmas dessert symbolises love and affection.
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| How Carey's hit became Christmas's defining song | Thirty years on, 1994's All I Want for Christmas Is You is a track that reigns supreme over the holiday season.
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| The story behind the first ever Christmas card | Hear from the great, great, great, great granddaughter of the man who is credited with creating the first festive missive.
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| The race to save Arctic foxes from extinction | The Norwegian Institute for Nature Research has been breeding Arctic foxes, a native species, in captivity since 2005.
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| Remembering George Michael, 40 years after Last Christmas | Wham!'s Andrew Ridgeley speaks to the BBC about coming to terms with the loss of his friend. | |
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| | Why do you assume Rudolph is a male reindeer? | Science says that Santa's magical flying sleigh must have been pulled by a crew of female reindeer. | |
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| | Christmas in the golden age of department stores | Watch archive footage from December 1978 of British shoppers flocking to buy their last-minute gifts. | |
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