Friday, December 21, 2007

Santa Claus Costume - Where Did Santa Claus' Red Suit Costume Come From?

When we talk of Christmas characters, perhaps the first name that would come to mind is Santa Claus. As a jolly symbol of holiday cheer, the image of Saint Nick, or Santa, has graced millions of greeting cards, decorations, television shows, and movies for over a hundred years.
As the jovial character of Kris Kringle was popularized with the white beard and red suit, you may wonder: where did this red suit costume come from? Surely, the first depictions of him were different from the images we see today. The original inspiration for the St. Nick character was Saint Nicholas of Myra, in the Netherlands. In the Dutch vernacular, he was referred to as Sinterklaas, who was helped by his servants called Zwarte Pieten, which are now equivalent to his elves.
In the 19th century, various figures depicting Father Christmas were adapted in different countries. Each country attaches a tradition corresponding with the holiday figure, such as songs, poems, and gift-giving. Alterations of the name were also made, depending on the region which celebrates the occasion. It is said that the image of him in the red costume began in the United States in the mid 1800's.
The image of him as an American Christmas icon with reindeer emerged around the 1820's, where he was the lead character in the story published in The Sentinel, entitled "A Visit from Saint Nicholas." Later on, the image of Father Christmas was merged with the identity of Santa Claus.
Among the first few American visualizations of him were of a heavily bearded man wearing an all-fur suit. This image started in 1863 and was drawn by an artist named Thomas Nast, who worked for Harper's Weekly. During this decade, various caricatures of himwere published, and he was soon established as a toy maker and gift-giver.
The first Christmas card showing Santa Claus in his trademark red suit appeared in 1885, and was printed by Louis Prang in Boston. Prang was also known for popularizing the Christmas card giving tradition in America in the 1870's, as this was a practice common among the English.
Over the years, the image of Santa Claus with the red suit became more popular, as it was often depicted in print media, costumes, as well as television and movies. By 1927, a New York Times article explained the standardized image of St. Nick as he is well known among Americans. In the explanation, Santa dons the red suit, red hood, and white beard.
Though many sources claim that the red-suited Santa Claus was created by the Coca-Cola Company, this is contrary to many historical accounts. In the 1930's, Coca-Cola widely used the image to boost the sales of its beverages during the winter holidays. Most believe that the soda company made use of the character because his well-known color scheme is similar to that of the company logo. Though Coca-Cola was not the first to put the red suit on Santa, the company played a big role in popularizing the Christmas character.


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How the Legends of Saint Nicholas Evolved into Santa Claus

The idea of Santa Claus and the gift of giving associated with him is said to have originated in Asia Minor which is now Turkey with St. Nicholas in 300 A.D. There really isn't any historical documentation that tells us a lot about him. There are many legends that surround him. It is said that he was a wealthy man whose parents died and left him a fortune which he gave away to the poor and needy. Legends say that he often went out at night disguised in a hooded cloak, to leave gifts of money, clothing or food.
He was very religious and became a monk and eventually became bishop of the city of Myra. A well known St. Nicholas story is that he saved three poor sisters from being sold into slavery and prostitution by their father by providing them a dowry so they could be married. Eventually, as his popularity grew along with the legends, he became known as the protector of children and sailors. He earned sainthood status and had a basilica built over his tomb.
St. Nicholas isn't the only early tradition tying winter holidays with giving that eventually evolved into Santa Claus. The Saxons in Britain around 600 A.D. dressed an actor in a pointed cap, cloak and ivy and called him King Frost. They then extended kindness and gentleness to him in hopes that the approaching winter would be kind and gentle to them. Around 800 A.D. the Vikings believed that their main god, Odin, dressed up as a sage with a long white beard in December and visited earth to distribute gifts to the needy. The Viking followers of Odin changed the portrayal of Saint Nicholas from having a short, dark beard to a long white beard. The Germans had a character they called Winterman who dressed in furs and skins and these characteristics were also added to the portrayal of St. Nicholas.
Over time the European Christians started giving gifts to needy children on the anniversary of St. Nicholas's death calling it Saints Feast Day. The Dutch nickname used for Saint Nicholas was "Sinter Klaas" which stood for Sint Nikolaas. Children speaking English pronounced this name as "Sainty Claus" and eventually it changed to Santa Claus.
Washington Irving, an American writer, described Santa as a jolly Dutchman who wore baggy pants and rode over the treetops in a horse drawn wagon, smoking a pipe, dropping gifts down chimneys. The first truly American version of Santa Claus emerged in the famous poem "The Night Before Christmas" which was written by Clement C. Moore in 1821. This poem was originally called "A Visit from St. Nicholas". Moore described Santa Claus as the "jolly old elf, dressed all in fur with a round belly" and mentions eight reindeer for the first time as well as their names.
The image of Santa Claus and the myths surrounding him continued to evolve over time to the modern day characterization we all know as jolly old St. Nicholas who arrives on his sleigh, with Rudolph the Reindeer leading the way on Christmas Eve delivering gifts down chimneys for the delight of children everywhere. Christmas trees, Christmas wreaths, Christmas ornaments, nativity scenes, stockings, cookies and Santa Claus and his elves make the holidays special for everyone.


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Christmas And The Origin Of Santa Claus

Have you always wondered how Christmas and Santa Claus or St. Nick ever came to be linked within the same holiday? Here's a short story on the subject.
The Dutch began the legend of Saint Nicholas, in fact Santa Claus comes from the pronunciation of Sint Nikolass. As the myth and story goes, he was a bishop in the early part of 300 AD. The color of the cloak of his hierarchy became the fur trimmed red suit that our Jolly Old Man with the white beard now wears outside of each Wal Mart. The legend has it that he saved three daughters of a pauper from a forced life of prostitution by throwing a bag of gold coins through a window of the man who kidnapped them for his evil purposes, as a dowry for each woman. That act of kindness set them free to return to their father. The story made its way through the country and I'm sure there are many variations on it. On his feast day December sixth, the custom of giving gifts in remembrance of his unselfish act began long after he died. Now you know how a Dutch ritual became a worldwide phenomena.
One never knows how things that we do end up in mythological ways as to be metamorphosized in such a worldwide celebration. Random acts of kindness pay huge dividends perhaps not to the originator but the "paying it forward" of such deeds is what we all should strive for not just during the holiday season, but every day. Imagine that, Christmas everyday!


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Christmas Trivia Questions About Santa Claus - Who Are You Mr. Santa?

Just about everyone in the world knows that jolly toy-bearing Christmas figure from the North Pole, but how much do we really know about him? The character we all love so much was actually created by mixing together several ingredients including the memory of an important Christian saint, the practices of North European Shamans, and the marketing wits of an all-American mega brand. Here are a few quick trivia questions about our beloved Santa.
Q: Where does the name Santa Claus come from?
A: The name Santa Claus was derived from Sinterklaas, the Dutch term for the ancient Christian figure of Saint Nicholas who was famous for his generosity to the poor (more about him later). The Dutch immigrants to America imported their gift-giving saint to New Amsterdam where he merged with his British counterpart, Father Christmas, to become America's own Santa Claus.
Q: everyone knows that Santa lives in the North Pole, but where is the real St. Nicholas from?
A: St. Nicholas who many consider to be the inspiration for the modern Santa Claus was born in Patara around 275AD. Patara is located in present day Turkey, on the Southern Mediterranean coast in what is today an international tourist resort area where visitors spend hours basking in the warm Mediterranean sun. Certainly not a place you would want to be wearing fur coats in.
Q: If you really wanted to find St. Nicholas today, where would you go looking?
A: You may enjoy a trip to the North Pole, but if you really want to honor St. Nicholas, you would do better by heading towards Italy, where the remains of St. Nicholas are stored in the basilica of St. Nicola in the city of Bari. They have been there since the 11 century when they were, uh... borrowed... from their previous resting place in Myra in present day Turkey.
Q: Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer and his companions take Santa on his rounds completely airborne. How is it that reindeer can fly?
A: Many people believe that the tale of flying reindeers (as well as other parts of the Santa story), originates from Lapland in modern day Finland. In ancient times, reindeer had a habit of seeking out the hallucinogenic amanita mushrooms which they ate and then would prance around while under their influence. As these mushrooms are quite toxic, it was regular practice for local shamans to drink the urine of tripping reindeer for a "safe high" and then "fly" together with them. This could also explain the general cheerful disposition (with the "ho ho ho" and all), and the flushed red cheeks of today's Santa.
Q: Where did Santa get his unique outfit?
A: While it's no secret that the marketing people of Coca Cola have a lot to do with the modern image of Santa, some say the roots go way back. The same North European Shamans that liked to consume those red and white mushrooms with their reindeers used to wear quite a similar outfit when they went out to collect their pickings - red and white fur trimmed coats with long black boots. As implied above, it's quite certain that St. Nicholas was no inspiration for this outfit, as he lived in sunny south Turkey.
Q: Who was the first to create Santa's modern image?
A: Coca Cola still uses the iconic images of Santa which were hugely successful in the 30s, and created for it by the gifted artist Haddon Sundblom, an American of Swedish origin (does Northern Europe ring any bells here?). However the modern image of Santa was only standardized in his works, but had actually been developing for years before. Coca Cola wasn't even the first beverage company to make commercial use of every child's jolly toy bearing hero - a company called White Rock beverages used him to sell ginger ale and mineral water as early as 1915. However earlier versions wore a wide variety of colors. Coca Cola's Santa is the one the finally set the record straight, and since then Santa has been wearing nothing but Red and White.


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New Year Again - Where Did The "New Year" Really Come From?

The Christmas melodies in our shopping malls remind us of the approaching holidays and the rapidly approaching New Year. New thoughts, ideas and plans pop into our heads. We ask: how are we going to celebrate Christmas this year?, what gifts do we have to buy?, and of course how are we going to celebrate the arrival of the New Year? Another year of promise and hope has arrived.
The thought of another New Year at our door step brings thoughts of apprehension. This year has only just started and the next one is already upon us. How does this happen? Each year seems to arrive so much sooner. Is it also bringing old age sooner? What a thought!
So, where did the "New Year" really come from?
Well, New Year's Day is the first day of the year in the Gregorian calendar, falling exactly one week after Christmas Day of the previous year. In modern times, it is January 1 and in most countries it is a holiday. It is a holy day to many of those who still use the Julian calendar, which includes followers of some of the Eastern Orthodox churches, and is celebrated on January 14 of the Gregorian calendar due to differences between the two calendars.
New Year was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. The Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon (actually the first visible crescent) after the Vernal Equinox (first day of spring). The Babylonians celebrated New Year for eleven days: each day with a particular mode of celebration. It is probably safe to say the Babylonian celebration was a far greater event than modern New Year's festivities.
The celebration of the New Year is the oldest of all holidays. In all countries that use the Gregorian calendar, with the exception of Israel, New Year's Day is a public holiday. It is traditionally celebrated on the night of December 31, called New Year's Eve. It is celebrated with fireworks, from London at 0:00 to America, at 0:00.
Because the globe is divided into time zones, the New Year is celebrated progressively around the globe. The first time zone that ushers in the New Year is just west of the International Date Line. At that time the time zone to the east of the Date Line is 23 hours behind, still in the previous day. The residents on the central Pacific Ocean island of Kiritimati (Christmas Island), the eastern-most island in the island nation of Kiribati claim to be the first to usher in the New Year.
January 1 marks the end of a period of remembrance of a particular passing year, and ushers in new promises, new hopes and many New Year's resolutions.
Babies born on the first day of a New Year are commonly called New Year Babies. Often their names and pictures make the local newspapers, for most of us the only entry in a newspaper.
New Year's celebrations take on the form of large get-togethers with fireworks, or more secluded family-and-friends get-togethers at home. Make special memories and celebrate this New Year with a difference.


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Suggestions for a Cheaper, Greener, more Eco Friendly Christmas and New Year

Christmas tree
• You could always purchase an artificial tree that can be reused for many years, these range from 10 pounds to over 100 pounds. Ours actually looks real!
• If you buy a real tree, pay the Woodland Trust or a different organization to plant one in its place!
Christmas Decorations
• If you have evergreen shrubs and trees - to make sure you have an annual supply of eco-friendly Christmas decorations why not do some of your pruning just before Christmas and use the choice bits for inside? If you have not got any evergreens but have a garden ask for some of these plants as Christmas presents. They may take a few years to grow but then all you will need to do is harvest in December and be as creative as you like.
• Make a homemade wreath using branches trimmed from your garden or somebody elses.
• Purchase handmade decor made from recycled or eco-friendly materials. If possible by Fair trade as well, as they are a great way to support the disadvantaged. While some of these crafts may not be from recycled materials they provide much needed income to needy individuals.
• Ivy is good to drape around pictures, windows and the base of Christmas trees, it will hide the wires of the tree lights. There is as far as I know no substitute for electric fairy lights but as they last for years and use very little power, their impact is relatively low and they do look great.
• One of the advantages of using natural decorations is that after Christmas they do not need to go in the bin they can enter your normal garden waste on the compost heap.
Christmas tree ornaments
• Make homemade ornaments from (painted) pinecones, painted eggshells, crushed (colored) aluminum foil, paper chains, paper snowflakes, old CDs and more!
• Decorate a doll as an angel.
• Do an online search for recycled or homemade tree ornaments for numerous ideas or purchase these recycled or eco-friendly tree ornaments if you cant be bothered to make them.
Gifts • Buy a subscription to an organisation working to make the world a better place such as the RSPB, RSPCA or Oxfam.
• If you are buying a present that uses batteries make sure the person you are buying it for has a battery charger and buy rechargeable batteries.
• Buy a homemade present, bird table, compost bin. Chocolate cakes often go down very well! Gift wrap
• Collect extra photocopies or no longer needed papers from work for your children to draw on the back.
• Use colored pictures from your childrens colouring books.
• Use leftover pieces of fabric or wallpaper.
• Use recycled paper.
• Put the gift inside another gift such as a decorative tin, nice wooden box etc.
• Use gift wrap, gift bags and gift boxes, ribbon and bows from last Christmas or previous celebrations. Leave the tags blank on the gifts you are giving so that they can be reused.
Greeting cards & gift tags
• Send an e-card.
• Make a greeting card or tag from scrap paper, fabric or wallpaper.
• Make cards or tags from pieces of food box.
Packing material
• Use saved packing material such as foam or bubble wrap.
• Crush up newspaper into loose balls. This is cheap, quick and lightweight! This is our preferred method for box filler.
After the New Year
• Find out where you can recycle your real Christmas tree or Christmas cards, local councils and supermarkets are a good place to start. They will turn your trees into mulch for use in parks and public gardens.
• Use any wrapping paper that is no longer reusable for shelf liners or craft projects.
• Save boxes, gift bags, wrapping, filler, ribbons and bows for future gift wrapping or craft projects. Give them away to friends, neighbours etc if you have too many to keep.


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Some Fun Facts About Christmas Greeting Cards

I thought, with the holiday season nearly upon us, that it might be entertaining to look into the history of the greeting card. I discovered an eclectic blend of history, numerical facts, and amusing anecdotes. So let's take a moment during this hectic holiday season to relax and learn a little something about the Christmas Card.
- The custom of sending greeting cards dates back to Ancient China. In order to celebrate the New Year, the ancient Chinese delighted in sending messages of good will. Early Egyptians utilized papyrus scrolls to send their greetings. New Year's tidings were being produced in Germany as early as 1400.
- The origin of the Christmas Card is in England. They are a product of boys practicing their writing skills. The boys would practice by making cards for their parents.
- Sir Henry Cole commissioned the first commercial Christmas cards in London in 1843. Sir Henry was extremely busy that year, and as a result was unable to compose the typical individual greetings. The simple message, "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You" was found on the inside. John Callcott Horsley produced an illustration for the card that depicted a happy family hugging and toasting with their glasses raised. The drawing was disparaged by critics for promoting intoxication.
- In the US, Louis Prang produced the first commercial Christmas cards. He was a German immigrant, who in 1856 started a little lithographic business close to Boston. He is considered the creator of the greeting card industry in the United States. More than five million cards were being produced by 1881. His cards gained increasing popularity through the 1890's. Prong stopped producing greeting cards when cheaper imports came onto the market.
- The first official White House card was issued in the year of 1953 by President Eisenhower. 2000 cards were sent out by the White house in the year 1961. The amount grew to 1.4 million by the year 2005.
- Today's Christmas cards can be bought as singles or in large boxes. Individual cards are usually sent to somebody special, while the boxed ones are very helpful for your more general Christmas Mailing List. The majority of holiday cards are sold in box form.
- In 2006, 2 billion people in the US sent cards.
- That means, 85% of people in the US mailed cards in 2006.
- Approximately 33% of the holiday cards purchased each year contain a religious message.
- About a third of all annual greeting card sales are related to holiday season.
- Christmas cards are the most popular cards of a season. Christmas cards account for 60% of all card sales. A distant second is Valentine's Day at 25%.
- The U.S. is home to approximately 3,000 greeting card publishers.
- "Merry Christmas" is the preferred text for 54% of holiday card purchasers. "Season's Greetings" is liked by 12 %, and "Happy Holidays" is preferred by 21%.
- When it comes to decide which boxed cards to buy, 56% of us take the decision based on the variety of cards available, and for 63%, price is the most influential factor. Shopping with online distributors can easily satisfy both conditions. Unlike a typical store, they can display more cards without space limitations.
I hope you enjoyed this little ramble into the story of the Christmas Card. As is evident, this annual holiday rite, is of major interest to everyone, everywhere.


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Go Eco-Friendly This Christmas With Green Printing

It's almost Christmas, a time of the year when probably the highest proportion of stationary is used all around the world. It's a time of joy and happiness, a time when everyone gets together with their near and dear ones to celebrate the birth of Jesus and await the advent of a new year. It's a time when people sit back and relax after a long hard year to see it silently pass by.
As I said, it's the time when stationeries are probably used more than in any other time throughout the year. Greeting cards are sent in bulks to families, friends and colleagues. Gifts are exchanged and surely they need to be wrapped in proper attractive gift-wraps to make them appear just more than presentable.
Christmas today is more commercialized than it ever was. With new gifts and products coming up especially for the occasion, they need to be marketed more vigorously than other products at other times of the year. This requires the companies coming up with these products and services to rev-up the newsletters, periodicals and posters in order to boost their marketing strategy and get an edge over competition. New booklets and brochures are designed for the same purpose.
By the time Christmas is over everyone starts preparing for the New Year. A time to remember and bid adieu to all the good and bad things that marked the current year, and welcome with open hands, the beginning of something new. By this time, calendars for the New Year starts circulating and notepads and other office stationeries are replaced with newer ones.
Amidst all the joy and celebration, Christmas is probably the most wasteful time of the year. Piles of gift-wraps, ribbons, old stationeries and decorations fill up the lands. And this in turn, adds to the causes that could bring the entire mankind and the world we live in under great danger. All the printed materials, which are so abundantly used during this time and disbursed, require a lot of petroleum-based inks, laminates, varnishes, and adhesives for production. And these materials cause the printing houses to produce VOCs. VOCs or volatile organic compounds are organic chemical compounds that have a high vapor pressure under normal conditions and have the potential to vaporize and enter the atmosphere.
These VOCs in all forms are potentially harmful to the environment. When released into the atmosphere, they can actively damage soil and groundwater. Moreover, vapors of VOCs released into the atmosphere cause air pollution and this increases the risk of asthma attack and other health hazards.
But this does not mean that the only possible option to save mankind and earth is by giving up on Christmas. Nowadays, most of the printing houses are 'going green' in a bid to contribute towards the global cause of anti-pollution movement. Green printing is what most of the sensible minds behind the printing industry is adapting to. They are using advanced techniques and recyclable raw materials to conserve energy for the future of the planet. They keep track of their total energy usage and implement strategies for offsetting the environmental impact of their businesses. They are trying to minimize the consumption of electricity and use papers only from companies certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) as it proclaims that the paper comes from well-managed forests that adhere to strict environmental standards.
With the option of green printing on our hands, it's time celebrate Christmas in a new way-a Christmas without worries and guilt of causing harm to mankind and the planet, a Christmas that's all celebrations!


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New Year Greetings (Humor)

Good Wishes For The New Year. Please feel free to send this to a loved one.
May you be healthier this year than last year.
May you have more money this year than last year.
May you drive a bigger car this year.
May you have a bigger house this year.
May your brother-in-law get out of jail.
May your mother-in-law move out.
May you be acquitted.
May your father-in-law always have bail money.
May your dog scoop his own poop.
May your partner return with your safe.
May your neighbor return with your wife.
May your accountant find more loopholes.
May your lawyer find your accountant.
May you find a Bluetooth system that's covered by dental insurance.
May all your ex's move to Texas.
May your medical premiums cost less than your son's medical school.
May your cable repair guy get there while you still live there.
May you find a toupee with velcro.
May you lose a few pounds so you don't have to use the freight elevator.
May your laser eye surgery be successful so you can stop getting into cop cars and saying, "To the airport, please."
And if you should wake up from this ridiculous dream, may you have enough sleeping pills to get back to sleep.
Happy New Year!


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Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Christmas Foods to Remember

If you're planning any kind of family Christmas or Yuletide celebration this year, especially if you're hosting the event. Or even if you're thinking of what you need to do in terms of preparing food for a family gathering then now, the beginning of November, is where you need to begin your cooking. Many Christmas cakes and confectionaries need to be prepared well in advance so that they can be allowed time to mature. This is particularly the case with rich fruit based cakes and puddings such as Christmas Cake, Twelfth Night Cake and Christmas Puddings. Even Stollens are better if stored for a week or two before consumption.

With that in mind, and to help you with your festive planning here are some classic Christmas recipes for you. This first is for the traditional Twelfth Nigh cake, which is typically served at Epiphany, or the Twelfth Nigh but which can also double as a rich Christmas cake:

Twelfth Night Cake

Ingredients:

350g butter
350g caster sugar
6 eggs, beaten
75ml honey
350g plain flour
1 tsp ground allspice
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground cinnamon
700g mixed dried fruit
50g blanched almonds, chopped
45g apricot conserve or apricot jam
900g almond paste (or marzipan)
4 egg whites
900g icing sugar
3 tsp lemon juice
2 tsp glycerine
glacé fruit, candied angelica and silver balls, to decorate

Method:

Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Gradually add the beaten eggs, mixing well after each addition then add the honey. Fold-in the flour, spices, fruit and nuts. Grease a deep 25cm cake tin and line the bottom and sides with greaseproof paper. Tip the cake mixture into this and tap to remove any trapped air. Place the cake in an oven pre-heated to 150°C and bake for about 2.5 hours, or until the cake is firm to the touch. If the top of the cake darkens too quickly cover with a sheet of folded greaseproof paper about half-way through the cooking. Remove the cake from the oven, allow to cool in its tin for 30 minutes then tip onto a wire rack and allow to cool completely.

Once cold cover the surface of the cake with the apricot preserve or apricot jam. Roll out the almond paste and cut just enough of the paste to go around the side of the cake. Then roll the remainder of the paste out and use to cover the top of the cake. Allow the cake to set for at least two days then prepare the icing by lightly beating the egg whites and incorporating the icing sugar into this to form a stiff paste. Add the lemon juice and glycerine and incorporate well. Then, using a palette knife spread the icing all the way around the sides and top of the cake. Place in a tin and allow to set for at least two days. When ready form a crescent of the candied fruit and anjelica on top of the cake and decorate with the silver balls.

The next recipe is a 'twist' on the classic Christmas pudding that I call the 'Roman Christmas Pudding'. It's a traditional rich Christmas pudding but made with ingredients that the Romans would have had to hand. It also uses the classic Roman combination of fish sauce and pepper in desserts. This has been so successful a recipe that I have to make it for the family every year now!

'Roman' Christmas Pudding

Ingredients:

70g dried sour cherries
70g dried cranberries (The Romans would have used elderberries but a mix of blueberries and cranberries provides the same basic flavour)
70g dried blueberries
100g chopped dried figs (roughly chop into cubes)
70g chopped dried dates
70g chopped semi-dried prunes
70g chopped dried papaya (the Romans would have used something similar to candied oranges but papaya provides a nice flavour and a chewy texture)
Seeds of 1 pomegranate
120g dried currants
60g self-raising flour
70g dried almonds
100g roughly-chopped nuts (the choice of nuts is up to you but a mix of almonds, brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, pecan nuts and walnuts works well)
140g fresh breadcrumbs
100g shredded suet (beef gives a better flavour but vegetarian works just as well)
120g dark brown sugar (demarara preferably)
1 small cooking apple, grated
Juice and rind of 1 orange, 1 lemon and 1 lime
Juice of 1 further lime
50ml oatmeal stout
5 tbsp honey
1 tbsp Defritum
2 tbsp Liquamen
3 tbsp Passum (use this to be 'authentic' I would normally use 2 tbsp Madeira and 1-2 tbsp honey or cognac)
3 eggs
1 piece (about 2cm cube) stem ginger, finely chopped
1 tsp ground pepper
1 level tsp mixed spice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ freshly-grated nutmeg

Method:

The evening before prepare all the dried fruit and add to a large mixing bowl along with the citrus juice and peel, the pomegranate seeds, the honey, defritum, liquamen and passum (if used). Cover with a towel and leave to stand over night so the fruit absorbs the liquid and plumps up.

The following morning, add all the remaining ingredients and mix well. Allow to stand for an hour or so and mix again. Meanwhile prepare your steamer and grease some pudding bowls (there should be enough mixture here to make 3 600ml puddings) and spoon in the pudding mixture. Cover the pudding bowls with foil and steam for five hours each (Remember to keep checking the water level in your steamer). Once done allow to cool and store until needed (each pudding should keep for at least six weeks in a cool place).

When you are ready to serve the pudding steam for four hours in a steamer until thoroughly cooked through. Once done turn out onto a serving plate (the pudding should slip out of its bowl quite easily). Serve with a white sauce (a classical cornflour-based white sauce could be used, but if you want a more 'authentic' Roman sauce use the flour-based one described below).

To prepare a flour-based white sauce heat 40g of butter in a sauce pan. Once the butter has melted add 2 heaped tablespoons of finely-milled flour to the butter. Turn down the heat and mix the flour into the butter until it forms a smooth, lump-less paste. Keep stirring for a minute or so to begin cooking-out the flour flavour. Now take cold milk and add about 20ml to the roux. Mix until this is a smooth paste. Then add another 100ml of milk and again mix to a smooth paste. Add another 50-80ml of milk, again mixing to a smooth paste. Turn the heat up and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. If needed turn down the heat until the mixture is quite thick. Take off the heat, add some 2-3 tbsp of honey or cognac to thin. Grate a little nutmeg on the top and serve with the pudding.


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Christmas Decorations and Ornaments

Christmas Decorating began in the 1500's. Christmas Ornaments on trees first began in Germany. In Latvia around 1510 a fir tree (which is a traditional Christmas Tree still today) was decorated with ornaments of roses. Then they began to use wafers, nuts, and candles. Also Christmas ornaments of cookies and candy were being used and they are still used today. Mothers and children get together and bake the cookies and candy and decorate them to hang on the Christmas Tree. Some families make this a tradition every Christmas. In earlier years there were also painted ornaments made of wood and late with blown glass.
To this day the most beautiful Christmas ornaments come from Germany. Many ornaments have a story behind them and are passed down from generation to generation. Christmas ornaments hold many beautiful memories for families. The ornaments hold a roadmap of memories for all families. The Christmas holiday is celebrated all over the world. It is the birth of Jesus Christ. The stories come from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The nativity sets, which almost every home has and displays, is a replica of at the place where Jesus was born. Again the most beautiful nativity sets are made in Germany. They are called nativity creches. Finland has Santa Claus. Russia has traditional handmade Christmas ornaments whereas Germany has Christmas markets. Christmas is the time of the year when families get together and exchange gifts, cards and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and families pray together and share memories of the past. There is also arrival of Father Christmas (Santa Claus) on Christmas Eve
Christmas Day is on December 25. It is preceded by Christmas Eve on December 24, and in is followed by Boxing Day on December 26.
It is also a tradition to decorate outside of the houses, hang banner on street lights and some houses display Christmas villages also. When one thinks of the Christmas holidays our thoughts turn to the birth of Jesus. also we think of mistletoe, ivy. holly, snow covered hills, carolers, ringing bells and beautiful decorated homes. Ivy, mistletoe and holly and ivy are winters magic to admire. Christmas time with all the decorations and happy memories help to brighten up the cold days of winter and bring a feeling of warmth to everyone.
Mistletoe is always very popular at Christmas time. It is called the kissing plant. It is hung in doorways and anyone standing under it will be kissed. This tradition comes from the Norse Myths. Also in some European countries it is believed to have healing powers and is used year around for this purpose.
Holly another popular green at Christmas is believed to have magical powers. Germans consider holly to be a good luck charm against hostels enemies. As the Christmas season has grown over the centuries, food has become important. Batches of cookies, candies and sugared fruit are prepared several weeks in advance being brought out on Christmas Day.
Today as centuries ago people still decorate with holly, mistletoe, ivy, and namy lights. Children enjoy stringing popcorn and cranberries, baking cookies, using colored ribbons, paper stars and any colorful materials for decorating the tree on Christmas. But one never forgets the beautiful ornaments that come from all over the world. Many families buy one new ornaments each year and these are passed on from generation to generation. Holiday decorating is still popular today as it was hundreds of years ago and always will be.


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Getting Ornaments For Your Christmas Tree

Over the years one thing that has really changed is Christmas ornaments. Technology has really made an impact on how we decorate our Christmas trees and what we like and dislike for our Christmas Trees.
Decorating our Christmas tree has changed so much that finding the right ornament has become almost as hard as finding the right tree to put in our home. Traditional Christmas ornaments for the longest time were made of one color and usually were placed through the Christmas trees in different spots. I believe that as the years have gone by the traditional ornaments changed by adding colors and shapes to their designs. As certain models of ornaments became popular they would be expanded on. Ones that were usually were discontinued and not made.
Homemade ornaments are still extremely popular with people throughout the world. In fact in recent years with the cost of ornaments going up people are turning to making their own ornaments more and more. Some of these ornaments are made out of beads, food and strings of all shapes and sizes. People love these types of ornaments as they give their Christmas tree a personal touch.
Christmas tree bulbs maybe the oldest but are still one of the favorites among people. Every year millions are sold as people see new designs they like or have to replace ones that broke from the year before. One advantage of Christmas bulbs is they are fairly inexpensive so you have the ability to put a lot of them on your Christmas tree. They also give your tree a more traditional look which many people seem to love.
One area that has really taken off in recent years is musical ornaments. Almost every conceivable type of song can now be incorporated into Christmas ornaments. I think for the most part though Christmas music is the overwhelming choice for this type of ornament. Most of these ornaments have on/off switches so if you don't want to hear the music you really don't have too. It's all up to you. The cost is usually not really that bad and I think that has something to do with its popularity.
Illuminated or mobile Christmas ornaments are two of the more popular types. Illuminated light up in different ways and are usually a little more expensive than most ornaments. Mobile ornaments that move and this can be in the side to side direction or up and down direction. Both are extremely popular with people in today's Christmas ornament market.
Christmas ornaments as you can see have changed from the traditional ones that started it all. Many people still have ornaments they put on the tree as a kid. They are many times passed down from one generation to another. The main reason for this is many of these ornaments are no longer made and are irreplaceable. Look for these trends to continue and Christmas ornaments to be a big part of Christmas every year. Christmas ornaments will continue to change and evolve as we demand better products, but still want the traditional design that we have come to know as kids and adults.


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Some Easy Christmas Crafts

The holidays are such a great time to enjoy making crafts. Not only are they fun for the kids and allow you to spend some quality time with the children but homemade crafts are always a precious gift to give away to a loved one that will treasure it forever. Christmas crafts can extend far beyond the basic gift giving concept as nothing looks more inviting than homemade centerpieces and table settings. Children will absolutely love homemade ornaments that they create that are displayed upon the family Christmas tree for all to see.
Some of the simplest Christmas crafts are not only inexpensive but also alluring and so very meaningful. Consider something as easy and fun as making your own napkin rings which can easily be printed off of the internet, colored and used for the Christmas dinner table. What about some photo ornaments for the tree? One idea that makes for a very accepted and welcome Christmas gift is to make some yummy cookies with your kids as helpers, of course. Then package them up, about a half a dozen or so, in a snazzy Christmas bag and secure each with some red and green ribbon. Be sure to curl the ends and there you go a wonderful little gift for that someone special.
Another idea that the kids will just love is to let the kids color print out Christmas cards that you will send to family and friends. People are not looking for perfection here but rather the thought behind it all. These are the types of gifts that mean more than anything. What could be cuter than having the kids assist with making name tags for Christmas dinner? With a few simple items such as paper cups, napkins, and a couple of suckers you can make the most interesting place cards. Now why go out and buy an overpriced Christmas wreath when you can easily put one together yourself with just a tad of effort? The scraps that are found all around the Christmas tree lots can be wired together and fit to perfection, from there you can hot glue in some pine cones or berries.
What could mean more, well besides the food, than a beautiful Christmas centerpiece? If you attempt to order a live floral arrangement for your centerpiece you will soon discover that you really can't touch one for under $25 and you will not get much for your money there. But for less than half of that you can make your own beautiful arrangement with live flowers and candles to boot. Part of your Christmas tradition should always include making things that people love and this goes beyond the basic pecan pies, homemade cookies, and homemade candies. Expand this tradition into taking the little bit of extra effort and time and making some things. This will not only save you money but you will also be proud as guest's compliment how crafty you are, even if you aren't because you don't have to be to do these things. It is also time well spent with your children and then they too can take part of the credit for your creativity.


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Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Christmas Morning Breakfast Starter

Christmas morning should be a time to enjoy your family and prepare for the day ahead. When you have little children in your home the day starts early and everyone is excited. This simple breakfast starter of homemade cranberry juice and grapefruit with cherries is an excellent way to begin a new Christmas tradition and start of Christmas right.
Fresh Cranberry Juice
1 Pint Cranberries
2 Cups Water
1/3 Cup Sugar
1 Tbs Lemon Juice
Slice of lemon as a garnish
Cook the cranberries in water for approximately 5 minutes until the skins split open. Strain the liquid through a cheesecloth or fine strainer.
Place the juice in a pan and bring to a boil then add the sugar. Cook for 2 minutes remove from heat and cool. Add the lemon juice.
Cool thoroughly and serve with a lemon garnish.
Fresh Slice Grapefruit and Maraschino Cherries
Pink or Yellow Grapefruit, ½ fruit for each person
Brown Sugar
Maraschino Cherries, sliced in half
Slice each grapefruit in half and remove all the seeds. Loosen the fruit from the peel, being careful to leave the flesh inside the peel.
Sprinkle the tops of each grapefruit with brown sugar. Lay on top of the brown sugar 3-4 maraschino cherry halves.
Place the grapefruit, still in the skin, under the broiler for 8-10 minutes or until the brown sugar begins to bubble. Serve immediately.


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Christmas Perfume Gift

Every one likes to gift to someone When any body gives a gift, it's conveying a message with it. And if there is any great occasion, it's effect great. There in number of thing available in the market to give gift to someone. But gift should match the occasion and personality of the recipient.
Gift varieties affected by the occasion on which you are using this. One of the great occasions is the Christmas Day. This Christmas Day, every body would like to purchase good, cheaper and special gifts. And if you are not able to decide then go for Hermes perfume perfumes and fragrance. There are number of Hermes perfume and fragrance available in the market of different ingredients and flavors to satisfy the needs and requirements of the customers, on this Christmas Day.
Today perfume is the most popular and necessary brand for every person. Everyone loves the sweet smell of perfume. People might want to be more attractive to someone special. So everyone can gift this to any one to whom you want. There are so many different perfumes available like as Hermes perfumes, Givenchy perfumes in the market, can gift to someone according to the personality of the recipient
Perfume makes a great gift for someone. This gift works better if you know the person to whom you are gifting and can choose according to the person. And if you are gifting the Hermes perfume or Givenchy perfume on this Christmas Day to someone special, it will make your relation closer.
Every body would like to purchase a gift with great bargains and from great palace on this Christmas Day. Large number of manufacturers has started producing different varieties of products for the customers. Now day's perfumes sell even as brand perfume and fragrance, cologne by the manufacturer to the customer. Large number of peoples have started purchasing perfume and fragrance for this great occasion for own and for gifting to someone specials.
Every body can look for perfume online and can find much cheaper perfume and fragrance from there, on this Christmas Day. There are many sources on this Christmas Day for purchasing Hermes and Givnechy perfume. By doing some search and compare prices, you can find the best possible prices for your gift.
So on this great occasion of Christmas Day, you can purchase Hermes perfume and fragrance for you and some specials. And can gift to some one which make you feel nice and make your Christmas Day great. Then, present gift likes Hermes perfume and fragrance on this X'mas Day and make you Christmas Day great.


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Christmas Gifts That Children Want

I work in an elementary school and the winter weather in our beautiful rainy country does not allows children to play in the garden. So, I always have to look for activities to occupy the children.
Last week, on a rainy day, children were unable to play in the garden, I thus tried to entertain them by asking them what they wanted as a Saint Nicholas gift.
Belgian people - as well as in the Netherlands, Germany, France and some Eastern Europe Countries - celebrate and dedicate Saint Nicholas (SinterKlaas) to children. Saint Nicholas is the Great Patron of Schoolboys and penetrates into our houses on December 6th.
One week before December 6th, each night, Saint Nicholas brings sweets in the slippers of good children (traditional version) or one month before December 6th, he brings many more sweets in the slippers of our good children (this is the commercial version).
Shopping malls also organize Saint Nicholas areas that consist in displaying scenes made from toys; such as train sets simulating real situations or houses full of old fashioned dolls. Children have also the opportunity to meet Saint Nicholas and communicate their wish list to him.
A picture of Saint Nicholas holding our child on his laps generally closes this fairy journey.
On December 5th Eve, parents and children dress the dining room table with a plate full of cookies and a glass of milk for Saint Nicholas, a carrot for his ass.
On December 6th, early in the morning, the glass is empty, the carrot has been eaten, and there are only crumbs of biscuits. Do not worry, parents do not have to eat these sweets and vegetables.
The table is now lined with dozens of toys, sweets, marzipan, chocolate bars...
Saint Nicholas has a companion: Père Fouettard (Zwarte Piet or Black Pete) who punishes wicked children.
Belgian children generally receive clothes and books at Christmas.
It appears that children have an immoderate passion for video game consoles, such as Playstation (3 of course) or WII... while the heroes of American comic strips become the heroes of Belgian children.
Here are the toys kids want to receive as a Saint Nicholas or Christmas gift:
For boys and girls aged of 10 years old and more:
- Playstation
- Nintendo DS
- WII
- XBox 360
If they received the video game console already, they wish to receive video games, such as Dragonball, Street Fighter, Medal of Honor... The young generation seems to love violent games.
Boys aged between 4 years old and 10:
- Jeep or Helicopter
- Tractor
- Batman
- Spiderman
- comic strip heroes accessories
Girls aged between 4 years old and 10:
- Barbie
- Doll house
- Doll accessories
- Books
Some of these children love music and they asked to Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus (sometimes both) to bring them an electric guitar or drums.
A romantic young girl wishes to receive a diary such as the one of Bridget Jones.
As for my fifteen years old son, he asked for books. What kind of books? Manga Comic strips.
All children wish to receive: chocolate, marzipan, candy, etc.
Finally, traditions are important for our children: no Saint Nicholas and no Christmas time without sweets.


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Unique Gifts at Christmas Time

Christmas time is here again. The shopping centres are decked out with an abundance of decorations. The Christmas carols play in the background. And Santa himself is now present, for all the children to meet.
The buzz in the shopping centres displays all the tell tailed signs that Christmas is fast approaching. Christmas brings lots of joy to people not only the joy of rejoicing in Christs birthday but the joy and delight of giving and receiving of gifts.
To see the delight in a families members face on Christmas day, when they open that perfect gift you have given them, not only does it bring immense pleasure to the receiver but to the purchaser as well. The purchaser has outdone themselves again, with another great gift, but more importantly they have made someone extremely happy.
Although Christmas brings around a lot of happiness, it can also bring a lot of anguish. Financial burdens, anguish about what gifts to buy, not to mention the anguish about the crowds of people amongst the shops.
Todays technology and online shopping has helped , but you need to have a computer handy, and have the knowledge of how to use one. If your lucky enough to be in this category then internet shopping allows you to shop 24 hours a day in the comfort of your home or work place.
But what do I buy, this is always the question. Every year we try to outdo ourselves. Try to buy better than the year before. We re always looking for something unique, something that you know the person hasnt already got. But what?
For me I always try to go for handcrafted products. Start by looking for something that has been handmade, Something that has been made by someone personally, giving your gift that personal touch. Look for gifts that have been made, with wood or perhaps recycled products. Soaps, and porcelain crafts are great to.
Craft markets are a great place to source handcrafted goods. If you cant get to a market you can always try searching online. Try search terms like recycled products, Unique gifts, handmade, handcrafted even hand blown. The search terms really are endless. You will be amazed at the wonderful and interesting things you come across.
The quest for the perfect gift will still continue, but you know the old saying is still true. Its not what you buy its the thought that counts. Merry Christmas.


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Baby's First Christmas Gift

Recently, my best friend from college had a baby. She emailed me pictures and I was so excited and happy for her! Even though I live two states away, she calls me his "Aunt." Now it's the giving season and I really want to find the perfect Christmas baby gifts for him. I found an excellent website with tons of baby toys for Christmas (the link's listed below) but even with all of the cool choices there, I still didn't quite know what to get him. I started thinking: Is he six weeks or three months old by now? I can barely keep up!
Off to the internet I went, to find information about the baby Christmas gifts that would be appropriate for each age level. There's a lot of information out there, but I did the research for you already, so fear not.
As soon as they are born, babies:
• cannot control their body movements.
• only see objects clearly if they are about 10 inches from their face.
• move by reflexes only.
• do not have a fully developed nervous system.
Christmas gift ideas for the newborn
Therefore, choose baby gifts that are soft, flexible, or covered with some type of fabric. Most new mothers would love for you to give their baby Christmas gifts that are practical, such as diapers or onesies. But if you want to be a little more creative, babies at this age love soothing sounds and soft, warm blankets. Don't worry; there will be plenty of time for Baby Einstein later!
After the first few months, babies:
• have more fully developed vision.
• have some control of their muscles and nervous system.
• can sit with support.
• hold their head up for a small amount of time.
• enjoy rocking back and forth.
• can roll over.
Christmas gift ideas for babies under six months
Since babies are a little more independent, it is natural to want to get Christmas gifts for babies that they can manipulate, or control in some way. Exercising those newly found muscles are important! A gift with rubber, textured areas to touch and bite would be a great idea. Other ideas are toys with visual stimulation like high contrast, black-and-white areas, or other interesting patterns. Babies love to play at this time as well! The new mother will enjoy a Christmas gift for baby and her to play with on the floor or at bed or bath time.


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Using Christmas Tree Lights

For many children, sitting in front of the Christmas tree with the Christmas tree lights twinkling is a daily hobby during the holiday season. Many of us remember spending long moments doing just that, fascinated throughout. By turning off all light in the room and lighting just the tree, it will create a beautiful, peaceful glow for the entire space. With perhaps some Christmas music playing in the background, it quickly would become a favorite way to spend your day.
Memories As A Child
As a child, you may have had fond memories associated with the Christmas tree, such as helping to get it straight in the stand and then taking care of it. Perhaps it was your mother that would place Christmas tree lights throughout the branches, so that each one would hold onto the branch just right so that the cords were hidden. With Christmas carols playing in the background, it creates a lasting memory that can only be perfectly honored by replaying it each year. Once the lights are placed on the tree, next will come the beautiful ornaments, many of them ornaments that were used year after year; some crystal, some glass, some beautiful handmade pieces. As they are added the ornaments danced in the Christmas tree lights. The tree looks beautiful.
More Than The Tree
Although Christmas tree lights are mainly used for the tree itself, they do have decorating abilities for other locations around the home. For example, you can use them to decorate the banister or wrap the cords along a favorite mirror. You can use the Christmas tree lights on any fixtures that it is safe to use on. When you do, you allow those items to fit in the Christmas themed home, giving it more character and festive attention. Use the lights as they fit throughout your home.
While using Christmas tree lights on the actual Christmas tree is the normal thing to do, it is also a warm and welcoming way to greet people by placing them throughout the home. Using Christmas tree lights to decorate your home is something that you can learn to do and then pass on to your children. Throughout the process of decorating the home together, you will quickly find yourself creating traditions that will be cherished for years to come. Use Christmas tree lights to enhance and enamor your home to make it the most beautiful for the holidays.


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The History of The Christmas Tree

Trees that remained green year-round have held a special significance even before there was a relationship between them and religion. It was very common, even centuries ago and long before the recognition of the Christmas tree for people to hang year long greens in and about their homes and around their doorways to ward off evil and illness. Some believed that there was a relationship between the greens and the winter solstice. At that time many believed that the sun was God so when winter arrived that forced them to believe that God was ill and weak. They would then use the greens as a symbol of hope of what was to come when the sun God was well again.
Across the globe, although beliefs have been very different, the greens have always signified something important. Ancient Egyptians, Early Romans, Northern Europeans, and the Vikings all used some form of greenery and believed that it symbolized good news, good health, and eternal life, all in their own way. However, it was the Germans who began the Christmas tree tradition as it is known today. During the 16th century it was dedicated Christians who began the tradition of the decorated Christmas tree.
A story that many believe to be true is that of a man named Martin Luther who was walking along one winter night towards his home and became captivated by the way that the stars twinkled amongst the evergreen trees and in an attempt to recapture that sight with his family he cut down one of the trees and put it in the main room of his house and wired it with candles to create the same effect.
At first, Americans thought that the concept of the Christmas tree was a bit odd. Even until the 1840's, Americans still looked at Christmas trees as pagan symbols and would not embrace it. The staunch New England Puritans were dead set against any type of decorative or festive celebration on Christmas beyond a church service. As a matter of fact, those who engaged in any form of Christmas celebration were considered rebellious heathens. They believed that this was a time of sacredness, not a joyful event. In fact, anyone who breached this rule was fined. It was finally the German and the Irish immigrants that abolished this law.
In 1846, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of England were photographed publicly in front of a decorated Christmas tree which then made it immediately acceptable and also the in thing to do. That idea fled to the US rather quickly and displaying a decorated Christmas tree was then very fashionable. At that time it was the Europeans that preferred small trees, about four feet or so but the Americans loved the trees that reached from floor to ceiling. As the years passed, electrical light strands replaced the hazardous candles that draped the Christmas tree. It was not long after that the glass ornament was introduced and replaced the traditional popcorn strands, fruit, nuts, and cookies. Ever since, the Christmas tree has been a household tradition.


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Christmas Tree Central To Holiday Spirit

Every year, our senses are bombarded with the wonderful sights and sounds of the Christmas holiday season. For many people, the Christmas tree majestically standing in a well chosen spot and decorated with loving care, is the main feature of the holiday decorations on this special day.
In addition to being the center of attention in happy holiday homes, Christmas trees also often adorn public squares, business offices and shopping malls, adding to the festive feeling of the season. The lighting of the town one is often a well-anticipated event that officially kicks off the season of this special day and marks the beginning of many holiday events that will be held throughout the month.
Interestingly, the history of the Christmas tree can actually be traced back to when prehistoric pagan practices became Christianized. In the pagan belief, the evergreen tree, which is what is used for the vast majority of Christmas trees, was used to symbolize the renewal of life.
There are many stories as to the origin of our modern day Christmas tree. The myths of the Medieval times referenced a miraculous "flowering" of evergreen trees during the season this special day and the Germanic tribes believed the Patron trees to be sacred. Additionally, the evergreen tree is sometimes associated with the idea of the holy trinity, represented by the triangular shape.
However, it is the Germans who are credited with first bringing an evergreen tree inside the home and decorating it, essentially making the first one and launching a tradition that has become a favorite for many generations. Of course, this all started back in the days before electricity was introduced. Today, we may shudder to think of how dangerous it was to place lit candles on a tree, but indeed, that is what they did. Small, delicate candles were lit and carefully placed on the boughs.
For over a hundred years now, the candles have been replaced with a myriad of choices in lights that adorn the trees. For some families, the choice of lighting for their tree harkens back to the type of lighting that was used on the tree when they were children, while others enjoy seeking out the latest advances in lighting that adds a bit of technological flair to the holiday with chasing, flashing and changing lights, all programmed and run by small computer chips.
The Christmas tree ornaments that a family chooses to use on their tree are also a very important component to the memories that will be created and cherished, especially by the children. While some families choose to bring a new theme to each new tree, others prefer the tradition of having the same ornaments featured on their tree from year to year.
Still others have a practice of purchasing one very special ornament for each child every Christmas. By the time the child is grown, they have a small selection of treasured ornaments that will become the foundation for their own collection of Christmas holiday decorations.
The family Christmas tree will most likely continue to be the main focus of family traditions and one of the primary symbols of Christmastime, bringing with it a perpetuation of giving, awe, good will towards men and the creation of new memories to be treasured for a lifetime.


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Unusual Christmas Tree Ideas

When is a christmas tree more than a christmas tree and more akin to a piece of art? After reading the following christmas tree ideas you will realize that there is a very fine line between just a tree and a piece of original sculpture. If you have a passion for unusual christmas trees maybe you will find some of the following ideas inspirational. Keep in mind that most of the christmas tree ideas below work best as miniature tabletop trees or holiday table centerpieces.
The Bead Tree
Bead trees are simply a cone of paper that is circled by a long strand of beads that are glued to it. These beads coil repeated around the cone until they resemble a christmas tree. These unusual christmas trees can be made out of any material that you like - pearls, glass beads and novelty beads. You can also twine fine foil braid or ribbon around the beads to give your tree special holiday flair.
The Candy Cane Christmas Tree
This little tree looks nice using candy canes that are either red or green striped. Once again you will need some kind of conical armature. If you make a really small one you don't need an armature at all. The idea is to make a teepee frame using long candy canes. Then take smaller ones (or chop of the length of the longer ones) and place them symmetrically around the tree frame with the hooks of the candy canes u upside down and sticking up like branches. If you are really ambitious you can also glue candies to the tipped up edges with butter cream frosting to resemble Christmas decorations.
The Lollipop Christmas Tree
This is one of the simplest of do it yourself unusual christmas trees. All that is required is a Styrofoam armature and red and green lollipops. You can also roll up a piece of stiff paper that is green in color into a cone and poke the stems of the lollipops through the tree so that only the candy part is showing. This is done so that the lollipops are facing downwards to look like tree boughs. You can use a brightly colored yellow lollipop stuck with the stem straight down through the top of the cone to be the tree-topper. This is one of the more unusual christmas tree ideas.
The Marshmallow and Gum Drop Tree
This is inspired by one of Martha Stewart's unusual christmas tree ideas. All you need to create this is a conical Styrofoam shape in the size you desire (to use as an armature) and some mint green and white marshmallows. You spear the marshmallows on a toothpick or pin and then affix them to the sides of the Styrofoam cone so that it simulates an evergreen with snow-laden boughs. You can also decorate this tree with edible gold or silver cake decorations. A Christmas star made out of shortbread covered with glitter makes a great tree topper for these types of unusual christmas trees.
The Pine Cone Tree
To make this tree all you need is several very healthy looking pine cones. Glue them together in a conical shape until you have a shape that resembles a christmas tree. Glue acorns and holly berries on the sides to mimic christmas decorations and glue a large one on top of the tree to create a christmas tree topper.
If this look is too naturalistic for you can always spray paint the tree silver and paint the acorns a gold color.
The Pipe Cleaner Christmas Tree
This is one of the classic christmas tree ideas that is fun to do with the kids. All you need is lengths of green pipe cleaner cut into equal shapes and beads with holes large enough to slip over the pipe cleaners.
Your next step is to create a trunk out of a single pipe cleaner or two. Simply find a wine cork and jab the end of the pipe cleaner into the cork to create a base for the tree. The limbs of the tree can then be constructed from pipe cleaners that are twisted outward from the trunk to resemble branches. The beads can then be slipped over the pipe cleaner branches as decorations. A star shaped bead can be used as the tree topper.
The Puff Pastry Christmas Tree
You have probably seen those wedding cakes that are made of puff pastry filled with cream and then stacked in a pyramid shape. Usually these are drizzled with chocolate icing. These actually look like Christmas Trees.
You can make the same recipe and stack the christmas puffs in a conical shape. Then instead of chocolate drizzle try drizzling them with a white icing to mimic snow. Edible gold and red glitter can mimic the effect of christmas decorations and a pastry pipe filled with red or green decorating gel be spiraled around the cake to achieve the effect of christmas garlands. You can also dispense with all of that fuss and just wrap it with spiral of pretty ribbon.
Of course this kind of cake will need some kind of topper. Instead of a bride and groom, why not top it with a battery run blinking snowflake or star?
The Sequined Christmas Tree
This novelty miniature tree is one of the prettiest of unusual christmas ideas but it takes a lot of patience to realize it perfectly. To make one all you need is a lot of hatpins with pearl tips (preferably in christmas colors such as white, green and red) and bags of sequins in the colors of your choice. The idea is that these sequins will be threaded onto the hatpins and painstakingly tucked into a conical Styrofoam shape until no white space is left. Tiny plastic crystals can also be suspended by pins to serve as xmas decorations.
The Tropical Fruit Christmas Tree
If you like christmas tree ideas that are made of food then you will like this exotic centerpiece. This centerpiece is made of pomegranates of different sizes (to mimic the look of a red christmas tree.) Larger pomegranates are placed in a circle on the bottom and the smaller ones are stacked on top until a tree shape is achieved. You can then tuck lychee nuts (still in their natural gauzy white wrapping) in between the pomegranates to simulate gold and white xmas decorations. The tree topper can be made from a slice of star fruit that has been dipped in candied sugar.


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Commercial Christmas Decorations - Personifying Todays Fast Paced World

Gone are the days when Christmas was an event where people sat together and made decorative items to put up on their houses and on their Christmas trees. In today's world of break neck competition, nobody has time to waste in making new decorations. Everything is readily available on the market, ready to be bought and used as it is. This is the age of modernity. This is the age of commercial Christmas decorations. One can buy anything and everything from the open market - be it Christmas stars, lighting materials, gift items and even a whole Christmas tree can be bought readily. This article takes a two fold approach in describing the commercial Christmas decorations that mark the Christmas of today.
First, let us consider traditional decorative items. Pieces like the Christmas star, the wreath and the Christmas tree have come under the shadow of commercialization. Christmas stars are now available in a variety of designs. Wreaths on the other hand are composed of materials other than the traditionally used constituents. Trees have come under the commercial spectrum in a big way. We now have artificial trees made of ingredients like goose feathers and wire meshes. Green is no longer the staple tree colour. White, silver, red, pink, blue and black are the new fashion. More funky designs such as topsy turvy placements have also become common now. Also in vogue are 'designer' trees that are developed for a specific audience. Commercial Christmas decorations have made a statement.
Secondly, more recent trends in decoration, from a commercial perspective. People now show more interest in animated decorations. Consequently, commercial Christmas decoration now includes LED lights, multi coloured bulbs, lighted wreaths, pole and garland wraps and even lit up banners. Various websites provide services for commercial Christmas decorations. Some of the sites online provide a rich collection of lighting items for competitive prices. LED lights or (Light Emitting Diode lights) are one of the cheapest and best options available commercially. LED lights are ultra small sized light bulbs which glow with a high amount of brightness. One could find C7 and C9 lights on the market for prices as low as 5$ for a set of 100 lights. One could go in for multi coloured lights as well as single coloured lights. Other options available are lanterns and incandescent bulbs. Find out more about Christmas decorations at http://www.christmasdecorationsoutdoor.com
Let us contemplate the pros and cons of commercialization. Its advantages are obvious. As stated in the introduction, people can now seldom find time amidst their hectic schedule, to embellish their resident. Instead of doing slipshod, haphazard work, they consider it good sense to leave the work to commercial agencies. Commercial Christmas decorations also provide employment to a lot of people who are handy and creative. On the flip side, these decorations rob people of the joy of getting together and working to celebrate the festive occasion that is Christmas.


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Christmas Lights Enliven The Holiday Season

There is no doubt that the glittering Christmas lights and the colorful holiday decorations that adorn homes, malls and businesses, help to set the tone for the holiday season and get people into a festive mood.
There are some Christmas lights and decorations that have rather interesting histories and traditions, although the majority of people know very little about many of the them. Interestingly, there are a number of traditions that have their origin in different countries and which have become part of the melting pot of cultures in the United States. They have simply become familiar ways that people celebrate the season.
The tradition behind the them and holiday decorations that are so common on Christmas trees today, actually goes back to an old tradition that comes to us from Germany.
It was the Germans who were credited with being the first country to bring evergreen trees into their homes and decorating them, creating the very first Christmas trees. This was back in the era before electricity and so beautiful, tiny tapered candles were carefully placed on the boughs. These became the first version of Christmas lights.
In the latter part of the 1800s, when electricity in homes was becoming more commonplace, the electric lights were introduced to the market. They completely revolutionized how people used Christmas lights and made them part of their holiday decorations traditions.
As a wonderful and meaningful compliment to the lights on the Christmas tree, many times people crown their tree with a tree topper; a star or an angel. These particular ornaments are religious in nature and help to remind the family as to the true meaning of this special day.
The Christmas star atop the tree symbolizes the new star, the star of Bethlehem. It first appeared to announce the birth of Jesus Christ and it guided the wise men on their journey from the east, to find and to worship the newborn baby King. An angel tree topper is a poignant symbol of the angel who visited the shepherds out in the fields, telling them that they could find the baby Jesus in a stable in the town of Bethlehem.
This special day would not be the same without a Nativity scene. Today, miniature and full scale sets are available, with life-like figurines representing the holy family of Mary, Joseph and Jesus, the shepherds, the wise men and common barnyard animals.
These are the elements of the manger scene and depict the Nativity story. These days, many of the Nativity scenes, especially the larger ones that are displayed outside of the home, are a favorite type of Christmas lights, lending a beautiful balance to the often glitzy and over-the-top outdoor lighting displays.
Christmas lights have come a long way since they were first introduced back in the 1800s. Today, the variety of styles, colors and themes of lighting options for the holiday decorating frenzy, is almost mind boggling. There are string lights and icicle lights and rope lights and lighting displays, just to name a very.
Many Christmas lights also have sophisticated, though very compact, control units which is actually a tiny computer. This allows for many programming functions so that a single string of lights can act in many different ways such as flashing, twinkling, chasing and many other display options.


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Peg Art Christmas Star

Funky peg art stars can make a modern looking display. The stars are simply made from pegs and can be painted in any colour to fix in with your Christmas decoration theme.
To make a peg art Christmas star you will need… 20 spring type clothes pegs, a suitable wood glue, paint, thread for a hanging loop, a glass bottle and two identical blocks of wood - Jenga bricks are ideal. Don't worry, they are just for support and will be fine to return to the game afterwards.
To start with you need to dismantle the clothes pegs and remove the springs. You'll find this is easy to do, just twist the peg ends in opposite directions.
Glue your peg halves backs together so that the flat sides are back to back. You will end up with a round bulbous end and a thin tapered end. Leave the pegs to dry.
The star centre piece. With the pegs on their side sop that you can see the glued joining line, stick 6 pegs together at their round end. Each peg needs to be lined up in a straight line with the peg opposite it. A small hole will naturally form at the centre of the pegs as you align them. Leave the centre piece to dry.
The star quarter pieces. Again with the pegs on their side join 3 pegs together at the round ends. The pegs need to be at 45 degrees angle from one another.
Make two star quarter pieces in this way and allow to dry.
Star double pieces. With the pegs on their sides, stick two pegs together at the round end at a 45 degrees angle.
Make four double pieces in this way and allow to dry.
To assemble the star… With the star centre piece flat on the table glue on one quarter piece on one quarter piece in an upright position so that the centre peg is directly above the hole in the star centre piece.
Put a jenga block on both sides and running parallel to the quarter piece at approximately 2.5cm away.
Take two star double pieces and rest them on these blocks with the round ends glued to meet the rounded ends of the star centre piece and the quarter piece.
The double pieces should be adjusted so that they form a 45 degree angle between the other two pieces.
Leave the star to dry.
To attach the quarter and double pieces to the other side of the star, you need to stand the star in a glass bottle with a slim neck.
This will make the centrepiece flat as before. Glue on the quarter and double pieces in the same way as before and leave the star to dry.
Paint the star in whatever colour you choose. It is probably easiest to use car spray paint, do follow the instructions on the tin and only spray in a properly ventilated room. A few thin even coats will give the best finish.
When the paint is dry thread some gold thread through a hole in one of the star spikes. This is the hanging loop to suspend the star.
For extra glamour wind tinsel around the star spikes at the heart of the star.


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Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Christmas Cake Recipe

December is the time for baking in the kitchen, insulated against the cold weather by a festive fug of spices, honey and rich dried fruit: cookies, mince pies, Christmas pudding, Christmas cake. The Christmas cake should be prepared well ahead of time so it has time to develop moistness and flavour. Usually I procrastinate and bake it only a week before Christmas but this year I was determined to do it right. So yesterday the kitchen exuded a gentle spicy aroma as the cake cooked extremely slowly for four and a half hours. Just one whiff is enough to conjure up Christmas.

It is just the sort of rich, damp, heavy fruit cake that Captain Hook put out to poison the Lost Boys in the original Peter Pan story. That detail seems to have been omitted in the updated versions, maybe these days it seems too old-fashioned to believe that rich cake is death to young stomachs! My kids aren't really into the cake itself anyway, but they love the marzipan and icing, so will nibble meagrely at the cake in order to justify feasting on their icing and that of the adults as well, who Jack Sprat-like tend to prefer the cake and leave the excess sweet icing to the children.

Just before Christmas I usually get out the reliable old Delia Smith cook book to check out the cake recipe and quantities for the marzipan. Her recipes almost always work and are accurate if not always inspired. Now she is long supplanted by the younger, sexier Nigella, but her books are still at the back of my shelf for when I need to check details of some ordinary but useful dish.

Rich Fruit Cake Recipe

450g/1lb currants
175g/6oz sultanas
175g/6oz raisins
50g/2oz glace cherries(optional)
50g/2oz mixed candied peel chopped
3 tablespoons honey
225g/8oz plain flour
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg
½ teaspoon mixed spice
225g/8oz unsalted butter
225g/8oz soft brown sugar
4 large eggs
50g/2oz chopped almonds
1 dessertspoon treacle
grated rind of 1 lemon
grated rind of 1 orange

The night before you want to make the cake, soak all the dried fruit and peel with the honey. Leave it in a covered bowl over night or at least twelve hours.

Grease and line a 20cm/8 inch round cake tin or a 18cm/ 7 inch square one.

Sift together the flour, salt and spices. Cream the butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy (make sure you do this thoroughly). Beat eggs and add them a little at a time to the creamed mixture, beating well each time. Next fold in the flour and spices gently. Stir in the dried fruit and peel, treacle and the grated lemon and orange rind. Spoon the mixture into the prepared cake tin and spread it out evenly. Tie a band of brown paper round the outside of the tin and cover the top of the cake with a double layer of greaseproof paper (with a hole cut in the middle of it) Bake the cake at 140C/275F on the lower shelf of the oven for 4 ¼ - 4 ¾ hours. Don't open the door to check until at least 4 hours have passed. Once the cake has cooled wrap it in a layer of greaseproof paper then foil. Delia recommends feeding it with honey every week or so, by poking a couple of holes with a skewer then letting a few teaspoons of honey soak in.

Our cake is now well wrapped in grease-proof paper and foil and stored on a shelf in the larder to steep in its own flavours. A week before Christmas I'll make the marzipan to go on it. I'll have a lot of help with that as the children vie to gather up any scraps that fall or are trimmed off. We've even converted marzipan haters in the family to our variety of almond paste, just by leaving out the almond essence, which gives the strong almost metallic taste to shop marzipan. Without it the real almond flavour gets a chance to shine through, more mellow and delicately nutty. (I'll write up my recipe for the marzipan and royal icing in my next article.)

On top of the marzipan goes the top layer of royal icing, made with icing sugar and egg white, put on rough to resemble a snowy scene. When I was growing up we had a set of figures for a Nativity scene that always decorated the cake and it was my favourite job to arrange them with a few tiny pine trees for added effect. You can be creative with your decoration, go for elegant with a single artificial poinsettia flower or fun with plastic animals – a donkey and ox, or as I often do being in Africa, a zebra, elephant and giraffe - standing around in the snow. Silver balls could make a star or you could find a tiny angel decoration to stand atop the cake heralding Christmas.


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Christmas - The Ideal Christmas Dinner

It's Christmas Day and you're having the family over for dinner. The only thing you can think of is how much work you're going to have to put into this thing. Even a guest list of eight can be a real chore to cook for. And the last thing you want is for your family to go home grumbling about how bad the meal was, especially if some of those family members are in-laws. This may be your one chance to really make a good impression. But how do you do this without having to hire a high priced chef?
Well, believe it or not, there are Christmas dinners that you can prepare that are easy, inexpensive and tasty enough to send your guests home with a full stomach and a smile on their faces. If you think it can't possibly be that simple, keep reading because this is one easy to make dinner.
The first thing you have to do is break your dinner down into courses; the more the better. Guests who get a lot of food tend to be easily pleased because they feel they are getting a lot for their money. And heaven knows there are plenty of course you can dish out at a meal such as appetizer, soup, salad, etc. So where do we begin?
Starting with the appetizer, the best way to impress your guests is with a nice shrimp cocktail. Don't get those skimpy, skinny shrimp. Get the ones that are thick and long and meaty. This is a great ice breaker and will get your dinner off on more than the right foot. Don't worry about getting any fancy cocktail sauce. They're all pretty much the same. The shrimp alone, if it's good, will sell them.
Next you want a nice soup. Pick something a little fancier than a plain chicken soup. Maybe cream of chicken or cream of mushroom. Make sure that you have lots of saltine crackers to go with the soup. Serve the soup in a large bowl, not a cup. Again, you want to give your guests a lot to eat. The soup itself can even be out of a can. You don't have to make it homemade.
For salad, keep it simple. A nice green salad of lettuce, carrots, mushrooms and tomatoes will be fine. The whole key to the salad is the dressing. Make sure you have a number of dressings on the table for them to choose from. Don't put the dressing in the salad. Some people like Italian, some don't. Give them a choice. This will make them feel special that you were this thoughtful.
For the main dish, nobody likes anything more than a nice turkey. Turkey's are fool proof to cook these days with their built in little pop up timers. Make sure you have plenty of stuffing to go with it and of course cranberry sauce. Leaving out the cranberry sauce is like asking for daggers aimed at your heart. Along with the main dish, make sure you have a couple of hot vegetables like corn, green beans, carrots and cauliflower.
Finally, you want to have several desserts for your guests to choose from. A couple of pies and a cake should do fine. And of course you want two pots of coffee. One regular and one decaf. Not everybody wants to be on a caffeine high, especially if they're elderly.


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Christmas Eve Recipe Ideas

Christmas is quickly approaching and the time has come to soon send our invitations to the Christmas Eve or Day dinner.
Special occasions are a great time for friends and family and, in order to please our guests, we have to be creative when it comes the time to create our menu. But... if the Christmas turkey is a delicious meal, we would sometimes change our habits and eat something else.
Here is a Christmas menu idea including four different dishes from soup to dessert; which are simple to make special occasion cooking recipes but include a nice alternative to the Christmas turkey.
The portions are calculated for 8 guests.
Soup:
Tomato Cream
Ingredients:
2.2 lb peeled and chopped matured tomatoes
200 g chopped carrots
250 g chopped celery
120 g chopped onions
Chopped garlic (to taste)
1 small box of canned tomatoes
200 ml cream
salt and pepper to taste
Thyme, bay
Oil
2 tablespoon sugar
4 tablespoon red wine vinegar
200 ml water
In a large saucepan, melt sugar with a little water and pour vinegar until reducing
Add the vegetables
Cover and simmer 20 minutes
Mash the canned tomatoes and add them in the saucepan
Simmer 30 minutes
Salt and pepper to taste
Add 200 ml water and then the cream
Blend the soup
Serve hot
Starter:
Avocado cream
Ingredients:
2 chopped avocados
2 lemons (juiced)
2 chopped shallots
2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
Use a fork to mash the avocado
Stir in lemon juice
Add the chopped shallots
Blend all the ingredients
Serve cold in small glasses
Decorate with lemon zest
Main dish:
Christmas Goose
Ingredients:
8 to 10 lb. whole goose
1 chopped onion
1 chopped apples
1 tablespoon dried grapes
Oil
100 ml red wine
500 ml chicken broth
Thyme
salt and pepper to taste
Preheat the oven to 365 degrees F
Put the oil coated goose in a shallow roasting pan
Tuck the wings and tie the legs together with kitchen string
Put the apples, onions and dried grapes around it
Cook for 3 hours, basting regularly with the cooking juices
Remove the goose from the oven
Pass the cooking juices through a strainer
In a saucepan, combine the fat from the roasting pan, the red wine, the Chicken broth and the red wine
Let cook until boiling and then add floor, stir constantly, until the gravy thickens
Serve with steamed potatoes.
Dessert:
Baked Apples
Ingredients:
10 mashed speculaas
120 g almond paste
40 g dried grapes
2 tablespoon rum
4 tablespoon grounded hazelnuts
1 tablespoon honey
8 apples, washed, cored and halved
sugar glace
Preheat the oven to 365 degrees F
Combine the mashed speculaas, the almond paste, the dried grapes, rum, hazelnuts and the honey
Put the apples in a baking dish
Garnish with the mixture
Bake for 15 à 20 minutes
Serve warm with ice cream and sprinkle with powdered sugar.


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Thursday, December 06, 2007

Getting Christmas Cards Out On Time

Getting your Christmas cards out at the last possible moment is a pattern that is common in the human race. Are you sending some personalized cards out this year? Perhaps it's time to think about actually getting them ordered sometime soon? Sending Christmas cards out to your friends, family and business associates is a season's greetings gesture that speaks volumes on the integrity of a person or company. When you send cards out it is a special bond that is created amongst you and the people that receive your holiday greeting card. Sometimes it can even serve as an ice breaker. Personalized greeting cards can be something that is remembered for a long time. Here is my favorite card this year.
Hand make a Greeting Card
The best Christmas cards are not the ones you purchase from a card shop. The best holiday cards are the ones that are made by hand. You can use old magazines, newspapers combine with cheap crafty recycled materials and hand make the coolest cards. There are so many materials you can make cards out of like thick card paper, colored papers, r=tissue papers, stickers, rubber stamps and ink. When I sent my first card out I began creating Christmas cards out of my bedroom at night when my parent thought I was doing my homework.
It's getting to be that time of year. Are you sure you did not overlook a bud on the Christmas list? Sending and getting friend's greetings is a tradition folks have liked doing for centuries. For me, mailing and getting my own cards out is cool and fun. Although children are not that involved with Christmas card exchanges adults are sending card wishes every year and that has grow to be common. In the wake of staying up late Christmas night waiting for a visit from St. Nick the children really like Christmas day.
Throughout holidays one of the regretful realities is the fact a lot of people get flu symptoms or colds. Sometimes people may get sucker-punched by a sickness in winter months so they can't get personal cards out on time. If you have forgotten purchasing Christmas cards or Christmas gift cards for a friend it's a worrisome feeling, yet most people understand that you're ill. So the way I like to get my Christmas cards out with a personalized greeting is to do it when you are in good health. Who knows when you are going to pick up a nasty cold?
People have got fun during the holiday vacation giving and getting cards for Christmas. It doesn't take long to get behind in the holiday season, the next thing you know it's Christmas eve. By preparing properly for Christmas cards out you will not have to rely on last minute hasty shopping decisions. Why cause undue stress on yourself by putting it off today?
Greeting cards make a great gift to folks that you care about but cannot visit. With a little time on your hands you can make really unique cards for Christmas personalized and not like typical endless Christmas cards out. Usually at work or at home, you would write your seasons greetings on your cards and that can take along time depending on the quantity. An option to all that signing by hand is getting Christmas personalized greeting cards by a commercial printer.


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