Gift-giving At Christmas

The real meaning of Christmas is often expressed as being about giving to others during the season. Giving can take many forms, but during the Christmas season the most obvious way in which giving is done is by preparing beautifully wrapped Christmas presents for family, friends, acquaintances, work colleagues, teachers and others such as business clients.

The tradition of giving gifts at Christmas is believed to have started with the Three Wise Men who brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. But the practice of giving gifts as is common today, evolved from a retail strategy that involved Santa Claus and attracting children into stores. For that reason, giving gifts at Christmas and during the holidays has been centered on children.  Giving gifts during Christmas started in the early 19^th century when the celebration of Christmas was restored after a period when the Protestants in England banned Christmas celebrations. In 1820 to 1840 when Christmas celebrations regained popularity, stores started to advertise special Christmas shopping promotions. At the same time, newspapers also created advertising sections solely for holiday shopping advertisements. These special advertising sections had prominent displays of Santa Claus.  In 1841 when a store in Philadelphia had a life-size model of Santa Claus, hundreds of children turned up to get a look at Santa Claus, which had become a new and popular element of revitalized Christmas celebrations. The interest in seeing Santa Claus provided a marketing idea to retailers that they could attract children and parents to stores through offers to have a look at a ‘real’ or ‘live’ Santa Claus. Because of that marketing strategy to attract children during Christmas, the focus was therefore to give Christmas presents to children.

Today, gift-giving is still focused on children, but adults are as much popular recipients as children. Within families, the focus on children is evident in the fact that an individual child will get more gifts than any other individual adult member of the family.  For young children, who are particularly delighted and enchanted by the holidays and Christmas festivities, toys are usually the gift given. Among older children, clothes and electronic gadgets are popular items to give as Christmas gifts.

Adults are the ones however, for whom there is the widest range of items that can be given as Christmas presents. An item that will make a good Christmas or holiday present to just about any adult is a decadent box of chocolate or holiday cookies. This is enjoyed even by those who are diet-conscious because, they can be sugar- and, or, fat-free or also low in carbohydrates. At Christmas time also, many people tend to temporarily disregard any strict diet rules that they are following and so they welcome and enjoy any type of Christmas treats heartily.

According to a survey done in 2004 by the National Confectioners Association, 90 percent of 1,000 adults who were surveyed responded that giving or receiving a box of chocolates and creating or receiving a stocking filled with goodies were among the top three ways they enjoyed candy during the winter holidays. A third way was having candy that was placed in a dish, which indicates that having sweet treats at Christmas time is generally enjoyed by a broad cross-section of people.

Aside from family members and friends, it may also be a nice gesture to give a holiday or Christmas present to colleagues at work, teachers of your children and based on your profession, to business clients. The primary reason to give any of those categories of people holiday or Christmas gifts is likely to express appreciation. For that reason, a holiday present of goodies or treats would indeed be a sweet gift to give.

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        Christians celebrate Christmas to observe the birth of Jesus Christ, which is an event and not a tradition. But many other
activities related to celebrating the Christmas season evolved from certain traditions, many of which are from other countries,
particularly from peoples in Europe.

    Among common items used in Christmas decorations are the holly and the mistletoe. Both are used primarily in wreaths and garlands. The Druids started the tradition of using the mistletoe as decorative items up to two hundred years before Christ. To celebrate the winter season, the Druids would gather the plants and use them to decorate their homes. The Druids believed the mistletoe would bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. They also believed that the mistletoe had a healing quality and could be
used for everything from healing wounds to increase fertility. 
    In Scandinavia, the mistletoe was seen as a plant of peace and harmony and was associated with Frigga, the goddess of love. This association is probably what led to the custom of kissing under the mistletoe. In the Victorian period, the English also would hang mistletoe from ceilings and in doorways during holidays. The habit developed that if someone was standing under the mistletoe, someone else in the room would kiss that person. Such outright behavior was not generally seen in Victorian society.
    The use of the mistletoe in Christmas celebrations was once banned by the church however because of its associations with pagan traditions, and the use of holly was suggested as a substitute.
    Poinsettias are another traditional decorative flower used at Christmas. It is native to Mexico and is named after Joel Poinsett, who was the first U.S ambassador to Mexico and who brought the plants to America in 1828. Mexicans believe the plants were a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem and that’s one reason they are associated with Christmas. There’s also the story that a young
boy was going to see the Nativity Play at a church but realized he didn’t have a gift for Baby Jesus. The boy gathered some green branches, which others scoffed at. But as he placed them near the manger, a bright red poinsettia flower started to bloom on each branch, which gave rise to their traditional use at Christmas.
    Candy canes became a Christmas tradition not because their red and white stripes matched the colors of the season, but for the most unusual reason of discipline. that’s because they were first used as treats that were give to German children to keep them

well-behaved for the duration of church sermons. Over time, the legend of candy canes at Christmas came to be associated with some of the strongest symbols and beliefs of Christianity: the Father, Son and Holy Ghost known as the Trinity, the Blood of the Son of God, Jesus as the embodiment of holiness, purity and without sin and the Son of God as the shepherd of man. The candy cane represents these symbols respectively with its three stripes, its red and white color and its shape.
    Sending greeting cards during Christmas and the holidays is as prevalent today as the custom of giving gifts. The tradition of sending Christmas cards started in 1840 in Britain with the start of public postal delivery service of the ‘Penny Post.’ Then from about 1860, large numbers of Christmas greeting cards started to be produced. The popularity of the cards increased in Britain when
they could be sent by the postal service for one half-penny, which was half the price to post a standard letter at the time, if they were in an unsealed envelope. Religious pictures of Mary, Joseph , Baby Jesus, the angels, shepherds and Wise Men were traditionally placed on Christmas cards. Some cards today include scenes from the Nativity, but pictures of Santa Claus, winter scenery, Christmas
trees, gift packages and others are also depicted on contemporary Christmas greeting cards.

Technorati Tags: Christmas Craft Ideas, Christmas Ideas, Christmas Traditions

Christmas Traditions -  All About Santa Claus

One of the most popular Christmas traditions is that of Santa Claus .It’s only fitting that since Santa Claus has the magnificent capability to visit homes around the world in a single night that more than one place would claim to be his home. It’s common belief that Santa hails from the wintry North Pole, but folks in Finland will also tell you that Santa calls that country his home. To prove it, the Finns will even invite you to visit Santa in his workshop before Christmas or during the year and talk with Santa Claus as he and his elves busy themselves for their end-of-year Christmas expedition around the globe.

It is interesting to trace the origin of the Santa Claus Christmas tradition. The popularity in America today of the images and legend of Santa Claus can be traced to the poem, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,’ that was written by Clement Clarke Moore in 1822. In that poem, Moore described St. Nicholas as a jolly fellow who flew from house to house in a sleigh pulled by reindeers and waited for children to go to bed on Christmas Eve before he came down the chimney to deliver Christmas presents for them.

Following the distribution of that poem, the popular magazine Harper’s Weekly published cartoons by Thomas Nast between 1863 and 1886 that depicted Santa as a cheerful fellow with a large round belly and long white beard who wore a bright red suit that was trimmed with white fur. In those cartoons, Santa also held a sack, which was filled with toys for boys and girls, over his shoulder. The cartoons also showed Santa reading letters from good boys and girls, working in his workshop with his elves, checking his list to make sure he had all the required toys and even showed his wife, Mrs. Claus.

The tradition of Santa Claus was brought to America however by Dutch colonists who settled in New York City, which was called New Amsterdam at the time. The real St. Nicholas is said to be a minor saint from the 4th Century with a reputation for generosity and kindness that gave rise to legends of many miracles that he performed for the poor and unhappy. One of the stories about the legend of St. Nicholas is that he saved three poor girls who were sisters from being sold into a life of slavery or prostitution by their father.

According to the legend, Santa Claus provided the girls with a dowry so that they could get married. The legend of St. Nicholas led to hundreds of people being devoted to him and consequently thousands of European churches became dedicated to him.

After the Reformation period however, widespread practice and worship of St. Nicholas disappeared in European countries that were Protestant, except in Holland where the legend of St. Nicholas continued. St. Nicholas was known as Sint Nikolaas but that was later corrupted to Sinter Klaas. Dutch colonists took this tradition of Sinter Klaas to New York City where it was adopted using the English name of Santa Claus.

Over time, the Dutch legend of the kindly saint was combined with old Nordic folktales about a magician who punished naughty children and rewarded good ones with presents to give rise to the stories that now exist about Santa Claus. The red and white-trimmed suit of Santa Claus is believed to be the colours that the original St. Nicholas wore because red and white were the colours of the robes worn by traditional bishops.

It is also believed that the Coca Cola Co. played a role in what is regarded as the popular look of Santa Claus today through paintings by artist Haddon Sundblom that were placed in some of the company’s advertisement between 1931 and 1964.

We shall be looking at more Christmas traditions in suibsequent blogs so bookmark this page and keep in touch.

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Simple Hand Made Merry Christmas Greeting Cards

Christmas is a time of giving Christmas greeting cards. Cards are a very important part of giving and receiving. This holiday season; instead of buying a box of Christmas cards to give your loved ones, consider making them yourself. Enlist the help of the kids and enjoy spending time together, while you put love and thoughtfulness into each and every card. First, you’ll want to come up with some ideas of what you’d like the Christmas cards to look like. Choose colors and themes, and then draw or write on a piece of paper what the card will say and look like.

Once you’ve decided on a card “template “, it’s time to gather your supplies together. Make a list and go to your local craft store to get everything you need. You’ll most likely want to have glue sticks, glitter, card stock or other thick paper, and anything else you’ll need to make your Christmas greeting cards. You can print the message you want to use for the card onto the actual paper, and use this as the “base card “. Choose the font and color of your message as well as the location, and then print this onto the card stock paper for each card you plan to make.

After the Christmas greeting cards are printed, fold them in the manner you prefer, whether it’s top to bottom or side to side, and even a little fold-over section for the top if you’re making a card with this style. If you’re gluing different colored paper or letters, etc onto the card, it’s time to go ahead and start cutting them out and getting them ready to glue to the card. Once you have enough shapes or letters in the paper style and color you need, go ahead and glue them to the front and inside (if need be) of the card. Make sure they are applied securely and if you’re using wet glue, be sure it dried thoroughly before moving on to the next step.

The fun part of making your own Christmas greeting cards is the personalized decoration. Add glitter, shaped brads (these can be found at most craft stores), or even photos. The choice is yours, but no matter what you choose, be sure it’s a reflection of your style and that it shows others how much you love them. Use your creativity and make the most unique Christmas cards ever. Let it become a family tradition, and come up with new card ideas to make by hand each year.

Technorati Tags: Christmas Ideas, Christmas Traditions, Chrustmas Greeting Cards

A Guide To This Seasons Christmas Greetings Cards

It is that time of year again; time to send out your Christmas greeting 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 greeting  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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The Legend of the Christmas Spider and How to Make It

 One of the Christmas traditions is that we use tinsel for Christmas decorations. You may wonder why we put tinsel on the Christmas tree each year, and legend says that it may be due in part to spiders. Yes, you read that right: spiders might be responsible for the little slivers of silver and gold we hang from the tree’s branches. The legend says that a woman cleaned her home for the holidays and was sure to get rid of as many spiders as possible. The remaining spiders hid up in the attic, but really wanted to be there when the home was to be blessed by the Christ child. The spiders decided to sneak into the main room at night and get closer to the Christmas tree.

That night, the spiders climbed all over the Christmas tree and checked out the ornaments and all of the beautiful branches. They were delighted at its beauty, and left spider webs everywhere they went. The next day the Christ child was worried the woman would be disappointed over the spider webs, so he reached out and touched all of the spider webs. When he did this, they suddenly turned into beautiful strands of silver and gold, and this is the legend of how tinsel first begun and that is how one of our Christmas traditions began.

If you’d like to make your own Christmas spider ornaments, it’s a very fun and simple process. You will need crystals of several different sizes (you can choose the color), a glue gun, metallic thread, and 26-gauge wire. First, glue the two largest beads together hole to hole with the glue gun. This is basically the body and head of the spider. Cut four wires and string the smaller beads along them to make the legs. Bend the end of the wire so the beads do not fall off.

Once you’ve added the beads to all four of the wires, twist them together to create the legs. Then, hot glue them to the bottom of the larger beads so that it takes the shape and form of a spider. Next, using about ten inches of the metallic thread, place it through the two holes in the biggest beads (the body), and you’re ready to go! You now have a beautiful crystal bead spider ornament, just like the legend of the Christmas spider. Make as many as you want and decorate your tree with them this year.

I believe that it is important that we keep alive the Christmas traditions and make it a real family time.

Technorati Tags: Christmas Ideas, Christmas Traditions, Chrustmas Greeting Cards

Simple Hand Made Merry Christmas Greeting Cards

Christmas is a time of giving Christmas greeting cards.  Cards are a very important part of giving and receiving. This holiday season; instead of buying a box of Christmas cards to give your loved ones, consider making them yourself. Enlist the help of the kids and enjoy spending time together, while you put love and thoughtfulness into each and every card. First, you’ll want to come up with some ideas of what you’d like the Christmas cards to look like. Choose colors and themes, and then draw or write on a piece of paper what the card will say and look like.

Once you’ve decided on a card “template “, it’s time to gather your supplies together. Make a list and go to your local craft store to get everything you need. You’ll most likely want to have glue sticks, glitter, card stock or other thick paper, and anything else you’ll need to make your Christmas greeting cards. You can print the message you want to use for the card onto the actual paper, and use this as the “base card “. Choose the font and color of your message as well as the location, and then print this onto the card stock paper for each card you plan to make.

After the Christmas greeting cards are printed, fold them in the manner you prefer, whether it’s top to bottom or side to side, and even a little fold-over section for the top if you’re making a card with this style. If you’re gluing different colored paper or letters, etc onto the card, it’s time to go ahead and start cutting them out and getting them ready to glue to the card. Once you have enough shapes or letters in the paper style and color you need, go ahead and glue them to the front and inside (if need be) of the card. Make sure they are applied securely and if you’re using wet glue, be sure it dried thoroughly before moving on to the next step.

The fun part of making your own Christmas greeting cards is the personalized decoration. Add glitter, shaped brads (these can be found at most craft stores), or even photos. The choice is yours, but no matter what you choose, be sure it’s a reflection of your style and that it shows others how much you love them. Use your creativity and make the most unique Christmas cards ever. Let it become a family tradition, and come up with new card ideas to make by hand each year.

Technorati Tags: Christmas Ideas, Christmas Traditions, Chrustmas Greeting Cards