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Origins of Beloved Holiday Traditions Christmastime is here. of today may be a byprod- and is associated with the to Santa Claus. The jolly The presents are being pur- uct of various traditions. pagan festival of Saturnalia, persona came later when chased and wrapped. The One such tradition dates which celebrated the ag- 20th century advertisers stockings will soon be hung back to a Dutch custom in ricultural god Saturn with — especially the artists on the fireplace mantle. which children would leave partying and gift-giving. responsible for Coca-Cola Mistletoe is pinned above shoes full of food to feed During the winter solstice, ads — portrayed Santa in a the front entryway, and St. Nicholas’ donkeys, and green branches served as a red suit with a big smile. poinsettias add rich color to then St. Nicholas would reminder that spring would Mistletoe home decor. leave small gifts in return. arrive anew. Germans are Mistletoe is hung in Tradition is integral Another origin story of credited with first bringing doorways, and couples who come the holiday season. Christmas stockings can be evergreens into their homes stand beneath are encour- Throughout the month of traced to the 12th century, and decorating them. aged to share a kiss. The December, traditions fill when nuns would leave Santa Claus tradition of hanging it in people’s days and comprise socks full of nuts, fruit and Santa Claus’ origin story the house goes back to the the many reasons why indi- tangerines for the poor. can be traced to St. Nicho- times of the ancient Dru- viduals decorate, celebrate This is why some people las, a Christian bishop who ids. Mistletoe was thought and dine the way they do still put tangerines in lived during the fourth to bring good luck to a this time of year. But few Christmas stockings. century. St. Nicholas was household and ward off evil may know the origins of Christmas tree very generous and gave spirits. The custom of kiss- some of the most beloved Christmas Trees are away his fortune to help the ing under mistletoe can be holiday traditions. everywhere this time of needy. He also did vari- traced to England. Origi- Christmas stockings year. The use of evergreen ous other good deeds. St. nally, a berry was picked The Christmas stockings trees predates Christmas Nicholas became infamous from the sprig of mistletoe and began to be known by before the person could be various names around the kissed. When all the berries world. The Dutch called had gone, there could be no him Sinter Klaas, which more kissing. was eventually transformed Christmas bells Church bells ring for many special services, including Christmas mass. During Christmas midnight mass in the Catholic Church, the altar bells may be rung while the priest says the “Glo- ria.” Bells are part of caroling, and jingling bells are associated with sleighs and Santa’s reindeer. Christmas is rife with traditions that date back ages. 2 - Christmas Open House • www.DouglasNow.com Support your local merchants Three reasons to buy local for the holidays You’ve finally finished draw- people you know. Promoting ing up your Christmas gift list economic activity in your region and you just know it’s going to also helps improve the quality of make all your loved ones happy. life for workers. You also have to keep working You’re encouraging local on that endless shopping list producers, entrepreneurs and for the various holiday gather- merchants when you do your ings you have to prepare for. But holiday shopping at the neigh- wait; don’t jump into your car borhood clothing store or at the just yet. Have you thought about artisanal butcher shop. You’re shopping locally? It’s a surefire strengthening the trust between way to make even more people producers and consumers and happy. Not convinced? Here are bolstering your sense of belong- three good reasons to buy local. ing to your community. What 1. PAMPER YOUR TASTE more could you ask for at holi- BUDS: Nothing beats buy- day time, which is an occasion ing locally if you want to serve for sharing and love? your guests the ultimate in deli- 3. GIVE MORE ECO- cious food. Locally-sourced food FRIENDLY GIFTS: Choosing products are fresher, more nutri- local products also means re- tious and tastier. And they aren’t ducing the distance between as likely to be treated with pre- the producer (or the merchant) servatives to make them last lon- and the consumer. This, in turn, ger or stay fresher looking. Vege- helps reduce greenhouse gas tables, cheeses, meats, beers and emissions and pollution related wines are just a few examples of to the transportation of goods. things you can buy locally dur- And that’s beside the fact that ing the holiday season. They’ll transporting products across help you make your holiday thousands of miles generally re- meals even more delicious than quires more packaging. In short, usual. buying local is an environmen- And how about buying local tally-friendly gesture. foods as gifts for your favorite Buying locally is also more foodies? It’s a great idea that convenient. Why go to the big will give you the opportunity to shopping center located outside make some beautiful and deli- of town when your own neigh- cious discoveries. borhood is full of all kinds of 2. SUPPORT THE LOCAL stores and businesses? You’re ECONOMY: Are you fond of more likely to find unique gifts, your area? When you buy lo- and you won’t have to go as far cal it helps your community if you need to exchange them become more dynamic. That’s later on. On top of all that, you’ll because when you spend your save on gas and produce less money close to home, you’re pollution. The only person who helping the local economy grow could do it any better is Santa and open up more jobs for the Claus. www.DouglasNow.com • Christmas Open House - 3 4 - Christmas Open House • www.DouglasNow.com What should you put under the tree to spoil your little fur ball? Do you love your dog more than anything in the world? Would you not be able to live without cuddling with your cat? The following gift suggestions are aimed at all pet owners who are unabashedly crazy about their four-legged friends. If you want to spoil your pet, keep its age and personality in mind. Puppies and kittens, which have energy to spare and love to chew things, will adore a colorful toy that they can destroy to their heart’s are as nutritious as they content. are delicious. These treats Is your loyal companion are made with healthy something of a four-legged ingredients like oats, eggs foodie? Homemade and fruit. Christmas cookies are a For an older, calmer pet, great bet. Go online or visit keep comfort in mind with a your local bookstore to find gift like a cozy bed or a soft pet-friendly recipes that blanket. www.DouglasNow.com • Christmas Open House - 5 Last-minute holiday shopping tips Christmas cookies made simple Holiday shopping season typi- Baking cookies is a holiday tradition for many families. Come cally begins the day after Thanks- the holiday season, many homes are filled with the inviting scents giving and extends all the way of vanilla, cinnamon and melting chocolate. to Christmas Eve. While that’s a Baking cookies can be a social occasion in which family considerable amount of time for members and friends gather to create recipes passed down through shoppers to find gifts for every- generations. Or baking can be a solitary venture in which cookies one on their shopping list, many are prepared and packaged as holiday gifts. Either way, people who people will still find themselves bake during the holiday season understand that making Christmas putting holiday shopping off until cookies can be a time-consuming, yet rewarding, process. the last minute. This year, holiday bakers can embrace a number of time-saving In certain ways, last-minute tips and tricks to reduce the amount of time they spend in the holiday shopping is easier than kitchen and possibly even improve on existing recipes. ever. Thanks to online retailers • Use a cookie mix. Who says you have to toil and make cook- who can ship products overnight, ies from scratch? It’s the thought that counts, and any number of men and women who delay their creative recipes can begin by utilizing a premade baking mix. These holiday shopping have more mixes already have most of the dry cookie ingredients sifted to- options at their disposal than gether, including flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and sugar. they did before the arrival of the All you have to do is add the wet ingredients and any extra embel- Internet. And unlike the days of are often incapable of slashing lishments to make the mix your own. If mixes are too much work, yore when the best deals were prices as significantly as their purchase refrigerated or frozen cookie dough. Include your own largely exclusive to Black Friday, larger competitors, and that may add-ins, such as nuts, white chocolate chips, bits of dried fruit, or some shoppers find that compe- mean they have more extensive crumbled candy canes, to give the premade dough a unique flavor. tition between online retailers inventories available throughout • Prepare ahead. Many cookie dough recipes can be made and and traditional brick-and-mortar the holiday shopping season. In stored for later use. In fact, refrigerating a log of cookie dough can stores is so great that deals can addition, shoppers who stick with make it easier to cut or handle later on.