Rovaniemi is the Official Hometown of Santa Claus.. and.. the city’s most famous resident can be visited every day of the year in Santa Claus Village right on the Arctic Circle.. an attraction that draws more than 300, 000 annual visitors from all around the world. Santa works each and every day because it's important to meet and greet the people who love him..it's also an opportunity to listen to what people want for Christmas... 

Santa Claus’ original home lies in the mysterious Korvatunturi (“Ear Fell”) in Finnish Lapland. Since the exact location is a secret only known to a chosen few.. he decided to establish an office in Rovaniemi.. the capital of Lapland in 1985. Rovaniemi received the status of the Official Hometown of Santa Claus in 2010.

Dropping in to say:

And for any Jewish members out there:

Break a leg Banjo...hope you have sold out seats this weekend...lol

This goes towards explaining why Ray is prancing about in a Santa outfit

:) Wow ... just got my Xmas Card from Malcolm and Lucy ... waiting for Bill's now.

http://www.pm.gov.au/christmas/

From the Australian (could be a subscriber page so have C&P'd it here in the interests of a festive season ... pollie-wise):

One of the final acts of the Whitlam government as money began to run out in 1975 was to ban the supply and postage of Christmas cards. One of the first decisions by Malcolm Fraser was to rescind that order.

In the 40 years since, the prime minister’s Christmas card has been a source of fascination and conversation, and this year Malcolm­ Turnbull is making his own innovation by adopting the growing­ practice of sending an electronic card.

But the Prime Minister will still honour tradition by following the design set by his Liberal predecessors John Howard and Tony ­Abbott of a formal picture with his wife, Lucy. The greeting is a simple: “Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.”

A very pollie Christmas  Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will send out an electronic card this year but a limited group, including MPs, the Governor-General and staff at The Lodge and Kirribilli House, will receive an actual official card.Bill Shorten has opted for a family photo this year, with the message ‘Wishing you peace and happiness this season and a prosperous New Year’.Kevin Rudd had favoured a photo at The Lodge with wife Therese and their pet dog and cat.John Howard and his wife Janette on their annual Christmas Card.Last year Tony Abbott used an image with children at Yirrkala School in Arnhem Land, taken when he was spending time in an indigenous community.5 of 9Julia Gillard shunned the personal photo in her three Christmases at The Lodge, instead, using a charity card from Oxfam, which showed baubles­ on a beach, Christmas trees on the beach and a gold bauble­ ­design.Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce has recreated a photo taken a decade ago with his wife and four daughters sitting on the same Parliament House bench, pictured here before.... and after.Labor frontbencher Andrew Leigh’s card has become an internet sensation.

A limited group, including MPs, the Governor-General and staff at The Lodge and Kirribilli House, will receive an actual official card identical to those from the Howard and Abbott eras, featuring the gold coat of arms on a green card.

Julia Gillard shunned the personal photo in her three Christmases at The Lodge and never sent a picture of herself and partner Tim Mathieson. Instead, Ms Gillard used a charity card from Oxfam, which showed baubles­ on a beach, Christmas trees on the beach and a gold bauble­ ­design.

Last year Mr Abbott dropped the family photo to use a snap with children at Yirrkala School in Arnhem Land, taken when he was spending time in an indigenous community, although in other years as Liberal leader he featured a photo of wife Margie and their daughters.

Kevin Rudd favoured a photo at The Lodge with wife Therese and their pet dog and cat.

Bill Shorten, who last year sent a card with a design by artists with an intellectual disability, has opted for a family photo this year, with a casual shot with wife Chloe and their children. The Opposition Leader’s message does not include the word Christmas, his office saying it was an inclusive greeting: “Wishing you peace and happiness this season and a prosperous New Year.”

Nationals leader Warren Truss and wife Lyn have sent a card featuring sparkling Christmas trees and promoting the Melanoma Institute. Greens leader Richard Di Natale’s card has a photo of the party’s 11 federal MPs.

While many politicians include family snaps or drawings by children, Labor frontbencher Andrew Leigh’s card, which has both, has become an internet sensation because­ of its honesty. The photo of smiling parents and two children also shows a third and youngest child, Zachary, sitting to the side with a grumpy pout.

Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce has recreated a photo taken a decade ago with his wife and four daughters sitting on the same Parliament House bench.

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE...

St Basil's Cathedral..Moscow in the snow...

RnR

Thank you for the wonderful background of the official Christmas card  as well as the link that I can email to all my Labor loving friends who most probably are not on the mailing list

http://www.pm.gov.au/christmas/  

What a beautiful card it is

Had a read of this thread. What a lot of great pics and comments. Glad you guys had a fabulous Christmas. Have to say mine was splendiforous!

The show went without a hitch, every seat sold out and we made a packet, but now can't decide in which direction to place the money. 

Family time was great and even the rellies behaved themselves. Although a lot of work, I am looking forward to next Christmas, won't be long now (hahha), they're already selling cross buns and I had a couple for breakfast. Not complaining.

Wish you all a great 2017.