2010
Brought to you by SearchAmelia.com
“And they who do their souls no wrong, But keep, at eve, the faith of morn, Shall daily hear the angel-song, 'To-day the Prince of Peace is born.’”
- James Russell Lowell.
Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
ForewordForeword
It’s that joyful time of the year again! We all remember cheerful holiday seasons passed, and begin to anxiously plan for the season ahead. Then we start to panic at the thought of what we’re going to buy and how much we are going to spend, and for whom—especially in today’s economy. We must ask ourselves if we can afford another annual spending frenzy that burns deep holes in our pockets and puts our own families even further in debt with unnecessary credit card spending. For most, probably not. For me— a newlywed and recent college graduate still paying off student loans— definitely not. Most of us are looking to not exceed budgets when planning parties and gifts. Frugal is the word, and being creative is the key to saving money while still enjoying the Holidays with family and friends.
First and foremost, the mission of this e-book is to provide actionable information on how to create an affordable, memorable holiday experience for you and your loved ones. So, with an open mind and an open heart, I invite you to join our team of money saving experts as we conceptually turn this year’s spending frenzies and Black Friday nightmares into a frugal holiday adventure you will not soon forget!
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Meet JessicaJessica: Co-authorauthor & EditorEditor
“I’m a newly wed, a recent college graduate and a homemaker for five. I have bills to pay and loans to pay off; I’ve had to learn a thing or two about saving, despite my giving nature.”
Hello there! I’m Jessica, I will be guiding you most of the way through this eBook. Not yet blessed with a child of my own, this book is my baby. I’ve put a lot of hard work into making sure the information within it is as accurate and up-to-date as possible, though I am certainly not its sole contributor. I hope you enjoy the content and benefit from acting upon it!
TheThe Pledge:Pledge: This holiday season, I pledge to follow my own advice: create a budget for (1) spending, (2) saving, and (3) earning. I will stick to the budget and note my progress. I will not supersede the budget because “I have got to get this for so-and-so!” I will be strong, wise and determined, and most of all, as a result of my efforts, I will be giving the greatest give of all: setting a good example for my own family and friends that excessive spending is a choice, not a necessity, and that the holidays are a time to be joyful and free. Money does not create happiness.
IfI whowho youyou arearer isis whatwhhata youyou have,hava e,e AndAnA d whatwhw aat youyouu havehava e is lost,losost, WhoWWho areare you?youu?
-UnknownUnU knowwn
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Table of Contents
I ABC’s of a Frugal Holiday: Saving, Earning and Spending Wisely
II Simple Giving: Save on Holiday Cards, Photos and Labels & Consider “Re-Gifting”
III Advanced Giving: The Online Approach plus Wise Shopper Tips
IV Holiday Travel: Transportation, Dining & more
V Deck the Halls with Frugal Flair
VI Holiday Entertaining: Checklists, Tips and Customs
VII Recipes & Cocktails
VIII Gift Wrapping: DIY + Money Saving Tips 4 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
IX Fun games for Holiday Vacation
X Carols, Stories, Songs and Poems
XI With Santa Around the World
XII 12 Days of Christmas the energy saving way!
Merry Christmas :: Happy Hanukkah :: Happy Kwanzaa ::
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I.I. The A BC’s’s of a FrugalFrugal HolidayHoliday
Photo by http://www.womansday.com A ) T h e B u d g e t Budget! Budget! Budget! Break out your calculator and get a hold of your finances this Holiday season. Holding out against consumer pressure can be quite difficult even when you have a goal. So, the first thing you should do to protect yourself from impulse spending and consumer remorse is create a simple, yet clear and concise, goal. For example: I don’t want to have credit card debt this year. Then go on from there to create a detailed plan of action customized to fit your family’s needs.
This plan of action should come in the form of a budget, or the amount of money you plan to make and spend. Be vigilant with your budget and be willing to take steps, great or small, towards sticking to it. You’d be very surprised how far you can push yourself and your income with a little creativity and self-discipline.
A simple way to assess your budget is to take a look at your bank account. (Yep, we’re jumping right in!) Now, estimate your projected next three months of income (underestimating this number is never a bad idea). Now do the same for your bills (overestimating this number wouldn’t hurt). Subtract your total bills 6 Photo by http://www.taxguide.govt.nz Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com from your total income and write that number down. (Note: Although this method of creating a holiday spending budget is just an outline, I still believe that setting a budget is invaluable towards achieving your financial goals.) Be mindful of your specific needs and trust yourself to find the budget that’s best for you and your family. What my family does might not be the best for yours.
If you are already suffering from debt, especially credit card debt, don’t ignore the actual amount of money you have available to spend this season, not including your credit limit if you have one. This will only increase the financial burden for the next Holiday Season and years to come. Being frugal is as much about saving money as it is about maximizing and appreciating what you already have. Whatever your budget, know you can always provide a thoughtful and warm Holiday experience for yourself and your loved ones without putting yourself in debt, and in my opinion it’s those small, priceless moments that make the holidays so memorable! Never doubt the power of discipline and a positive attitude!
Now that you know your actual amount of money available, you need to extract from it the total amount you want to spend this year. (If you’re really advantageous or in major need of a budget makeover, you might set your goal as low as $0 and see what happens!) Make sure this amount adequately reflects your family’s customs, needs and available funds.
A few free budget-planning worksheets to help you get started on the details:
Worksheet Option #1 – Go here for several printable Christmas Budget worksheet options. These styles are very simplistic and basic. This is a great option for beginners or those just looking to budget for the holiday season.
Worksheet Option #2 – This option provides a multitude of cross spectrum budgeting worksheets – including those for everyday household expenses, vacations, moving and other special occasions. This is the best source I’ve found for free downloadable budget worksheets as they conveniently come in Excel, PDF and HTML formats making them very user-friendly and compatible with various computer types and programs. This option is great for those looking to work the holidays into an already-existing budget, or save despite extra expenditures.
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B ) A n E a r n i n g s P l a n a.k.a.a.k.a. “The BackupBackup Plan”Plan” The next step towards achieving a frugal holiday is expanding your income to meet your budget and possibly save. This is especially important for those who are already in debt, or who will not be earning enough money to afford the extra costs the holidays sometimes necessitate (i.e. travel, cooking for a crowd, higher electricity bills, etc). Last year, my family’s holiday budget was a negative, so I had to get a little creative and look for new ways to earn a few dollars here and there to be able to afford the extras. Each month, I managed to bring in at least an extra $50, most months I brought in over $100. I didn’t feel like I was taking on another job either. The secret was really simple.
I got paid for taking online surveys; if you’re selected, Pinecone Research pays $3 per survey completed. They offer two to five surveys a month and the money you make is deposited directly into your PayPal account that is connected to your bank account.
Next, I became a Mystery Shopper. I did as many audits as possible every month, ranging from alcohol age verifications to grocery store procedure audits to fast food service/cleanliness evaluation to having food delivered right to my door! On average, the shops took no longer than ten or fifteen minutes and the pay was at least $9 per audit; almost all shops include compensation for purchases made during the audit–a.k.a. free groceries, prepared food, etc! The pay may not sound like all that much, but it really was worth it for us considering how little time it usually took to complete the audit and fill out all the paperwork. And time seems to go by way too fast during the holiday season!
Finally, sell your stuff! I don’t mean pawning your wedding band for a quick buck, I mean get down and dirty and find those ever-loved items in your home that is just plain stuff. A few ways to sell your stuff effectively include posting them on Craigslist or Ebay, or just having a good ole fashion garage sale. Don’t be intimidated by the internet or by having to go through hours of work for a yard sale to no avail: Craigslist is free and very simple to operate; E-bay has great tutorials and basically sells your stuff for you for a percentage of the selling price; garage sales are far more successful and far less stressful when you team up with other families. If your budget is tight, and you are stuck on spending, don’t reach for your credit card. Do a little preparation and work now. You’d be surprised what a half-hour a day can do for you on E-bay. Especially around December/January, 8 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com putting old textbooks up on Half.com can bring in some big bucks! I earned a total of over $400 when I did this in August!
C ) T h e S a v i n g s P l a n The last step to tackling your finances during the holiday months is to create a savings plan. Having a plan for how you are going to be able to afford your budget is the easiest way to stick to your budget. I’ve found immediately separating my family’s holiday allowance from all other spending extremely helpful. The division Photo by www.argosgifts.co.uk itself delineates our holiday budget exceptionally well and also eliminates any confusion, temptation or pressure that could potentially stem from our spending. My family uses ING Direct for this purpose. They offer free online bank accounts, and right now, there’s a $50 bonus just for opening a checking account with them. This is a great way to add to your holiday spending budget from the get-go! To open an account now, go to http://home.ingdirect.com/
The holiday season is a time to be cherished, while sitting around enjoying the warm moments together, eating, laughing and giving. I feel the more we can save, the more we can give, both of our time and occasionally of actual gifts. Stepping back from consumerism seems to be the first real step one can take towards a truly joyful holiday season. Cut back on spending and spend more of what’s meaningful with your family: time. You’ll be so glad you did.
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II. Simple Giving:Giving: Homemade Holiday Ideas including Holiday Cards & the BenefitsBenefits ofof “Re“Re-gifting”gifting”
Make your own holiday cards. Let the children design, draw and color on folded plain or colored paper. If you have kids, you likely have glitter, colored markers and paints around the house already. A potato or old sponge can be cut into festive shapes, dipped in paint and transferred to the card. You could cut snowflakes from plain paper and glue these to a contrasting colored paper card.
Deliver the cards personally to friends, neighbors and family (that live near you) as you visit throughout the entire holiday season to save on postage.
Take a holiday family photo, including your pets if applicable, and print them onto postcards for the holidays. The postcards are less expensive to mail than greeting cards and your family and friends get a keepsake photograph as a bonus.
Take advantage of free email card services. These read like a customary holiday card with music in the background and can be sent to your email recipients at no charge other than your time to pick the card and enter an address, but at least you don’t have to drive to the store and the post office for this money saving tip. http://www.yahoo.americangreetings.com - http://www.tropicalwares.com/postcard.html- http://www.all- yours.net - http://www.bluemountain.com - http://www.hallmark.com
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Don’t send any cards at all or cut your list recipients in half!
Have unlimited long distance? Instead of writing, call your friends and loved ones. It is much more personal and a great way to take advantage of your calling plan.
Buy traditional holiday cards on clearance sale immediately after Christmas. Or buy them from a Goodwill Store or Salvation Army Thrift Store all year round.
Cut down your Christmas list by keeping your mailing list accurate and up-to-date. As time progresses delete those old friends you never hear from.
Send postcards or letters, instead of Christmas cards.
You can even cut your old Christmas cards from last year in half, and send the pretty side as a postcard. I did this for many years and it works great, plus you’re being ‘earth friendly’ by keeping new cards out of the garbage dumps.
If you send postcards, whether purchased or homemade, remember they require less postage than a regular card!
Christmas cards always go on sale in December; this is one time when the early birds do not beat us!
Make a short phone call at 5 cents a minute, a 7 minute call would still cost less than a postage stamp, and your loved ones would probably much rather hear your voice than receive a card in the mail.
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C o n s i d e r “ R e - G i f t i n g ”
There is nothing wrong with repurposing a present previously gifted to you that you cannot or will not use. (Just remember the person who gave it to you.)
Don't just re-gift without thought. Find someone who can use the item being re-gifted.
It is a fact that fruit cake can be given from year to year because no one really eats that stuff anyway. When it no longer looks appealing, (like it ever did), it can be used as a door stop or bury in your yard away from the house and you will not have ants for a year.
When you are re-gifting, there is nothing that beats an unopened bottle of liquor. After wiping off the dust, an unopened liquor bottle that has been sitting in your cupboard for four months looks remarkably like an unopened liquor bottle that you just purchased.
Do not re-gift when the gift is used, scratched or damaged. As well, the box must be in new condition. Wrap in fresh paper.
Don’t tell the recipient the gift is re-gifted and never ever give a used gift!
Re-gifting a partially used gift card is not a good idea. I think they will notice a gift card with a value of $14.62 balance on it.
Money Management Int’l has named the Thursday before Christmas "National Re-gifting Day”.
If you just can’t bring yourself to re-gifting, then consider selling the item on e-bay or perhaps donating the item to charity. Non profits are always looking for raffle and door prize items. 12 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
B o n u s S a v i n g s T i p s :
The best inexpensive gift I've ever received was a family cookbook. The supplies to make it are simple, an inexpensive 2" binder, inexpensive paper protectors, paper, and the family! It is simple and meaningful. Collect the favorite recipes from every family member. Organize them, type them and print them, then place them in the binder. You can decorate with your talents or use stamps and stickers.
Your favorite cake or cookie recipe can make a great gift and this inexpensive gift idea is sure to start a new tradition. Layer the pre-measured dry ingredients in jars or baggies into a gift basket
or decorative tin. Include any non-perishable wet ingredients in your gift. Label each ingredient and tie a festive ribbon at the top. Write the recipe in prettiest handwriting on an index card or print on card stock from your computer. Tie a ribbon around the entire package with a note, “From Our Home to Yours”.
Words to live by in a tight economy: “Never pay Retail!” You are not being stingy; you are being a smart shopper. If you are shopping for a particular item, shop around for the best price. Look at the ads and look on the internet to find the best 13 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
bargains. By shopping throughout the year, you have more time to wait for the “sale”.
Shop all year for your Holiday gift giving list and you will be amazed at how many gifts you can buy when you have more than thirty days to do so.
Make gift baskets full of homemade jams, cookies, candles and other items. These are much more meaningful to your recipients than a resin sculpture of an Eagle; especially when they don't even collect eagles.
All year long you should keep those free samples from your mailbox, courtesy hotel items and free trinkets and giveaways from special events you may attend and use them as stocking stuffers or as gift basket items.
Re-use Christmas tins to give homemade cookies, fudge and candies as gifts.
A thoughtfully chosen second hand book can be a lovely surprise.
Make handmade gifts: crochet a scarf, make slippers from wash cloths, we once found cabinet doors at the dump, bought cheap posters fitting the personalities of those on our Christmas list, and covered the entire piece with pour on glazing. They turned out beautifully and each gift cost about $3.50 and a little "love" to create.
Cook - rather than buy a gift card to a restaurant; give the gift of "Dinner on Me." When I make lasagna, I make tons of it - a frozen lasagna, a bag of salad and homemade cookies or a cake for desert is a great alternative to the "impersonal" feel of a gift card.
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For co-workers, make a CD of your favorite Christmas or holiday music and give them as gifts to your friends. I started this tradition a few years ago with colleagues at work and now it has expanded to my friends and family members looking forward to which "theme" I choose each year.
Pool the talent of your family members or close friends and learn three good carols - go to your neighbors and sing - everyone will smile!
Draw names and only give one gift if you have a large or extended family.
We used to have a huge family Christmas with everyone congregating in a fabulous location each year. Everyone would buy something for every member of the family gathering, but we had a $10.00 limit on each gift. We would also draw names and you had to make the gift for the person whose name you drew, with no pricing limitation.
Use your hands if you are crafty and make your Christmas gifts. Think creatively and put hard work into them, your friends and family will love them.
If you are not creative enough to think up an idea on your own, consider kits. A variety of kits to make your gifts are available at craft stores and some mass merchandisers.
Save up small glass bottles throughout the year, clean carefully, and then fill with your own home made massage oils. Blend almond or grape seed oil with a few drops of essential oils, and decorate with your own home made labels.
If you are hosting a gift-swapping event, ask the adults to only bring one unisex gift and set a price limit. Then swap the presents. Leave the children open to receiving more presents. I just love the way a child’s face lights up when opening a special gift.
Flowers, real or silk, make a wonderful gift for the entire holiday season.
Has your sister always dreamed of playing the piano? Consider giving her a gift certificate for lessons.
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Decorate a photo album from a shared event during the year. Did you go camping with your Uncle? Did your nephew catch his first fish? These can be as small and simple or as extravagant as you care.
Purchase a coffee mug that suits the character of your recipient and fill with their favorite candies.
A sewing kit makes a great gift for those just learning to sew, or better yet, for the college students.
Every woman loves candles!
Take those scraps of leftover fabric and make doll clothes for the little ones in your life. My mother made me nearly 100 pieces of Barbie clothing when I was a little girl. She used four or five different fabrics and made several of each pattern; I loved them!
Give the gift of time. Make a gift certificate for your dad to wash his car. Or one to clean out the attic for your mother. Offering one free lawn mowing or one free night of babysitting to your neighbor is a warm, thoughtful and welcomed gift.
Give the entire family a gift. A movie package with popcorn, soda and a gift certificate to the video store or new bath or kitchen towels. Every time we go to my friend’s house for dinner, I accuse her of having the world’s smallest baking sheets. You guessed it! She is getting cookie sheets from me this year!
For the young adults, household items of every sort are needed as they are setting up their first homes.
Bundle up the couples on your gift list and give them a combined gift.
Prepaid phone cards and iTunes gift cards are great for the teenagers in your life. Other great gifts are iPod Apps.
Have an underspending contest. Get creative. Limit yourself to $20 or less per person and search all over. The internet is a good place to start. Check out http://www.tiphero.com and http://www.cheapism.com
Write letters of appreciation.
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Spread the joy and spirit of the season by sharing how you feel about siblings, spouses, kids, friends. Write letters telling how and why you appreciate each person, then get together on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day and go around the room sharing the letters.
Older family members should make a CD with memories of the old days: what life was like, how things have changed, funny memories of family members. Actually if they can go through the family albums and gather appropriate pictures a power point or slide presentation with narration would be great.
Grandparents can videotape themselves reading a book and package the video with the book for a faraway grandchild.
Wrap a package of microwave popcorn together with a free video- rental certificate for a movie-loving friend.
Present your college student kid with a roll of quarters and a box of dryer sheets or a small container of detergent.
Give young ones a new identity with a collection of funky hats from thrift stores—great for make-believe and dress-up.
Buy gifts such as magazine subscriptions, which offer discounts when you buy more than one subscription.
Use credit cards that offer bonuses -- such as frequent flyer miles- with each dollar spent.
If your family is large, have everyone buy one gift for one other person. Choose by drawing names.
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III. AdvancedAdvanced Giving: TheThe Online Approach plus Wise Shopper TipsTips
I bet you’ve seen at least one advertisement for a website that guarantees to Save up to 50% on Holiday shopping. I’m here to tell you that some of those spam-like banners are actually legitimate ads for online rebate, discount and coupon sites alike.
L o c a l D e a l s i t e s : Search byby zipcodezipcode Websites like Groupon.com, Eversave.com, and Livingsocial.com offer discounts up to 90% off of dining, entertainment, salon services and more for just your local area. Some businesses involved are local small businesses, while some are national or international chains. You will mostly see deals like $40 worth of fare and drinks for $20 or $120 worth of Upscale Salon Services for $45. These are actual gift certificates worth the amount stated (ex. $40), and the required minimum purchase is not higher than its value as is the case with restaurant.com “certificates.”
R e b a t e / C a s h B a c k s i t e s : SearchSearch by store There are many options for getting cash back on purchases made online– many credit cards, banks and even travel sites are offering “cash back” bonuses on purchases made through them. These may all be valid sources, but I’ve found that using a site whose sole purpose is offering cash back deals is the best way to go.
I recommend using Ebates and Shop at home to get cash back on purchases made through them. Around the holidays, Black Friday in particular, these sites will offer Double Cash Back when you shop through them. For you, that can mean getting 4% back instead of 2% back on that $102 purchase you made with Victoria’s Secret ($2.04 vs. $4.08). Or, it can mean getting 52% in lieu of the usual 26% cash back on that $32, 12-month magazine subscription you got for your sister ($8.32 V. $16.64). The cash back on these sites is completely separate from sales, coupon codes or gift certificates used on the website of the retailers. This means you can get an 80% clothing item, enter a coupon code for an additional 10% off and still get a 18 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com percentage back from these sites on what little amount you do end up paying. So, like all resources, the benefits you reap from using these sites greatly depend on the amount of creativity and research you put into them, not to mention your underlying budget. Be patient with sales, know there will always be another one, and use these sites as yet another way to distinguish between the so-so deals and the “can’t pass it up!” deals. =)
Before you click “check-out”, go to retailmenot.com and type in the website URL for the store you’re shopping. The most recent promo codes will appear, along with their percentage of success, user reviews and tips on how to use them.
Y o u r F a v o r i t e F r u g a l B l o g : Grocery deals, Drug Store steals and national/ regional coupon match-ups
The best way to stay motivated to stick to your budget is to surround yourself by likeminded individuals who are positive and encouraging. Being young and on a limited income myself, I have found a few frugal blogs that I follow on a regular basis. These blogs’ authors offer not only daily money saving advice and tips, but also personal posts about themselves and their home life, posts I can relate to. My advice to you is to find a blog with an author you can relate to, and follow it on a regular basis.
Now, there are a lot of so-called “frugal blogs” out there that claim to offer “money saving information and techniques”, but be aware, only the good ones offer actionable information with consistent undertones of professionalism, encouragement and transparency. If you find a good one, rest assured that there will be many heart-warming articles and posts to come this holiday season.
One more thing. Frugal blogs thrive on personal emails and comments from their readers, so don’t be afraid to put your own two cents out there–you might even be offering information that helps someone else’s cause.
Here are a few of my favorite frugal blogs:
• Money Saving Mom : (National) Upbeat, encouraging blog dedicated to making you a better home economist. • Southern Savers : (National/ Regional) One of my absolute favorite websites for saving money at the grocery and drug stores (not so big on personal stories, though). Mostly geared towards the South East U.S., their store deal match-ups and
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coupon tutorials can definitely still apply to you and your area. Check it out! • Meagan over at Frugal Fun and Fortune (Regional) is a young, recent college graduate and newly wed – like me. Her blog covers her frugal adventures and tribulations as she embarks on her life’s journey, Needless to say, I can relate. =) • If these three aren’t your type, then visit Briana over at Bargain Briana (National). She spent a lot of time and effort compiling a state-by-state map of frugal bloggers. Take a look around and follow one (or five) near you! =)
E B a y
You can find a large variety of gift-giving items on eBay. Some things you may never have thought about. Items are shipped directly to your home, saving you time and gas. Try setting up your own eBay account, for free, and sell the items you no longer need to bring in extra cash for your holiday season.
Let me share a few tips with you:
1. Always read seller's feedback to find out if they are trustworthy.
2. Read the complete description so there will be no surprises.
3. Depending on how the product is offered, you can ask the seller to accept a Buy it Now price, but be realistic. Many of the seller's are willing to do this unless it’s an auction.
4. Order early, so your gifts will be on time, or check the listing to see if they will ship your items by priority mail.
5. Most importantly, communication is the key on eBay and I can not stress that enough. Communicate closely.
6. When you buy on eBay it is advisable to have a Paypal account as it will protect you if the product is not as advertised and you want your money back. Also check return policies of sellers.
Other websites good for great deals include: http://www.amazon.com and http://www.craigslist.com 20 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
Photo by blogs.westword.com
The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.
~Burton Hillis
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W i s e S h o p p e r T i p s
Black Friday! The ads usually come out Thanksgiving Day, but that doesn't mean you have to wait until then to start planning. Web sites like black-Friday.net and bfads.com allow you to take a sneak peek at this year's ads. Be sure to sign up for updates so you will receive new ads, discounts and coupons. Compare your Black Friday ads to the ads you find on the above Web sites for accuracy.
Write out a list of the items you must have from the Black Friday ads and stick to the list.
Even when an item is on sale that does not mean it is a great deal. Use a price comparison Web site like pricegrabber.com to compare prices at competing retailers before you buy.
If you want to avoid crowds entirely, shop online. This is becoming a better and better way to get great deals without ever having to leave your computer; not to mention many retailers even have online-only Black Friday deals that sometimes start an entire day early. This option saves you gas, time and a lot of headaches. Plus, rebate sites like ebates.com and shopathome.com make this approach even more appealing as they offer cash back when you shop through them, and new registrants get a $5 bonus! But don’t run out and shop just yet. Save your online spending for double cash back days hosted by the rebates sites– these occur the closer we get to Black Friday and the Holidays– and get even more cash back on those purchases you would already be making otherwise. These 22 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
rebates come in the form of a check and should reach your doorstep by January or February of next year. What better way to start off the New Year than to have money, not bills, coming in from your holiday spending?
The Early Bird Shopper gets the biggest worm on Black Friday. These time-limited deals usually are offered between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m. and are often in limited supply and no "rain checks" are offered.
Knowing your stores policies on returning items and on matching competitor pricing for exact items will save you money and stress.
Always ask for a gift receipt. This way the recipient of you gift can exchange or return items without having to bother you.
If there is an expensive present you'd like to buy for someone, ask people to pool together with you to share the cost. I just received a Generation 3 iPod with 32 Gig because of pooling
Keep your eyes open for the buy one get one free sales. This is a great way to fill up those stockings. Never shop when you are hungry, especially when shopping for holiday goodies and treats.
If you buy an item as a gift that requires batteries, don’t be tacky…provide the batteries along with it. Just make sure you stay within your budgeted allowance for this gift.
When you’ve made your list and checked it twice, put interests and hobbies by the name of each person on your list. Keep your list handy so you always know who you have finished shopping for and you do not mistakenly purchase too many items.
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Y a r d S a l e s
Yard sales, garage sales, estate sales – whichever! In today's economy people are holding more sales at their homes just to help pay bills. In one weekend you can practically finish your holiday shopping list. There are also many items that are brand new, in their original packaging and with their price tag still attached. Here are some other Helpful ideas:
Remember not everything has to be in a box. Think outside the box.
Give items some thought and use your imagination. You can fix it up, paint it and make it personal for that special someone, so do not pass it by if it just needs a little love.
Have an idea of what you’re looking for and a limit as to how much you are willing to spend (in total and for each item).
Check craigslist as well as your local newspaper for listings of garage sales and yard sales. More and more people are moving over to this listing medium, because more people can see it and it’s free!
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Nice serving pieces are perfect when paired with a matching item. Like a cake plate with a homemade cake.
Bargain with the sellers. Never pay full price if you can help it and it makes it more fun, too.
Remember, do not feel guilty. It really is the thought that counts and people will understand, and most of the time, they will not even know. So, “Sssshhh! It’s our secret!”
Photo by homegalleryct.com
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IV. Holiday Travel:Travel: Transportation, Dining, Lodging & more
Photo b y smh.com.au
T r a n s p o r t a t i o n : • Discount sites (Orbitz.com, Travelocity.com, priceline.com – name your own price) • Call the companies themselves (Southwest [no luggage fees], Delta, Hertz, etc.). Many times you can get a better discount by calling an airline or car rental company. They pay no overhead to discount sites and you get a better deal. • Rewards programs- Use those points you’ve been racking up on your credit or debit card to help afford your holiday travel • Off season- Celebrate the holidays a month in advance or a month after. Ticket prices are often 20, 30 and 40% less than what you would pay to travel within a month of say, Thanksgiving and Christmas. • Midweek travel. Take advantage of school holidays and book your flight or rent a car during the weekdays. Many companies 26 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
offer reduced prices just for departing on a Thursday rather than Friday and coming back on a Monday instead of a Sunday. Also, keep in mind that red-eye (overnight) flights are cheaper in most cases. • Lastly, if you are a AAA member, you know you can get deep discounts for everything travel, right? Have your member number ready and call this number to speak with an associate:
Member Services: 1-800-222-1134 Hotel, Car and Flight Reservations: 1-800-955-1365 To book online, go here
D i n i n g : The first thing I do when I am planning a trip is think about what we are going to eat. Even if we are going to visit family and eat with them while we are there, I still have to calculate in our meals during travel. Many people overlook this expense and in the end, pay the price of going over budget. • Restaurant.com: This user-friendly website allows you to buy discounts restaurant “gift certificates” (these are vouchers for a certain amount off of a minimum purchase, ex. $25 off purchase of $35 or more). There are often discount codes for getting up to 90% off of these already-low-price vouchers. Go to retailmenot.com and search “restaurant.com” or follow this link to see what promo codes are available now. • Restaurant websites & facebook pages: More restaurants are starting to offer printable coupons on their company websites and/or facebook pages. Research which restaurants your family will be passing during your travels and look around for some coupons and discounts. • Pack a cooler and grocery shop at your destination. • “State border coupon booklets: If you are traveling by car, stop by the welcome center at the state lines. Almost all discount books I’ve found at these centers contain special discounts for hotels, motels, local attractions, food and more!” (See Accommodations) • Check out Groupon.com or Livingsocial every day. These sites offer phenomenal deals for just about every major city and metropolitan area in the U.S.* (*some international cities, too!). Though deals rotate from day to day, there is usually a deal for dining, spa services or event tickets at least one day per week. Plus, they just added an exciting new Escapes section! This portion of their site features one to two day accommodations including fun extra amenities for up to 50%, 60%, even 70% off!
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A c c o m o d a t i o n s : • The cheapest, easiest and most comfortable way to go (in most cases, I might add) is to stay with family. Call your Aunt Betty you haven’t seen since you were little, or reconnect with a cousin you lost touch with. Staying with family can offer you and your loved ones a more rich holiday experience without costing you a dime. • Don’t get along with your in-laws? Hotels offer discounted rates many times if you just call them and ask. If they don’t offer you what you’re willing to pay, then hang up. Some hotel reps have been known to “suddenly” get word of an offer if you mention competing hotels in the area have better rates or even if you just say you are going to call another hotel in the area. Another option is to visit the discount sites mentioned above, under Flying/ Driving. • Check with local colleges and universities in the area you’re wanting to visit. Many Universities turnover dorm rooms during the holiday break and offer great rates for travelers in need of lodging. They make a few extra bucks before the new semester and you get a great rate for accommodations. It’s win-win! • State border coupon booklets: If you are traveling by car, stop by the welcome center at the state lines. Almost all discount books I’ve found at these centers contain special discounts for hotels, motels, local attractions, food and more! • Tip: Before you go looking for gift certificates, coupons and other discounts, decide your budget. Then map out any near-by hotels, restaurants or other hot-spots that are convenient and appropriate for your family to visit during your travels. This will prevent impulse buying a discounted certificate or printing more coupons than you need. Good luck, and have fun! DDiidd yyoouu kknnooww??
Sixteen of the world’s 30 busiest airports are in the United States, including the world’s busiest, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia.
Discoveramerica.com
28 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
V. Deck the Halls with Frugal FlairFlair In this chapter, I will discuss adding a little pizzazz to your pad for the holidays.
Photo by Earthfriendlymomma.com
T h e T r e e : GoingGoing Faux vs. GoingGoing ProPro First and foremost, I would like to share with you some helpful tips on going faux (buying a fake tree) on a budget and, for those of you who can’t stand Christmas without a living, breathing variety, how to properly care for your farm-grown fresh Christmas tree.
TipsTips forfor “Going“Going Pro” and buyingbuying a real tree:tree: • Shop early for your tree (traditionally the weekend after Thanksgiving • Beat the crowds, the cold weather and driving across town: Buy your tree online. This can even be a great gift for someone who can’t get out to shop themselves.
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• Here’s a great article on Buying a Christmas Tree. There’s everything from identifying a Pine Tree from a Spruce Tree, to tips on where to buy and lot vs. farm.
From the National Christmas Tree Association I present to you, information that I could not have put better myself:
How to Care for your Farm-Grown Fresh Christmas Tree
When a Christmas tree is cut, over half of its weight is water. With proper care, you can maintain the quality of your displayed trees. Below are a number of tips relating to the care of displayed trees:
1. Displaying trees in water in a traditional reservoir type stand is the most effective way of maintaining their Photo by commons.wikimedia.org freshness and minimizing needle loss problems. 2. Make a fresh cut to remove about a 1/2-inch thick disk of wood from the base of the trunk before putting the tree in the stand. Make the cut perpendicular to the stem axis. Don't cut the trunk at an angle, or into a v-shape, which makes it far more difficult to hold the tree in the stand and also reduces the amount of water available to the tree. 3. Once home, place the tree in water as soon as possible. Most species can go 6 to 8 hours after cutting the trunk and still take up water. Don't bruise the cut surface or get it dirty. 4. If needed, trees can be temporarily stored for several days in a cool location. Place the freshly cut trunk in a bucket that is kept full of water. 5. To display the trees indoors, use a stand with an adequate water holding capacity for the tree. As a general rule, stands should provide 1 quart of water per inch of stem diameter. Devices are available that help maintain a constant water level in the stand. 6. Use a stand that fits your tree. Avoid whittling the sides of the trunk down to fit a stand. The outer layers of wood are the most efficient in taking up water and should not be removed. 30 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
7. Keep displayed trees away from sources of heat (fireplaces, heaters, heat vents, direct sunlight). Lowering the room temperature will slow the drying process, resulting in less water consumption each day. 8. The temperature of the water used to fill the stand is not important and does not affect water uptake. 9. Check the stand daily to make sure that the level of water does not go below the base of the tree. With many stands, there can still be water in the stand even though the base of the tree is no longer submerged in water. 10. Drilling a hole in the base of the trunk does not improve water uptake. 11. Use of lights that produce low heat, such as miniature lights, will reduce drying of the tree. 12. Always inspect light sets prior to placing them on the tree. If worn, replace with a new set. 13. Do not overload electrical circuits. 14. Always turn off the tree lights when leaving the house or when going to bed. 15. Monitor the tree for freshness. After Christmas or if the tree is dry, remove it from the house. 16. Go to www.realchristmastrees.org and type in your ZIP code to find a recycling program near you. 17. Never burn any part of a Christmas tree in a wood stove or fireplace.
Prepared by Dr. Gary Chastagner and Dr. Eric Hinesley Edited by the Scientific Research Committee of the National Christmas Tree Association.
TipsTips for “Going“Going Faux” and buyingbuying a fake tree:tree:
• The best place to find a fake Christmas tree is on sale after Christmas and at garage sale or estate sales. Check Craigslist for personal sales like these near you. • If you still don’t have a tree by the springtime, don’t worry, and definitely don’t rush out and buy one on
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November 1st. Regularly priced, a fake spruce can put a dent in your wallet as deep as $300 bucks. Sure, it’ll last forever, but they also go on clearance in about a month. • Your best bet is to either dedicate Black Friday to getting a Christmas tree 50% off (at most), or simply buy a real tree this year ($25-$50). That should hold you over until the After- Christmas sales, where you can score an immaculate $250 ten- footer (for example) for up to 75% or even 90% off! It’s well worth the wait if faux is the way you want to go.
( K i d - F r i e n d l y ) A r t s & C r a f t s I d e a s
Make your own garland by stringing popcorn, nuts or seashells on fishing line. Add some cranberries to your popcorn string for a touch of color.
Have a warm and cozy Christmas the old-fashioned way. Pop some popcorn and string it up all over the house!
Connect paperclips or use the crushed bows you saved from last year - use your imagination. 32 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
I never saw this as an option, but some of you may never have thought of reusing last year’s decorations. I have always carefully packed my ornaments and decorations away after the season. Opening the decoration boxes really puts our family into the Christmas Spirit.
Make your own ornaments: wrap tiny empty boxes in festive paper, add a hook and hang. Colored paper chains are fun and easy to make. Simply loop a strip of green paper and staple, tape or glue. Add the next link using a strip of red paper; repeat until the chain is the length you need.
Pick up pinecones and decorate the tips with glitter.
Spray pine cones and whole walnuts with gold or silver spray paint and scatter them around your house for a touch of shine
Put some bare twigs in a vase and insert gumdrops or cranberries on the ends of the branches for an unusual tree centerpiece.
Hang tiny toys of miniaturized items on your tree, they look adorable.
Hang candy canes and other individually wrapped hard candies as tree decorations and make garland by gluing the cellophane wrappers end to end.
Paper snowflake cut-outs; decorate them with glitter or leave them plain.
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Decorate tables and lamps by wrapping them in big red, green or gold ribbons and bows.
Use your received greeting cards throughout the year and sort them by size and orientation. Staple them to broad holiday ribbons and staple four to five down the length of the ribbon. Snip out a wedge at the bottom of the ribbon to look like the edge of a gift bow. Hang the strips all over your walls and watch as friends and family are amazed at how you have finally done something with all of those old cards.
Slice an unpeeled orange and dry the fruit slices on a low heat in your oven and then hang on your Christmas tree.
Make paper reindeer by having children trace their shoe on brown construction paper. Next, trace around both hands on to gold or yellow paper and cut out the three shapes. Glue the shoe onto a poster paper as the reindeer face and glue the hands on as antlers. Give Rudolph a red pom-pom nose and draw in eyes, eyebrows, and a noseband.
Take your pictures off of the walls and wrap them as presents with ribbons and oversized bows.
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One of my fondest memories for Christmas was when Mom baked her famous little Christmas Wreath cookies and used red
ribbon to hang them on the Christmas tree as decorations. It’s an old Dutch/German tradition and us kids loved it. On Christmas Day we were allowed to eat them right off the tree. Look for the recipe in Chapter 7 (VII). The stores have fabulous sales every year for decorations, buy close to the holiday or even better, after the holiday! You could fill your house with beautiful holiday decorations every year (if you wanted to), for a small fraction of what they originally cost! And this year look out for last year’s designer decorations at a garage sale price.
Save your children’s (or grandchildren’s) holiday crafts and artwork from school each year, after a few years you’ll have a houseful of free and beautiful decorations! And the joy your child will feel seeing his/her artwork proudly displayed year after year is priceless.
Decorate your house by bringing the outside in, using pinecones and acorns! Sprinkle with a few drops of pine scented oil if you have it on hand, I know a lot of you just might!
Invest in an artificial tree after Christmas-when they go on clearance
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Get up one weekend morning early and go to some garage sales. You’ll be amazed how many Christmas decorations, statues and reefs you will find at 25¢ at piece.
“Christmas Shopping should be much more fun”
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VI.VI. Holiday EntertainingEntertaining
S i m p l e P r e p a r a t i o n Turn down your thermostat; when you have a lot of bodies in the house - heat is generated, so save on your electric bill and still have everyone comfortable. Add warmth and a cozy feel to the mix; a party is a great excuse for breaking out the old fireplace. Is your theme elegant? Spray paint some fruits and throw glitter on the fruit while the paint is still wet. Place the finished product in a large bowl, wooden or ceramic will do. If your party is formal, you might wish to create some place setters for your guests. Cut out small place cards from index cards, hole punch the corners and write the names of each guest on them. Tie them neatly to a candy cane and place at their seat.
Y o u r T a b l e Use "real" dishes and silverware rather than purchasing plastic and paper. Hand washing may be time consuming, but it can be put off until after the party, and it will save you an upwards of $30 or more for doing so. Dress your table with fabric tablecloths and fabric napkins instead of using disposables. Like the dishes, reusable napkins will save you a beaucoup, and it’s better for the environment. Use those decorative candles you don’t want to burn and melt. Why not? Use your fine China. Especially when times are tough, setting a lovely table and using the good dishes make any day feel special.
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Worried about ruining your favorite tablecloth? Be brave or buy a clear plastic shower curtain and cut into the shape you need to fit your table.
Y o u r A t t i r e Invite your guests to "dress up"; get some use out of those old overpriced special occasion clothes you never get to wear and the pictures of your guests come out looking very festive. Try giving yourself a manicure, pedicure or coloring your own hair. You can save a small fortune by doing these services yourself. For music, download some free holiday-themed iTunes albums or break out those dusty Christmas CDs.
F o o d s Have your party begin after dinner and serve finger foods instead of preparing an entire sit down meal or a buffet dinner. Stretch your dishes by being creative: add extra onions, celery, carrots and potatoes to roasts. Consider a spaghetti dinner; you can feed an army for a few dollars. Saving and freezing leftover vegetables, rice and pastas are great additions to soups all year long. Have your guests bring a covered dish. Buy all of your holiday food items around Thanksgiving when grocery stores run the largest number of loss-leaders. Buy generic and Store brands for your crackers and chips. Hide the boxes and no one will know. Make as many dishes as you can ahead of time. Then it is as simple as heating them up to serve. Use warming trays and crockpots if you have them to keep food hot on your buffet table. B e v e r a g e s Make a festive punch instead of trying to provide a variety of beverages at your party. Save money by using the cups that came with your punch bowl set, or use real beverage ware instead of purchasing plastic or paper. Have the party guests bring their own beverages. 38 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
Make a genuine old European Fruit grog. It’s quite simple. The tradition is to start at the first fruit harvests in the spring with hard fruits. Apple, pear, apricots, prunes, peaches, kiwi, cherries, grapes or raisins. Put a gallon of dark Rum in a large Bowl or preferably a large Crock pot with lid. Over the summer and fall, prior to the Holidays, add fruits as they become available and are inexpensive. Also add a table spoon of brown sugar and 2 or 3 cinnamon sticks per months to the grog. As the fruits soak up the concoction, add more rum. Your guests will never forget your party as long as they live and they all want to have the recipe. I know, year after year I’m asked to make this glorious Holiday drink that even non Rum lovers adore. Make sure not to drink and drive.
A c t u a l E n t e r t a i n m e n t Invite your friends to bring musical instruments for added entertainment. Hand someone spoons, and tambourine or a pan and wooden spoons for your rhythm section. Every year we go Christmas caroling after our Christmas party and everyone carries a holiday candle, homemade songbooks and wears a Christmas hat or cap that I purchased at 75% off after Christmas the previous year. Have a gift exchange. We have women buy for a woman and the men buy for a man and we also set a price limit.
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VII.VII. RecipesRecipes & CocktailsCocktails
AnAn OrganizedOrganized and SimplifiedSimplified Christmas Feast
With the crisp winter air, festive decorations, trips to shopping centers and the hum of Christmas tunes comes numerous entertaining opportunities. But each year, we all seem to feel as if we’ve gotten in over our heads and overwhelmed by the prospect of pulling off a smooth and enjoyable Christmas feast. While organization seems to be a word from a foreign language when thinking about holiday entertaining, here are a few tips to organize a Christmas feast so that A Norman Rockwell “Redneck” scene you can enjoy spending time with the ones you love while entertaining them as well.
Pies andand CakesCakes
Consider making a frozen pie or freezable cake to serve at your Christmas feast and make it in November. Yes, that’s right, in November! To freeze a frosted cake, put it on a cookie sheet and place it in the freezer. Once it has frozen, remove the cake, wrap securely in plastic wrap and replace in the freezer.
TurkeyTurkey
Many stores offer a steep discount on Turkeys in late November due to the Thanksgiving inventories.
Even if you decide to wait until early December, buy your turkey early. It will need 3 to 4 days to thaw and you want to make sure you have it defrosted in plenty of time. Mark on the 21th of December on your calendar that you need to set your turnkey out to thaw.
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SaucesSauces and StuffingStuffing
Two days before Christmas, you can make your cranberry sauce and refrigerate it until it is time to be served. You can also put your stuffing together that far in advance and store it in an airtight container or even a zip-lock bag (if you use a zip-lock bag, remove the excess air while sealing). Remove the container or bag from the refrigerator on Christmas Eve. The stuffing shouldn’t be too cold when you layered it into the turkey.
Side Dishes
- Mashed potatoes can be time consuming and quite a bit of work. Why not buy red potatoes this year and consider not peeling the skins before cutting the potato? On Christmas Eve, simply scrub the red potatoes, cut them up and put them in a Dutch oven covered with cold water. The potatoes should store well until you are ready to boil and mash them. The skins cook beautifully, add a pleasant texture and are festive with their color!
- Your vegetable can be prepared and refrigerated until preparation time. Consider using the prepared bagged salads in your grocer’s produce section. Always fresh, it is a great vegetable that looks like you spent time on it.
- Many people have a difficult time with this suggestion, but there are more positives than negatives to the following idea. When inviting your guests to Christmas dinner, ask them to bring a specific dish. When you plan your dinner, make a list of what you will serve and assign certain dishes to specific guests. Not only are your guests more than happy to accommodate your request, everyone loves to receive compliments on their cooking.
ExtraExtra SavingsSavings Tips:Tips:
• Store brands are great when making casseroles and side dishes… no one will even notice! •Casseroles are great for energy savings as well, as they only require one oven on. •Cook your turkey in a large Reynolds cooking bag and you won’t need to buy an expensive Butterball, any brand will be wonderful! •Fry a turkey and offer your neighbors to fry theirs too. Even though vegetable oil is kind of pricey, the electricity you save is substantial. A 41 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
20 lbs turkey fries in 45-50 minutes, while taking 3-1/2 hours in the oven. Here are some ofof our favoritefavorite recipes:recipes:
Cranberry StuffedStuffed Chicken
This is a great recipe and not only because chicken is less expensive, easier to handle and more moist.
Ingredients: - 1 cup chopped celery - 1 cup chopped onion - 2/3 cup dried cranberries - 1/2 cup plus 2 tbs butter or margarine -- divided - 1 clove garlic -- minced - 3 cups herb-seasoned stuffing croutons - 1 cup corn bread stuffing or crumbled corn bread - 2 cups chicken broth - 1 roasting chicken 5 to 7 lbs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/2 teaspoon pepper - 1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning - 1/4 teaspoon rubbed sage
Preparation: In a skillet, sauté celery, onion and cranberries in 1/2 cup of butter until tender. Stir in garlic, stuffing, and enough broth to moisten; set aside. Place chicken with breast side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Combine salt, pepper, poultry seasoning and sage; sprinkle over inside and outside of chicken. Loosely stuff with cranberry mixture. Melt remaining butter; brush over chicken. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until juices run clear and a meat thermometer reads 180 degrees for the chicken and 165 degrees for the stuffing; basting occasionally.
NOTE: Stuffing may be baked separately in a greased 1 1/2-quart baking dish. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. 42 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
PecanPecan-CrustedCrusted SquashSquash CasseroleCasserole
Lightly grease 1 qt. casserole pan and set aside
Ingredients: 3/4 cup (about 3 oz.) pecans, coarsely chopped 1 pkg (1 lb.) frozen squash 3 Tbs melted butter or margarine 2 Tbs cream 1 Tbs brown sugar 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper 1/3 tsp ginger 3 Tbs white corn syrup 2 Tbs brown sugar 1 Tbs melted butter or margarine
Preparations: Cook squash and blend thoroughly the squash and 3 tbs butter and cream. Add 1 tbs brown sugar, salt, pepper, cornstarch and ginger. Blend in 1/2 cup pecans and place in your casserole dish. Combine remaining pecans with white corn syrup, 2 tbs brown sugar and 1 tbs melted butter. Lightly drizzle this mixture over squash in casserole. Bake at 350°F for about 20 min. or until the glaze sets to form a crust.
HashbrownHashbrown CasseroleCasserole
Ingredients: 1 bag (32 oz) frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed 1 cup plus 1/2 cup grated Cheddar cheese 1 can (10 3/4 oz) cream of chicken soup 1 can (10 3/4 oz) cream of celery soup 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup sour cream 2 Tablespoons melted butter or margarine Paprika for sprinkling.
Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°. Mix together potatoes, 1 cup cheese, soups onion, sour cream and melted butter in a large bowl. Pour mixture into a greased 9" X 13" baking dish. Bake for 1 hour, until mixture is bubbly. Carefully remove from oven and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese and paprika. Bake for 10 minutes more. Yield 10 to 12 servings.
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RoastRoast PotatoesPotatoes Roast Potatoes are a lovely part of a traditional roast meal. They can be easily and inexpensively fancied up a bit for celebration dinners.
Basic Roast Spuds:
Peel as many potatoes as you need for the meal. Parboil them in a pan of water (bring to boil, remove after a few minutes and drain when they are starting to cook). Place them in a roasting tin and pour some vegetable oil (sunflower works very well) over them - not too much they should be coated, not drowned!
Roast in the oven at about 200C/400F for about 40 minutes or until nicely done.
Variations:
Sage and Onion: add some chopped sage, onion and oatmeal to the oil before basting the potatoes with it. Garlic: for a real garlic hit, make a small hole in each potato and place a garlic clove in there. Sesame: sprinkle with sesame seeds - gives a surprisingly strong flavor.
Herby: add herbs of your choice to the oil - rosemary is good.
Crispy: after par boiling and draining, mix a tablespoon of flour into the potatoes making sure they are all well coated - then proceed with the oil and roasting.
BraunschweigerBraunschweiger BallBall
Ingredients: 1 Package of Braunschweiger 1 Large (or two small) package of Cream Cheese 1 Small onion finely chopped 1 Cup of crushed walnuts
Directions: Mix the braunschweiger, of the cream cheese and the onions thoroughly. Shape into a ball and refrigerate for about one hour. Ice the ball, as you would a cake, with the remaining cream cheese. (Tip: It is easier to ice the ball with your fingers than with a spatula.) Cover with the crushed nuts. Serve with Ritz Crackers.
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Nut Roast
Ingredients: - A sixth of a cup/30g/1oz of margarine - 2 sticks of celery, finely chopped - 1 medium onion, finely chopped - 1 and 1/2 cups of hot water - 1 teaspoon of yeast extract (marmite, vegemite etc.) - 3 cups/550g/16oz of ground nuts (cashews, almonds, brazils - even peanuts do) - 2 Tbs of flour - 2 tsp of fresh herbs - winter savory is great (if using dried 1 teaspoon) - 3 cups/160g/6oz of white bread crumbs - salt and pepper to taste
Preparations: Melt the margarine (in a large pan for mixing) and cook the celery and onion in it for a few minutes. Mix the yeast extract into the hot water (alternatively you could use any stock you like) and add this to the onion and celery. Stir in the flour, nuts, herbs, breadcrumbs and salt and pepper and mix well. Allow to cool slightly while you grease a loaf tin. Place the nut roast mixture in the tin and press down well. Bake in the oven for about 40 minutes at 180C/360F then turn out of the tin and slice. Nice served with all the traditional trimmings.
Variations:- you can substitute wine (red or white) or soy milk for the water and yeast extract. A layer of sliced mushrooms and garlic is also nice. Fill with sage and onion stuffing. You can use this mixture to stuff vegetables like peppers or large tomatoes for a different dish too.
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PotatoesPotatoes GrandMere
This incredible recipe is quite perfect, and such a special, rich dish I only serve it at Easter or Christmas dinner. Prep Time: 25 minutes Cook Time: 1 hours, 30 minutes
Ingredients: • 8 potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/8" slices • salt and white pepper to taste • 2-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream • 3 Tbsp. Dijon mustard • 3 garlic cloves, minced • 3 Tbsp. butter • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Preparation: Layer sliced potatoes in a 9x13" glass baking dish and season with salt and white pepper. Combine cream, mustard, garlic, and butter in heavy saucepan and heat just to the boiling point. Pour over potatoes. Cover and bake at 350° for 1 hour. Remove cover and evenly top with Parmesan cheese. Bake 30 minutes longer or until cheese is golden brown and potatoes are tender. Serve immediately. Serves 8-10
BraisedBraised RedRed CabbageCabbage
Ingredients: 1/4 cup butter 1 med onion thinly sliced 1/2 medium red cabbage thinly sliced ( about 1 1/4 pounds) 1/4 cup water 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 2 apples, diced 2 tablespoons cider vinegar 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds
Preparation: In a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté 5 min. Add cabbage; cook, stirring often for 2 min. Add water, salt and pepper; cook covered, 10 min. or until cabbage is crisp tender. Stir in apple, vinegar, and caraway seeds; cook uncovered for 5 min. Serve warm
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Cheese BlintzesBlintzes
Ingredients: One loaf of bread 2 small packages of cream cheese 1 small onion finely chopped 1 green pepper finely chopped 1 stick of butter
Directions: Roll out the pieces of bread individually with a rolling pin and trim off the crust. Mix the cream cheese, onions and green pepper together. Spread the cream cheese mixture onto a slice of flattened bread. Roll the bread from one direction, cut into three equal pieces. Roll or dip lightly in the melted butter and place on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees, turning occasionally until golden brown.
ChristmasChristmas PuddingPudding
Ingredients: 4 ounces self-rising flour 6 ounces bread crumbs 4 ounces margarine 8 ounces brown sugar 4 ounces currants 8 ounces sultanas 8 ounces raisins 3 eggs, beaten 1 grated apple 1 ounce chopped almonds juice and rind of 1 orange, 1 teaspoon mixed spice 1 ounce mixed orange or lemon 1/4 pint beer 1 teaspoon salt
Directions: Mix together all dry ingredients. Stir in all liquids. Grease 1 or 2 pudding basins. Pour in mixture and cover with aluminum foil making a fold on the top to allow for rising. Steam for 4 hours and serve with cream or custard, enjoy! 47 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
YuletideYuletide SpicedSpiced Tea MixMix RecipeRecipe
1 1/2 Cup of sugar 1 Cup of sweetened lemonade mix 1 Cup of powdered orange drink mix 1 Cup of dry, sweetened instant tea 4 packets (individual serving size) instant spiced cider mix 3/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon 3/4 teaspoon of ground cloves
Blend ingredients together and store in an airtight container. Package into gifts and give along with the following directions: Add 3-4 teaspoons mix to 1 cup boiling water. Stir to dissolve.
Mom’sMom’s DutchDutch ChristmasChristmas WreathWreath CookiesCookies (Kerst(Kerst Kransjes)Kransjes)
Ingredients:
1 lbs Flour 1/3 lb. of real cream butter lb of Brown Cane Sugar 1 egg 1 tsp Lemon rasp 1 tsp of baking powder
Extra: 1 egg to bast, sugar and shaved almonds
Preparation: Heat the oven up at 400°F. Mix the butter, sugar, lemon and egg. Add the flour and baking powder. Have the dough cool off in the refrigerator for about an hour. Mix the dough once again when taking out of the refrigerator and roll it out into a thickness of about 1/6 of an inch. Use a star shaped cutter for the cookies and if you want to hang them on the tree, use an apple chore to take out the center. Bast the cookies with egg white, sprinkle the shaved almonds and some sugar on the top and put them on a greased baking plate in the oven for about 15 to 20 minutes.
48 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
BasicBasic WassailWassail RecipeRecipe
Wassail was originally a word that meant to wish health upon someone -- groups would go out wassailing on cold evenings, and when they approached a door would be offered a mug of warm cider or ale. Over the years, the tradition evolved to include mixing eggs with alcohol and asperging the crops to ensure fertility. While this recipe doesn't include eggs, it sure is good, and it makes your house smell beautiful for the Holiday Season
Ingredients:
1 Gallon of apple cider 4 cinnamon sticks 1 1/2 tsp of whole allspice or several good shakes of powdered allspice 1 teaspoon of whole cloves 1/2 teaspoon grated or powdered nutmeg 1 large orange, thinly sliced 1 lemon, thinly sliced Sugar, to taste
Preparation:
Combine cider with spices and fruit slices and heat over a low flame until warm and steamy. Simmer gently for 1 hour or more. The longer you simmer it, the spicier the brew. Add sugar to taste. Strain the mixture through a sieve, although purists may prefer to their wassail chunky-style.
When ready to serve, remove from heat and add optional spirits, rum, brandy, mead or the ends of all those dusty bottles lurking in the liquor cabinet, to taste of course. Serve hot. If you are using a Crock Pot to keep the wassail hot, use the low setting to prevent alcohol from evaporating. An old Germanic tradition.
49 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
EggnogEggnog inin QuantityQuantity
• 12 egg yolks • 1 lb. confectioners' sugar • 4 or more cups dark rum, brandy, bourbon or rye • 2 quarts whipping cream • 8 to12 egg whites • Fresh nutmeg
Beat the egg yolks until they are light in color. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar. Add 2 cups of liquor (or combination of liquors) very slowly, beating constantly. Let the mixture stand covered for 1 hour to dispel the "eggy" taste. Add, beating constantly, 2 or more cups of liquor and the whipping cream. Refrigerate for 3 hours. Beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry. Fold them lightly into the other ingredients. Serve the eggnog sprinkled with fresh nutmeg.
HotHot andand Creamy Cocoa (research has shown hot cocoa to have tremendous health benefits)
Ingredients: 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 3/4 cup white sugar 1 pinch salt 1/3 cup boiling water 3 1/2 cups milk 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup half-and-half cream
Directions: Combine the cocoa, sugar and pinch of salt in a saucepan. Blend in the boiling water. Bring this mixture to an easy boil while you stir. Simmer and stir for about 2 minutes. Watch that it doesn't scorch. Stir in 3 1/2 cups of milk and heat until very hot, but do not boil! Remove from heat and add vanilla. Divide between 4 mugs. Add the cream to the mugs of cocoa to cool it to drinking temperature.
50 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
CrackerCracker CandyCandy [See the video]
Ingredients:
1 cup brown sugar 1 cup butter 1 12 oz. package chocolate chips (semi-sweet) 1 sleeve Saltine crackers, (additional crackers may be needed for larger cookie sheets)
vanillakitchen.blogspot.com Optional Topping: Chopped nuts, shredded coconut or sprinkles
Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a cookie sheet with foil, coat lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Line with a single layer of saltine crackers. On low heat, melt butter and sugar. Bring to a boil; boil for 3 minutes. Pour butter/sugar mixture over prepared cookie sheet. Bake 5 minutes. Pour entire package of chocolate chips evenly over the hot candy. Let sit for about a minute, then with an icing spatula, carefully spread melting chocolate. Sprinkle on optional topping, press lightly with the spatula or a wooden spoon. Let cool 5- 10 minutes. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until fully cooled and set. Break into chunks and serve.
Yield: ~15 big chunks or ~30 bite size candy pieces
Host a leftoversleftovers partyparty
In England they call it Boxing Day and in Western Europe the second day of Christmas. It always made it easier for married couples to switch annually between the spouses parents. First Day of Christmas was for one set of parnts and the second day for another, while switching ranks every year. Do it the day after Christmas, and have everyone bring their leftovers. It’s a lot of fun and absolutely no pressure.
51 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
VIII.VIII. Gift WrappingWrapppping withwith LoveLove
Wrap presents with plain brown craft paper and use green and red twine or jute as ribbon and bows. (Also use the comic pages for birthday party wrapping. You have already paid for it, it’s cute and everyone will want to “read” your gift. I've even wrapped gifts with aluminum foil rather than go buy gift paper with the last three dollars in my wallet.)
Recycle the bows and ribbons on gifts given to you and your family by saving them in a box, not a bag, so they may remain intact and ready to reused from year to year.
Save large sections of wrapping paper and spool onto a roll to save for the following year. If the paper could be used for other events; save this in a different location so you can find it through out the year.
Save boxes and gift bags from season to season. My family has done this for years and we always joke about "who will get the Marshall's box" each holiday. 52 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
Boxes can be misleading. We always wrap gifts in boxes that are recycled and have nothing to do with the gift. We recycle all of our boxes, for example: wrap a pair of blue jeans in an empty can-opener box. Wrap smaller items in an empty envelop box. Wrap a scarf or a pair of mittens in the empty Christmas card
box. You'd be surprised at the gift items you can disguise by wrapping them in the empty box your tube of toothpaste came in ... and it is funny when the recipient thinks they got toothpaste for Christmas. (This also eliminates the “snoopers” from trying to read through the wrapper paper before gift-giving day arrives.)
Dried gourds make a neat and different way to deliver your gift. You can grow your gourds in the summer months to use during the holiday season. After Christmas they can be used as bird houses, your gift will be remembered all year long.
Do not purchase gift tags. Make you own by cutting a small piece of wrapping paper and fold it in half. Write “to” and “from” on the inside and you are done.
Cut up old Christmas cards make great gift tags too!
If you sew, you could even use scrap material to wrap gifts.
53 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
IV. Fun Games During the HolidaysHolidays
Play cards, like rummy or even more fun teach the kids to play poker for pennies. (This will help to better prepare them for the college experience.)
Pull out those old board games and play them all. Start with Candyland and work your way up to Scrabble. Wrap up (after playing at least one last time) the no longer age appropriate games and give them as gifts to younger kids in your family or in the neighborhood.
When traveling with kids and they are driving you nuts in the car or at the airport, play the Silent Game. Whoever is silent for the longest time is the winner. Then encourage a winner for the best two out of three tries, or three out of five or my personal favorite: five out of seven.
How about Riddle, Riddle Marie? Start by chanting “Riddle, riddle Marie, I See Something You Don’t See… and the Color of it is _____.” Pick something visible to everyone in the room and take turns guessing what the item is in an orderly manner. The winner picks the next color. The American version of this would be “I Spy with my Little Eye.”
We still play the Alphabet Game when traveling and all of my kids are officially adults now. As you are driving to Grandma’s house identify all of the letters in the alphabet in order from A to Z. The letter must be found at the beginning of a word or used as a stand alone initial. This is a great way to pass time, but is harder for the driver to play when in urban areas or in heavy traffic or wintery conditions, so remember the driver must play safely or not at all. 54 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
On longer trips try to identify and write down all of the different US license plates that you see.
Take turns playing and singing your favorite holiday carol.
Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.
---Laura Ingalls Wilder
55 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
X.X. Carols,Carols, Stories,Stories, Quotes and PoemsPoems
CarolsCarols Get that one person to play the guitar or piano and sing along! Here we go: JingleJingle Bells C F Dashing through the snow In a one-horse open sleigh, G7 C o'er the fields we go, Laughing all the way; C F Bells on bobtails ring, Making spirits bright; G7 C What fun it is to ride and sing, A sleighing song tonight oh
C C7 CHORUS: Jingle Bells! Jingle Bells! Jingle all the way! F C D7 G7 Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh, hey C C7 Jingle Bells! Jingle Bells! Jingle all the way! F C G7 C Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh
Day or two ago I thought I'd take a ride, And soon Miss Fannie Bright Was seated by my side. The horse was lean and lank, Misfortune seem'd his lot, He got into a drifted bank, And we, we got upsot:
REPEAT CHORUS
Now the ground is white, Go it while you're young; Take the girls tonight, And sing this sleighing song; Just get a bobtailed nag, Two forty for his speed, Then hitch him to an open sleigh, And crack! you'll take the lead.
REPEAT CHORUS 56 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
DeckDeck TheThe HallsHalls Chords D(xx0232) |G(320003) |A(x02220) Bm(024352) |E7(022130)
D Deck the halls with boughs of holly, G D A D Fa la la la la, la la la la D Tis the season to be jolly, G D A D Fa la la la la, la la la la A D Don we now our gay apparel, D Bm E7 A Fa la la la la la, la la la D Troll the ancient Yuletide carol, G D A D Fa la la la la, la la la la
See the blazing Yule before us, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Strike the harp and join the chorus, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Follow me in merry measure, Fa la la la la la la, While I tell of Yuletide treasure, Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Fast away the old year passes, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Hail the new, ye lads and lasses, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Sing we joyous all together, Fa la la la la la la, Heedless of the wind and weather, Fa la la la la, la la la la.
57 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
Silver BellsBells
C Em City sidewalks, busy sidewalks F dressed in holiday style. G7 Dm7 G7 C G In the air there's a feeling of Christmas. C Em Children laughing, people passing, F meeting smile after smile, G7 C And on ev'ry street corner you hear:
C F CHORUS: Silver bells, silver bells, G Dm7 G7 C G It's Christ - mas time in the city. C F Ring-a-ling, hear them ring, G Dm7 G7 C G7 Soon it will be Christmas day.
Strings of street lights, even stoplights, blink a bright red and green As the shoppers rush home with their treasures. Hear the snow crunch, see the kids bunch, this is Santa's big scene, And above all this bustle you hear:
C F CHORUS: Silver bells, silver bells, G Dm7 G7 C G It's Christ - mas time in the city. C F Ring-a-ling, hear them ring, G Dm7 G7 C G7 Soon it will be Christmas day.
58 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
SilentSilent Night
C Silent night! Holy night! G C All is calm, all is bright, F C Round yon Virgin Mother and Child. F C Holy Infant, so tender and mild. G C Sleep in heavenly peace, C G C Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight; Glories stream from heaven afar, Heav'nly host sing, Alleluia, Christ, the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born!
Silent night! Holy night! Son of God, love's pure light, Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.
59 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
Up On The Housetop (ca.1880)
Chords Used: D -- G -- A -- A7
D Up on the house-top reindeer pause, G D A Out jumps good old Santa Claus; D Down through the chimney with lots of toys, G D A7 D All for the little ones, Christmas joys.
Chorus: G D Ho, ho, ho! who wouldn't go! A7 D Ho, ho, ho! who wouldn't go! D G Up on the house-top click, click, click, D A7 D Down through the chimney with good Saint Nick.
First comes the stocking of little Nell, O dear Santa, fill it well; Give her a dolly that laughs and cries, One that will open and shut her eyes
Chorus:
Next comes the stocking of little Bill, Oh just see what a glorious fill. Here is a hammer and lots of tacks, Also a ball and a whip that cracks.
Chorus
60 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
Away in a MangerManger
E A E Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, B7 E The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head; E A E The stars in the sky looked down where He lay, A E B7 E The little Lord Jesus, asleep in the hay.
E A E The cattle are lowing, the poor baby wakes, B7 E But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes.; E A E I love Thee Lord Jesus, look down from the sky, A E B7 E And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh. A E B7 E A hay. The little Lord Jesus. asleep on the Hay.
RudolphRudolph the Red Nosed ReindeerReindeer
C G7 Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, had a very shiny nose C And if you ever saw it, you would even say it glows C G7 All of the other reindeer, used to laugh and call him names C C7 They never let poor Rudolph join in any reindeer games F C Dm G7 C Then one foggy Christmas Eve, Santa came to say, G D7 G7 Rudolph with your nose so bright, won’t you guide my sleigh tonight C G7 Then how the reindeer loved him, as they shouted out with glee C Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, you’ll go down in history. 61 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
The Christmas Song (advanced(advanced playing)playing)
Db6 Ebm7 Fm7 Gbmaj7 (Fm7 Ebm7) Chestnuts roasting on an open fire Db6 Abm7 Db7 Gbmaj7 B9 Jack Frost nipping at your nose Db6 B9 Bbm7 Gm7 Gb7 Yuletide carols being sung by a choir Fmaj7 F#m7 B9 Emaj7 Ebm7 D9 And folks dressed up like Eskimos...... everybody
Db6 Ebm7 Fm7 Gbmaj7 (Fm7 Ebm7) knows a turkey and some mistletoe Db6 Abm7 Db7 Gbmaj7 B9 Help to make the season bright Db6 B9 Bbm7 Gm7 Gb7 Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow Fm7 E9 Ebm7 D9 Db6 Will find it hard to sleep tonight
Abm7 Db7 Gbmaj7 They know that Santa's on his way Abm7 Db7 Gbmaj7 He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh F#m7 B7 Emaj7 And every mother's child is gonna spy Eb7 Ab7 To see if reindeer really know how to fly
Db6 Ebm7 Fm7 Gbmaj7 (Fm7 Ebm7) And so I'm offering this simple phrase Db6 Abm7 Db7 Gbmaj7 B9 To kids from one to ninety-two Db6 B9 Bbm7 Gm7 Gb7 Although it's been said many times, many ways Fm7 E9 Ebm7 Ab7 Db6 Merry Christmas to you
CHORDS USED: Db6 (x4332x) - Ebm7 (x68676) - Fm7 (x810898) Gbmaj7 (x91110119) - Abm7 (464444) - Db7 (x46464) Gbmaj7 (2x332x) - B9 (x2122x) 62 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
The Little Drummer Boy
[D] Come they told me Pa [A7] rup a pum [D] pum [D] A new born king to see Pa [A7] rup a pum [D] pum [A] Our finest [D] gifts we bring [G] Pa [D] rup a pum [A] pum To lay be[D] fore the King [G] Pa [D7] rup a pum [G] pum Rup a pum [D] pum, rup a pum [A] pum [D] So to honour Him Pa [A7] rup a pum [D] pum [A7] When we [D] come
Baby Jesus, Pa rup a pum pum I am a poor boy too Pa rup a pum pum I have no gifts to bring Pa rup a pum pum That's fit to give our King Pa rup a pum pum Rup a pum pum, rup a pum pum Shall I play for you Pa rup a pum pum On my drum?
Mary nodded Pa rup a pum pum The ox and lamb kept time Pa rup a pum pum I played my best for Him Pa rup a pum pum Rup a pum pum, rup a pum pum Then He smiled at me Pa rup a pum pum [A] Me and my [D] drum [A] Me and my [D] drum [A] Rup a pum [D] pum
63 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
The Twelve Days ofof Christmas
Chords Used: D – G - A - E
On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me A partridge in a pear tree.
On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Four calling birds Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.
...Five golden rings...
...Six geese a-laying...
...Seven swans a-swimming...
...Eight maids a-milking...
...Nine ladies dancing...
...Ten lords a-leaping...
...Eleven pipers piping...
...Twelve drummers drumming... 64 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
O Come All Ye FaithfulFaithful
Chords Used: G – D – C – Em – A – A7
G D G D G C G D O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant; Em D A D G D A7 D O come ye, O come ye to Bethelehem. G Am G D7 G D G Em A D Come and behold Him, Born the King of angels; chorus:
G O come, let us adore Him; G D G C G D O come, let us adore Him; G Am G D A D G C O come, let us adore Him, G D7 G Christ the Lord!
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation; Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above: "Glory to God, all glory in the highest!"
(chorus)
Yea, Lord we greet Thee, Born that happy morning; Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv'n. Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing:
(chorus)
65 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Chords Used: G – C – A7 – D7 – B7 – Em – D - Am
G C We wish you a Merry Christmas, A7 D7 We wish you a Merry Christmas, B7 Em We wish you a Merry Christmas, C D7 G And a Happy New Year.
Chorus: G D A7 D7 Good tidings we bring to you and your kin, G Am D7 G We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. G C Now bring us some figgy pudding, A7 D7 Now bring us some figgy pudding, B7 Em Now bring us some figgy pudding, C D7 G And a cup of good cheer.
Chorus:
We won't go until we get some We won't go until we get some We won't go until we get some So bring it out here!
Chorus:
We wish you a Merry Christmas We wish you a Merry Christmas We wish you a Merry Christmas And a happy New Year.
66 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
White Christmas
Intro /A / / Bm E/
A D Cm7b5 Bm E E7 I’m dreaming of a white Christmas,
D Bm E A Bm E Just like the ones I used to know.
A A7 D Dm Where the tree tops glisten, And children listen,
A D F#m7 Bm E E7 To hear sleigh bells in the snow.
A D Cm7b5 Bm E E7 I’m dreaming of a white Christmas,
D Bm E A With every Christmas card I write.
D A A7 D Dm May your dreams be merry and bright,
A F#m7 Bm E A And may all your Christmases be white.
Repeat verse 1 & 2
Cm7b5 = (x3434x); F#m7 = (242222); Bm = (224432)
67 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
StoriesStories
The Night BeforeBefore ChristmasChristmas By Clement Clarke Moore
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar- plums danced in their heads; And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, had just settled down for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter? Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow gave the luster of mid- day to objects below, When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, and he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, DASHER! Now, DANCER! Now, PRANCER and VIXEN! On, COMET! On CUPID! On DONNER and BLITZEN! To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, with the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof the prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
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As I drew in my hand, and was turning around, down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! His dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath; He had a broad face and a little round belly that shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, and filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, and away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"
69 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
ChristmasChristmas BellsBells By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along The unbroken song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Till, ringing, singing on its way The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, A chant sublime Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Then from each black, accursed mouth The cannon thundered in the South, And with the sound The Carols drowned Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And in despair I bowed my head; ‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said; ‘For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!’
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: ‘God is not dead; nor doth he sleep! The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men!’
70 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
TheThe NativityNativity Luke 2:1-20
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.
While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. She gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger."
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger.
When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
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Yes, Virginia,Virginia, ThereThere isis a Santa ClausClaus The New York Sun - 1897
We take pleasure in answering thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun:
Dear Editor
I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, "If you see it in The Sun, it's so." Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus? - Virginia O'Hanlon
Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and 72 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The external light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus!
You might as well not believe in fairies. You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove?
Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.
You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world, which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernatural beauty and glory beyond.
Is it all real?
Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding. No Santa Claus! Thank God! He lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
73 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
TheThe LittleLittle MatchMatch-SellerSeller - By Hans Christian Andersen
It was terribly cold and nearly dark on the last evening of the old year, and the snow was falling fast. In the cold and the darkness, a poor little girl, with bare head and naked feet, roamed through the streets. It is true she had on a pair of slippers when she left home, but they were not of much use. They were very large, so large, indeed, that they had belonged to her mother, and the poor little creature had lost them in running across the street to avoid two carriages that were rolling along at a terrible rate. One of the slippers she could not find, and a boy seized upon the other and ran away with it, saying that he could use it as a cradle, when he had children of his own.
So the little girl went on with her little naked feet, which were quite red and blue with the cold. In an old apron she carried a number of matches, and had a bundle of them in her hands. No one had bought anything of her the whole day, nor had anyone given her even a penny. Shivering with cold and hunger, she crept along; poor little child, she looked the picture of misery. The snowflakes fell on her long, fair hair, which hung in curls on her shoulders, but she regarded them not.
Lights were shining from every window, and there was a savory smell of roast goose, for it was New-year's eve—yes, she remembered that. In a corner, between two houses, one of which projected beyond the other, she sank down and huddled herself together. She had drawn her little feet under her, but she could not keep off the cold; and she dared not go home, for she had sold no matches, and could not take home even a penny of money. Her father would certainly beat her; besides, it was almost as cold at home as here, for they had only the roof to cover them, through which the wind howled, although the largest holes had been stopped up with straw and rags. Her little hands were almost frozen with the cold.
Ah! Perhaps a burning match might be some good, if she could draw it from the bundle and strike it against the wall, just to warm her fingers. She drew one out—“scratch!” how it sputtered as it burnt! It gave a warm, bright light, like a little candle, as she held her hand over it. It was really a wonderful light. It seemed to the little girl that she was sitting by a large iron stove, with polished brass feet and a brass ornament. How the fire burned, and seemed so beautifully warm that the child stretched out her feet as if to warm them, when, lo! The flame of the match went out, the stove vanished, and she had only the remains of the half-burnt match in her hand. 74 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
She rubbed another match on the wall. It burst into a flame, and where its light fell upon the wall it became as transparent as a veil, and she could see into the room. The table was covered with a snowy white table-cloth, on which stood a splendid dinner service, and a steaming roast goose, stuffed with apples and dried plums. And what was still more wonderful, the goose jumped down from the dish and waddled across the floor, with a knife and fork in its breast, to the little girl. Then the match went out, and there remained nothing but the thick, damp, cold wall before her.
She lighted another match, and then she found herself sitting under a beautiful Christmas-tree. It was larger and more beautifully decorated than the one which she had seen through the glass door at the rich merchant's. Thousands of tapers were burning upon the green branches, and colored pictures, like those she had seen in the show- windows, looked down upon it all. The little one stretched out her hand towards them, and the match went out.
The Christmas lights rose higher and higher, till they looked to her like the stars in the sky. Then she saw a star fall, leaving behind it a bright streak of fire. “Someone is dying,” thought the little girl, for her old grandmother, the only one who had ever loved her, and who was now dead, had told her that when a star falls, a soul was going up to God.
She again rubbed a match on the wall, and the light shone round her; in the brightness stood her old grandmother, clear and shining, yet mild and loving in her appearance. “Grandmother,” cried the little one, “O take me with you; I know you will go away when the match burns out; you will vanish like the warm stove, the roast goose, and the large, glorious Christmas-tree.” And she made haste to light the whole bundle of matches, for she wished to keep her grandmother there. And the matches glowed with a light that was brighter than the noon-day, and her grandmother had never appeared so large or so beautiful. She took the little girl in her arms, and they both flew upwards in brightness and joy far above the earth, where there was neither cold nor hunger nor pain, for they were with God.
In the dawn of morning there lay the poor little one, with pale cheeks and smiling mouth, leaning against the wall; she had been frozen to death on the last evening of the year; and the New-year's sun rose and shone upon a little corpse! The child still sat, in the stiffness of death, holding the matches in her hand, one bundle of which was burnt. “She tried to warm herself,” said some. No one imagined what beautiful things she had seen, nor into what glory she had entered with her grandmother, on New-year's day.
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TheThe First YuletidesYuletides in ththe new Americas.
To people who go into a new country to live, the Christmas Holiday, which is so generally a family day, must of necessity be a lonely, homesick one. They carry with them the memory of happy customs, of loved ones far away, and of observances which can never be held again. So many of the earliest Christmases in America were peculiarly sad ones to the various groups of settlers; most especially was this the case with the first Christmas ever spent by Europeans in the New World.
The intrepid mariner, Christopher Columbus, entered the port of Bohio, in the Island of I3ayti (Haiti), on St. Nicholas Day, December 6, 1492, and in honor of the day named that port Mole Saint Nicholas. The Pinta with her crew had parted from the others and gone her own way, so the Santa Maria and the Nina sailed on together, occasionally stopping where the port seemed inviting. While in one of these, Columbus heard of rich mines not far distant and started for them. The Admiral and his men were tired from continued watching, and as the sea was smooth and the wind favorable, they went to sleep leaving the ship in care of a boy. Who he was no one knows, but he was evidently the first Christian boy to pass a Christmas Eve on this continent,-and a sad one it was for him. The ship struck a sand-bank and settled, a complete wreck, in the waters of the New World. Fortunately no lives were lost, and the wreckage furnished material for the building of a fortress, which occupied the men's time during the remainder of the Yule-tide.
The Nina was too small to accommodate two crews, therefore on Christmas Day many of the men were wondering who were to stay on that far-away island among the strange looking natives of whom they knew nothing.
The Chief of Guarico (Petit Arse), whom Columbus was on his way to visit at the time of the disaster, sent a fleet of canoes to the assistance of the strangers and did what he could to make them happy during the day. The Spaniards and the natives worked until dawn on Christmas morning, bringing ashore what they could secure from the wreck, and storing it away on the island for future use. Strange to relate, they succeeded in saving all of their provisions, the spars, and even many of the nails of the wrecked Santa Maria. But what a Christmas morning for Columbus and his men, stranded on an island far, far from home, among a strange people! There were no festivities to be observed by that sad, care-worn company of three hundred men on that day, but the following morning Chief Guacanagari 76 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com visited the Nina and took Columbus ashore, where a banquet was prepared in his honor, the first public function attended by Columbus in America. It can be pictured only in imagination. There on that beautiful island which seemed to them a paradise on earth, with tall trees waving their long fronds in the warm breeze, with myriads of birds such as they had never seen filling the air with song, Columbus stood, attired in his gorgeous uniform and dignified, as it befitted him to be, beside his host who was elegantly dressed in a shirt and a pair of gloves which Columbus had given him, with a coronet of gold on his head. The visiting chieftains with gold coronets moved about in nature's garb, among the " thousand," more or less, -who were present as guests. The feast consisted of shrimps, cassavi, -the same as the native bread of today and some of their nutritive roots.
It was not a sumptuous repast although it may have been a bountiful one, yet they probably enjoyed it.
The work of building a fortress began at once. Within ten days the Fortress of Navidad was completed. It stood on a hill and was surrounded with a broad, deep ditch for protection against natives and animals, and was to be the home of those of the company who remained in the New World, for the Nina was too small to convey all hands across the ocean to Spain, and nothing had been heard of the Pinta. Leaving biscuits sufficient for a year's supply, wine, and such provisions as could be spared, Columbus bade farewell to the forty men whom he was never to see again, and sailed for the Old World on January 4, 1493.
So far as recorded, Columbus was the only one among the Spaniards who received gifts during this first Yule-tide in America. But what seemed a cruel fate to him was the means of bestowing a valuable gift upon the world. Had the Santa Maria continued her course in safety that Christmas Eve there might never have been a fortress or any European settlement founded. So, although it was a sad, troubled Yule-tide to the Spanish adventurers, it proved a memorable one in the annals of America.
Four hundred years later the anchor of the Santa Maria was discovered and brought to the United States to be one of its treasured exhibits at the great Columbian Exposition, where a descendant of Columbus was the honored guest of the Government.
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One hundred and fifty years after the building of the Fortress of Navidad, after many ineffectual attempts, a settlement was effected in the New World by a colony from England. They sailed from Blackwell, on the Thames, on December 19, 1606, and for six weeks were " knocking about in sight of England." Their first Christmas was spent within sight of their old homes. According to Captain John Smith's account, " It was, indeed, but a sorry Christmas that we spent on board," as many of them were very sick, yet Smith adds, "We made the best cheer we could." The colonists landed and solemnly founded Jamestown on May 13, 1607. That year Yule-tide was spent by Captain Smith among the Powhatan Indians, by whom he was taken captive. This colony consisted of men only; no genuine Christmas observance could take place without women and children, and no women arrived until 1609, and then only twenty came. But after the ninety young women arrived in 1619, supplied to planters for one hundred pounds of tobacco each, and a cargo of twenty negroes had landed to help with the work, there may have been an attempt at keeping Christmas although there is no record of the fact.
At this season there was usually a raid made upon the Indians. Smith's last expedition against them was at Christmastime, when, as he records in his journal, " The extreme winde, rayne, frost, and snow caused us to keep Christmas among the savages where we were never more merry; nor fed on more plenty of good Oysters, Fish, Flesh, Wild Fowl and good bread, nor never had better fires in England."
In after years prosperity smiled on the land of the Jamestown settlers. Amidst the peace and plenty that followed the earlier years of strife and poverty, the Virginians became noted for their hospitality and lavish observance of Yule-tide. It was the happy home-coming for daughters, sons, uncles, aunts, and cousins of the first, second, and even the third degree. For whosoever was of the name and lineage, whether rich or poor, was welcomed at this annual ingathering of the family. Every house was filled to overflowing; great hickory fires were lighted on the open hearths; the rooms were brilliantly lighted with candles, and profusely trimmed with greens. From doors and ceilings were hung sprigs of the mysterious mistletoe, for was the thought of merry maidens as they decorated their homes.
Christmas brought carriage-loads of guests to these old-time homes, to partake of the good cheer and enjoy weeks of fun and frolic, indoors and out. For many days before Christmas arrived, colored cooks, the regular, and extra ones, were busy cooking from morning till evening, preparing for the occasion. The storerooms were replete with every variety of tempting 78 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com food the ingenious minds of the cooks could devise, for Christmas dinner was the one great test of their ability and woe to Auntie whose fire was too hot, or whose judgment was at fault on this occasion.
To the whites and blacks Christmas was a season of peace, plenty, and merriment. In the "Great House" and in the cabin there were music, dancing, and games until New Year. This was " Hirng Day," and among the blacks joy was turned to sadness as husbands, fathers, brothers, and lovers were taken away to work on distant plantations, for those who hired extra help through the year were often extremely cruel in their treatment of the slaves.
The gladsome Virginia Christmas in time became the typical one of the South, where it was the red-letter day of the year, the most joyous of all holidays. The churches were lovingly and tastefully decorated with boughs of green and flowers by the ladies themselves and conscientiously attended by both old and young. In the South there was never any of the somberness that attended church services in the North among descendants of the Plymouth Colony who came to America later.
The Puritans of England early discount tenanced the observance of Christmas. But among the Pilgrims who reached the American coast in December of 1620, were mothers who had lived so long in Holland they loved the old-time custom of making merry on that day. To these dear women, and to the kind-hearted, child-loving Elder, Brewster, we are indebted for the first observance of the day held by the Plymouth Colony.
According to the Journal of William Bradford, kept for so many years, the Pilgrims went ashore, "and ye 25 day (Dec.) begane to erecte ye first house for comone use to receive them and their goods." Bradford conscientiously refrains from alluding to the day as Christmas, but descendants of these godly Puritans are glad to learn that home-making in New England was begun on Christmas Day.
Many very interesting stories have been written about this first Christmas. One writer even pictures the more lenient Elder Brewster as going ashore that morning and inviting the Indian Chief Massasoit to go aboard the Mayflower with him. According to the story, the good man endeavored to impress the chief with the solemnity and significance of the occasion, and then with Massasoit, two squaws, and six boys and girls, becomingly attired in paint and feathers, he returned to the ship. 79 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
The women and children from over the sea met their new neighbors and guests, received from them little baskets of nuts and wintergreen berries, and in exchange gave their guests beads, toys, raisins, and such simple gifts, to which Elder Brewster added a blessing bestowed upon each child.
The story reads well. But the truth, according to history, makes the first visit of Massasoit occur some three months later, on March twenty-second. The Puritans had a happy Christmas dinner together on board the ship which was the only home they possessed as yet, and it is to be presumed that the exceedingly conscientious non-observers of the day partook quite as freely of the salt fish, bacon, Brussels sprouts, gooseberry tarts, and English plum pudding, as did those homesick, tear-choked women who prepared the dinner.
It is certainly to be regretted that vessels are no longer built with the wonderful storage capacity of the Mayflower ! Beside bringing over the innumerable family relics that are treasured throughout this country, it is stated that this ship brought a barrel full of ivy, holly, laurel, and immortelles, with which the table was decorated, and wreaths woven for the children to wear. Bless those dear, brave women who dared to bring " green stuff " for " heathenish decorations " way across the ocean. Let us add a few extra sprays of green each Christmas in memory of them. The greens, plum puddings, and other good things had such a happy effect that, according to Bradford, "at night the master caused us to have some Beere." This was an event worthy of a capital B, as the men had worked all day in the biting cold at house-building, with only a scanty supply of water to drink.
Alas! That Christmas on the Mayflower was the last the Pilgrims were to enjoy for many a long year. Other ship-loads of people arrived during the year and in 1621, "One ye day called Christmas Day, ye Gov. called them out to worke (as was used), but ye most of this new company excused themselves and said it wente against their consciences to work, on ye day. So ye Gov. told them that if they made it matter of conscience, he would spare them till they were better informed. So he led away ye rest and left them, but when they came home at noone from their worke, he found them in ye streete at play, openly, some pitching ye bair, and some at stoole- ball, and suchlike sports. So he went to them and tooke away their implements, and tould them that was against his conscience, that they should play and others worke. If they made ye keeping of it matter of devotion, let them kepe their houses, but there should be no gameing or revelling in ye streets. Since which time nothing had been attempted that way, at least openly." And thus ended the last attempt at Christmas observance during Governor Bradford's many terms of office. 80 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
The Massachusetts Colony that arrived in 1630, and settled in and around Boston, believed that Christ's mission on earth as the Saviour of man was too serious a one to be celebrated by the fallen race He came to save; they considered it absolutely wicked for any one to be lively and joyous when he could not know whether or no he was doomed to everlasting punishment. Beside that, jollity often led to serious results. Were not the jails of Old England full to repletion the day after Christmas? It was wisest, they thought, to let the day pass unnoticed. And so only occasionally did any one venture to remember the fact of its occurrence. Among the men and women who came across the ocean during succeeding years there must have been many who differed from the first colony in regard to Christmas, for in May, 1659, the General Court of Massachusetts deemed it necessary to enact a law : " That whosoever shall be found observing any such day as Christmas or the like, either by forbearing of labour, feasting, or any other way, upon any such accounts as aforesaid, shall be subjected to a fine of five shillings."
For upward of twenty-two years it remained unlawful in Massachusetts to have a merry Christmas.
There were no pretty gifts on that day to make happy little God-be-thanked, Search-the-scriptures, Seek-wisdom, Prudence, Hope, or Charity. However, Santa Claus had emissaries abroad in the land. In December, 1686, Governor Andros, an Episcopalian, and a representative of the King, brought about the first concession in favor of the day. He believed in celebrating Christmas and intended to hold appropriate services. The law enacted by Parliament in June, 1647, abolishing the observance of the day, had been repealed in 1659, and Gov. Andros knew he had the law in his favor. But every meetinghouse was conscientiously (or stubbornly) closed to him. So he was forced to hold service in the Town House, going with an armed soldier on each side to protect him from the " good will " exhibited by his fellow townsmen. He held services that day, and it is believed to be the first observance of Christmas held under legal sanction in Boston.
The great concession was made by the Old South Congregation in 1753 when it offered its sanctuary to the worshippers in King's Chapel, after that edifice was burned, for them to hold their Christmas services. It was with the implicit under standing that there was to be no spruce, holly, or other 81 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com greens used on that occasion to desecrate their meeting-house. Little by little the day was brought into favor as a holiday, but it was as late as the year 1856, while Nathaniel P. Banks was Governor, that the day was made a legal holiday in Massachusetts.
The good Dutch Fathers, true to the teachings of their forefathers, sailed for the New World with the image of St. Nicholas for a figurehead on their vessel.
They named the first church they built for the much-loved St. Nicholas and made him patron saint of the new city on Manhattan Island. Thanks, many many thanks, to these sturdy old Dutchmen with unpronounceable names who preserved to posterity so many delightful customs of Christmas observance. What should we have done without them?
They were quite a worthy people notwithstanding they believed in enjoying life and meeting together for gossip and merrymaking. Christmas was a joyful season with them. The churches and quaint gabled houses were trimmed with evergreens, great preparations were made for the family feasts, and business was generally 'suspended. The jolly old City Fathers took a prolonged rest from cares of office, even ordering on December 14, 1654, that, " As the winter and the holidays are at hand, there shall be no more ordinary meetings of this board (the City Corporation) between this date and three weeks after Christmas. The Court messenger is ordered not to summon any one in the meantime."
Sensible old souls! They were not going to allow business to usurp their time and thought during this joyful season!
The children must have their trees, hung with gifts; the needy must be especially cared for, and visits must be exchanged; so the City was left to take care of itself, while each household was busy making ready for the day of days, the season of seasons.
What a time those hausfraus had been polishing up their silver, pewter, brass, and copper treasures, in opening up best rooms, and newly sanding the floors in devious intricate designs. What a pile of wood was burned to bake the huge turkeys, pies, and puddings! What pains the fathers took to select the rosiest apples and the choicest nuts to put in each child's stocking on Christmas Eve. Fortunately, children obeyed the injunction of Scripture in those days, and despised not the day of small things. 82 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
How fortunate it was that there were no trains or other rapid modes of conveyance to bring visitors from the Puritan Colonies at this season. There was no possibility of any of their strict neighbors dropping in unexpectedly to furnish a free lecture, while the Dutch families were merrily dancing.
The Puritans were located less than two hundred and eighty-five miles distant, yet they were more distantly separated by ideas than by space. But a little leaven was eventually to penetrate the entire country, and the customs that are now observed each Christmas throughout the Eastern, Middle, and Western States, are mainly such as were brought to this country by the Dutch.
Americans have none of their own. In fact, they possess but little that is distinctively their own because they are a conglomerate nation, speaking a conglomerate language.
According to the late Laurence Hutton, " Our Christmas carols appear to have come from the Holy Land itself; our Christmas trees from the East by way of Germany; our Santa Claus from Holland; our stockings hung in the chimney, from France or Belgium ; and our Christmas cards and verbal Christmas greetings, our Yule-logs, our boars' heads, our plum puddings and our mince pies from England. Our turkey is, seemingly, our only contribution." Let us add the squash-pie!
These customs which have become general throughout the United States, varying of course in different localities, are being rapidly introduced into the new possessions where they are engrafted on some of the prettiest customs observed by the people in former years. In Porto Rico on Christmas Day they have a church procession of children in beautiful costumes, which is a very attractive feature. The people feast, dance, attend midnight mass on Christmas Eve, then dance and feast until Christmas morning. In fact they dance and feast most of the time from December twenty-fourth until January seventh, when not at church services. On the Twelfth Night gifts are exchanged, for as yet Santa Claus is just started to make an entrance in warmer climates, so the children until recently continued to receive their gifts from the Holy Kings. However, under the shelter of the American Flag, the Christmas tree is growing in favor. In Hawaii, so far as possible, the so-called New England customs prevail.
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In the Philippines even beggars in the streets expect a "Christmas present," which they solicit in good English.
So from Alaska to the Island of Tutuila, the southern most of America's possessions in the Pacific, Yule-tide is observed in a similar manner.Yule- tide has been singularly connected with important events in the history of the United States.
In the year 1776 Washington crossed the Delaware on Christmas night to capture nearly one thousand Hessians after their Christmas revelries. A few days later, December 30th, Congress resolved to send Commissioners to the courts of Vienna, Spain, France, and Tuscany; and as victory followed the American leader, the achievements of this Yule-tide were declared by Frederick the Great of Prussia to be " the most brilliant of any recorded in the annals of military action." The year following, 1777, was probably one of the gloomiest Yule-tides in the experience of the American forces. They lay encamped at Valley Forge, sick and discouraged, destitute of food, clothing, and most of the necessities of life.
It was on Christmas Eve, 1783, that Washington laid aside forever his military clothes and assumed those of a civilian, feeling, as he expressed it, " relieved of a load of public care." After Congress removed to Philadelphia, Martha Washington held her first public reception in the Executive Mansion on Christmas Eve, when, it is stated, there was gathered " the most brilliant assemblage ever seen in America."
At Yule-tide a few years later, 1799, the country was mourning the death of the beloved Father of his Country.
In later years, the season continued prominent in the history of great events. The most notable of these were two Proclamations, one of President Lincoln, the one freeing the slaves on January 1, 1863, and the other by Andrew Johnson proclaiming the " unconditional pardon and amnesty to all concerned in the late insurrection, also called the Civil War," on December 25, 1868.
And may the peace then declared remain with this people forevermore!
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Celebrity Christmas QuotesQuotes “My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?” Bob Hope
"The Supreme Court has ruled that they cannot have a nativity scene in Washington, D.C. This wasn't for any religious reasons. They couldn't find three wise men and a virgin." Jay Leno
“The one-thing women don't want to find in their stockings on Christmas morning is their husband.” Joan Rivers
There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. Albert Einstein
Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. Calvin Coolidge
The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. Burton Hillis
The best Christmas trees come very close to exceeding nature. Andy Rooney
There has been only one Christmas -- the rest are anniversaries. W. J. Cameron
In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it 'Christmas' and went to church; the Jews called it 'Hanukkah' and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say 'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukkah!' or (to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!' Dave Barry 85 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
Christmas is forever, not for just one day, for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf. The good you do for others is good you do yourself...
---Norman Wesley Brooks, "Let Every Day Be Christmas," 1976
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XI.XI. WithWith Santa aroundaround thethe WorldWorld
Here are some traditions most of us may have forgotten, yet have left so many of us with precious memories. Have you ever wondered how Santa can get around the world and deliver presents in only one night. Have a look at his sleigh and you’ll understand.
A Holiday plush toy arrives at your home on the first of December. Every day until the 25th of December, this little elf magically moves to a new location within the home and the children have to find him. When they do, the elf has a message about the true meaning of Christmas.
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Break open walnuts, remove the nuts and put quarters into the shells and glue them closed for use as a stocking stuffer.
Take a piece of oil cloth and put a hand print on it, then write inside the palm of the hand print what we are thankful for.
Fondue dinner on Christmas Eve, it is messy, filling and fun!
Open only one gift on Christmas Eve.
Open all but one gift on Christmas Eve.
Volunteer for a local charity or soup kitchen on Christmas Day.
Attend midnight mass and have Christmas breakfast afterwards. There is something magical about breakfast before going to bed.
Deep-fry your turkey for holiday dinner, and deep-fry extras for your neighbors or for guests to take home.
The Christmas dinner table all over the world shows many different main dishes. In Western Europe it’s most often Wild Hare, Pheasant, Venison or Roasted Pig. A French prepared Wild Hare dish called Rable de Lievre is my absolute favorite for the Holidays.
A dear tradition that went out the window with the TV and Internet is Christmas Eve’s sitting around the tree and telling stories.
A tradition we recommend is to form a group of friends for Christmas Eve and go for a couple of hours Caroling and reading stories in a Hospital or Nursing Home. I promise you an overwhelming experience! 88 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
Other Celebrations this HolidayHoliday Season
As indicated by the name, the Holiday Season implies that there are more Holidays than only Christmas; Holidays that are either observed in particular parts of the world or have become a celebration worldwide over time. Here is an outline of the most active ones:
ThanksgivingThanksgiving is a traditional North American Holiday celebrated originally as a Harvest Festival. The first date of celebration is a bit controversial, with the earliest attested Thanksgiving Celebration on September 8, 1565 in what is now known as St. Augustine, Florida, while others claim it occurred on Plymouth Plantation in 1621.
Either way this traditional feast is now held on the last Thursday in November in the United States with traditional dishes of turkey, ham, corn and lima beans, mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes and lots of pies like pecan, mince meat and pumpkin. Canadians also celebrates Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October so not really as a part of the Holiday Season.
HanukkahHanukkah in Judaism is known as the Festival of Lights. The festival occurs in the winter near the winter solstice and lasts eight days. It is also linked to the miraculous story of the oil that burned for eight days. Lighting candles, one on the first day, two on the second day, and so on continues for the eight day celebration with the use of an eight-branched candlestick holder known as the menorah, a frequent symbol of Hanukkah.
Kwaanza On December 26th African Americans celebrate with Kwanzaa, a holiday that originated at the time of the civil rights movement in the 1960's and is in commemoration of African heritage. Created as a ritual for harvest time and using the language Swahili, Kwanzaa lasts a week during which participants gather with family and friends to exchange gifts and to light a series of black, red and green candles which symbolize the seven basic values of the African Americans family life that is unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
The days leading up to Kwanzaa are spent decorating the house with black, red and green paper decorations. They might also hang handmade ornaments on an evergreen Kwanzaa Bush. Part of this holiday is spent teaching children about their heritage and they might also display their artwork or find other ways to pay tribute to their past 89 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com as well as their present. They put up photographs of the current generation of the family. A ceremonial table is set up, which has been set up with an ear of corn symbolizing each of the children, a carved and decorated unity cup, which is used for the toasts made each evening.
Then for the next seven nights the family gathers to light the seven holed candleholder or Kinara. The first night of the children is asked to light the central candle the black one (this is symbolizing unity) after which they are told the meaning of the word. The next night someone lights the red one (symbolizing self-determination) and so on for the next seven nights. Each night they also drink from the unity cup which is filled with libation.
December 31st is the night for the giving of gifts to the children these gifts might consist of a book as well as a heritage symbol such as an African artifact. The seven day celebration ends with a feast which has African American foods, and plenty of music. Once everyone has finished eating, they all rise, recommit themselves to the seven principles of Kwanzaa and bid everyone happy times ahead. The host of the party is suppose to wish that at the end of this year may we all come together in larger numbers, with greater achievement, and a higher level of human life.
New Years EveEve is celebrated on December 31, the final day of the Gregorian year. In modern Western practice it is a separate observance from New Year's Day. New Year's Eve is observed with parties and social gatherings to transition in the new year at midnight. New Year's Day is observed with traditional feasting of black eye peas, collard greens and smoked ham or boar.
Many cultures use fireworks and other noise makers as part of the celebration around the world and New Year's Day is traditionally a non-working holiday in many countries. The origins of shooting off fireworks roots in chasing away the old and bad from the past.
St. NicolasNicolas The Celebration of Sinterklaas, or St. Nicholas, is an annual event which has been uniquely Dutch and Flemish for centuries. St. Nicholas' Birthday Day, December 6th, is observed in most Roman Catholic countries primarily as a feast for small children. But it is only in the Low Countries - especially in the Netherlands - that the eve of his birth date (December 5th) is celebrated nationwide by young and old, christian and non-christian, and without any religious overtones.
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Although Sinterklaas is always portrayed in the vestments of the bishop he once was, his status as a canonized saint has had little to do with the way the Dutch think of him. Rather, he is a kind of benevolent old man, whose feast day is observed by exchanging gifts and making good-natured fun of each other. It so happens that the legend of Saint Nicholas is based on historical fact. He did actually exist. He lived from 271 A.D. to December 6th, 342 or 343. His 4th century tomb in the town of Myra, near the city of Anatolia in present-day Turkey, has even been dug up by archaeologists.
This is his story:
Born of a wealthy family, Nicholas was brought up as a devout Christian. When his parents died of an epidemic, he distributed his wealth among the poor and became a priest. Later he became Archbishop of Myra, and it is from here that the fame of his good deeds began to spread across the Mediterranean. Desperate sailors who called upon the Good Bishop to calm stormy seas were heard; prison walls crumbled when victims of persecution prayed to him. He saved young children from the butcher's knife and dropped dowries into the shoes of penniless maidens. Over time, St. Nicholas became the patron saint of sailors and merchants, and especially of children. After his death, the cult of St. Nicholas spread rapidly via southern Italy throughout the rest of the Mediterranean and eventually to coastal towns along the Atlantic and the North Sea.
In the 12th and 13th centuries, Holland built no fewer than 23 churches dedicated to St. Nicholas, many of which are still standing. Amsterdam adopted St. Nicholas as its patron saint and Rome decreed that December 6th, the anniversary of his death, should be his official Feast Day. St. Nicholas' strong influence in the Low Countries - an area heavily engaged in trade and navigation - was primarily due to his role as patron of sailors and merchants.
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However, his fame as protector of children soon took precedence. In the 14th century, choir boys of St. Nicholas churches were given some money and the day off on December 6th. Somewhat later, the pupils of convent schools would be rewarded or punished by a monk dressed up as the Good Bishop, with his long white beard, his red mantle and mitre (bishop's hat) and his golden crosier (bishop's staff) - just as he is still presented today.
All Dutch children know that Sinterklaas (the name is a corruption of Sint Nikolaas) lives in Spain. Exactly why he does remains a mystery, but that is what all the old songs and nursery rhymes say. Personally I think it’s because Spain is the only European country ever being occupied by Moorish forces (Hannibal) that explains Peter’s presence. Whatever the case may be, in Spain he spends most of the year recording the behavior of all children in a big red book, while his helper Black Peter stocks up on presents for next December 5th. In the first weeks of November, Sinterklaas gets on his white horse, Peter ("Piet") swings a huge sack full of gifts over his shoulder, and the three of them board a steamship headed for the Netherlands. Around mid-November they arrive in a harbor town - a different one every year - where they are formally greeted by the Mayor and a delegation of citizens. Their parade through town is watched live on television by the whole country and marks the beginning of the "Sinterklaas season".
The old bishop and his helpmate are suddenly everywhere at once. At night they ride across Holland's' rooftops and Sinterklaas listens through the chimneys to check on the children's behavior. Piet jumps down the chimney flues and makes sure that the carrot or hay the children have left for the horse in their shoes by the fireplace is exchanged for a small gift or some candy. During the day, Sinterklaas and Piet are even busier, visiting schools, hospitals, department stores, restaurants, offices and many private homes. Piet rings doorbells, scatters sweets through the slightly opened doors and leaves basketfuls of presents by the front door. How do they manage to be all over the Netherlands at once?
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This is thanks to the so-called "hulp-Sinterklazen", or Sinterklaas helpers, who dress up like the bishop and Black Peter and help them perform their duties. Children who become wise to these simultaneous "Sint-sightings" are told that since Sinterklaas cannot indeed be in two places at once, he gets a little help from his uncanonized friends.
The Dutch are busy too - shopping for, and more importantly, making presents. Tradition demands that all packages be camouflaged in some imaginative way and that every gift be accompanied by a fitting poem. This is the essence of Sinterklaas: lots of fun on a day when people are not only allowed, but expected, to make fun of each other in a friendly way. Children, parents, teachers, employers and employees, friends and co-workers tease each other and make fun of each others' habits and mannerisms. Another part of the fun is how presents are hidden or disguised. Recipients often have to go on a treasure hunt all over the house, aided by hints, to look for them. They must be prepared to dig their gifts out of the potato bin, to find them in a jello pudding, in a glove filled with wet sand, in some crazy dummy or doll, the fire place or chimney. Working hard for your presents and working even harder to think up other peoples' presents and get them ready is what the fun is all about. The original poem accompanying each present is another old custom and a particularly challenging one. Here the author has a field 93 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com day with his subject (the recipient of the gift). Foibles, love interests, embarrassing incidents, funny habits and well-kept secrets are all fair game. The recipient, who feels like being roasted, has to open his/her package in public and read the poem aloud amid general hilarity. The real giver is supposed to remain anonymous because all presents technically come from Sinterklaas, and recipients say out loud "Thank you, Sinterklaas!", even if they no longer believe in him.
Towards December 5th, St. Nicholas poems pop up everywhere in the Netherlands: in the press, in school, at work and in both Houses of Parliament. On the day of the 5th, most places of business close a bit earlier than normal. The Dutch head home to a table laden with the same traditional sweets and baked goods eaten for St. Nicholas as shown in the 17th-century paintings of the Old Masters. Large chocolate letters - the first initial of each person present - serve as place settings. They share the table along with large gingerbread men and women known as "lovers". A basket filled with mysterious packages stands close by and scissors are at hand. Early in the evening sweets and nuts are eaten while those gathered, take turns unwrapping their gifts and reading their poems out loud so that everyone can enjoy the impact of the surprise. The emphasis is on originality and personal effort rather than the commercial value of the gift, which is one reason why Sinterklaas is such a delightful event for young and old alike.
Three KingsKings DayDay Epiphany, from the Greek word Epiphania, meaning "revelation" is based on the biblical story that tells of the Magi or Three Kings - Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar - who saw a bright star on the night Christ was born and followed it to Bethlehem. There they found the Christ child and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The legendary visit would later gave rise to the custom of gift giving at Christmas and on the Feast of the Epiphany, traditionally observed on January 6. Today, Epiphany goes by various names in different cultures, i.e., Little Christmas, Three Kings Day, or Twelfth Night, which remains the official end of the season's "Twelve Days of Christmas" counting from Christmas evening on December 25 to the Ephiphany on January 6. In several countries tradition is to bake a homemade cake with a hard pea or bead mixed in the dough. Whoever gets the piece with the pea or bead is King or Queen for the Day.
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In Spain as well as other Spanish-speaking countries, the tradition had always been to observe Christmas Day as a solemn religious occasion, reserving Three Kings Day or Día de los Reyes for exchanging gifts. However, in many Hispanic cultures today gifts can be given on Christmas Day, as well. They can also be given on Three Kings Day - or as double celebration - on both days! In Mexico in particular, serving Rosca de Reyes, a festive sweet bread in the shape of a king's crown, is also a still-popular tradition on Three Kings Day.
Merry ChristmasChristmas aroundaround thethe WorldWorld
Before we take you on a Holiday Season tour around the world and tell you how people celebrate the birth of Christ, we need you to learn how to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in many of the world’s major languages. Here we go:
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Afrikaans - Geseende Kerfees en 'n gelukkige nuwe jaar Albanian - Gézuar Krishlindjet Vitin e Ri! Amharic - Melkam Yelidet Beaal Arabic - I'D Miilad Said ous Sana Saida Aramaic - Edo bri'cho o rish d'shato brich'to! Argentine - Feliz Navidad Armenian - Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand Aromunian - Crãciunu hãriosu shi unu anu nãu, bunu! Azeri - Tezze Iliniz Yahsi Olsun Bahasa Malaysia - Selamat Hari Natal Basque - Zorionak eta Urte Berri On! Bengali - Shuvo Baro Din - Shuvo Nabo Barsho Bohemian - Vesele Vanoce Brazilian - Boas Festas e Feliz Ano Novo Breton - Nedeleg laouen na bloav ezh mat Bulgarian - Vasel Koleda; Tchestita nova godina! Catalan - Bon nadal i feliç any nou! Cantonese -Seng Dan Fai Lok, Sang Nian Fai Lok Chilean - Feliz Navidad Chinese (Cantonese) Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun Choctaw - Yukpa, Nitak Hollo Chito Cornish -Nadelik looan na looan blethen noweth Corsican - Bon Natale e Bon capu d' annu Crazanian - Rot Yikji Dol La Roo Cree - Mitho Makosi Kesikansi Creek - Afvcke Nettvcakorakko Croatian - Sretan Bozic Czech - Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok Danish - Glædelig Jul og godt nytår Duri - Christmas-e- Shoma Mobarak Dutch - Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar! Egyptian - Colo sana wintom tiebeen English - Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Eskimo - Jutdlime pivdluarit ukiortame pivdluaritlo! Esperanto - Gajan Kristnaskon Estonian - Rõõmsaid jõulupühi Euskera - Zorionak eta Urte Berri On Faeroese - Gledhilig jól og eydnurikt nyggjár! Farsi - Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad Finnish - Hyvää Joulua or Hauskaa Joulua Flemish - Zalig Kerstfeest en Gelukkig nieuw jaar French - Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année! Frisian - Noflike Krystdagen en in protte Lok en Seine yn it Nije Jier! Friulian - Bon Nadâl e Bon An Gnûf Gaelic -Nollaig chridheil agus Bliadhna mhath ur!
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Galician - Bon Nadal e Bo Ani Novo German - Froehliche Weihnachten und ein glückliches Neues Jahr! Greek - Kala Christougenna Kieftihismenos O Kenourios Chronos Greenlandic - Juullimi Ukiortaassamilu Pilluarit Haiti - Jwaye Nowel or to Jesus Edo Bri'cho o Rish D'Shato Brichto Hausa - Barka da Kirsimatikuma Barka da Sabuwar Shekara! Hawaiian - Mele Kalikimaka Hauoli Makahiki Hou Hebrew - Mo'adim Lesimkha. Shana Tova Hindi - Aapko Christh Janam Din ki badhai Hungarian - Kellemes karacsonyi unnepeket / Kellemes karacsonyi unnepeket es boldog uj evet Icelandic - Gledileg Jól og Farsaelt Komandi ár! Indonesian - Selamat Hari Natal Iraqi - Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah Irish - Nollaig Shona Dhuit, or Nodlaig mhaith chugnat Italian - Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo Japan – Merii Kurisumasu or Shinnen Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu Jèrriais - Bouan Noué et Bouanne Année Jiberish - Mithag Crithagsigathmithags Karelian - Rastawanke Sinun, Uvven Vuvenke Sinun Korean - Sung Tan Chuk Ha Krio - Appi Krismes en Appi Niu Yaa Kurdish - Seva piroz sahibe u sersala te piroz be Ladin - Bon Nadel y Bon Ann Nuef Lao - Souksan van Christmas Lappic - Buorit Juovllat ja Buorre Oddajahki Latin - Natale hilare et Annum Faustum! Latvian - Prieci'gus Ziemsve'tkus un Laimi'gu Jauno Gadu! Lausitzian - Wjesole hody a strowe nowe leto Lettish - Priecigus Ziemassvetkus Lithuanian - Linksmu Kaledu ir laimingu Nauju metu Livian - Riiemlizi Talspividi ja pagin vonno udaigastos Low Saxon - Heughliche Winachten un 'n moi Nijaar Luxembourgish - Schéine Krëschtdeeg an e Schéint Néi Joer Macedonian - Sreken Bozhik Malagasy - ARAHABA TRATRA NY KRISMASY Malay - Selamat Hari Natal Malayalam - Puthuvalsara Aashamsakal Maltese - Nixtieklek Milied tajjeb u is-sena t-tabja! Mandarin - Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan/ Sheng dan Kuai Le Manx - Nollick ghennal as blein vie noa Maori -Meri Kirihimete Maori - Meri Kirihimete Marathi - Shub Naya Varsh (good New Year not Merry Christmas) Monagasque - Festusu Natale e Bona ana noeva Mongolian - Zul saryn bolon shine ony mend devshuulye
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Navajo - Merry Keshmish Norwegian - God Jul og Godt Nyttår Occitan - Pulit nadal e bona annado Oriya - Sukhamaya christmass ebang khusibhara naba barsa Papiamentu - Bon Pasco y un Feliz Año Nobo Papua New Guinea - Bikpela hamamas blong dispela Krismas na Nupela yia i go long yu Philippines - Maligayang Pasco at Manigong Bagong Taon Pashto - De Christmas akhtar de bakhtawar au newai kal de mubarak sha. Pennsylvania German - En frehlicher Grischtdaag unen hallich Nei Yaahr! Polish - Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia Portuguese - Boas Festas e um feliz Ano Novo Punjabi - Nave sal di mubaraka Pushto - Christmas Aao Ne-way Kaal Mo Mobarak Sha Raeto-Ramance - Bella Festas da zNadal ed in Ventiravel Onn Nov Rapa-Nui - Mata-Ki-Te-Rangi. Te-Pito-O-Te-Henua Rhetian - Bellas festas da nadal e bun onn Romanche - Legreivlas fiastas da Nadal e bien niev onn! Romani (GYPSY) - Bachtalo krecunu Thaj Bachtalo Nevo Bers Rumanian - Hristos sa Nascut si Anul Nou Fericit or Sarbatori vesele or Craciun fericit Russian - Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom Sami - Buorrit Juovllat Samoan - Manuia le Kerisimasi ma le Tausaga Fou Sardian - Felize Nadale e Bonu Cabuannu Sardinian - Bonu nadale e prosperu annu nou Scots Gaelic - Nollaig chridheil huibh Serbian - Hristos se rodi. SRECNA NOVA GODINA! Singhalese - Subha nath thalak Vewa. Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa Slovak - Vesele Vianoce. A stastlivy Novy Rok Slovene - Vesele bozicne praznike in srecno novo leto Spanish - Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo Somali - ciid wanaagsan iyo sanad cusub oo fiican. Sorbian - Wjesole hody a strowe Nowe leto Sudanese - Wilujeng Natal Sareng Warsa Enggal Surinamese (SRANANTONGO) - Wan Santa Bedaki Swahili - ºKrismas Njema Na Heri Za Mwaka Mpyaº Swedish - God Jul och Gott Nytt År and S Rozhdestvom Kristovym Tagalog - Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon Tamil - Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal Thai - Suksan Wan Christmas lae Sawadee Pee Mai Tok Pisin - Meri Krismas & Hepi Nu Yia Tongan - Kilisimasi Fiefia & Ta'u fo'ou monu ia Trukeese (Micronesia) - Neekirissimas annim oo iyer seefe feyiyeech!
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Tswana - Keresemose o monate le masego a ngwaga o montsha Turkish - Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun Ukrainian - Veseloho Vam Rizdva i Shchastlyvoho Novoho Roku! Urdu - Naya Saal Mubarak Ho Vanina - Bon Natale a Tutti Vepsi - Rastvoidenke i Udenke Vodenke Vietnamese - Chuc Mung Giang Sinh - Chuc Mung Tan Nien Welsh - Nadolig LLawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda Xhosa - Siniqwenelela Ikrisimesi EmnandI Nonyaka Omtsha Ozele Iintsikelelo Namathamsanqa Yayeya - Krisema Yiddish - Gute Vaynakhtn un a Gut Nay Yor Yoruba - E ku odun, e ku iye'dun! Zulu - Sinifesela Ukhisimusi Omuhle Nonyaka Omusha Onempumelelo
(Quite the mouthful, I think.)
How People Celebrate the Holiday Season in other places
ChristmasChristmas in AfricaAfrica On the continent of Africa the Holiday Season is mostly celebrated in the western and southern parts as the heartland, mediterannean coastline and the eastern parts of th continent are mostly muslim oriented cultures.
Preparation for Christmas in the Congo begins when some group is designated to prepare the annual Christmas pageant.
Christmas day begins with groups of carolers walking to and fro through the village, along the roadway, by the houses of the missionaries, singing the lovely carols known the world around. Often people 99 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com may be awakened by a group of carolers beginning to converge on the house of worship. They return home to make final preparation as to the clothes one must wear and also as to his offering for the Christmas service.
The most important part of their Christmas worship service is the love offering, this is the gift in honor of Jesus. Then at about 8 or 9 o'clock everyone makes their way to the celebration of the birthday of Jesus.
Everyone who attends the service goes forward to lay down their gift upon the raised platform near the Communion table. Not one person will attend the service without giving a gift.
Now people have Christmas dinners after the service, preparing tables out in front of their home and inviting many of their intimate friends to share.
Christmas in South Africa is a summer holiday. In December, the southern summer brings glorious days of sunshine that carry an irresistible invitation to the beaches, the rivers, and the shaded mountain slopes. Then the South African holiday season reaches its height. Schools are closed, and camping is the order of the day. In South Africa there is no snow, but it has many flowers, many beautiful varieties of cultivated and wild flowers being in their full pride.
In the cities and towns carolers make their rounds on Christmas Eve. Church services are held on Christmas morning. Christmas Eve celebrations in larger centers include "Carols by Candlelight" and special screen and floor shows.
Homes are decorated with pine branches, and all have the decorated Christmas fir in a corner, with presents for the children around. At bedtime on Christmas Eve, children may also hang up their stockings for presents from Father Christmas.
Many South Africans have a Christmas dinner in the open-air lunch. For many more, it is the traditional dinner of either turkey, roast beef, mince pies, or suckling pig, yellow rice with raisins, vegetables, and plum pudding, crackers, paper hats, and all. In the afternoon, families go out into the country and usually there are games or bathing in the warm sunshine, and then home in 100 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com the cool of the evening. Boxing Day is also a proclaimed public holiday usually spent in the open air. It falls on December 26 and is a day of real relaxation.
In Ghana, on Africa's west coast, most churches herald the coming of Christmas by decorating the church and homes beginning with the first week in Advent, four weeks before Christmas. This season happens to coincide with the cocoa harvest, so it is a time of wealth. Everyone returns home from wherever they might be such as farms or mines.
On the eve of Christmas, children march up and down the streets singing Christmas Carols and shouting "Christ is coming, Christ is coming! He is near!" in their language. In the evening, people flock to churches which have been decorated with Christmas evergreens or palm trees massed with candles. Hymns are sung and Nativity plays are presented.
On Christmas Day, children and older people, representing the angels in the fields outside Bethlehem, go from house to house singing. Another church service is held where they dress in their native attire or Western costumes. Later on there is a feast of rice and yam paste called fufu with stew or okra soup, porridge and meats. Families eat together or with close neighbors, and presents are given.
On the west coast of Africa, in Liberia, most homes have an oil palm for a Christmas tree, which is decorated with bells. On Christmas morning, people are woken up by carols. Presents such as cotton cloth, soap, sweets, pencils, and books are exchanged. Also in the morning a church service is held in which the Christmas scene is enacted and hymns and carols are sung. Dinner is eaten outdoors with everyone sitting in a circle to share the meal of rice, beef and biscuits. Games are played in the afternoon, and at night fireworks light up the sky.
ChristmasChristmas in EuropeEurope
In Austria ; The world famous Silent Night, Holy Night was first sung in 1818, in the village church of Oberndorf. On Christmas Eve of that year, the priest went into the church and found that the organ was not working. The leather bellows that are used to 101 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com pump the air through the pipes were full of holes. Christmas without music would not do so the priest showed the organist Franz Bauer a new Christmas hymn he had written. Franz quickly composed a tune for it that could be played on a guitar. So Oberndorf had music after all.
In Austria baked carp is served for the traditional Christmas dinner.
In Scandinavia ; a little gnome called Julenisse puts the presents under the Christmas tree in the night. The children leave a bowl of porridge out for him. It is from Scandinavia that most of our Yule log traditions derive. The dark cold winters inspired the development of traditions concerned with warmth and light. Yuletide, meaning "the turning of the sun" or the winter solstice, has traditionally been a time of extreme importance in Scandinavia. For a long time, it was considered dangerous to sleep alone on Christmas Eve. The extended family, master and servant, alike would sleep together on a freshly spread bed of straw.
The Yule log was originally an entire tree, carefully chosen, and brought into the house with great ceremony. The butt end would be place into the hearth while the rest of the tree stuck out into the room. The tree would be slowly fed into the fire and the entire process was carefully timed to last the entire Yule season.In Scandinavia an important part of Christmas is the candles. It is said that the presents are brought by gnomes who live in the attics of houses all the year round.
Christmas in Denmark is supposed to be when a mischievous elf called Nisse can have his fun. He is said to live in the lofts of old farmhouses and enjoys playing jokes. He wears gray woolen 102 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com clothes, a red bonnet, red stockings and white clogs. Families leave him a bowl of rice pudding or porridge on Christmas Eve to keep his jokes within limits. Usually though he is kind and helpful helping out on the farms and being especially good to the children.
Christmas Eve dinner begins with rice pudding that holds a magic almond inside. Whoever finds the almond receives a prize. They then have goose, red cabbage and browned potatoes. After that lots of pastries and cakes.
The Danish tradition is the Christmas plate. This was a tradition in the early days where rich Danes gave plates biscuits and fruit as presents to their servants. These plates were the nicest and best kind and were not used for everyday use, this is the reason why they became so collectable.
They take much pride making their own decorations with bright paper, bits of wood and straw. The parents secretly decorate the tree, and children are not permitted to see the tree until dinner on Christmas Eve. The tree is then lit up and families gather around to sing carols and hymns.
Each Sunday in Advent, guests are invited to join in the lighting of the candles on the Advent crown. Adults drink a warming mixture of red wine, spices and raisins, and children drink a sweet fruit juice, like strawberry. Everybody eats small cakes of batter which have been cooked over the fire in a special pan, and dusted with icing sugar.
In Denmark Christmas Eve is a special time. It is at this time parents secretly decorate the Christmas tree with home made wood and straw baubles. The children are only able to see the tree before dinner when it is lit up and the family gathers to sing carols and hymns.
In Denmark Christmas Eve is called Juleaften and is the biggest occasion of the year. Parties go on all night, with traditional prune-stuffed roast goose, red cabbage, fried pastries, and cinnamon-laced rice pudding called Grod.
The Christmas elves called Julenisse are appeased with rice pudding, and dishes of seeds are placed outdoors for wild birds. 103 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
In England; Epiphany or "Twelfth Night" was the last opportunity to make merry before a return to the usual toil of the workaday world. The traditional Yule log was also kept lit until Twelfth Night in order to bring blessings and good fortune throughout the upcoming year. A favorite Christmas carol also still commemorates gifts of partridges, french hens and golden rings in the olde English observance of the Twelve Days of Christmas. The English love to decorate Christmas Trees and listen to beautiful music. One of England's customs is mummering. In the Middle Ages, people called mummers put on masks and acted out Christmas plays. These plays are still performed in towns and villages. The English gift giver is called Father Christmas. He wears a long red or green robe, and leaves presents in stockings on Christmas Eve.
In Finland ; and pretty much all over northern Europe, Everybody's house is given a very good clean in readiness for Christmas. Hours are spent in the kitchen cooking and baking special treats for the festive season. Fir trees are felled, tied onto sleds, and taken home to be decorated.
A sheaf of grain is often tied to a pole, together with nuts and seeds and placed in the garden for the birds. Many of the peasants will not eat their Christmas dinner until the birds have had their dinner.
Traditionally the meal was begun as soon as the first star appeared in the sky.
In Finland the Christmas tree is set up on Christmas Eve. Apples and other fruits, cookies, candies, paper flags, cotton and tinsel are used as decorations, and candles are used for lighting it.
The Christmas festivities are preceded by a visit to the famous steam baths, after which everyone dressed in clean clothes in preparation for the Christmas dinner, which is served at 5-7 in the evening.
Christmas gifts may be given out before or after the dinner. The children do not hang up stockings, but Santa Claus comes in person, often accompanied by as many as half a dozen Christmas elves to distribute the presents.
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The main dish of the dinner is boiled codfish served snowy white and fluffy, with allspice, boiled potatoes, and cream sauce. The dried cod has been soaked for a week in a lye solution, then in clear water to soften it to the right texture. Also on the menu is roast suckling pig or a roasted fresh ham, mashed potatoes, and vegetables.
After dinner the children go to bed while the older people stay up to chat with visitors and drink coffee until about midnight.
Christmas Day services in the churches begin at six in the morning. It is a day for family visits and reunions. In some parts of the country the Star Boys tour the countryside singing Christmas songs. During all these days the people keep wishing each other a "Merry Yule."
In France; On Christmas Eve, children leave their shoes by the fireplace to be filled with gifts from Pere Noel. In the morning they also find that sweets, fruit, nuts and small toys have been hung on the tree.
In cathedral and church squares, the story of Christ's birth is re- enacted by both players and puppets.
Nearly every French home at Christmastime displays a Nativity scene or crèche, which serves as the focus for the Christmas celebration. The crèche is often peopled with little clay figures called santons or "little saints." In addition to the usual Holy Family, shepherds, and Magi, the craftsmen also produce figures in the form of local dignitaries and characters. The craftsmanship involved in creating the gaily colored santons is quite astounding and the molds have been passed from generation to generation since the seventeenth century. Throughout December the figures are sold at annual Christmas fairs in Marseille and Aix.
The Christmas tree has never been particularly popular in France, and though the use of the Yule log has faded, the French make a traditional Yule log-shaped cake called the Buche de Nol, which means "Christmas Log." The cake, among other food in great abundance is served at the grand feast of the season, which is called le reveillon. Le reveillon is a very late supper held after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. The menu for the meal varies according to regional culinary tradition. In Alsace, goose is the 105 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com main course, in Burgundy it is turkey with chestnuts, and the Parisians feast upon oysters and paté de foie gras. Le Revellion may consist of poultry, ham, salads, cake, fruit and wine. In Southern France, a log is burned in people's homes from Christmas Eve until New Years Day. A long time ago, part of the log was used to make the wedge for the plough as good luck for the coming harvest.
The traditional Christmas desert is a chocolate log.
In Germany; children go from house to house on Epiphany eve, singing carols and chalking the year and initials KMB (those of the kings, Kaspar, Melchior and Balthasar), near the entrance of each home. The festive Dreikonigskuchen or Three Kings Cake is also served that night to celebrate the occasion, while an extra attraction for the children is that a bead is baked into the cake and the child getting the piece of cake with the bead is King for the Year with certain privileges.
Christkind (angelic messenger from Jesus), is a beautiful fair-haired girl with a shining crown of candles. Christmas preparations often begin on the eve of December 6th. Special evenings are planned for baking, making gifts and decorations. Little dolls of fruit are traditional Christmas toys. Children leave letters on their windowsills for Christkind. Gingerbread has been a holiday tradition for thousands of years. It was originally eaten during Winter Solstice Festivals, but the Germans make beautiful gingerbread houses and cookies.
In Greece; St. Nicholas is important in Greece as the patron saint of sailors. According to Greek tradition, his clothes are drenched with brine, his beard drips with seawater, and his face is covered with perspiration because he has been working hard against the waves to reach sinking ships and rescue them from the angry sea. Greek ships never leave port without some sort of St. Nicholas icon on board.
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On Christmas Eve young boys to the beating of drums and the tinkling of triangles usually sing carols. They go from house to house and are given dried figs, almonds, walnuts and lots of sweets or sometimes small gifts.
After 40 days of fasting, the Christmas feast is looked forward to with great anticipation by adults and children alike. Pigs are slaughtered and on almost every table are loaves of christopsomo or "Christ Bread". This bread is made in large sweet loaves of various shapes and the crusts are engraved and decorated in some way that reflects the family's profession.
Christmas trees are not commonly used in Greece. In almost every home the main symbol of the season is a shallow wooden bowl with a piece of wire is suspended across the rim; from that hangs a sprig of basil wrapped around a wooden cross. A small amount of water is kept in the bowl to keep the basil alive and fresh. Once a day, a family member, usually the mother, dips the cross and basil into some holy water and uses it to sprinkle water in each room of the house. This ritual is believed to keep the Killantzaroi away from the house.
There is a tradition kallikantzeri, where the mischievous goblins appear from the earth during the 12 days of Christmas.At Christmas very few presents are given to each other. Instead, small gifts are given to hospitals and orphanages.
Priests sometimes go from house to house sprinkling holy water around to get rid of the bad spirits who may be hiding in people's houses.In most Greek homes an evergreen tree is decorated with 107 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com tinsel and a star placed on top. Gifts are exchanged on January 1st, St Basil's Day.
On Christmas Eve, groups of people gather around the holiday table. Figs, dried on rooftops are served with the spicy golden Chrisopsomo bread.
As people are they greet one another by saying Hronia polla or many happy years. The table filled with food may include such dishes as kourambiethes, a Greek nut cookie.
Italy and Russia share the long-held tradition of La Befana, (in Russia, Baboushka) the kindly old witch who makes her annual visit bringing presents by climbing down the chimney on the night of January 5. According to tradition, giving a lump of coal in the stockings of naughty children comes from Italy. La Befana is a bit like Santa Claus, but is a kind witch, who rides her broomstick to deliver gifts to the good girls and boys! Being a good housewife, she even is suggested to sweep the floor before she leaves the house on the eve of 6th January! In Venice every year there is a race held in the Grand Canal to the Rialto bridge called the "Regata Della Befane" - this entails men cross-dressing as old witches (La Befane) and racing small boats known as 'mascareta' whilst standing up, Venetian style!
In Holland; Farmers in Holland used to blow long horns at sunset each evening during the Christmas period. The horns are blown over water wells which makes the sound extremely loud. This is done to announce the coming of Christmas. Preparations and decorations are pretty much like anywhere in the western world. The difference lies in the relaxation of the holiday. There is a first and a second day of Christmas to make it easier for adult children to make visiting choices between the various in-laws. Christmas dinner is in the early afternoon, followed by a steep walk through the forests. And after that it’s cake and game time. 108 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
Ireland; Christmas in Ireland lasts from Christmas Eve to the feast of the Epiphany on January 6, which is referred to as Little Christmas. Ireland's Christmas is more religious than a time of fun. Lighted candles are placed in windows on Christmas Eve, as a guide that Joseph and Mary might be looking for shelter. The candles are usually red in color, and decorated with sprigs of holly.
Irish women bake a seed cake for each person in the house. They also make three puddings, one for each day of the Epiphany such as Christmas, New Year's Day and the Twelfth Night.
After the Christmas evening meal, bread and milk are left out and the door unlatched as a symbol of hospitality.
Christmas in the Ukraine ; An artificial spider and web are often included in the decorations on Ukrainian Christmas trees. A spider web found on Christmas morning is believed to bring good luck.
ChristmasChristmas Down Under
Christmas in Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand is often very hot. Whereas the northern hemisphere is in the middle of winter, Down Under is baking in summer heat. It is not unusual to have Christmas Day well into the mid 30 degrees Celsius, or near 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Traditions of Christmas have mostly come through the English settlers who began arriving their in the late 18th Century. In the last 20 or 30 years the persona of Father Christmas had changed and he is referred to as Santa Claus and has become much more like the Santa of the United States and Ireland.
In Australia and New Zealand the traditional Christmas dinner is roast turkey with vegetables and sauces. For dessert it is rich, fruity Christmas pudding with brandy sauce. Mince pies, pastry cases filled with a mixture of chopped dried fruit.
A traditional meal includes a turkey dinner, with ham, and pork. A flaming Christmas plum pudding is added for dessert. In the Australian gold rushes, Christmas puddings often contained a gold nugget. Today a small favor is baked inside. Whoever finds this knows s/he will enjoy good luck. Another treat is Mince Pies. 109 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
Some Australians and particularly tourists often have their Christmas dinner at midday on a local beach, Bondi Beach in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs attracts thousands of people on Christmas Day. Other families enjoy their day by having a picnic. If they are at home, the day is punctuated by swimming in a pool, playing Cricket out the backyard, and other outdoor activities.
The warm weather allows people Down Under to enjoy a tradition which commenced in 1937: Carols by Candlelight is held every year on Christmas Eve, where tens of thousands of people gather in the city of Melbourne to sing their favorite Christmas songs. The evening is lit by as many candles singing under a clean cut night sky. The sky with its Southern Cross stars is like a mirror. Sydney and the other capital cities also enjoy Carols in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Australians surround themselves with Christmas Bush, a native plant which has little red flowered leaves.
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Christmas in North America
Christmas in America, Most Americans celebrate Christmas with the exchange of gifts and greetings and with family visits. Many celebrate Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. It is cold and snowy in many states, so dinner is usually a roasted or fried turkey, ham or goose served with similar side dishes served at Thanksgiving, including the pumpkin or minced meat pie. American homes are decorated with a Christmas tree decorated of electric lights, tinsel, baubles, and candy canes.
The hanging of Christmas stockings by the fireplace began with two poor sisters. Both wanted to marry but their father was too poor to afford their wedding dowries. One Christmas Eve, the sisters hung their stockings by the fire to dry. Saint Nicholas tossed gold coins into the stockings and when they awoke on Christmas Day, the sisters were delighted to discover enough money for both dowries. Always follow this “rule” when filling the Christmas Stockings: “Something to eat, something to read, something to play with, and something they need.”
Christmas in Latin & South America
Native Bolivians celebrate Christmas more as a harvest festival. Thanks are given for completion of the year's work. They give an account of the work done during the year and propose what is to be done the next year. Christmas tends to become a feast of adoration of the Goddess Mother Earth, who is asked to bring a fruitful harvest, to keep away plagues, and to give a prosperous year.
In Brazil Santa Claus is little known and those who do know of the jolly fellow call him Papa Noel.
The children have no Christmas trees, but they do have a crèche or Presepio, representing the Christ-child's birth. Gifts and toys are exchanged during the holidays after which the Presepio is put away until the following Christmas.
In Ecuador the children write letters to the Christ-child and place shoes in the window in which he may place toys as he passes by on Christmas Eve. Noise-making toys are common and are used with much energy on the streets on Christmas morning.
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Since the weather is very warm, most celebrations are in the streets. There are firecrackers, brass bands, and dancing. At midnight everyone goes to Mass. after which the family dinner is enjoyed.
Christmas in Latin America is also known as Las Posadas, Navidad and Dia de los Tres Reyes. Throughout the season are a lot of bright flowers and brilliant nights. They celebrate with holiday foods, songs. Those songs and foods eaten are greatly influenced by the different indigenous people of the region but all share the strong Latin influence dating from the arrival of Roman Catholicism hundreds of year’s ago.
Christmas is very much a religious holiday centered around the age-old story of the Nacimiento, Christ's Child.
In Brazil; One tradition is to create a nativity scene or Presépio. The word originates from the Hebrew word "presepium" which means the bed of straw upon which Jesus first slept in Bethlehem. The Presépio is common in northeastern Brazil. Nowadays presépios are set up in December and displayed in churches, homes, and stores.
Papai Noel or Father Noel is the gift-bringer in Brazil. According to legend, he lives in Greenland. When he arrives in Brazil, he usually wears silk clothing due to the summer heat.
A huge Christmas dinner includes turkey, ham, colored rice, and wonderful vegetables and fruit dishes.
Devout Catholics often attend Midnight Mass or Missa do Galo. The mass has this name because the rooster announces the coming day and the Missa do Galo finishes at 1 AM on Christmas morning! On December 25th, Catholics go to church, but the masses are mostly late afternoon, because people 112 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com enjoy sleeping late after the dinner called Ceia de Natal or going to the beach.
Decorations include fresh flowers picked from the garden. Fireworks go off in the skies over the cites and huge Christmas "trees" of electric lights can be seen against the night s kies in major cities such as Brasilia, San Paolo, and Rio de Janeiro.
In Brazil there is folk dancing and singing and the festivities go on until January 6th, which the Brazilians refer to as Three Kings Day. January 6th is supposed to be the day when three wise men visited Jesus to bring him gifts.
In Mexico; Santa Claus is not predominant, but the bright red suit is represented in the traditional flower of the season. This flower is the Poinsettia, which has a brilliant red star-shaped bloom. It is believed that a young boy walking to the church to see the nativity scene showing the birth of Jesus had realized on the way that he had no gift to offer the Christ child. So he gathered up some plain green branches and as he walked in he was laughed at. But upon placing the branches near the manger they started to bloom a bright red poinsettia flower on each branch. The "poinsettia" flowers are also known as "Noche Buenas" (literally the good nights)
The Mexican children receive gifts. On Christmas day they are blindfolded and taken to try and break a decorated clay piñata that dangles and swings at the end of a rope. Once the piñata has been broken, the children clamber to recover the candy that was inside the piñata. Those children who have been good also on January 6th receive a gift from the Three Wise Men.
Mexicans attend a midnight mass service which is called la Misa Del Gallo or "the rooster's mass," and at the mass they sing lullabies to Jesus.
Mexicans share many traditions with the Spanish. Their main Christmas celebration is called La Posada, which is a religious procession that reenacts the search for shelter by Joseph and Mary before the birth of Jesus. During the procession, the celebrants go from house to house carrying the images of Mary and Joseph looking for shelter.
Traditionally Posadas are celebrated 9 days before Christmas (one a day) from the 16 to the 24 of December. Songs, prayers and candles take place in the event to accompany the "Peregrinos (Joseph and Mary)" in their search for shelter. 113 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
In the northern states of Mexico Santa Clause "Santo Clos" brings children big presents,while the "Reyes Magos" bring the small presents in Janurary. In the southern states the gift giving is inverted and "El Niño Dios" (Jesus) brings a few presents, while "Los Reyes Magos" (the 3 wise men) bring the equivalent of Santa Clause's presents.
Epiphany or Three King’s Day is a huge party in Latin America. The 3 wise men (Reyes magos) and the "Rosca de Reyes". People go to the markets and stores to get the needed ingredients to prepare the feast.
All over the country, in every city and in every little town, bakeries offer the Rosca de Reyes, an oval sweetbread, decorated with candied fruit. There are Roscas of all sizes, very small ones for two or three people and up to the ones that will delight more that twenty people.
The Merienda de Reyes is truly a multicultural event. The Spaniards brought the tradition of celebrating the Epiphany and sharing the Rosca to the New World. The Rosca is served along with Tamales, made of corn which was the pre-Hispanic food par excellence, and hot chocolate. Chocolate is also a gift from the native peoples of the New World.
Hidden inside this delicious Rosca, a plastic figurine of the Baby Jesus is hidden. The Baby is hidden because it symbolizes the need to find a secure place where Jesus could be born, a place where King Herod would not find Him.
Each person cuts a slice of the Rosca . The knife symbolizes the danger in which the Baby Jesus was in. One by one the guests carefully inspect their slice, hoping they didn't get the figurine.
Whoever gets the baby figurine shall be the host, and invite everyone present to a new celebration on February 2, Candelaria or Candle mass day, and he also shall get a new Ropón or dress for the Baby Jesus of the Nativity scene.
The Mexican Christmas season is joyously extended up to February 2! - when the nativity scene is put away, and another family dinner of delicious tamales and hot chocolate is served with great love and happiness."
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In Venezuela; on December 16th families bring out their pesebres which is a specially designed and thought out depiction of the nativity scene.
It is a custom to attend at one of nine carol services is observed by most Venezuelans. Firecrackers explode and bells ring to call worshippers from bed in the predawn hours. The last of the masses takes place on Nochebuena de Navidad Christmas Eve. Families attend a mass on this night and then return home to a huge and fancy dinner.
On January 6th when the children awaken they will discover that the straw that they had left beside their bed the night before has gone and in its place are gifts the children know that the Magi and their camels have been and when they go to look in the mirror if they have a black smudge on their cheek they know that Balthazar, King of the Ethiopians has kissed them whilst they slept.
ChristmasChristmas in thethe MiddleMiddle EastEast
In Iran (Persia) Christmas in Iran is known as the Little Feast. For the first 25 days of December, a great fast is observed, during which no meat, eggs, milk, or cheese is eaten. It is a time of peace and meditation; a time for attending services at the church. When the fast is over, the feast is begun, for plenty of meat is prepared for the Christmas dinner.
Christmas Eve is the last day of the fast. Almost before dawn on Christmas Day, the people attend Mass to receive Communion and it is not until they have received this Communion that they are permitted to break fast.
The boys and girls of Iran have never heard of Santa Claus, so they do not exchange gifts at Christmas. But they do receive new clothes, which they proudly wear all during the happy Christmas week.
In Iraq; In the Christian homes an unusual ceremony is held in the courtyard of the home on Christmas Eve. One of the children in the family reads the story of the Nativity from an Arabic Bible. The other members of the family hold lighted candles, and as soon as the story has been read, a bonfire is lit in one corner of the courtyard. The fire is made of dried thorns and the future of the house for the coming year depends upon the way the fire burns. If the thorns burn to ashes, the family will have good fortune. While the fire is burning, a psalm is sung. When the fire is reduced to ashes, everyone jumps over the ashes three times and makes a wish. 115 Memorable Holidays 2010 – Team Searchamelia.com
On Christmas day a similar bonfire is built in the church. While the fire burns the men of the congregation chant a hymn. Then there is a procession in which the officials of the church march behind the bishop, who carries an image of the infant Jesus upon a scarlet cushion. The long Christmas service always ends with the blessing of the people. The bishop reaches forth and touches a member of the congregation with his hand, putting his blessing upon him. That person touches the one next him, and so on, until all have received "the Touch of Peace."
In Lebanon; About two weeks before Christmas people in Lebanon and elsewhere in the Middle East plant seeds - chickpeas, wheat grains, beans, lentils - in cotton wool. They water the seeds every day and by Christmas the seeds have shoots about 6 inches in height. People use the shoots to surround the manger in nativity scenes. Figures are made from brown paper, as well a star is placed above the scene.
Traditionally throughout the Middle East people visit friends on Christmas morning and are offered coffee, liqueurs and sugared almonds. Lunch at Christmas is the most important meal of the season and the whole family gathers together for it, usually at grandparents or the eldest sons' home. The meal consists of chicken and rice, and Kubbeh, which is made up of crushed boiled wheat or burghul mixed with meat, onion, salt and paper
ChristmasChristmas in AsiaAsia
In Japan; Only 1 per cent of Japanese people believe in Christ. Even so, most Japanese people decorate their stores and homes with evergreens during Christmas. They enjoy giving each other gifts, and this is the part they celebrate.
They have a Buddhist monk called Hotei-osho who acts like Santa Claus. He brings presents to each house and leaves them for the children. Some think he has eyes in the back of his head, so children try to behave like he is nearby.
Among the Christian Japanese Christmas is not a day for the family. They do not have turkey or plum pudding, rather than that the day is spent doing nice things for others especially those who are sick in hospitals.
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In China (Dun Che Lao Ren, translated to Christmas Old Man). The Christian children of China decorate trees with colorful ornaments. These ornaments are made from paper in the shapes of flowers, chains and lanterns. They also hang muslin stockings hoping that Christmas Old Man will fill them with gifts and treats.
The Chinese Christmas trees are called "Trees of Light." Santa Claus is called Dun Che Lao Ren which means "Christmas Old Man.".
The non-Christian Chinese call this season the Spring Festival and celebrate with many festivities that include delicious meals and pay respects to their ancestors. The children are the main focus of these celebrations, they receive new clothes and toys, eat delectable food and watch firecrackers displays.
Christmas in India; Christians in India decorate banana or mango trees. They also light small oil-burning lamps as Christmas decorations and fill their churches with red flowers.
They give presents to family members and baksheesh, or charity, to the poor people.
In India, the poinsettia is in full bloom and so the churches are decorated with this brilliant bloom for the Christmas Midnight Mass.
In South India, Christians put small clay lamps on the rooftops and walls of their houses at Christmas, just as the Hindus do during their festival of lights called Diwali.
Note: Foregoing traditions may not be the way all people celebrate the Holiday Season today and many are over 100 years old. With the advance of TV, Internet and International Travel many people have changed traditions to suit their families and new influences.
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XII.XII. TheThe 12 DaysDays of Christmas:Christmas: EnergyEnergy SavingSaving Style!Style!
Put more money in your pocket with easy energy savers without losing any of the perks of your lifestyle. Here are some ideas.
On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a fiber optic Christmas Tree.
On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me, two programmable thermostats.
On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me, three ceiling fans.
On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, four tubes of caulk.
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, five energy star appliances.
On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, six CFLs.
On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me, seven AC filters.
On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, 8 brand new candles.
On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, 9 weather strippings.
On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, 10 inches of insulation.
On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me, 11 storm windows.
On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, 12 rubber gaskets.
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1. A Fiber Optic Christmas Tree Fiber optic trees and decorations are so energy efficient, they use a single light bulb located in the base of the unit to light the entire decoration – now that's energy and budget smart!
2. Two Programmable Thermostats Programmable thermostats can be set around your lifestyle. They can warm up the house a bit before you jump out of bed and then run less often while you are away at work. Try one on each floor of your home.
3. Three Ceiling Fans Install ceiling fans in as many rooms of your home as feasible. In the summer they make rooms feel cooler, and in the winter, you can reverse their direction to force the heated air that rises back down into your living space.
4. Four Tubes of Caulk Use caulking to fill in all of the drafts and leaks around your home.
5. Five Energy Star Appliances Energy Star certified electronics and appliances can use up to 60% less electricity than their non-certified counterparts.
6. Six CFLs Compact fluorescent lighting, or those cute little spiral-shaped light bulbs, are designed to save you big bucks on your electric bill.
7. Seven AC Filters Change your air conditioner’s filters at least once a month. My true love has supplied me with enough to last until mid summer.
8. Eight brand new candles Candles can provide much of your holiday decorative lighting. Set up luminaries along your walkway and burn candles throughout your home to achieve a beautiful holiday glow, without adding to the electric bill. Be especially careful when using candles.
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9. Nine Weather Strippings Add weather stripping to all of your windows and doors to prevent climate-controlled air from escaping. 10. Ten Inches of Insulation Inspect your attic for its insulation level; a minimum of R-30 or 10 inches is preferred.
11. Eleven storm windows Installing storm windows on your home adds an extra layer of insulation, keeping the cool air in during the summer and keeping the cold air out in the winter.
12. Twelve Rubber Gaskets Use rubber gaskets on exterior outlets and light switches to prevent leaks.
We hope you enjoyed our e-book and I’d like to leave you with this final thought:
“I made myself a snowball, as perfect as could be. I thought I'd keep it as a pet, and let it sleep with me. I made it some pajamas, and a pillow for its head. Then last night it ran away, but first – it wet the bed!” Author Unknown Merry ChristmasChristmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 20112011
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