My name is Hugh. I live in the city of Swansea, South Wales, in the United Kingdom.
My blog covers a wide range of subjects, the most popular of which are my blogging tips posts.
If you have any questions about blogging or anything else, please contact me by clicking on the 'Contact Hugh' button on the menu bar of my blog.
Click on the 'Meet Hugh' button on the menu bar of my blog to learn more about me and my blog.
This week, I received an email that appeared to be from WordPress, but which raised my suspicions.
Firstly, I was fortunate that my email system identified the message as spam and moved it to my spam folder. However, it made me consider other WordPress bloggers who might have received or will receive the email, but whose antivirus or email security software does not recognise it as spam or a scam.
Here are two images of the email’s contents. I’ve highlighted some areas which I encourage you all to check before clicking on any link and risking becoming a victim of a scammer.
An image of a scam WordPress email
The image above may seem fine, but one clue indicates it’s not a genuine WordPress email. What is that clue?
Not being addressed by name in any company email is a strong clue that the email is not genuine.
The scammer simply said ‘Hello,’ which is a tactic used because addressing everyone by name is too time-consuming.
Scammers send these emails to thousands of recipients hoping that some will respond.
All the scammer needs is for one person to click the link to obtain login and username details.
Once they have that information, they can lock you out of your blog and wreak havoc.
Scammers are often more interested in obtaining any credit or debit card details you have on your account. If they obtain those details, they could go on a spending spree.
Here’s the next image.
Look for the clues when suspicious of emails
The scammer couldn’t even get the correct format for ‘WordPress’.
The ‘P’ in ‘WordPress’ is always capitalised; the scammer missed this detail.
The details after the first part of the email don’t match WordPress.
The email address hidden behind what appears to be a WordPress email does not contain any WordPress information.
I was worried that somewhere out there, a scammer either has a list of email addresses for WordPress bloggers or has taken a chance, sending emails to addresses on a list, probably from the dark web. This email did not go to my private email address, but to the email address I use for my blog. I hate to think of my email address on a scammers’ list anywhere, but unfortunately, it can happen.
I contacted WordPress regarding the scam email, and they requested me to forward it so they could investigate.
If you receive a suspicious email from WordPress, the best way to report it is to forward it to phishing@automattic.com so their security team can investigate and act against the scammers.
As a quick tip:
Legitimate WordPress.com emails always come from @wordpress.com or @automattic.com addresses. Note that any mention of WordPress before the ‘@’ will be the correct format of WordPress.
They will never ask for passwords or payment info via email or a text message.
In the unlikely event that you click on any links or enter any information from a scam email that claims to be from WordPress, change your WordPress.com password as a precaution by visiting your ‘Profile‘ settings and selecting the ‘Security‘ tab.
If you are not sure or are suspicious of any email, always contact the company the email claims to be from before clicking any links or providing any information.
Summary:
Always be aware of suspicious emails, not just from WordPress but from any company, especially if they include links and do not address you by name.
Look for spelling mistakes, especially in the sender’s email address.
Send any suspicious emails to the company they claim to come from. All reputable companies will have a dedicated email address for scam emails.
Companies will never ask you for your passwords or payment information in an email or text message.
If you click any suspicious links, change your password immediately.
Have you ever received a suspicious email claiming to be from WordPress or another service? What was your initial reaction? What steps do you take to verify the authenticity of an email before clicking on any links? Can you share any personal experiences with online scams you have encountered?
The featured image on this blog post is sourced from Pixabay. AI reviewed spelling and grammar errors.
“Which do you prefer? Snack 8816CAO coloured what we now call light red, or snack 10345HBX coloured what we now call deep red? Which one tastes the best and why?
“The second one, definitely the second one. And I love the colour.”
“But why?”
“Makes it look much more mouthwatering. Tastes better. Reminds me of a place I was once told about. A far-off place whose name I can’t recall.”
“Congratulations, you’ve chosen the best. It’s our own brand and is less expensive than the market leader you also tried. Can I tempt you to receive a few packets as payment?”
“Yes, please, but I have to ask. What’s the flavour and what makes it that…what did you call it, deep red colour?”
“Homolastic.’ It was discovered on a planet in the Malleable system. The dominant species on that planet is homo sapiens. They refer to it as a substance called plastic, something they think they created themselves, but unknown to them, did not. We planted it there.”
“Planted?”
“Yes, we found it on the red planet that neighbours them. That planet is now uninhabitable, although they believe that one day they can inhabit it.”
“And the colour?”
“Their blood, which, unlike ours, is liquid-form. When mixed with homolastic and the other ingredients, the majority of our testers agree it’s the best flavour. There are just under 8 billion homosapiens, and most are infested with homolastic, so we’ll never run out during our lifetime. And when their planet becomes uninhabitable, we’ll have a new home.”
It got people rethinking why they follow particular blogs. And that was my aim. Job done! Or so I thought.
It won’t come as a surprise that, having already read many posts this year where the writer outlines how they are already feeling overwhelmed and guilty about not being able to keep up with reading, commenting, and writing posts (and we’re only a few days into the 2026), I thought it a good point to say a few things that some bloggers find difficult to talk about.
Is this you?
Not only is following too many blogs something that can have an adverse effect on your mental health, but it can also have a negative effect on your writing and creativity.
Some people act immediately when they start to feel overwhelmed, stressed, or guilty about blogging, but sadly, some leave the world of blogging, sometimes without giving any notice of their intention to do so.
Of course, some people also give up blogging on a positive note.
As I already mentioned, following too many blogs is one of the biggest pitfalls of blogging because many bloggers believe they have to follow every blogger that follows them, read their posts and leave comments on every post. Sure, some of those bloggers only ever leave short, non-engaging comments more as proof they’ve visited, but sadly, some go on to abandon their blogs when it all becomes too much.
Let me be clear. If anyone suggests it’s only polite to follow the blogs of everyone who follows your blog, they are talking nonsense. If I took that advice, I’d be following over 7,000 blogs. Can you imagine how overwhelming that would be and the effect it would have on my mental health, especially if I felt I had to read and comment on every post?
Thankfully, I only read and comment on posts that interest me.
Before following any blog, ask yourself these questions.
1. How often are new posts published?
The frequency at which posts are published is important. Some bloggers publish a new post once a month; others publish weekly; some publish daily; and then there are those who publish more than one post a day.
I once followed a blog where the host was publishing up to five new posts daily.
I could have ignored how often she published new posts, but because I found some of her posts interesting and she was following my blog, I felt obliged not only to follow her blog but also to read and comment on all her posts. Yes, those comments were short and non-engaging because I was not able to keep up.
This led to guilt when I missed any of her posts, left comments only to prove I visited and to feeling overwhelmed by it all.
Check how often posts are published before pressing the ‘subscribe’ button. If posts are published daily, and that’s too much for you, consider not following or do not feel obliged to read all the posts.
If you receive email notifications for new posts, consider getting one email a week with the posts they publish. Yes, there’s an option for that. You can then choose which of those posts you want to read.
How To Change How often You receive New Post Notifications
On the ‘Manage Subscriptions‘ page of your blog (under the ‘Reader‘ button), click on the three dots (Kebab menu) next to any of the WordPress.com blogs you follow and choose how frequently you get email notifications of new posts.
The choices are Instantly, Daily or Weekly.
Click the three dots (kebab menu) then select how often you receive new post emails
Consider getting new post notifications via web and mobile notifications if getting email notifications become too overwhelming.
If you are happy with the frequency of new posts, by all means, subscribe and enjoy.
2. Is the content interesting enough?
Time is something many of us cannot manage when reading blogs, usually because we feel we do not have time to read everything, yet we feel obliged to and often leave a comment as proof. It’s a surefire way to get yourself on a slippery slope toward blogging burnout.
If none of the content interests you, don’t feel obliged to follow or read.
Don’t become a ‘ghost’ follower by subscribing to blogs you know you’ll never visit. After all, would you read a book on a subject that did not interest you? Be honest and ask yourself, ‘will I actually read this blog, or will it just add guilt to my unread list?‘
Time is precious, and wasting it on reading content you have no interest in is one of the main blogging mistakes you can make.
Spend time on reading content that interests you and which may inspire you to leave genuine, thoughtful comments.
Leaving a thoughtful, genuine comment occasionally far outweighs the impact of posting brief, unengaging comments on every post simply to show you were there. Make your comments count, ensuring that “thank you” isn’t the only response that resonates.
Thoughtful comments show you are interested and want to engage. Short, non-engaging comments simply prove you visited. They do not prove you read the post.
And remember that if a blog you follow publishes posts on various subjects, you are under no obligation to read everything they publish. Read only what interests you.
3. Does the host look after their blog?
Would you shop on a website with lots of broken links, a poor layout, or where you have difficulty finding what you are looking for?
Would you follow a blog that is broken because the host keeps blaming WordPress or anybody else but themselves for the faults?
Would you follow a poorly designed blog or one full of errors, broken links, and no sense of organisation?
Would you follow a blog that no longer has security updates because of it’s outdated theme or has a comments section full of spam and unverified links?
I hope you answered ‘No’ to all of those questions.
Just as taking care of your home creates a warm, inviting, friendly, comfortable, and safe place for family and friends to visit, maintaining your blog is equally important. Bloggers who prioritise maintaining their blogs demonstrate their commitment to making a positive impression on visitors, showing that they truly care about their audience.
Unmaintained blogs present a significant security threat to visitors. Bloggers utilising unsupported WordPress themes are not receiving crucial security updates, jeopardising the safety of their audience, particularly when clicking links.
Consider carefully before following or engaging with any blog that presents itself as outdated, disorganised, unsafe, or uninviting due to its poor layout. This caution extends to blogs that permit hostile or inappropriate comments in the comment section.
4. What do you know about the hosts(s)?
Who is the individual behind this blog?
What is their name, and what is their geographical location?
What topics do they cover in their writing?
These are critical questions to consider before deciding to follow any blog. Reflect thoroughly on the implications of following a blog that fails to provide sufficient information about its author(s). While their posts may appear engaging, the absence of identifiable information raises concerns regarding the safety and credibility of your decision to follow.
I have misjudged by following various blogs based on the appeal of their content, only to discover particulars of the hosts that were quite disconcerting. A more sensible approach would have been to inquire about the blog’s authorship and to consider why I should place my trust in them.
More often than not, some bloggers adopt a seemingly friendly manner to attract visitors, only to later reveal their true intentions, often by posting derogatory comments directed at you or fellow bloggers.
I’ve discovered that with time, I can quickly judge what people are like from their blog posts before deciding to follow their blogs. However, if I can’t find any information about who they are and what they blog about, I won’t follow.
A simple rule of thumb
If, after reading 3–5 posts, you’d be disappointed not to see the next post, it’s probably worth subscribing.
What has been your experience with following too many blogs? Have you felt overwhelmed? Do you prefer quantity or quality in blog subscriptions? How do you choose which blogs are worth your time? How important is it to know about the host behind a blog before following? What tips do you have for bloggers feeling overwhelmed by subscriptions? How do you balance reading, commenting, and writing?
If you happen to be reading this in January, then it’s officially ‘Happy New Year!’ If it’s any other month, well, ‘Happy New Year’ anyway—because let’s face it, every day is just a chance to start fresh, much like your New Year’s resolution to stop binge-watching shows… which you’ve probably already forgotten by now!
I’m diving headfirst into 2026 with a parade of my 12 most beloved posts from 2025, all crafted by yours truly. Maybe they slipped under your radar, or perhaps you’re just itching to relive them—feel free to leave a fresh comment, even if you’ve already showered them with praise before. Because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a little comment déjà vu?
I kicked the year off talking ‘Social Media,’ a subject that became a hot topic during 2025, sometimes for the wrong reasons.
Not only can social media be a ravenous beast in eating up a lot of your time, but it’s also a fantastic way to promote your blog posts, the posts of other bloggers (a great way to support other bloggers), and, best of all, it’s free to use unless you decide to pay for a subscription.
I not only shouted out the three social media platforms I’m still romancing, but I also gave a little eulogy for the ones I’ve ghosted. After all, as someone hilariously pointed out, ‘spreading yourself too thinly on social media is like trying to butter a piece of toast with a frozen brick of butter—good luck with that!’
Do you know who you are? I hope most of you chimed in with a confident ‘Yes!’ But how well do you know the owners of the blogs you follow? I mean, do you really know them, or are they just mysterious internet wizards pulling strings from their lairs?
I’m still somewhat bemused by the number of bloggers who have an ‘About’ page that says, ‘This is the template for telling your audience a little about yourself and what you blog about,’ – well, something along those lines.
It’s truly wonderful to share a bit about yourself on your blog! You don’t need to provide a lot of information—a first name and a little insight into your location can go a long way. Plus, letting visitors know what your blog is about will help create a friendly connection and encourage them to explore your unique perspective!
As you’ll see in the comments section of the post, many bloggers won’t engage, let alone follow a blog that has no information about its host(s).
Although published 10 months ago, this post from March 2025 is still attracting attention, making it my top pick of the month! If you’re a BlueSky user, this post is an absolute gem, offering you the fantastic opportunity to not just get your blog posts read but also to inspire meaningful engagement from your readers.
Bluesky can boost traffic and visitors to your blog.
Even if you don’t have a Bluesky account yet, it’s worth a read, as the information contained within the post can apply to other social media platforms.
Talking of engagement, imagine my shock when, in April, there was a lot of talk amongst bloggers about killing off commenting on their blogs.
Most of the talk was on social media, but I also noticed that some bloggers had decided to disable commenting on their posts, citing the amount of time it took to respond.
But isn’t that what blogging is all about? Being able to engage, discuss and ask questions? Check the comments for the answers.
It’s a sad fact that not everyone who visits your blog can see images or photos. Fortunately, WordPress allows users to add Alt-Text to all images in blog posts. This helps visitors who use screen readers and other software that describe images to know what’s in them. Sadly, many bloggers don’t help these visitors by not adding Alt-Text to their pictures.
Don’t know what Alt-Text is? Check out the post for details. And once you read it, make it a mission to welcome everyone to your blog.
What’s the one thing you could do to help other bloggers?
I’m sure there are many different answers to that question, but the answer I give in my post is one that I’m positive the majority of bloggers want! Yes, there will be exceptions, and I’m sure one or two will tell me, but if you’re somebody who gives excuse after excuse as to why you can’t do this, then you’ve allowed the problem to beat you.
I didn’t write as much flash fiction during 2025 as I had intended, but this piece of flash fiction was my favourite of the year. It involves two people you’d probably pass in the street most days. Meet Bill and his wife, both in the autumn years of their lives. Are they a normal couple you wouldn’t give a second look at, or are they two people who each come with a dark secret? Only you can decide, but only if you read the piece of flash fiction that gives you a glimpse into their lives.
This 4-minute read packs a punch.
I’ll be making amends and writing more flash fiction during 2026, so you better watch out!
August was the flattest month for me, blogging-wise, in 2025. It felt like I was on a plateau with no way up or down. There was little to choose from in terms of blog posts because I didn’t publish much, but thankfully, this post got a lot of engagement, proving it wasn’t as quiet out there as I thought.
Ask yourself these questions. Why would anybody want to contact you? But more importantly, how easy is it to contact you via your blog other than by leaving you a comment? Remember that leaving a comment isn’t always the right way to contact someone. After all, anyone visiting your blog can read comments. Are you missing out on any golden opportunities? Check the post for full details. You may be surprised.
I had to take an unexpected blogging break in September, but thankfully, this post had already been published before I departed. And I wasn’t disappointed with the reaction in the comments section to something the majority of WordPress users had no idea existed.
Short but sweet, this blog post from September 2025 packed as much of a punch as Bill and his wife did in July.
The latter quarter of 2025 saw me focusing very much on copyright issues, with many bloggers believing that their blogs are so small and private, nobody will care if they use images, photographs, or any material, including song lyrics, that are copyrighted. How wrong they are.
If you can not guarantee that the material or images you are using in your blog posts are free to use, then are you breaking the law? And, even worse, could you be fined?
How many of you believe that you’d never get scammed online?
With the advent of AI, the perpetration of scams has become significantly more sophisticated, leading to an alarming increase in the number of individuals who are susceptible to such deceit.
Different scams are emerging continuously, yet it appears increasingly challenging to identify them. Are you equipped to recognize a scam?
In November, I shared my exciting decision to dive back into my passion for photography blogging, but this time with a fresh perspective. Although I had paused my photography posts in the past due to engagement challenges, I’m now thrilled to explore new ways to connect and inspire my audience.
This post not only showcased more of my own photography but also offered readers a wonderful opportunity to share a bit about themselves. Success! Engagement flourished, and I ended the year just as I hoped, fostering genuine connections rather than mere visits masked by guilt.
Finally, a glimpse into the inside of 2025 for my blog.
How well did your blog perform in 2025?
43 posts published
32,600 words written
2,700 clicked the ‘like’ button on my posts
2,100 comments left
A busy blogging year full of creativity and engagement.
What was your favourite blog post of 2025 on your blog? Why did it resonate with you?What’s the most significant lesson you learned about blogging and engaging with your audience in 2025?
Why do so many of us make New Year’s resolutions? Do they help? Are they frustrating? Do they bring hope? Do they create pressure? Do they cause us stress? Do they actually work? Do they give us something to look forward to?
The only resolution I made on New Year’s Day (which worked for me) was the one I made on January 1st, 1994. It was the day I decided to stop adding sugar to my tea and coffee. I’m still ‘sugar-free’ when drinking tea and coffee. Success!
If you’ve made any New Year’s resolutions, good luck with them. If, like me, you haven’t, grab the nearest 2026 calendar and count how many days it shows. Why am I asking you to count the days on a calendar? There’s a valid reason for this.
Did you count 365 days? Yes? If you counted 366, then you’re looking at 2024’s calendar. Ditch it. Now look at all those days 2026 has to offer.
Each of those days marks a new beginning. Every day offers a chance to start something new. Each day brings opportunities that come knocking. Every day provides a chance to set a resolution if you choose to. Each day allows you to utilise your time effectively. Every day presents an opportunity to make someone smile. Each day gives you a chance to do something good for another person. Every day is a day you can put to good use. Don’t waste them.
What am I getting at?
In simple terms, you can initiate a resolution on any day of the year. I’ve had more success with resolutions I began on days other than New Year’s Day. This makes a lot of sense when considering 364 days compared to one. And isn’t each new day the start of a new year in your life?
Thank you.
Each new year, I reflect and express my gratitude to those who have shaped my life over the past 12 months. This includes not only the people I have met but also those I’ve never encountered, yet who have influenced my life in some way.
As a blogger, I refer to those who visited my blog, engaged with the discussions on my posts, and interacted with the photos I shared.
If you’re not a blogger, the people you interact with on social media may have influenced your life in some way. Consider this: you don’t need to hear spoken words from someone for them to impact your life. Likewise, you don’t have to meet someone in person for them to affect your life.
If it weren’t for all of you out there, the last 12 months would have been a little quieter and emptier here on my blog. And I don’t believe that’s something any blogger wants for their blog.
So, a big thank you for all your support, kindness, and friendship, and for being a significant part of my 2025. You listened to me; you made me laugh. Some of you made me cry, and that’s how I reacted to one of your posts. You astounded me; you made me think. You changed my life or encouraged me to try something new. You entertained me. You helped me through the low points and shared my happiness and joy during the high ones. You influenced me.
What was 2025 like for you?
2025 may have had its low points, but it will also have included some high points. Sometimes, it’s a simple case of coming out of the forest of lows and seeing the highs. Focus on the highs, not the lows.
One of the most significant opportunities for me was having the chance to step back, look at how I was blogging and change how I was doing it. I almost gave up, but when it comes to my online audience and friends, I’m not a quitter.
Don’t feel pressured into publishing blog posts every day. Sadly, I’ve witnessed too many bloggers give up on their blogs because they believed that if they didn’t publish every day, no one would visit. How wrong they were. Anyone who tells you that you must publish a blog post every day to become a successful blogger is not telling you the truth.
Engagement on my blog increased despite a trend toward fewer people engaging and a shift toward engaging more on social media.
2025 may almost be over or gone, but it shouldn’t be forgotten. Why? Because, like any day, week, month or year, it played a significant part in your life.
Thank you, 2025.
Thank you, 2025, for the opportunities you presented to me. You may think you did a good job at hiding them from me, but they were there when I looked hard enough!
Now, I’m looking forward to the opportunities 2026 will bring. Are you?
What to do with New Year’s Resolutions
Turn them into opportunities. Opportunities to make new friends, new acquaintances, and new experiences. Make people laugh every day, make people happy, teach people something new, and tell somebody something that will make their day. Don’t turn your resolutions into opportunities that become barriers or hurdles for you or anyone else or that make people unhappy. Be kind to people, even if you don’t agree with what they have to say.
Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.
To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people just exist.
We are all in the gutter. But some of us are looking at the stars.
Oscar Wilde
Happy New Year!
Do you make New Year’s resolutions? Have you experienced some exciting successes along the way? What incredible opportunities did 2025 offer you? I’d love to hear your thoughts—leave me a comment and let’s inspire each other in this discussion!
The feature image in this post was generated using the WordPress AI Image generator block.
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As we celebrate this festive season, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all my wonderful readers. Your support throughout this year has been invaluable, and it means the world to me.
A special shoutout to the following top five commentators on Hugh’s News and Views this year. Click the links to view their latest posts at the time of publication of this post.
These bloggers always leave me genuine, thought-out comments that inspire discussion, and you know how much I enjoy engagement and discussion on any blog.
But a big thank you to all of you for being a part of Hugh’s Views and News. Whether you have left one comment, only read a few of my posts, read them all without commenting, or read them all and commented, know that I appreciate you taking your valuable time to read them.
Wishing you all a joyful and peaceful holiday season filled with warmth and happiness, no matter how you choose to celebrate. Here’s to a prosperous and inspiring New Year ahead!
Warm wishes,
Hugh
I’m taking a little blogging break and will be back on Monday, January 5th, with my first post of 2026.
Last month, I published the first post of my ‘photography-themed’ series. If you missed it, you can read ‘4 Never Before Seen Photos And Why You Need To See Them‘ and join the many readers who have already joined the conversations.
I want to thank everyone who left a comment and those who started conversations about the photos I featured. Honestly, the post’s success exceeded my expectations. I have a dedicated group of readers who love to engage, and for that, I am genuinely grateful.
December 2025
This month, I am not only showcasing five photographs (some of which I appear in), all with a Christmas theme, but I am also highlighting another WordPress gallery block you can use to display your photos and photography.
So, here we go. I’m excited to share five photos, three of which are new to my blog, each one posing a question. Feel free to leave a comment or write your own post with your answers. If you choose to write a post, you’re welcome to link back to mine so other bloggers can join the discussion.
1. When did you first meet Father Christmas?
When was the last time you bumped into Father Christmas?
I have to dig deep into the archives of my memory to recall the first time I encountered Father Christmas. I was six years old, and meeting the man I thought was the ultimate VIP (Very Important Person) was like waiting for the last biscuit in the jar.
It happened in a department store’s Christmas grotto, a place where the air smelled like gingerbread and desperation—not just mine, but also my sister’s, who was so terrified of Father Christmas that she screamed like we were evacuating from a man-eating, zombie, giant snowman! The whole store was probably questioning their Christmas spirit as they listened to her wails echo off the walls, rattling every bauble and piece of tinsel in the store.
However, on Christmas Eve, she had no problem with Father Christmas making his grand entrance into our home, as if he owned the place, and dropping off presents. After all, she was fast asleep, blissfully convinced that if she couldn’t see him, he mustn’t be able to see her!
The above photo was snapped one June while I was on a cruise, proving that you might just find Father Christmas on a beach holiday! So remember to be nice all year long, because you never know when you may be teetering on the edge of his nice list.
Do you have a photo of you with Father Christmas?
2. Have you ever baked a Christmas cake?
Have you ever baked a Christmas cake?
I distinctly recall my grandmother turning into a Christmas cake factory every year. I adored being her little helper, especially during the cake decoration extravaganza a few days before Christmas.
It was quite the spectacle watching her bake the cakes in September, then patiently unwrap them from their greaseproof swaddling every few weeks for a little “brandishing” with brandy. Who knew a cake could get an alcoholic makeover before the Christmas festivities even started?
I would sit there, as she dramatically stabbed the cake bases with a fork and spooned what seemed like an endless supply of brandy into the tiny holes. Of course, she’d also help herself to a few swigs of brandy while waiting for the cakes to soak up what she’s already spooned in. It was like she was giving them a little boozy makeover and joining in the festivities early.
The cake in the above photo was baked by me, but it wasn’t made the traditional way my grandmother prepared her Christmas cakes. I cheated by using a box with all the ready-prepared ingredients for making a Christmas cake. However, the magic of icing and decorating the cake was still present. And, of course, I carried on the tradition of a few glasses of brandy while feeding and decorating it.
If you’re wondering why it’s just a photo of the top of the cake, I decided it was the only part of it I felt I hadn’t cheated at. However, this made me start looking at all the different angles you can take photos, giving them a new dimension.
Do you make your own Christmas cake or do you buy a shop-bought one? And what’s inside your cake? Is it fruit-based, or filled with sponge, jam, and buttercream?
3. What’s your go-to karaoke song?
What’s your go-to song at a party?
Get ready to cringe! I’ve totally lost track of how many Christmas parties I’ve attended over the years—seriously, it’s like my life turned into a never-ending Netflix series focused on festive cheer, and most of them were work parties, where the eggnog flows like water, and the awkward small talk is the real gift! From fancy dress to black tie, I’ve always got into the spirit of Christmas celebrations. And the above photo is no exception.
Taken in the late 1980s, I’m not entirely sure why I decided a bottle of bleach was the ideal choice for a microphone, but let’s chalk it up to a few too many festive glasses of sherry or eggnog that night! My outfit is a glorious testament to the era; I mean, who could resist the charm of penguins proudly dancing on my braces? Clearly, I was ahead of my time in fashion… or maybe just in silliness!
However, I still know the song I was singing when the photo was taken.
This song has become my ‘go-to’ whenever anyone puts a microphone in my hand. So, if you ever meet me, never give me a bottle of bleach or a microphone!
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
4. What’s your favourite Christmas tree ornament?
What’s your favourite Christmas tree ornament?
My favorite Christmas tree ornament is a jolly old Father Christmas in his sleigh, dramatically being yanked along by two reindeer who have clearly lost the plot; they’re now engaged in an epic showdown over who gets the last carrot that all the kids left out, while Father Christmas just sits back, chuckling with a mince pie in one hand and a glass of brandy in the other, thinking, “This is the real Christmas spirit!”
As Father Christmas steers his sleigh joyfully, all those glasses of brandy would probably get him into trouble if he were caught by a traffic officer. However, as he’s flying, rather than driving on roads, hopefully he won’t get into any trouble.
Over the years, I have collected many Christmas tree ornaments. This one is only a few years old and was bought online from a well-known London store. Yes, it was expensive, but the joy it has brought is worth every penny.
Do you have a favourite Christmas tree ornament? Share the details or a photo with us.
5. Is this how Christmas makes you feel?
And finally, is this how Christmas makes you feel?
Does the thought of Christmas make you feel like this?
Whether it’s before or after Christmas, most of us will find ourselves feeling deflated, like a poor reindeer caught napping three days after the big day—let’s just say, even Rudolph looks like he needs a strong cup of cocoa at this point!
The look on its face says it all and reminds me of those confusing days between Christmas and New Year, when the days of the week all blend into one. “Is it Monday or Tuesday? No, it’s Wednesday, isn’t it, or was Wednesday yesterday? Hang on, wasn’t it Thursday yesterday?”
The Slideshow Block
This month, I am displaying and featuring the ‘Slideshow’ block. Here are my five photos, all in the slideshow block.
When was the last time you bumped into Father Christmas?
Have you ever baked a Christmas cake?
What’s your go-to song at a party?
What’s your favourite Christmas tree ornament?
Does the thought of Christmas make you feel like this?
You can select as many photos as you like for your slideshow. Captions you have added to your photos also appear, but unfortunately, and this is something I dislike, the captions cannot be centred.
You can set the slideshow to manual, so readers must click to view the next image, or select an autoplay option. If you choose autoplay, you can also decide how many seconds pass between each photo (I chose 4 seconds).
Another option is to add a transition. You can choose slide or fade for your photos. You can also select the image size: small, medium, large, or extra large. I decided on the ‘Large’ option.
All of these options can be found by clicking on the image and choosing the ‘Block‘ option.
The Slideshow Block options.
Click the following link for more information about the Slideshow Block.
How to make a photographer’s day.
Next time you leave a comment on a photography post, instead of saying ‘Great photo,’ explain what it was about the picture that made you think it was great. Was it the subject, the lighting, the scenery, the angle it was taken from, or the emotion it evoked when you saw it?
It only needs to be a few lines, but the people you leave the comment for will appreciate the feedback much more than when all you say, time after time, is that it’s a great photo.
Do you have a photo of you with Father Christmas? Do you make your own Christmas cake or do you buy a shop-bought one? What’s your go-to karaoke song? Do you have a favourite Christmas tree ornament? How does Christmas make you feel?
When I was eight years old, I did the most despicable thing.
On Christmas Eve 1970, I told my five-year-old sister that there was no such thing as Father Christmas. She was horrified.
Telling her that Father Christmas did not exist was the worst thing I ever did.
My mother was so angry with me. She sent me to my room.
I missed supper. I missed the carol-singers outside our house.
I missed seeing the first snowflakes of what was to be my first white Christmas. And I missed the evening of Christmas Eve, my favourite time of the year.
However, worse was to come.
I cried myself to sleep, blaming Father Christmas for what had happened.
Sometime during the night, I was woken by hands around my throat.
“You evil boy!” boomed the voice. I was too frightened to open my eyes.
“Open your eyes, boy! Do it, or you will never see Christmas again.”
He forced me to open my eyes. I don’t know how he did it, but he somehow did.
I couldn’t believe what I saw.
I was shocked beyond belief. It was Father Christmas who had his hands around my throat.
“You never, never tell anyone ever again that I do not exist. Do you understand me, boy?” I tried nodding my head, despite being in complete shock.
“Good. Now, look deep into my eyes.”
Seconds later, I saw a flock of robins in his eyes and, before I knew it, they were propelled into my eyes.
The screeching sound they made hurt my ears. I could not scream for help to my mother or father because of the tightly gripped hands around my throat. I finally managed to close my eyes, and the screeching robins and hands around my throat disappeared.
Terrified by what had happened, I crawled under my bed. I curled up into a tiny ball and shivered the night away. Sleep did come, but only briefly.
It was the sound of laughter that woke me.
I could hear the muffled voices of my family. It was Christmas morning, and they were already downstairs.
How could they have forgotten to wake me up?
I crawled out from under my bed and made my way past the open door of my bedroom. On the floor, at the top of the stairs, were two empty Christmas stockings. How could they have emptied their stockings without me?
I ran down the stairs and into the lounge, which was lit up with Christmas lights.
“Mum, Dad, Julie…I’m sorry,” I cried, but none of them took any notice of me. “Please forgive me, don’t spoil Christmas.” But it was no good, they just ignored me.
That’s when I saw the strange boy.
“Oh, that’s lovely, Hugh. Grandma sure knows how to knit Christmas jumpers,” laughed Dad, as he hugged the strange boy.
For the rest of the day, I watched as the boy with my name took my place. Nobody bothered me. Nobody even noticed I was there. It was as if I were a ghost.
I finally went to bed and cried myself to sleep. The whole family had arrived at our house and a Christmas party was in full swing.
The next morning, my mother woke me up.
“Are you feeling better, Hugh?”
“Are you talking to me?” I asked her.
“Of course, I am. Who else goes by your name in this house? Come on, it’s Boxing Day, and we need to get over to Grandma’s house.”
I didn’t ever say anything to anybody about what had happened, and I didn’t see the strange-looking boy with my name again.
Well, I didn’t see him until the following Christmas Day when the whole thing happened again. And it’s happened every Christmas since then.
You see, my place is now taken by a ghost, but only on that one day of the year when I become a ghost.
I’m so happy and thankful that it’s not Christmas every day.
Do you believe in Father Christmas?
This short story was originally published on my blog in December 2019.
Image created by Hugh W. Roberts using Canva.
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Have you noticed that snow is falling on some WordPress blogs? As you read the post, small flakes of snow gently drift down. Meanwhile, on other blogs, like mine, there’s no snow.
WordPress introduced the festive snowfall feature a few years ago. It only works when reading a post via the WordPress website. You won’t see it if you’re reading a post in the WordPress Reader or the Jetpack App unless you click through to the website. This time, it runs until 4th January 2026. But how do you turn the feature on or off? Easy – follow my instructions.
Go to your blog’s dashboard and click Settings – General.
Scroll down the page until you come to ‘Snow.’
You’ll see a box with the words ‘Show falling snow on my site until January 4th.’
Where to turn on/off falling snow on your WordPress blog
If you want snow to fall on your blog, tick the box. If you don’t want snow falling on your blog, untick the box.
Click the ‘Save Changes‘ box at the bottom of the page.
Ensure the changes are effective by opening one of your posts on the WordPress website.
I’m not a lover of anything moving onscreen while I’m reading, as I find it distracting. However, I know that many bloggers love the idea of gently drifting snowflakes while they read blog posts during the festive season.
The choice is yours. And now you know how to switch on or turn off snow falling on your blog.
For the above instructions, I’m using a desktop computer. The falling snow effect is only controlled through your WordPress.com dashboard, not the Jetpack mobile app.
Is it snowing on your blog? If not, do you want it to snow? Let me know why you like or dislike the idea of snowflakes drifting on WordPress blogs.
The featured image on this blog post is sourced from Pixabay. AI reviewed spelling and grammar errors.
Over the past few years, I’ve published a post around this time of year outlining some jobs all bloggers can do to ensure their blog not only looks good but also functions correctly.
One thing bloggers who never do any blog housekeeping refuse to believe is that many problems on their blogs originate from a lack of maintenance. They’ll blame WordPress, instead of themselves. Continuing to use an outdated theme can also cause issues and create a security risk.
One job all bloggers are recommended to do
One important task I am currently working on in the housekeeping aspect of my blog is reviewing posts and removing any images that I cannot be certain are entirely free to use. But why am I doing this?
The comments sections of both posts offer interesting reading, so I recommend taking a look.
I’m a personal blogger, so this won’t affect me!
Wrong! Just because you are a personal blogger, don’t think you are exempt from being fined for copyright infringement. Downloading and using copyrighted images, photos, song lyrics, and some GIFs in your blog posts is illegal; therefore, nobody should encourage bloggers to download or publish any copyrighted material.
Most of the images I deleted are from flash fiction challenges I used to participate in. However, I have also found some images in other posts where I either failed to give proper attribution to the source or used images from the host blogger that I could not guarantee were free to use when taking part in their link-up.
And don’t forget to delete those images and photos from your media library, too. Not only are they proof that you downloaded them illegally, but deleting them will free up valuable storage space.
Unless you are completely certain that images, photos, song lyrics and GIFs are not copyrighted and free to use, avoid using them. Sure, you might get away with it, but why risk a hefty fine?
Back to why December is the ideal time for some blog housekeeping
I’ve already had the pleasure of seeing bloggers bid farewell to their blogs and followers for the festive season, joyfully extending warm wishes to their readers for a Merry Christmas while eagerly expressing their intention to return promptly in the New Year.
Image created using the WordPress AI image generator.
Some have published their final posts of 2025, while others have happily shared their anticipated dates for a well-earned blogging break.
And who can blame them? Blogging is enjoyable, but all bloggers need a break from the blogging world. I’m taking a blogging break during the last few weeks of December.
For those who do not celebrate Christmas, December still provides a valuable opportunity to focus on blog maintenance and security. This can include reviewing and updating posts, auditing existing content for accuracy and relevance, fixing broken links, and improving website speed and SEO.
Furthermore, it’s an excellent time to review your blog’s design and user experience, making necessary adjustments to improve accessibility and engagement. By investing time in these areas, bloggers can keep a polished, secure platform ready to impress their audience in the upcoming year.
As December rolls in and its days dwindle, you’ll probably witness how much of the blogging world falls into a hush. So why let your blog languish in neglect? This is your golden opportunity to roll up your sleeves and give it the fierce love and attention it deserves, ensuring it runs flawlessly for another year.
Let’s wrap it up!
At least once a year, focus on housekeeping tasks to enhance your blog’s appearance and functionality.
Many blog issues stem from a lack of maintenance; outdated themes can pose security risks.
One essential task is reviewing and removing any images from posts and your blog’s media library that may not be free to use to avoid copyright infringement.
Personal bloggers are not exempt from potential copyright-related legal issues when downloading or using copyrighted materials.
December is an ideal time for blog maintenance as many bloggers take breaks. It’s an opportunity for bloggers to give their blogs the attention they deserve before the New Year.
Are you excited about some upcoming blog housekeeping or maintenance? If so, what fantastic plans do you have in store? Perhaps you’ve already tackled some blog maintenance—if that’s the case, I’d love to hear about the wonderful jobs you accomplished!
The featured image in this post was created using the WordPress AI Image Generator block. AI was also used for checking spelling and grammar mistakes.
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