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 was set aglow with the aid of electricity. A man by the name of Edward H. Johnson invented the first Christmas tree that was illuminated by electricity. Johnson, who was an inventor and an associate of Thomas Edison, came to be known as the “Father of Electric Christmas Tree Lights.” On December 22, 1882, he proudly displayed his electrically lit Christmas lights on his tree at his home on Fifth Avenue in New York City.
In 1895, Christmas lights came to the White House, when President Grover Cleveland lit the first electrically illuminated tree with more than 100 lights on it of various colors. By the first part of the next century, Christmas lights began to appear outdoors in cities like San Diego and New York City. However, it still took many years before electric Christmas lights began making an appearance on famous Christmas trees like the ones at Rockefeller Center in New York and Disney’s Christmas tree. Within a few years after Christmas tree lights became more commonplace, Christmas lights began showing up in other areas as well, such as strung along mantles or doorways or outlining the rafters of houses.
Christmas Lights Today
At the beginning of the twenty-first century, Christmas lights have become a work of art in themselves, with new ways of displaying their illumination getting invented all the time. The incandescent lights that many of us grew up with are now being replaced in many homes with the more efficient and reliable LED Christmas lights. A number of years ago, bubble lights were all the rage. These lights featured long glass tubes with colored liquid bubbling within. This style of holiday lights peaked in popularity around the 1950’s, but you can still find versions of the bubble Christmas lights in stores today. They have become popular for a retro Christmas theme for many holiday decorators.
No matter what types of Christmas lights you decide to use, or how you decide to use them, this holiday tradition has become a staple in many homes today. In fact, it would hardly seem like Christmas without a few strands of Christmas lights twinkling throughout the home and neighborhood.
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 they want to have their merchandise ready to display at Christmas crafts shows that usually begin in late October and November.
Even in schools, Christmas crafts are usually ready in time for the young students to take them home in time for mom and dad to use as decorations. The plastic can lids filled with plaster of Paris molds of the children’s hand print, painted or decorated in red and green are some of the most popular Christmas crafts used by teachers. Others may use wooden clothes pins decorated with felt and small plastic eyes, supposed to resemble a reindeer. Many of these craft items are treasured by families for years, until passed along to the child that made them when they move out on their own.
For those who use their crafty talents to make Christmas crafts for sale, they are constantly looking for new ideas. It is not unusual to find items that look similar in many different displays as most steal shamelessly the ideas they see at other shows or of project ideas they find in magazines.
No Limit To Crafting Imagination
For the most part, there is no limit on the materials used to make Christmas crafts, from wood and plastic to steel and foam, material that can be formed into wreaths and plaques are some of the most sought-after. Wooden plaques with catchy holiday sayings are easy to produce and require little more than a few hand tools and imagination. For example, wood cut into the shapes of a snowman and a reference to flakes is always a big seller in the Christmas crafts stores.
Crafters can buy a wreath made of grapevines and add their own type of greenery or other artificial flowers to create Christmas crafts to sell to others. Rarely with you find two items that look exactly alike, especially those made by hands in someone’s basement. There is something about the appeal of handmade Christmas crafts that make them popular among homeowners.
Designing Christmas crafts in a variety of colors and designs allow crafters to appeal to a wider audience and increasing their chance of having a successful season. Keeping track of what sold well and making more of those items the following year can help them remain a popular source of Christmas crafts for the following year.
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 Ages and the practice of offering gifts to loved ones associated with the religious belief that the infant Jesus was offered gifts on the day of his birth.
Many claim that the giving of Christmas gifts has become such an expectation that the true meaning of the holiday has been lost. With retailers establishing separate shops with their departments geared towards different age groups and hobbies, it is nearly impossible to visit a store and not be reminded that it is time to think about buying Christmas gifts for someone. Traditionally, the giving of gifts was limited to loved ones, but today there are gift exchanges conducted in many work places as well as businesses giving gifts to their employees and customers.
While the thought of giving Christmas gifts may have begun as offerings to families, many people feel pressured to expand their gift list to include close friends and business associates. The gift-giving tradition also results in increased stress levels due to the self-induced dilemma of not having enough money to buy presents for everyone.
Juggling Expenses To Buy Presents
For many families it can be exceptionally stressful as they juggle available finances in order to have money to buy Christmas gifts for a variety of people. Fulfilling wishes of their children is becoming more difficult, especially as the children grow older and their wishes become more expensive. For most families, there is expectation of spending more money on Christmas gifts while their income level has not been adjusted to accommodate this self-imposed mandate.
Credit companies are some of the biggest winners in the practice of exchanging Christmas gifts who, along with retailers make most of their money during the holiday gift-giving season. The first months of the new year are often filled with credit card debt as well as unwanted gifts from people that will be returned to stores.
While starting to buy Christmas gifts early in the year has enabled many people to avoid the last-minute crush of shoppers in the stores, as well as saving money in the long run. Many simply procrastinate until the last minute and may be forced to pay higher prices to buy Christmas gifts they would not normally choose, but are left with little alternative.
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 out holiday greetings.
Christmas Cards for Friends and Family
Even if you are using preprinted holiday cards, you still need to sign your name and write a small handwritten note inside them in order to make the recipient feel as though you have truly thought about them this holiday season. If you are signing the card for the entire family, you should begin by writing the father’s name, then the mother’s and finally the children. Whenever Christmas cards are being sent to either a couple or a family that has two different last names, you should always address the card to both people.
Christmas Cards for Business Associates
Unless you have met your business associate’s spouse, their Christmas cards should always be sent to their office. Regardless of where the card is sent, you should always write in a more formal and secular style. You should never sign your spouse’s name unless the recipient has met them in a social gathering. You also do not want to ever send your personal family newsletter to your business associates. Even if you are sending out hundreds of Christmas cards to a variety of business associates here, you should never use bulk mail. Always send your Christmas cards first class.
Christmas Cards for Special Circumstances
Every time that you send out a holiday greeting, you mean well. Unfortunately, sometimes your good intentions may be misunderstood. Therefore, in order to avoid any etiquette slips there are two important tips that you need to remember.
First, whenever sending Christmas cards to people from a different ethnic or religious background, choose a more secular card that is free of religious undertones. Even a winter scene card with a basic Season’s Greetings, Happy Holidays or message of Peace is appropriate here.
Secondly, if you know that your recipient is grieving the loss of a loved one this year, take special care to find a card that specifically deals with holiday grief. They will appreciate your extra thoughtfulness in assuring them that their loved one has not been forgotten this holiday season.
Making your own Christmas fabric can be fun and useful too. Christmas fabric can be used to wrap presents, for craft projects, for personalized quilts and pillows, or for interesting throws. Here is how to make your own Christmas fabric.
High-tech
There are fabrics you can buy that can be used in your home printer to make Christmas fabrics. These can be found in your office supply section or in your craft department, as well as on the internet. These fabrics are stiff and are specially made to absorb printer ink. These fabrics would be perfect to make Christmas fabrics with pictures of family, friends, and pets. You can also use colorful clip art, in conjunction with your word processor, to make interesting, fun fabric.
Always make sure to follow the special washing directions that come with the printer fabric. Some of these fabrics are not intended for heavy use, such as on clothing. Fabric decals can also be bought to decorate fabric. These decals come in many different designs and are applied with a warm iron.
Handmade
If you would like a raw, traditional looking Christmas fabric, then you may want to try your luck at hand printed fabric. First, choose a sturdy fabric that is absorbent, like muslin. The fabric should be a light, solid color, and should not contain any ribbing, nubs, or pattern.
Next, decide how you would like to put the print on the fabric. Stencils, stamps, and markers used with fabric paint are all good choices. You can also make your own print with objects around your home. A Christmas stamp can be made by carving a potato into a desired shape. You can also use a potato sliced in half and dipped into Christmas colored paint to make festive polka-dot Christmas fabric.
Another way to make a festive print on fabric is to splash, fling, or squirt red and green paint onto the fabric in an abstract pattern. The fabric paint that you choose will have washing instructions on the packaging. Be sure to follow them to retain the original look of your Christmas fabric print.
From Scratch
You can also weave your cloth from scratch in pretty Christmas colors. This isn’t as hard as it sounds. There are many weaving kits out there for children and adults with simple, easy to follow directions. Some easy things to create with your hand-woven Christmas fabric are placemats, tree skirts, pillow shams, dollies, and trivets.
There is nothing more festive than having a freshly cut Christmas tree in the house. The aroma of the pine says “Happy Holidays” like almost nothing else. Of course, there is the chilly trip to a tree lot to choose that perfect holiday icon. Then there is the process of loading it onto the car, driving home on a wing and a prayer that the tree will remain in place until you get to your driveway, and getting the tree into the home without breaking any valuables or losing any needles from the branches. Once the tree is up and decorated, you must constantly check the water level to ensure that your fresh tree does indeed stay fresh. Finally, once the holidays have ended, you will need to undecorated your tree, remove it from your living room and possibly load it back onto your car for proper disposal. Let’s face it; fresh Christmas trees can be a lot of work and mess, which is undoubtedly why artificial Christmas trees have gained popularity over the decades.
Manmade Beauty
Today’s artificial Christmas trees can be quite lifelike in appearance. Some will have needles that are sturdy and pointed like a real spruce tree, rather than offering an image of a bristle brush like so many artificial Christmas trees of the past. You can also purchase artificial Christmas trees that are pre-strung with light strands, saving you the hassle and frustration of stringing your own. The other fun in artificial Christmas trees is that you can choose from an assortment of styles and colors to match your holiday décor in any theme. Don’t like the traditional look of an evergreen? Why not check out the selection of pink and white feather trees that are lining the shelves of Christmas stores today? You can even find wreaths for your door in matching colors and styles. Another popular look is to buy a flocked tree that looks as though it has been standing out in a snowy meadow. Only without the puddle of water collecting on your living room carpet!
Trends through the Ages
In the middle of the last century, aluminum trees came on the scene and offered variety to the many Christmas decorators of the time. No longer were you limited by green trees, when selections were abundant in silver, blue and pink. A few years ago, upside down artificial Christmas trees became the rage. These trees would either set into stands on the ground or suspend from the ceiling. Upside down artificial Christmas trees made a fun focal point to many homes, and the additional space underneath the tree made a convenient space for housing presents. Another big trend today are the pre-lit artificial Christmas trees that come in a variety of colors and styles, taking much of the extra work out of your holiday decorating.
With the versatility and ease of the artificial Christmas tree, there is little doubt that this holiday tradition will be a popular one for many years to come. Artificial Christmas trees can add fun and creativity to your holiday decorating.
If you are looking for a special gift for a certain person on your list, why not consider a personalized Christmas ornament? There are many occasions that lend themselves well to this type of present, and there are many different styles of ornaments to choose from. Whether you would like to honor a special couple, a new baby or a favorite sports team, you can find a personalized Christmas ornament that can do the job. The best thing about this sort of gift is that it shows the recipient that some time and thought went into the offering. It is also the perfect way to make someone feel unique and special in your eyes.
Special Events
Do you know a couple who just tied the knot or a family with a new addition to their household? One of the most popular types of personalized Christmas ornament is one that is specifically designed for a couple’s first Christmas together or a child’s first Christmas holiday. You can find a bauble that commemorates this event, and you can even personalize it further by having the persons’ names engraved or printed directly on the ornament itself. This additional effort will turn a pretty ornament into a keepsake that will be treasured for many years to come.
Special Interests
Is there someone on your list who is an avid skier or a devoted amateur chef? There are plenty of personalized Christmas ornaments that will celebrate your recipient and his favorite hobby. Whether that person plays golf four times a week or spends most of his waking hours in front of a blank canvas with a paint palette, you will be able to find an ornament designed just for him. These types of personalized Christmas ornaments are also perfect for kids who happen to play a particular sport like soccer or enjoy a certain activity like dance or cheerleading. Everyone likes to receive a gift that caters directly to her interests.
Special Jobs
Personalized Christmas ornaments are also a good choice for your hairdresser, your son’s teacher or a favorite teller at the bank. These gifts can be fairly inexpensive, but will be worth their weight in gold to the person that you cared enough about to remember during this holiday season. A personalized Christmas ornament will be something that your recipient will enjoy for many years, and it will be like getting a pat on the back for a job well done every time she hangs it on her Christmas tree branch. This can also be a good way to honor your favorite cousin who spends most of his time staring at a computer screen or a sister who spends her days taking care of animals.
Personalized Christmas ornaments can be fun to shop for and are guaranteed to make your recipient feel just as special as you think he is.
The large majority of us love to receive Christmas greetings in our mailboxes once the holidays roll around. This is why so many people will take time out of the hustle and bustle of the season to send out their own personalized Christmas cards. This tradition has become a popular way to keep in touch with friends and family members that you might not otherwise converse with very often throughout the year. It is an effective way to track who has gotten married, who has had a new baby, and where those folks have moved to. However, when it comes to sending out those personalized Christmas cards, there are a few etiquette rules that you should follow.
For Family
If you are sending your personalized Christmas cards to family and close friends, you will want to sign your greetings with your first names only. It is also a good idea to take the time to actually sign each of your cards, even if you have your names printed directly on them. It is also a nice touch to put a personal note next to your signature. Some people also like to add a holiday letter that will give a brief synopsis of the news of the year for the family. These can be printed off on the computer, preferably onto a Christmas stationary that will be fun and festive for your recipient. It is also common for families to include current photos of the kids for everyone to see.
When you are addressing personalized Christmas cards from your entire family, you can sign the first name of the parents first, followed by the name of each child or simply, “and family.” When addressing the cards to the people that you are sending to, it is proper to include the children’s names with families that you are close to. Many people also like to address cards to “The Smith Family,” which is also considered proper. It is always preferred to write out the addresses of your family and friends by hand as well, since computer printed greetings tend to look less personal.
For Business Associates
If you are going to send personalized Christmas cards to business associates, make sure that you purchase a high quality card that will let your client know that you “care enough to send the very best.” Sign your name and include a short, handwritten message, even if your name is printed directly on the cards. It is not appropriate to sign your spouse’s or children’s names to the cards, unless your client has met or knows them. In the case of personalized Christmas cards for business associates, it is considered okay to run the envelopes through the printer if you have a large number to send out. Otherwise, a handwritten address is always nicer to receive.
Personalized Christmas cards are the perfect way to send your holiday greetings and news to friends, family and business associates. With a few tips, you will ensure that your greetings go out the proper way.
While fighting the crowds in the stores during the month of December, it may pay to consider that many people would much prefer homemade Christmas gifts over those bought in a store. There has been a phrase around forever that it is the thought that counts, but it seems to be lost on most people as they strive year after year to outdo even themselves on the size or price of the present they give as gifts. For many the mere thought of giving homemade Christmas gifts is out of the question, for fear the recipient will give them something that costs much more.
By offering homemade Christmas gifts the giver is showing that they think enough about the person to expend time and energy into giving them something truly unique. When something is made by hand there is a slim chance that it can ever be duplicated, making each give a one-of-a-kind creation. Even if the homemade Christmas gifts are nothing more than photographs marking a family’s emergence in the world, it is a gift that can be proudly displayed for more than the duration of the holiday.
Several folks attempt to give gifts that represent their opinion of what the recipient needs and wants, instead of what they want them to have. By offering homemade Christmas gifts, the giver is not only offering a present, but something much more personal and something that cannot be bought in a store.
Commercialization Removing Personal Touches
While everyone wants their present to be the one that everyone will remember, the grandfather who presents young children with homemade Christmas gifts, such as cars and planes made out of wood, will likely find them cherished more than anything they could have purchased, regardless of the cost.
Many remember the homemade Christmas gifts they made for their parents in school, such as images of Santa Claus made out of raw elbow macaroni glued to a piece of cardboard or the homemade ornaments that the parents hung on the tree, despite, as viewed years later, were probably not the best looking ornaments being displayed.
Most use the excuse that they just do not have the time to make homemade Christmas gifts and spend hours in stores looking for the perfect item for each person on their holiday gift list. Time that could probably have been spent creating more appreciated homemade Christmas gifts for everyone, including knitted hats for the teens in the family.
For many families the thought of taking a Christmas vacation is simply out of the question as they plan to spend the time with their family. For others, the thought of getting away from all the muss and fuss associated with the holidays may be an important part of their vacation planning. With many industries focusing their attention on increased business during the holiday season, the idea of allowing a worker off for a Christmas vacation is simply not going to happen.
There are some industries however, that realizes a lull in business and choose to close down for a week or so between Christmas and New Year’s day, allowing all of their employees to have a Christmas vacation. Although having this time off makes decorating and preparing for the holidays a lot easier, not every appreciates having this particular time away. Some, especially those living in cold climates would prefer to be off during warmer weather when they can enjoy the outdoors.
However, there are those that choose to take their Christmas vacation as an excuse to visit warmer areas of the company during times when typically, holiday traveling leaves many exotic resorts less crowded and more accessible. Once the families leave the snow-covered regions in which they live they can begin to warm up to being on vacation.
Decrease In Demand Often Means Lower Prices
Families choosing a spend their Christmas vacation at a vacation resort, often find the prices for accommodations reduced as well as lowered transportation expenses. Many can enjoy a better quality vacation during this period than they could afford at more popular times of the season. It should be noted that many attractions might not be available during the traditional Christmas vacation season.
Most educators find their schedules allow them to take a Christmas vacation while the schools are closed for the holidays, still having time during the summer months to enjoy time away from work. Although some use the time that the students are away on Christmas vacation to get ready for the remainder of the school year. Many schools also use this period for light maintenance work to keep the facilities in top condition.
Taking a Christmas vacation is not an option in many occupations such as retailing and travel as these industries have a high percentage of their sales during this time. Unfortunately, not everyone can share in the possibility of having extra time to cook and shop, as someone has to stay behind and take of those who are on Christmas vacation.