There are a considerable number of myths that surround the Christmas season. The main problem is that with many of the traditions and stories relating to Christmas cannot be verified one way or the other.

The very date of Christmas is to say the least questionable. Here is considerable doubt as to whether Jesus was actually born on or near the 25^th of December. Some theologians and historians argue that it would be very unlikely that Shepherds would be out in the fields tending their flocks in what even in the Middle East would be winter time. A lot of what is widely regarded as true about Christmas or held as a tradition cannot or has not been verified, or, has changed through the years.

Even Christmas Day itself, Dec. 25, has been questioned about whether that isthe exact day on which Jesus was born. Skeptics have asked why would shepherdsbe out in the cold watching their flocks by night during the winter. Those sceptics have put forward the thought that Jesus may really have been born in the spring instead. It is therefore little wonder that there are many fancy stories and tales that are told about Christmas and the Christmas season.

The most common fancy tale that everyone tells, particularly to children, is about Santa Claus, also called St. Nicholas. But even if it were accepted that Santa Claus existed, where does he live and how is he able to get to all the houses of good boys and girls on Christmas Eve?

In the United States, Santa Claus is said to have two homes. There is a home in Torrington, Connecticut, which is used as a distribution point for Santa and his many helpers, who are elves, to hand out gifts. And then, a second home is said to be located in Wilmington, New York, and that is where Santa Claus and his delivery reindeer crew are located.

But Santa can be visited in Cyberspace at anytime and what about the widely held belief that Santa Claus really lives in a village at the North Pole? The people of Finland also claim that their country is the official residence of Santa Claus. That’s because in Finland, you can actually visit a village any time during the year and see Santa’s workshop and observe Santa and his elves hard at work as they prepare for their very important Christmas gift ndelivery job on Christmas Eve. The only day when Santa’s workshop is closed to visitors is of course, on Christmas Eve.

Maybe a very smart visitor could visit Santa’s workshop on the day before Christmas Eve to see if there are any clues to how Santa and his reindeers plan to make their trip the next day. That’s because as the tale goes, in Finland Santa Claus and his reindeers do not reach their destinations around the globe by flying.

Finland welcomes visitors to Santa’s workshop but there is nothing said about whether visitors actually have any chance of having a word with the man himself. While the chances of doing so are believed to be non-existent, among the questions that inquiring minds could ask Santa is whether Rudolph is the son of Donner (and to confirm the spelling - Donner or Donder) or whether Santa spotted him in a different reindeer village one foggy Christmas Eve when he had already started on his Christmas toy-delivery mission.

If mere mortals got a chance to question Santa, then he also would likely have some questions for us humans. He may want to know whose idea was it to have Christmas trees and for the gifts to be placed under them. The tradition of Christmas tree as it exists today comes from Germany by way of immigrants. But it isn’t clear how the tradition really gained a foothole in Germany. One story is that Christians in Germany during the 16th century started to bring trees that were decorated into their homes. Some of those Christians would build pyramids for Christmas. The pyramids were made of wood and would be decorated with evergreens and candles if wood was in short supply.

It is however Martin Luther, a Protestant reformer, who is said to have been the first to add lighted candles as decoration to a tree based on his inspiration from the brilliant light of twinkling stars that shone through evergreen trees as he walked home one winter evening. As the legend goes, Martin Luther placed a tree in a primary room of hishouse and placed wires with small, lighted candles around the branches of the tree. started.

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Greeting cards Christmas -A Guide To This Seasons Christmas Cards

It is that time of year again; time to send out your Christmas cards. It is a tradition you have dutifully carried out for years, and you’re sure it will be the same this year, right? No, it doesn’t have to be. This seasons Christmas decorations and themes are all about simplicity. Color palettes are warm in hues, and thriftiness is in. This makes this seasons Christmas cards cheap as well. Finding and sending your Christmas cards will be simple this season when you follow these simple steps.

The first thing you need to do is find out how many Christmas cards you’ll need. Most experts recommend writing a list of all the people you would like to send a card to, and narrow it down from there if you need to. Keep in mind a total you can spend on your cards, considering that as the number of cards increases, the individual quality may decrease. If you are planning custom made cards, be sure to get a quote before purchasing a package. The number of Christmas cards you’ll need to send out will determine a lot about them.

Next, you’ll need to decide what type of Christmas cards you’d like to send out, custom cards or store bought cards. If you want to send custom cards you should consider the price. Whether your custom Christmas cards will have a family portrait on the cover, or fancy lettering, they can add up quickly and doing your research before hand may help to save you money. Decide what you’d like your Christmas card to look like, and search for cheaper deals or ways to make them at home.

If you are purchasing store bought Christmas cards, it is a good idea to start looking early. It is possible to find affordable deals early in the year. Most experts agree a small flourish is a nice touch to add to a store bought card. Add a decorative sheet of paper with a carol or a Christmas poem printed on it, to the inside of your card. Include a family photo with your Christmas card. Add a drop of cinnamon essential oil to the card to give it a holiday scent. Small touches will make your store bought Christmas cards stand out.

Thankfully, this seasons Christmas cards are all about simplicity. Warm, autumnal colors are in. Stick with the traditional red and green and add sparks of gold or silver. Bear in mind the price of custom cards and hunt around for good bargains. If possible, make your custom cards yourself. If you’re buying store bought Christmas cards, add a few personal touches to make them memorable. Streamline your Christmas cards this year for a less stressful holiday season.

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If you are looking for Christmas ideas a good place to start is the Christmas tree.  Christmas is one of the most celebrated holidays of all time, and the Christmas tree is a symbol of the season. Whether you have a live Christmas tree each year or one that is pre-made, there are some things you can do to be sure your tree looks and stays beautiful throughout the holiday season. First and foremost, if you do have a live tree, it’s very important to be sure it has plenty of water. Fir trees tend to absorb or need lots of water on a daily basis, so check your tree stand or reservoir regularly to avoid the needles from drying out and falling off the branches.

One of my Christmas ideas is to involve as many of the family as possible in decorating the tree. Children really enjoy being a “help” and I always think that it is not Christmas time until we have our tree up and decorated. I always think it is a good idea If you’re using garland to decorate the tree, there is a certain order that should be followed so that it looks correct and not cluttered. Always put the lights on the tree first. Since lights have wire, you want to put them on first so other items such as garland can cover them. The ornaments should go on last, since this is what you really want to be displayed. When putting on lights, start at the base or bottom of the tree and work your way up. Try to work them from inside out, putting the lights near the trunk and then stringing them outward towards the branches.

Everyone usually has a variety of different ornaments that they like to use. If you have some that are considered more basic or they are used as “filler ” ornaments, be sure to space them out properly. You don’t want too many red or green ornaments too close together, while all of your figurine or keepsake ornaments are too close or hidden. Try to distribute all types of ornaments evenly on the tree when you hang them. As a rule of thumb, it takes about 20 single colored or “filler ” ornaments for every two feet or so of tree. How you place them is up to you, but try to make it look even and neat, and you will have a gorgeous Christmas tree this year, and for many years to come.

Feel free to contact us with your Christmas ideas so that we can share them with other visitors to the site..

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Make a Christmas Wreath

A Christmas craft idea could be making your own Christmas wreath. Making a Christmas Wreath is not only fun – but you really can get creative with them and make them extremely unique.

 Here are instructions for making a traditional holly wreath. With these          instructions, you will be able to get the basic idea of how wreaths are actually made, and you can then decide what to do to make your own holly wreath special – or go with an entirely different kind of wreath.

 Materials:

      A 20 inch wreath - This can be a plain foam wreath, a wreath that      already has the evergreens on it, or a twine wreath. For a traditional holly wreath, the ones with the evergreens already attached are ideal.

      1.5 yards of ribbon – this can be plain red, plain green, or a red and black or red and green plaid. The ribbon should about 2.5 inches wide, and can be silk or felt. It’s your wreath!

      Pinecones – you will need about ten. Try to find ones that are well shaped and unbroken.

      Pomegranates – six dried pomegranates will do. Don’t get fresh ones!

        Or substitute other dried or good-looking plastic fruits.

      Additional Foliage – you need more evergreens (to make the wreath seem fuller) berry sprays and berry clusters. 

      Construction Materials – scissors, hot glue gun, glue sticks, wire (if there is no hanger on the back of the wreath), sewing needle, thread (same color as ribbon).

 If the wreath has no hanger, you will need to construct one with the wire. This should be done first. Make sure that it is secure, and that it can bear the weight of the wreath.

 Fluff the existing evergreens and add more. The wreath should have a full appearance. You will most likely need to straighten a few branches here and there – but don’t make it too ‘perfect.’ It should have a ‘natural’ appearance to it.

 Let’s make and attach the bow.  Cut a piece of ribbon about thirty inches long. Cut another piece of ribbon about four inches long. In the center of the long piece of ribbon, you want to form two loops that will make the bow.

 The small piece of ribbon is used to secure the bow, in the middle of the loops. Note that the bow is ‘formed’ not ‘tied.’ There are no knots to tie. Secure the small piece of ribbon around the bow, in the back, with the thread. Each end of the bow will be about nine inches long.

 You can place the bow wherever you choose to.  It could go in the middle of the top, the bottom, or off to one side.  The ends should be woven through the foliage on the wreath – or it can hang loose. 

 It is a good idea to paint the ends of the ribbon with clear fingernail polish to keep them from fraying   over time. The bow can be attached to the wreath with glue or with wire.   Just make sure that it is secure.

 Once you’ve placed the bow on the wreath, you can glue two of the pomegranates in the center of the bow.  The remaining four pomegranates should be glued to the wreath equal distances apart, in groups of two.

 Next, glue the pinecones to the wreath. These can be spaced evenly apart   sporadically, or in groups of pinecones. Do what looks good to you. Again, it is your wreath.

 The berry clusters and sprays should also be glued to the front of the wreath. Glue some additional foliage over the top of the bow with a berry cluster for added affect. Remember that there is not specific way that any of this must be done. It is your choice.

 It is a good idea to lay the pieces of the wreath on it before gluing anything down. This will allow you to see how the finished product will look before committing to anything. Try different arrangements of the material to see what looks best to you.

 Once you’ve constructed the wreath, set it someplace where the glue has time to harden fully.  Once this is done, pick the wreath up and gently shake it to make sure that everything is secured well.  Most wreaths hang on the door, and doors are constantly opened and closed – and even slammed. You want to make sure that your wreath isn’t falling to pieces each time the door opens and closes.

 In many cases, you may be able to use wire or a needle and thread to make items on the wreath more secure. Heavier items won’t be very secure with glue in most cases. 

 Remember that holly wreaths don’t have to be ‘busy’ to be beautiful. A few simple additions to the foliage is all that it takes.

 The bow is typically the object that draws the eye, so make sure that the bow is really well done.

 Now that you know how wreaths are made – and how easy it is – you may decide that you don’t want a holly wreath at all. You may opt for a themed wreath, a twined wreath, or a truly unique wreath that stands out. The possibilities are endless!

 We shall be adding more Christmas craft ideas on the run up top the holiday season.

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There are many holiday traditions including Christmas dinner, sending Christmas cards, visiting Santa, baking Christmas cookies and making homemade Christmas candies. Homes are decorated inside and out with colorful lights and holiday decorations. People usually try to spread goodwill, compassion and peace during the Christmas holiday season.

Some countries celebrate on Christmas Eve, other on both Christmas Eve and Christmas day, while other countries celebrate Boxing Day on December 26th. One church, the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Christmas on January 6th. Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate Christmas on January 7th. The date is just a tradition and is not considered to be Jesus’ actual birth date.

The word “Christmas” actually comes from two words: Christ’s mass. Many of the seasons decorations lead back to Christ’s birth such as Nativity managers, star ornaments and the giving of gifts.

Christmas day during the Middle ages was more of a festival. King William I of England chose Christmas Day to be crowned king in 800.

During the Reformation, Protestants condemned the celebration of Christmas as mere trappings, while Catholics promoted the festival as a religious event.

Colonial America saw the Puritans disapproving of the trappings of the Christmas celebration and it was outlawed in Boston in 1659 to 1681. However Christian residents of Virginia and New York celebrated the holiday.

Charles Dickens’ book “A Christmas Carol”, published in 1843 did much to revive the holiday that was to instill goodwill and compassion. Washington Irving also wrote short stories about Christmas and the “Twas the Night Before Christmas Poem by Clement Clarke.

Whichever day you and your family celebrate Christmas it is important to make it as special a day as possible.

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In certain parts of Italy, because of the Catholic tradition of abstaining from red meat on Christmas Eve day, there is a tradition of having fish for the evening meal. This is commonly referred to as a 7 fishes dinner and is a fascinating tradition for those who enjoy seafood. It’s certainly a new and refreshing dinner idea for many people if you are looking for something a little different from the ordinary. Even if fish really isn’t your food of choice there is no rule that says you can’t prepare a nice Italian feast for your Christmas dinner. The important thing is that you have friends and family gathered near and prepare the food with love. You do not have to have turkey or ham in order for the meal to qualify as Christmas and there is no reason that you have to stick with traditions that you really do not enjoy.

A traditional German Christmas dinner might be a neat tradition to try in America as well if you are looking to introduce your family to various cultures or just want to do a little something extraordinary for Christmas this year. One thing to note is that many Germans have their Christmas Dinner on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas Day. A traditional German Christmas dinner often consists of dishes such as stuffed Christmas Goose, Potato Dumplings, Red Cabbage, and Baked Apples for dessert. Of course you do not have to choose a traditional Christmas dinner for your Christmas German cuisine there are plenty of great German dishes that can be enjoyed if you wish to bring a German theme to your Christmas table. Do whatever tastes good and it might be best to choose foods that are relatively easy to prepare rather than those that are time consuming so that you can enjoy time with friends and family rather than cooped up in the kitchen.

If a taste of the UK is what you have in mind for your Christmas Dinner table then you might find the foods bring a flavor that is a little closer to home than you may realize. Popular Christmas dinner favorites in the UK include dishes such as roast turkey, roast potatoes, brussel sprouts, dressing, and Christmas plum pudding. One interesting tradition that is popular in the UK is that of Christmas crackers, which hold little gifts and goodies inside.

Another interesting choice for your Christmas table may be to include your favorite Mexican dishes for dinner. Most Americans have a soft spot for Mexican cuisine and it is definitely warming to eat on a cold winter’s day. The point is to make your Christmas dinner menu fun to eat, fun to prepare, and something that is likely to make your guests smile while building fond memories of your Christmas day.

The same may be said of most cuisines, even those from cultures that do not traditionally celebrate Christmas. Thai, Indian, Chinese foods make wonderful themes for a Christmas table if you are knowledgeable about the cuisine and willing to undertake the tasks of preparation as part of your Christmas dinner plans. The trick is really in finding dishes that are relatively simple to prepare, difficult to mess up, and can easily be skipped in the event that something does go wrong. There are tons of distractions on Christmas in most households and you do not want Christmas dinner ruined because one dish is proving difficult or impossible or (heaven forbid) gets burned, dropped on the floor, or eaten by the dog.

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Christmas Tree Tip #1: Artificial or Real

The first step is to decide whether you want a real or artificial tree. An artificial tree is beneficial to anyone who has allergies, but also if you just want to know that your tree will last for years. Artificial trees are nice because they do not have to be thrown out every year and they are always the same size and a perfect fit. On the other hand, there’s nothing like the smell of a real Christmas tree. With real trees, there is a greater risk of fire and also the need to keep them hydrated regularly. A real Christmas tree requires a lot of maintenance and, if you’re not up to it, an artificial may be the way to go.

Christmas Tree Tip #2: Will It Fit?

When selecting the perfect Christmas tree, choose one that will fit best in your home. Measure the spot for your tree before you go out shopping and keep those numbers close at hand. After you select an area in your home, measure the distance from your floor to the roof, along with the width of the space. Take a tape measure when you go to pick out your tree and make sure it will fit in the spot you chose.

Christmas Tree Tip #3: Is It Healthy?

If you’re looking for a live tree, check the limbs to make sure they are nice and green. Also, look for any brown needles, which may be a sign of a tree that has not been freshly cut. A tree that is too dry could be a fire hazard, so watch out for any signs of needle loss or other symptoms of a damaged tree. You will want to choose one that looks healthy and full with beautiful branches, which will look festive when decorated. If you’re planning to load the tree onto your car, place a protective sheet down on the top before adding the tree. This will protect your car from scratches, or sap, on the way home. Make sure that you choose a strong rope to secure the tree to your car.

Christmas Tree Tip #4: Picking the Right Color

If you are buying a real tree, they only come in one color. But, if you are buying an artificial tree, you have the alternate option of white. While white Christmas trees are not as traditional as the green, there is something to be said for their beauty. Consider a white tree with blue lights, blue ornaments and white garland. A white Christmas tree is classic and stunning, especially with the right combination of decorations.

Christmas Tree Tip #5: Prelit or Plain?

Another advantage to artificial trees is that they are available in pre-lit designs. This saves decorating time and ensures that the lights are always perfectly spaced. Additionally, if you don’t feel up to wrapping the lights around the tree yourself, a pre-lit tree allows you to enjoy the beauty of Christmas without the work of decorating.

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One fun idea is to make all of the guests open their presents with oven mitts. This is sure to garner a lot of laughs as people struggle to unravel the tape and wrapping paper.

You can also give everybody a small bag of 10 chocolates when they enter the party. Make a rule that if someone catches them saying certain words such as “Santa”, “Presents”, “Christmas”, etc, they need to surrender a piece of their chocolate to that person. The person with the most chocolate at the end is the winner.

Have an “ugly sweater” theme. The person with the ugliest sweater wins a prize. This can be a good Christmas party game for parties in which everybody doesn’t know each other.

Have a wrapping contest. Blindfold people at the party, set a timer, and see how far people can get with wrapping a gift or box when they can’t see. Cut the wrapping paper to fit the box ahead of time, as playing with scissors blindfolded can be harmful. See who gets the furthest and award them a prize.

Have a gift-wrapping or unwrapping relay. Divide the partygoers into two teams. Make a station with gift-wrap, scissors, and tape. The first person has to run to the station and wrap the gift. When they are done, they have to run back, and the next person in line repeats. For younger children, this can be an unwrapping party. Either way, this is an enjoyable Christmas party game.

Play a “Guess What’s In The Stocking” Christmas party game. Put awkward shaped objects inside stockings, and make people guess what they are. Some ideas can be pine cones, candy canes, or star shaped items.

Christmas Bingo can be a fun time. Make an empty Bingo sheet, and have people fill in the boxes with words that they associate with Christmas, such as “ornament”, “garland”, or “Christmas tree”. Give out Hershey kisses to use as markers, and see who wins this amusing Christmas party game.

Take two decks of cards. Keep one for yourself, and shuffle out the other deck to the partygoers. Keep a few presents on a table near everybody. A good rule of thumb is to have half as many presents as partygoers for this one. After everybody gets their cards, take your deck, and read the card suit and numbers out loud. When people have that card, they get to take a present from the middle. After the presents run out, people get to take the presents from each other. This can be a very enjoyable Christmas party game (especially for the people that get to keep the presents!).

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