A Christmas Carol was born of an idea that the best way to bring about awareness for the plight of the poor was through story.
Dickens had considered writing pamphlets and essays, but these were not the ways to reach people’s hearts.
People loved stories.
A few weeks earlier, his friend the Baroness Burdett-Coutts had considered donating to the system of religiously-inspired schools known as the “Ragged Schools”.
She had asked Dickens if he would visit the school at Saffron Hill in London and relay his impressions.
Cruikshank represents a ragged school at the Saffron Hill slum in London, which Charles Dickens visited on behalf of philanthropist Angela Burdett Coutts in 1843. This visit undoubtedly shaped his conception of Ignorance and Want — and the importance of elementary education as an antidote to poverty — in A Christmas Carol). (Philip V. Allingham)
I have seldom seen in all the strange and dreadful things I have seen in London and elsewhere, anything so shocking as the dire neglect of soul and body exhibited in these children (Mackenzie, Dickens, pp. 143-44).Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens at the Blacking Warehouse as a boy of twelve years of age.
Dickens was shocked with what he saw.
It was his personal experience that imbued him with a sense of duty to help the poor.
Growing up, his father, John Dickens, was imprisoned in Marshalsea debtors prison, while Charles was forced to leave school and work in a blacking factory.
Before the Bankruptcy Act of 1869, debtors in England were routinely imprisoned at the pleasure of their creditors.
Memories of this period would haunt Dickens for the rest of his life.
Although he loved his father, he saw in him a cold-hearted miser, inspiring the dual characters of Ebenezer Scrooge.
The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, made his eyes red, his thin lips blue, and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice…Charles Dickens
Marshalsea Debtors Prison
Victorian London was experiencing an economic boom, but one that left the poor behind.
Poverty and Wealth by William Powell Frith, 1888
Moving to London in search of opportunity from the harsh agrarian life in the country, many became disappointed, disillusioned, and destitute.
The industrial revolution brought huge wealth to a tiny percentage of the population, with the majority scraping a living in damp, noisy factories, and cramped, filthy slums.
Dwellings of the poor in Bethnal Green. Credit Wellcome Images
Dickens and the Baroness felt that education was the solution. At least it gave hope even to the poorest of families that their children might one day break the mould of poverty and join the rising middle class.
With the Saffron Hill Ragged School still playing on his mind, in October of 1843 Dickens visited a workingmen’s educational institute in the industrial city of Manchester, England.
It was here that Dickens had his “eureka moment”.
Instead of writing a journalistic piece on the plight of the poor, he would write a ghost story—A Christmas Carol.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas. With Illustrations by John Leech. Chapman & Hall, London, 1843. First edition. Title page.
Through story, Dickens asked for people to recognize the plight of those whom the Industrial Revolution had displaced and driven into poverty, and the obligation of society to provide for them humanely.
Critical praise poured in.
A tale to make the reader laugh and cry – to open his hands, and open his heart to charity even toward the uncharitable … a dainty dish to set before a King.the London literary magazine, Athenaeum
a national benefit and to every man or woman who reads it, a personal kindness.William Makepeace Thackeray in Fraser's Magazine
brings the old Christmas of bygone centuries and remote manor houses, into the living rooms of the poor of todayThe New York Times
Scottish writer Margaret Oliphant described it as “a new gospel”.
The impact was astounding.
In the spring of 1844, there was a sudden burst of charitable giving in Britain.
Scottish philosopher and writer, Thomas Carlyle, staged two Christmas dinners after reading the book.
After attending a reading on Christmas Eve in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1867, a Mr Fairbanks closed his factory on Christmas Day and sent every employee a turkey.
British stage actor Sir Squire Bancroft raised £20,000 for the poor by reading A Christmas Carol out loud in public.
With today’s information revolution displacing many livelihoods, the story is as relevant as it was for Charles Dickens.
In advocating the humanitarian focus of the Christmas holiday, Dickens influenced many aspects that are celebrated in Western culture today—family gatherings, seasonal food and drink, dancing, games and a festive generosity of spirit.
At this time of feasting, let us reflect on A Christmas Carol and the social movement it inspired.
Fatigued Minstrels by Augustus Edwin Mulready
There a group of handsome girls, all hooded and fur-booted, and all chattering at once
Soup for the poor by Albert Anker
Illustration from A Christmas Carol
The Forlorn (Poor Children) by Octave Tassaert
The Christmas Hamper by Robert Braithwaite Martineau
Halfpenny dinners for poor children in East London. Credit Wellcome Images
Chester Square, Belgravia, London by John Edwin Oldfield
London Slums
Hush! by James Tissot
Applicants to Admission to a Casual Ward by Sir Luke Fildes
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday season!
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautifulNorman Vincent Peale
Beneath The Snow Encumbered Branches by Joseph Farquharson, 1903
Be merry all, be merry all,
With holly dress the festive hall;
Prepare the song, the feast, the ball,
To welcome merry Christmas. William Robert Spencer
Christmas Market by Heinrich Maniser (Russian, 1847 – 1925)
Christmas is coming; it is almost here! With Santa and presents, good will and cheer!Gertrude Tooley Buckingham, 'Christmas' (1940s)
Christmas market in Berlin by Franz Skarbina – 1892
I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.Charles Dickens
Christmas On Fifth Avenue by Alice Barber Stephens (American, 1858 – 1932)
Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love Divine; Love was born at Christmas; Star and angels gave the sign.Christina Rossetti
Porte St Martin At Christmas Time In Paris by Luigi Loir – circa 1890
For the spirit of Christmas fulfils the greatest hunger of mankind.Loring A. Schuler
Christmas Time by Nikolai Pimonenko (Ukrainian, 1862 – 1912)
 Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection.Winston Churchill
Christmas market by Franz Skarbina – circa 1900
I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men!Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Twas the Night Before Christmas by Henry John Yeend King (English, 1855 – 1924)
 At Christmas, all roads lead home.Marjorie Holmes
A Christmas Party by George Henry Durrie – 1852
At Christmas play and make good cheer, for Christmas comes but once a year.Thomas Tusser
Christmas Celebrations in Ukraine by Konstantin Trutovsky, (Russian, 1826 – 1893)
Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.Washington Irving
Christmas Morning, Hotel de Cluny by Edwin Deakin (American, 1838 – 1923)
Sprinkled with brandy in flames, and decorated with a sprig of holly stuck in the centre. Oh! The marvelous pudding!A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
A Christmas Dole by Joseph Clark, (United Kingdom, 1834 – 1926)
For centuries men have kept an appointment with Christmas. Christmas means fellowship, feasting, giving and receiving, a time of good cheer, home.W.J. Ronald Tucker
Christmas Day by George Goodwin Kilburne, (English, 1839 – 1924)
It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.Charles Dickens
Christmas Morning by Henry Mosler – circa 1916
The smell of pine needles, spruce and the smell of a Christmas tree – those to me, are the scents of the holidays.Blake Lively
Silent Night by Viggo Johansen, 1891
The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.Burton Hillis
The Christmas Tree by Albert Chevallier Tayler – 1911
Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts.J.L.W. Brooks
Christmas presents by Hugo Oehmichen – 1882
I was lucky enough to grow up in a home where I woke up Christmas morning and had toys. I know that’s not the case with all people and I don’t think kids should go without experiencing that sort of joy.Lucy Hale
Christmas by Felix Ehrlich, (German, 1866 – 1931)
Were I a philosopher, I should write a philosophy of toys, showing that nothing else in life need to be taken seriously, and that Christmas Day in the company of children is one of the few occasions on which men become entirely alive.Robert Lynd
Christmas Time by Eastman Johnson – 1864
A Christmas candle is a lovely thing; It makes no noise at all, But softly gives itself away.Eva Logue
The war years made celebrating the tradition of Christmas very difficult. But people found ways to make the most of it. There was a spirit of camaraderie and a willingness to “mend and make do”.
Being apart from loved ones at Christmas was a strain on families. Husbands and fathers were away at war; wives and mothers were either serving in the military or working in munitions factories for the war effort; children were often evacuated to the countryside, far from home.
But people put their best foot forward. They kept calm and carried on.
Listen to “I’ll be Home for Christmas” as you read along. The song was originally written to honor soldiers overseas who longed to be home at Christmas time.
The National Savings Committee in wartime Britain issued posters to encourage saving, discourage frivolous spending and promote investment in the war effort.
World War 2 poster issued by the National Savings Committee, London.
Similar posters were issued in the United States.
World War II Posters, US Office of War Information
Fewer men at home meant fewer men available to dress up and play Santa Claus. Mothers dressed up as Santa for Christmas parties, and women served as substitute Santas at department stores.
Father Christmas presents Winston Churchill Jr., the Prime Minister’s grandson, with a gift at a Christmas party at Admiralty House in London, 17 December 1942
Father Christmas lifts a young girl up to look at a toy soldier on a highly-decorated Christmas tree at a home for evacuees in Henley-on-Thames. It is interesting to note that this Father Christmas is actually being played by a woman
Father Christmas hands out toys and games, including a set of building bricks, to children at a home for evacuees in Henley-on-Thames, 1941
Christmas trees were in short supply in Britain and America because the men who would normally cut them down were away at war. Rail and road transportation was largely used for the war effort, leaving little room for luxuries like Christmas trees.
Britain had a program through the YMCA called “Gifts to Home League” whereby those serving abroad could purchase gifts and have them delivered. The following three images show how the YMCA’s program brought Christmas cheer to the Devereaux family in Middlesex, England in 1944.
Outside the main entrance to Selfridge’s department store on Oxford Street, representatives of the YMCA load the Christmas tree they have just purchased into their van
Trooper Devereux, whose photograph can be seen on the Christmas tree, is serving in Italy and bought the tree as a present for 12 year old Jean under a YMCA scheme
Jean Devereux cuts the cake in her house in Pinner, Middlesex, on Christmas Day 1944
Children visiting Santa Claus, Eaton’s department store, St. Catherine Street, Montreal, Canada, 1941
Christmas Eve in Stockholm, Sweden, 1941
A Christmas party held at Admiralty House, London, 17 December 1942
Leading Aircraftman Fred Fazan dressed as Santa Claus hands out presents to Dutch children at No. 122 Wing’s airfield at Volkel, Holland, 13 December 1944
During respites from fighting, there were a few chances to sample the local beverage. Here, British troops celebrate Christmas cheer with the help of Italy’s fine wine offerings.
The British Army in Italy 1943. The Queen’s Regiment celebrate Christmas, 25 December 1943
Royal Artillery cooks preparing Christmas dinner near Geilenkirchen, Germany, 25 December 1944
Singing songs and carols were rituals of Christmas at war—a way to keep memories of Christmases at home alive.
The ground crew of No. 122 Wing singing Christmas carols by a Hawker Tempest in a dispersal at Volkel airfield (B80), Holland 1944
In the ward room that has been decorated with balloons and streamers, the First Lieutenant carves the joint during Christmas celebrations on board HMS WESTMINSTER at Rosyth
Christmas dinner in the wardroom of HMS MALAYA at Scapa Flow, 25 December 1942
A nurse feeds a patient with a spoonful of Christmas pudding at a naval hospital at Kingseat in Scotland, December 1941
A youngster, clutching his soldier father, gazes upward while the latter lifts his wife from the ground to wish her a Merry Christmas
Home-made presents were popular. Dads made ships and dolls’ houses, whilst moms made sweets (candies) and knitted with spare bits of wool. Children’s gifts were often donated from other countries and charities.
Petty Officer H Bell, of Shotts, Lanarkshire, a member of the Home Fleet, constructs model ships and aircraft to be given as presents for Christmas
On the foc’sle of a battleship, in the shadow of the guns, a Royal Marine, J Lynch of Newport, Monmouthshire is putting the finishing touches to a large dolls house, complete with furniture, 1943
Make-do Dolls For Christmas- Wartime Recycling, 1943 A portrait of a home-made stuffed cloth ‘Mrs Brer Rabbit’ and baby. According to the original caption, the apron of this children’s toy was made from part of an old net curtain
A group of young children at Junior School design and make their own Christmas decorations in Cambridgeshire, England, 1944
To help conserve paper, wrapping of Christmas presents was prohibited, making it difficult to keep Christmas presents a surprise. But whatever children received for Christmas during World War II, it was a treat and a sight for their sore little eyes.
Look what Santa brought you
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Oh, the weather outside is frightful, But the fire is so delightful. And since we’ve got no place to go, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!Written by Sammy Cahn and composed by Jule Styne, July 1945.
The log fire is crackling away nicely. You’ve made a hot cup of cocoa. You check outside again. Yes—it’s still snowing in large, fluffy flakes.
You have the house to yourself.
Perfect.
Now, at last, the time has come. The time to relax and watch your favorite Christmas movies!
Which one to watch first? Decisions, decisions.
But wait a second. What is it about Christmas movies that we love so much? Is it the warm, comforting feeling we get from uplifting stories that offer hope? Is it the inspiration we find in the life lessons of the classics?
In a world that often seems full of turmoil, perhaps we just like to know that the perennial favorites help keep alive the values and traditions that we hold dear.
Which one to watch first …? Here’s a few ideas—peruse the movie clips and then vote for your favorite.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) is a classic Christmas drama directed by Frank Capra and starring James Stewart as George Bailey, a man who contemplates suicide on Christmas Eve until an angel shows him how different the world would be if he had never been born. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards and is considered one of the greatest films of all time.
Home Alone (1990) is a comedy film directed by Chris Columbus and written by John Hughes, starring Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, an eight-year-old boy who is accidentally left behind when his family goes on a Christmas vacation to Paris. He has to defend his home from two burglars, played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern, using various booby traps. The film was a huge box office success and spawned four sequels.
Elf (2003) is a fantasy comedy film directed by Jon Favreau and starring Will Ferrell as Buddy, a human who was raised by elves at the North Pole. He travels to New York City to find his biological father, played by James Caan, and experiences the joys and challenges of the human world. The film also features Zooey Deschanel, Bob Newhart, Ed Asner, and Peter Dinklage. It was well received by critics and audiences and became a Christmas staple.
The Santa Clause (1994) is a fantasy comedy film directed by John Pasquin and starring Tim Allen as Scott Calvin, a divorced father who accidentally causes Santa Claus to fall from his roof and die on Christmas Eve. He puts on Santa’s suit and finishes his deliveries, only to find out that he has to become the new Santa and convince his family and friends of his new identity. The film was a hit and spawned two sequels.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) is a live-action adaptation of the 1957 Dr. Seuss book of the same name, directed by Ron Howard and starring Jim Carrey as the Grinch, a green creature who hates Christmas and plans to ruin it for the people of Whoville. He is challenged by a young girl named Cindy Lou Who, played by Taylor Momsen, who tries to befriend him and show him the true meaning of Christmas. The film was a commercial success and won an Oscar for Best Makeup.
The Polar Express (2004) is an animated film based on the 1985 children’s book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg, directed by Robert Zemeckis and featuring the voice of Tom Hanks in multiple roles. It tells the story of a young boy who boards a magical train on Christmas Eve that takes him and other children to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus. The film was the first to use performance capture technology for all the human characters and was nominated for three Oscars.
White Christmas (1954) is a musical film directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen. It follows two former army buddies who team up with a sister act to save the failing Vermont inn of their former commander. The film features the songs of Irving Berlin, including the title song, which Crosby had previously introduced in the 1942 film Holiday Inn. The film was a box office hit and received a nomination for Best Original Song.
A Christmas Story (1983) is a comedy film based on the semi-autobiographical stories of Jean Shepherd, directed by Bob Clark and narrated by Shepherd himself. It depicts the childhood memories of Ralphie Parker, played by Peter Billingsley, who desperately wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas in the 1940s. The film also stars Darren McGavin, Melinda Dillon, and Ian Petrella as Ralphie’s family. The film has become a cult classic and is shown on television every Christmas.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947) is a Christmas comedy-drama film directed by George Seaton and starring Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood, and Edmund Gwenn. It tells the story of a department store Santa Claus who claims to be the real Santa and has to prove his identity in court. The film was released in June but became a holiday favorite and won three Oscars, including Best Supporting Actor for Gwenn. It has been remade several times, most notably in 1994 with Richard Attenborough as Santa.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) is a comedy film directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik and written by John Hughes, starring Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, a father who wants to have a perfect Christmas with his family and relatives. However, his plans are constantly ruined by various mishaps and disasters, such as a malfunctioning Christmas lights display, a kidnapped boss, and a squirrel-infested Christmas tree. The film is the third installment of the National Lampoon’s Vacation series and is widely regarded as the best one.
A Christmas Carol (1951) is a British film adaptation of the 1843 novella by Charles Dickens, directed by Brian Desmond Hurst and starring Alastair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly businessman who is visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve who show him the error of his ways. The film is also known as Scrooge in the United Kingdom and is considered one of the best versions of the classic story. It features a faithful script by Noel Langley and a memorable performance by Sim.
The Holiday (2006) is a romantic comedy film written, produced, and directed by Nancy Meyers, starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet as Amanda and Iris, two women who swap homes for the holidays to escape their love problems. Amanda travels to Iris’ cottage in Surrey, England, where she meets Iris’ brother Graham, played by Jude Law, while Iris stays in Amanda’s house in Los Angeles, where she befriends an elderly screenwriter named Arthur, played by Eli Wallach, and a film composer named Miles, played by Jack Black. The film was a box office success and received positive reviews.
Scrooged (1988) is a comedy film directed by Richard Donner and starring Bill Murray as Frank Cross, a cynical and selfish television executive who is haunted by three spirits on Christmas Eve who teach him the true meaning of Christmas. The film is a modern retelling of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, with references to the original story and other pop culture elements. The film also features Karen Allen, John Forsythe, Bobcat Goldthwait, Carol Kane, and David Johansen. The film was a hit and has become a cult classic.
The Bells of St. Mary’s (1945) is a drama film directed by Leo McCarey and starring Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman as Father Chuck O’Malley and Sister Mary Benedict, who work together at a Catholic school in financial trouble. The film is a sequel to the 1944 film Going My Way, which also starred Crosby as Father O’Malley. The film features the song “Aren’t You Glad You’re You?” by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke, and was nominated for eight Oscars, including Best Picture.
Trading Places (1983) is a comedy film directed by John Landis and starring Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy as Louis Winthorpe III and Billy Ray Valentine, two men from opposite social backgrounds who unknowingly switch places as part of a bet by two wealthy brothers, played by Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche. The film is a satire of social class and race relations in America, and features Jamie Lee Curtis, Denholm Elliott, and Paul Gleason in supporting roles. The film was a critical and commercial success and is considered one of the best comedies of the 1980s.
Something happens at this time of year all across Northern Europe, especially in Germany.
Pretty little stalls huddle together, filled with glistening decorations, handmade figurines, and local produce.
The sounds of children’s laughter, sleigh bells, and choir singers fill the night air.
Mouth-watering aromas of sizzling bratwurst, gingerbread, and toasted almonds waft through the stalls.
Christmas market in Berlin by Franz Skarbina, 1892
The Christmas markets are here, signaling the beginning of Advent.
For centuries, Christmas markets brought cheer to weary villagers and added a touch of light and color to the long winter nights.
Our story begins in the late Middle Ages in parts of the former Holy Roman Empire.
The precursor to Christmas markets is thought to be Vienna’s Dezembermarkt (December Market), dating back to around 1296. Emperor Albrecht I granted shopkeepers the rights to hold a market for a day or two in early winter so that townspeople could stock up on supplies to last through the cold months.
Medieval Market. Credit Ironchefbalara
Wintermärkte (winter markets) began to spring up all over Europe.
Over time, local families started setting up stalls to sell baskets, toys, and woodcarvings alongside others selling almonds, roasted chestnuts, and gingerbread. These were often bought as gifts to give away at Christmas.
Berlin boy from the Christmas market by Franz Skarbina, c. 1890
Christmas market by Franz Skarbina, 1900
It was the winter markets that eventually became known as Christmas Markets—the earliest of which are claimed to be in Germany: Munich in around 1310, Bautzen in 1384, and Frankfurt in 1393.
But Dresden’s Strietzelmarkt may have been the first real Christmas Market, dating from 1434.
Christmas market in Dresden, Germany. Credit
Today, during the lead up to Christmas, most towns of moderate size across the German-speaking world have a Christmas market.
Several cities in the UK, US and Canada also hold Christmas markets, where visitors can enjoy traditional foods like Zwetschgenmännle (figures made of decorated dried plums), Nussknacker (carved Nutcrackers), Gebrannte Mandeln (candied, toasted almonds), and freshly-grilled Bratwurst. Favorite beverages include Glühwein (hot mulled wine) and Eierpunsch (an egg-based warm alcoholic drink).
German Christmas cookies and decorations. Credit Till Westermayer, Freiburg
More regional food specialties include Christstollen (Stollen), a sort of egg bread with candied fruit from Saxony, and hot Apfelwein and Frankfurter Bethmännchen from Hesse.
Many other handmade items, toys, books, Christmas tree decorations and ornaments can be found at a Christmas Market.
Christmas markets combine the charm of tradition with the excitement of an open-air marketplace. They help rekindle the enchantment of our childhood memories.
Play a little music to enhance the magic of your Christmas Market experience …
Christmas market in Rostock, Germany. Credit Carsten PeschtChristmas market in Paderborn, Germany. Credit Harald SelkeChristmas market in Konstanz, Germany. Credit LenDog64
Christmas market in Jena, Thuringia, Germany. Credit Rene SchwietzkeChristmas market in Munich, GermanyChristmas market in Prague, Czech Republic Credit Vlasta JuricekChristmas market in Munich, Germany. Credit Heather CowperChristmas market in Berlin, Germany. Credit Wolfgang ScholvienChristmas market in Berlin, Germany. Credit visitBerling & Wolfgang ScholvienChristmas Market on RichardplatzChristmas market in Berlin, Germany. Credit onnolaChristmas market at Tallinn, Estonia Credit Sergei Zjuganov
Christmas market in Goslar, Germany. Credit Graham HillsChristmas market in Krakow, Poland. Credit Garrett ZieglerChristmas market in Warsaw, Poland. Credit Francois du PlessisChristmas market in Strasbourg, Alsace, France. Credit francoisnceChristmas market in Strasbourg, Alsace, France. Credit francoisChristmas market in Stuttgart, Germany. Credit blankdotsChristmas Market in Stuttgart, Germany. Credit LenDog64Christmas market in Stockholm Old Town, SwedenChristmas market in Ulm, Germany. Credit ChristopherChristmas market in Düsseldorf, Germany
Christmas Market in Luxembourg. Credit –Christophe–Christmas market in Bath, England. Credit RwendlandChristmas market in Copenhagen, Denmark. Credit Judith, flickrChristmas market in Derby, England. Credit DncnHChristmas market in Glasgow, Scotland. Credit byronv2Christmas market in Edinburgh, Scotland. Credit Ross G. StrachanChristmas market in Salisbury, England. Credit AnguskirkFrankfurt Christmas Market in Victoria Square, Birmingham, England. Credit Anneli SaloHyde Park Winter Wonderland Christmas Market, London, England. Credit Garry KnightChristmas market in Toronto, Canada. Credit Allen McGregorChristmas Market in Denver, Colorado. Credit Paul Iwancio
