TOLUNA
UK EDITION
Christmas at Toluna
What's On?
Christmas Songs - Then and Now
DECEMBER
editor's note
Welcome to the December Edition You can also hear about
of the Toluna Magazine! This Christmas Markets and some
Edition is really Christmas-filled as Toluna News!
I am a huge Christmas fan, I can't
help it! I hope that you love this edition!
Make sure to let me know what
I have some fun 'Blast from the you think in the Community!
Past' music again, but this time
Christmas themed, as well as some Enjoy!
modern Christmas songs that you
might not have heard. Abbie
2
04 What is Toluna?
05 Classic Christmas Films
06 Merry Christmas
07 Christmas Songs - Then
and Now
DECEMBER
12 What's on?
H E L L O
I S S U E
14 CMs' Xmas Traditions
16 #MyChristmasStory
18 #CCM
20 #TolunaWins
22 Toluna Millionaire
23 Toluna News
3
24 New Game
What is
Toluna?
4
HOME ALONE
This one is truly a classic, and the first one is
definitely the best. I don't think that I know
anyone who hasn't seen this film as it is
always necessary to watch at Christmas.
If you didn't already know, it involves a young
boy who is left by himself on the lead up to
Christmas, which causes hilarity! Watch the
SOME CLASSIC trailer here.
CHRISTMAS FILMS
ELF
This one isn't a classic like Home Alone,
but it has grown very popular in recent
years. It is hilarious and has a very
Christmassy feel to it as well.
You will recognise the Elf, Will Ferrell, from
his other famous films, it definitely is a
feel good film so I recommend it! Watch
the trailer here.
5
Merry
Christmas!
6
CHRISTMAS
SONGS
-
THEN
AND
NOW
7
BLAST FROM
D o y o u k n o w a l l o f t h e s e
I WISH IT COULD BE CHRISTMAS
EVERYDAY -
WIZZARD
(DECEMBER 1973)
I d o n ' t t h i n k t h a t a n y o n e c a n s a y t h a t
t h e y h a v e n ' t h e a r d t h i s s o n g b e f o r e - i t ' s
a n i c o n i c C h r i s t m a s s o n g ! W h e n e v e r I
h e a r t h i s s o n g , C h r i s t m a s h a s d e f i n i t e l y
s t a r t e d f o r m e , d e s p i t e i t b e i n g y e a r s
b e f o r e I w a s b o r n !
MERRY XMAS EVERYBODY -
SLADE
(7TH DECEMBER 1973)
Y o u c a n ' t g o t o a C h r i s t m a s p a r t y
w i t h o u t h e a r i n g t h i s s o n g !
T h i s s o n g w a s f i g h t i n g f o r t h e t o p s p o t
a t t h e s a m e t i m e a s W i z z a r d , g e t t i n g
t o N u m b e r 1 w h e n W i z z a r d o n l y
r e a c h e d N u m b e r 4 , b u t t h e y a r e b o t h
e q u a l l y g o o d .
8
THE PAST
c l a s s i c C h r i s t m a s S o n g s ?
HAPPY XMAS (WAR IS OVER) -
JOHN LENNON & YOKO ONO
(24TH NOVEMBER 1972)
T h i s s o n g d o e s n ' t h a v e a s m u c h
o f a j o l l y f e e l a s t h e o t h e r s , d u e t o
i t b e i n g a p r o t e s t s o n g a g a i n s t
t h e V i e t n a m W a r .
T h e s o n g r e a c h e d N u m b e r 4 a t
t h e t i m e o f r e l e a s e b u t t h e n
m a n a g e d t o p e a k a t N u m b e r 2 i n
D e c e m b e r 1 9 8 0 a f t e r J o h n
L e n n o n ' s d e a t h .
DO THEY KNOW IT'S CHRISTMAS -
BAND AID
(3RD DECEMBER 1984)
T h i s c h a r i t y s i n g l e p a v e d t h e w a y
f o r o t h e r s i m i l a r t r a c k s . I t w a s r e -
r e c o r d e d i n 1 9 8 9 , 2 0 0 4 a n d 2 0 1 4 .
T h e f i r s t r e l e a s e m a n a g e d t o
r a i s e £ 8 m i l l i o n i n j u s t o n e y e a r ,
m a k i n g i t a m a s s i v e s u c c e s s .
9
MODERN
H e r e a r e s o m e o f m y f a v o u r i t e m o d e r n C h r i s t m a s s o n g s .
UNDERNEATH THE TREE -
KELLY CLARKSON
(NOVEMBER 5TH 2013)
T h e m o d e r n s o n g s w i l l n e v e r b e
a s w e l l k n o w n a s t h e c l a s s i c s , b u t
t h e y a r e s t i l l g o o d t o l i s t e n t o a t
C h r i s t m a s t i m e .
I p a r t i c u l a r l y l i k e t h i s s o n g b y
K e l l y C l a r k s o n a n d I f e e l a s
t h o u g h i t h a s a v e r y h a p p y f e e l t o
i t a n d p u t s a m o d e r n s p i n o n
C h r i s t m a s s o n g s .
ONE MORE SLEEP -
LEONA LEWIS
(NOVEMBER 5TH 2013)
T h e X F a c t o r w i n n e r r e l e a s e d t h i s
s o n g a s p a r t o f h e r C h r i s t m a s a l b u m .
Y o u w i l l h a v e h e a r d o f h e r o t h e r
s o n g s s u c h a s B l e e d i n g L o v e .
I t h i n k t h a t i t i s o n e o f t h e b e s t
r e c e n t C h r i s t m a s s o n g s .
10
FAVOURITES
L e t m e k n o w w h a t y o u t h i n k o n t h e C o m m u n i t y .
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS -
COLDPLAY
(1ST DECEMBER 2010)
C o l d p l a y h a v e r e l e a s e d s o m e v e r y
f a m o u s s o n g s , b u t t h i s i s n ' t o n e
o f t h e m . H o w e v e r , I d o e n j o y
l i s t e n i n g t o i t a s i t i s v e r y c a l m i n g
b u t a l s o h a s a C h r i s t m a s f e e l t o i t .
T h i s i s t h e k i n d o f s o n g t h a t I
i m a g i n e w o u l d b e p e r f e c t t o
l i s t e n t o b y t h e f i r e w i t h a h o t
c h o c o l a t e !
CHRISTMAS TIME (DON'T LET THE BELLS
END) -
THE DARKNESS
T h e B r i t i s h H a r d R o c k b a n d
r e l e a s e d t h i s s o n g i n 2 0 0 3 , w h i c h
j u s t m i s s e d o u t o n b e i n g
C h r i s t m a s n u m b e r o n e .
T h i s i s n ' t a s n e w a s o t h e r s o n g s
b u t i t d e f i n i t e l y i s i n t h e m o d e r n
c a t e g o r y .
11
What's
On?
C H R I S T M A S M A R K E T S
N o w t h a t w e a r e i n H o w e v e r , i f y o u T h e s e a r e t w o v e r y
D e c e m b e r , i t i s d o n ' t m i n d f a m o u s m a r k e t s ,
t i m e t o r e a l l y t r a v e l l i n g , t h e n b u t t h e r e a r e f a r
e m b r a c e t h e t h e r e a r e s o m e m o r e . I f i n d t h a t
C h r i s t m a s s p i r i t . I a m a z i n g o n e s o n t h e y a r e p e r f e c t f o r
f i n d t h a t o n e o f t h e o f f e r . A c u l t g i f t s a n d a l s o t o
b e s t w a y s t o d o t h i s f a v o u r i t e i s t h e r e a l l y e m b r a c e
i s t o g o t o a M a n c h e s t e r C h r i s t m a s c h e e r .
C h r i s t m a s M a r k e t . I f C h r i s t m a s M a r k e t s ,
y o u a r e a f a n o f h o t w h i c h a r e l a r g e a n d I f y o u a r e g o i n g t o
c h o c o l a t e o r m u l l e d g i v e y o u a v e r y a n y C h r i s t m a s
w i n e , t h e y a r e E u r o p e a n M a r k e t s , m a k e s u r e
p e r f e c t f o r y o u ! e x p e r i e n c e . t o s h a r e p h o t o s o n
T h e r e a r e p l e n t y I f y o u r n e c k o f t h e t h e C o m m u n i t y ! I
a c r o s s t h e c o u n t r y w o o d s i s S c o t l a n d , w o u l d l o v e t o s e e
t o v i s i t . t h e n E d i n b u r g h ' s t h e m a n d m a k e t h e
T h e r e w i l l m o s t C h r i s t m a s M a r k e t s C o m m u n i t y f e e l
l i k e l y b e o n e i n a a r e v e r y p o p u l a r f e s t i v e !
c i t y n e a r y o u , s o a n d a r e e v e n
y o u d o n ' t h a v e t o e x p a n d i n g t h i s y e a r ! 12
t r a v e l f a r !
We visited the Christmas Markets!
Last week, some CM's visited the The food was amazing, that's for
famous Christmas Markets at La sure! If you want churros or a crepe,
Défense in Paris. We had a great this is your place!
time! It is also great to buy some cute
The atmosphere was amazing and Christmas gifts - I would definitely
there was lots to look around! recommend a visit!
13
TOLUNA
AT
CHRISTMAS
14
Our CMs describe their Christmas traditions!
GREEK COMMUNITY MANAGER -
YIANNIS
Greece has a long navy history
"As far as Greece is concerned, Kourabies with almonds or covered
heading back to Odysseus times,
since most of the country’s citizens in chocolate are two modern
are orthodox, Christmas is but this tradition has been versions of this sweet. As far as the
around for only a few hundred
celebrated widely. However, melomacarona, this pastry goes
years. Seamen’s wives started this
habits differ in this part of Europe. really viral these days in Greek
habit to welcome back their
For instance, Santa Claus doesn’t social media with hundreds of
bring the presents to children on beloved husbands who had been funny memes being made since its
away for months. They decorated a
Christmas Eve, but with a 6-day name literally means macaroni
small wooden boat as proof of their
delay on New Year’s Eve! There’s (pasta) with honey. Of course, this
happiness that they're back.
an explanation about it; the tasty pastry has nothing to do with
equivalent Santa Claus in Greece is Nowadays, if you ever visit a Greek pasta, however honey is the main
house you will probably find a
actually Saint Basil the Great ingredient of this cookie. You can
decorated boat along with a tree.
who's celebration is on the 1st of find both of them in every bakery
Melomacarona and kourabies are
January. and patisserie in Greece during this
What is more, it’s a popular tradition the two traditional pastries that are period, however it’s considered
made exclusively around the
to decorate a boat in your home quite shameful for a housewife not
Christmas period! Kourabies are a
instead of a tree. Yes, you read that to cook her own pastries; especially
kind of a shortbread covered with
right! if she has visitors at her home!"
powdered sugar.
PORTUGESE COMMUNITY MANAGER -
TIAGO
"Christmas in Portugal is a unique Make sure to head towards Serra da
experience. In many countries, the Estrela if you want to enjoy fun times
main celebration of Christmas takes in the snow or even skiing! After
place on December 25th, however in Christmas, groups of people will go
Portugal you start the celebration from house to house to sing
earlier by having a family dinner on Christmas songs often accompanied
the 24th followed by the exchange of with small instruments. They usually
gifts and deliveries from Santa/Jesus start with an opening song asking
at midnight. As well as the beautiful the owner of the house for food and
street decorations that you can find drink! The owner of the house should
throughout the country, the families invite them in to warm up and help
also decorate their homes with the themselves to a spread of
traditional nativity scenes (presépios) snacks. Sweet snacks like dry figs
with the curiosity of having the Baby with walnuts inside them or savoury
Jesus placed on it only after the 25th snacks like cheese, chorizo and wine
of December. Even though you won’t or brandy. One thing is for sure, if you
necessarily have a white Christmas, spend your Christmas in Portugal,
in some parts of Portugal, it even you won't be hungry! Feliz Natal!"
15
snows.
WHAT IS YOUR BEST CHRISTMAS
STORY?
I asked you all to tell me your best Christmas story with #MyChristmasStory. Find
my favourite ones below!
"My story comes from when I was about 13
"When my girls were aged 2 and 5 we lived in
years old. My sister is 5 years younger than
a two bed townhouse (3 floors). On Christmas
Eve my parents and brother slept over. My me and at this time, we owned a pub (as I
brother slept in my children's bedroom, they have mentioned before)!
When I was young, I used to wake up early (all
had bunkbeds and he had a put-you-up, my
excited) on Christmas Day to see if Santa had
parents in our room and we were downstairs.
When the kiddies eventually went to sleep in come... Spotting a stocking (pillowcase) at the
the early hours of the morning, my husband end of the bed always prompted me to wake
my parents to ask if I could open it and we
and myself crept up the stairs with their sacks,
would then all get up and go downstairs to
half way up my husband fell forward making
the most awful noise, this in turn gave me fits open the presents etc...
of laughter, anyhow, we continued onto the This particular year, my parents were working
on Christmas Eve. Our accommodation was
bedroom, managed to creep around my
upstairs and me and my sister went to bed as
brother and put the sack on the lower bunk,
then we tried to put my eldest daughters sack normal. At about 3am, the 'lock in' had
on the top bunk but as we did so she woke finished downstairs and my parents were
heading to bed...
up, my brother shot up, as we hid down (by
As they walked past my sister's bedroom, she
then i was having to pinch myself as i so
wanted to laugh), so now me and my hubby woke up and thought it was morning. She did
were bending down very low trying not to get upset as there was no stocking but my
parents simply had not had time to put it in
laugh my brother was talking to my eldest
her room! They had to calm her down, get her
daughter telling her to go back to sleep as
Santa had not been yet and my daughter was back off to sleep and then put her stocking in
chatting away as if she was wide awake. In her room!
They made about 2 hours of sleep before she
the end my brother managed to keep my
woke up again and got up! I slept through it
daughter occupied while we got out of the
room and went back downstairs, my brother all! LOL! We still reminisce about this to this
was the one in the end that ended up putting day - especially when my sister whinges
about her kids waking up early on Christmas
the sack on her bed at around 3 in the
Day!"
morning, at 5.30 they were both up full of
Mark_W
excitement, needless to say by midday both
my hubby, myself and my brother were
shattered." - sueal1979
16
"It has always been the tradition in my family that I get up first, make everyone a morning brew, then I am
joined by the Wife and kids and after a refreshing coffee I hand out the Christmas gifts.
Well, way back when our kids were younger, our daughter wanted a hockey stick so she could join the
School team, well we got one that was in a presentation box - not a problem to wrap. Before Christmas I
was going to be late home from work and my Wife, bless her cotton socks, said she would sort out the
wrapping and put everything under the tree, so come Christmas morning there I was, handing out the
kids' gifts and there they were, trying to guess what they had.
When it came to our daughter's hockey stick, I pulled it from under the tree and discovered that my wife
had taken it out of the box and wrapped the stick. As I handed it to our daughter I said " Bet you can't
guess what this is". This was met with howls of laughter as the wrapping paper was torn away.
Mind you, I got my revenge when I bought my wife her favorite treat - Maltesers. I had opened the box
and individually wrapped each malteser before resealing the box.
Eberneezer Mike
Bah Humbug!!!!!!"
newton201751
A
CHRISTMAS
LOVE STORY!
"Christmas Eve 2009 I was so happy. I
lived in Bradford, West Yorkshire with my
boyfriend but we had gone to stay with
my parents for Christmas in Scotland. The
snow was quite deep. I loved it. I was also
5 months pregnant with my Daughter.
We went up to bed to watch a film while
waiting for Santa. We heard the clock
tower in the village chime 12 times then
my boyfriend pulled out a ring and asked
me to marry him. I said yes of course :)
We've been married for 5 and a half years
now. :)"
17
Kazelliec
WHAT IS CCM?
C O N T E N T C R E A T O R O F T H E M O N T H
To be a CCM, you must create quality content consistently. If you
are CCM for 3 months in a row, you will receive 5000 points. If you
are CCM for 5 months in a row, you will receive 10000 points.
For more information, see the 18
blog post here.
What is
#TolunaWins?
Watch our video here to find out more!
F O R M O R E I N F O R M A T I O N A B O U T
# T O L U N A W I N S , S E E T H E T O P I C H E R E 20
Your
#TolunaWins
Here are some wonderful examples from our Community
S H A R E Y O U R # T O L U N A W I N S O N F A C E B O O K
O R T H E C O M M U N I T Y 21
T O L U N A M I L L I O N A I R E
W h a t i s i t ? T a k e s u r v e y s
0 1
Winners must have answered at least 1
This month, we had a Toluna Millionaire from
survey in the 30 days preceding the
the UK. Many congratulations to
draw.
Andyinblunderland!
B e a c t i v e o n t h e c o m m u n i t y
0 2
Don't forget to keep on participating in the
Toluna Millionaire - Who knows? It could be Winners must be active in the community
you next! and have created content in the last 30
days.
I hope to see another UK Member here next
month!
P u r c h a s e a t i c k e t
0 3
To see all details, check the blog post HERE.
You can purchase sweepstake entries
from our rewards centre. There is no
To check the daily winners, click HERE.
limit to the number of sweepstake
entries you can collect.
22
Toluna News
Survey Centre as landing page
You will have noticed by now that when you log onto Toluna, you are taken
straight to the Survey Centre instead of the Community. This way, it makes it
easier for you to start a survey. See what I mean here.
'Create' button changed to 'Start Survey'
Another change is that instead of the 'Create'
button on the top right side corner of the website,
there is now a 'Start Survey' button. This will
make it easier for you to get to your surveys. For
more information, check out our blog post here.
Our new look!
We now have a new look! I
hope that you like our new
colourful 'Start Survey'
buttons! Check them out for
yourself here.
23
New
Game
Alert!
Yes, that is right! We have a fun new game for
you all to play!
Check it out from now until the 21st of
December!
See what you can
find behind today's
door here!
24
uk.toluna.com