In an effort for many people or groups to remain “politically correct”, they are shying away from using the phrase merry Christmas for fear of offending someone who may not believe in this particular season. In recent years, some major corporations opted to use the phrase happy holidays instead and suffered a serious backlash from [...]
When Dr. Seuss penned his holiday favorite, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” one wonders if he had an idea of the icon he had just created. Today, nearly every adult and child has heard the story of this creature whose heart was changed by the faith and joy of the little who’s down in Whoville. [...]
A Christmas wreath hanging on a front door is a welcoming sight during the season for many of us today. While the traditional evergreen wreath is still one of the more popular sightings, you can also find grapevine Christmas wreaths, holly and berries or even glass balls that are glued and wired to the round [...]
Every year the public flocks to Christmas tree shops hoping to find that special decoration for their tree that will become part of a family tradition. While many retailers open separate Christmas tree shops in their stores during the holiday season, there are a few locations that offer year round availability of everything Christmas. Stores [...]
The history of the Christmas tree is as varied as the decorations used to decorate today’s most common symbol of the holiday. While different cultures lay claim to making the practice of decorating an evergreen an annual tradition, it is believed that the tradition of setting up a Christmas tree was begun ion the 16th [...]
There is something about music that helps people relate to the holidays and Christmas songs can evoke a wide range of emotions. From songs having roots in religious ceremonies, those celebrating that talk of love and sharing to some that may seem just plain silly Christmas songs can help celebrate the season of good cheer. [...]
Before electric Christmas lights were invented, people depended upon candlelight to illuminate their Christmas trees. As you might imagine, the practice of putting lighted candles onto a cut evergreen tree caused more that its share of fires. That hazard began to get a whole lot safer in the year 1882, when the first Christmas tree [...]
If you have ever wondered by craft stores and craft areas in department stores begin stocking holiday items in August and September, it is because that is when people who make Christmas crafts start plying their trade. Most artisans will make making their items in hopes of selling them as holiday decorations or gifts and [...]
The practice of giving Christmas gifts has been around since no one really knows, as the history of this practice is confusing at best, and conflicting at worse. Possible times include the Christmas Feast hosted by Kink Richard II in 1377 in England, but giving of Christmas gifts is most often credited to the Middle [...]
Christmas cards are big business; in fact, nearly 2 billion holiday cards are purchased, addressed and mailed each Christmas season. This is because virtually everyone is caught up in the holiday card frenzy. However, just like with any other type of correspondence, there are a few rules of etiquette that apply whenever you are sending [...]