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www.byerschoice.com features 2 Snow Time — in CHRISTMAS 2016 the Northeast

5 Christmas Memories — Making Candy Canes

6 Holiday Planning — Tips for Stress-free Holiday 2

14 Greetings from the North Pole — Santa’s Winter Wonderland

16 Deliver Christmas Cheer – History of the Christmas Card

18 Christmas Mice — Stirring up some Mischief

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22 Accessories – Make the most of your Caroler Christmas displays

26 Jolly Happy Souls Cries of London Snowmen — Add some sparkle The 2016 Cries of London series features a Crier Selling Christmas Cards. 26 to your holiday The tradition of sending Christmas cards began in Britain around 1840 when the first Penny Post public postal delivery service began. Read more on p16. “Nativity” collection & “12 Days of Christmas” series — limited availability at www.byerschoice.com

OUR PRODUCT—HANDCRAFTED IN U.S.A. Due to the handmade nature of the Carolers®, items may vary slightly in color and design from product pictured. Girl with Christmas Cards – $70; English Mailbox (11”H) – $24; Adult Caroler: 13” tall; Child Caroler: 10” tall Woman Selling Christmas Cards – $75; Boy with Christmas Cards – $70 www.byerschoice.com 1 Snow time Christmas in the northeastern part of the United States, where Byers’ Choice Ltd. is located, is associated with warm fires, marshmallows swimming in hot chocolate, snow and sledding. For this reason, we have created a series of Carolers participating in cold-weather activities.

Toddler on Skates — $28

The Flexible Flyer In 1889, Samuel Leeds Allen received a pattern for a new type of sled. Sales were slow going at first, but by 1915, approximately 120,000 were sold per year. The 1960s saw the “Flyer” being Snow Day Kid with Sled – $73; Snow Day Mother with Skis – $73; Snow Day Kid with Toboggan – $73 replaced by the saucer for speed and safety reasons. Today the Flexible Flyers are back! The rights to make the sled have been sold to Paricon, a business Snow Day Kid with Snowballs – $71; Snow Day Kid Feeding Birds – $71; Snow Day Kid Holding Skates – $71 started in Maine.

2 BYERS’ CHOICE LTD. 215-822-6700 www.byerschoice.com 3 Christmas The Town Watchmen memories From Medieval times to the 1800s, town waites were employed as watchmen in English towns. They played musical instruments during the night at certain strategic positions to report Joyce Byers all was well and that they had not fallen asleep. In the morning, they “ I recall my Mother would play their noisy and I making candy instruments under windows canes. So, I went online to awaken the town folk. for directions. ” Waites often wore colorful As it turns out, costumes and were invited making requires great skill to entertain on auspicious and is not an easy project occasions. Over the for children. centuries their instruments varied, but they were The Food Network has a usually loud, high recipe for real candy canes pitched, penetrating wind by master pastry chef, instruments not meant for Jacques Torres. It begins, pleasurable entertaining. “Before you begin this recipe, please take a class from In 1835, a time of great a professional on working social change in England, with sugar.” Working with the cacophonous waites 300-degree sugar is required were abolished in favor of and could burn your hands. a more civilized means of Waite with Tuba – $75; Waite with Cymbals – $71; Waite with French Horn – $76; Waite with Violin – $75; So maybe it is better to buy alerting the citizens. Door (19.5”H x 13”W x 3.5”D) – $69 candy canes!

Fortunately, the tradition of street musicians lingered on and their music and ® instruments became more refined. By the middle to end of the 1800s, groups of Sweet Fact: The Spangler Candy waites could be hired to sing or play musical instruments under people’s windows Company makes 2.7 million candy especially during the festive Christmas season. canes a day!

Candy Cane Santa - $78 4 BYERS’ CHOICE LTD. 215-822-6700 5 HOLIDAY PLANNING Shopping From gifts, decor, food and parties, there is much to do in the weeks By early December, make your gift list and leading up to Christmas! We always think that there is plenty of time check it twice. but the holidays still sneak up on us. To avoid Christmas chaos, here’s a list q Print out a master list of tips for a calm and enjoyable Christmas season. (with budget) to help keep track of all the gifts that you need to buy/make for others q Start shopping early — the more you buy ahead the better, especially if you will Deck the Halls be mailing gifts. Try to have gifts in the One month before Christmas, take stock of your mail by mid-December. holiday decorations — before you make the trek to q Wrap gifts as they are purchased to the tree farm for the perfect ! prevent a late night on Christmas Eve q Check Christmas light sets for broken q Don’t forget to buy batteries for toys or missing bulbs and electronics! (continued p10)

q Sort through your ornaments to see if any Shopping Family – $75 ea need to be repaired, replaced or updated q Save time and hang wreaths that you can enjoy from Thanksgiving through Christmas Evergreen Market Stall – $85

Starting on December 1st, count down the days Burgundy/Gold Family: Woman – $75; Man – $75; until Christmas morning Girl – $75; Boy – $75 with an calendar. See more wooden Advent Red/Grey Family: Woman – $75; Man – $75; calendars on our website, Girl – $75; Boy – $75 www.byerschoice.com

Evergreen Woman Selling Boy – $74 6 BYERS’ CHOICE LTD. 215-822-6700 Evergreens – $74 Evergreen 7 Girl – $74 Christmas Pizza Here is a fun recipe to help use up leftovers! It’s also great Naughty Boy – $71 to snack on while you take the decorations off the tree! Chef with Pizza – $75

Ingredients: Nice Girl – $71 • One pre-made Pizza Crust • Pizza Sauce • Leftover Turkey • Leftover Turkey-shredded • Mozzarella Cheese • Basil or Sage leaves All children have good days and bad days. It’s part of being • Olive Oil a kid. As Christmas comes closer, it’s important for all children to remember to be extra nice because Santa is watching. He Roll out the crust. Top with sauce. Scatter still delivers lumps of coal if a child is too naughty. on a handful of stuffing and a handful of turkey. Top with cheese. Chop the basil or You better watch out; You better not cry sage leaves and mix with oil. Drizzle on top You better not pout; I’m telling you why and bake as crust directions instruct, or until is coming to town brown. Enjoy! He’s making a list; He’s checking it twice; He’s gonna find out; Who’s naughty and nice

Santa Claus is coming to town BACK

Written by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie Lump of Coal (styles vary) – $17

8 BYERS’ CHOICE LTD. 215-822-6700 www.byerschoice.com 9 Ugly Christmas Sweater Family: Woman – $75; Man – $75; Girl – $75; Boy – $75 HOLIDAY PLANNING HOLIDAY

Boy with – $74; Woman Selling Gingerbread – $74; Girl with Gingerbread – $74; Sweet Dreams Chalet Resin (13”W x 15”H x 10.5”D) – $120 Get Cooking Pre-cook, pre-plan and prepare . . . spend more time with your family on the big day and Dog in Bed – $20 Toddler Girl with Package – $28 (4”H) less time in the kitchen! Toddler Boy with Package – $28

q There are plenty of Christmas recipes that you can make and freeze weeks before the day including cakes, breads and un-iced cookies; make sure they are wrapped well to Celebrate guarantee freshness. Be the hostess with the mostest! q When baking a gingerbread house, use your best heavy-duty cookie sheets for even pieces that are easier to put together. q Set the date for your holiday party as soon as possible as calendars will start to fill up Storage q Music will make your party Make decorating easy next Christmas Fun festive so put together a year by neatly storing your Don’t forget to make some time for fun with the family! Christmas playlist figures in a Caroler® Condo; q As the party heats up, crack a you’ll keep them safe and q Help children write their letters to Santa window open to circulate fresh, will know exactly where q Decorate the Christmas tree cool air to find them! q Watch a Christmas movie Caroler Condo Storage Box Black/Gold Family: (Holds 12 Figures) – $40 Woman – $74; Man – $76; Decorated Tree with Lights (18”H; Requires 3 “AA” Batteries) – $48 Girl – $74; Boy – $76

10 BYERS’ CHOICE LTD. 215-822-6700 www.byerschoice.com 11 Sweet inspiration Winesfor the holidays The late 1800s was the golden Need suggestions on the type of wine to serve with age of Chocolate production and Christmas dinner? Here are some pairings: consumption throughout Europe. Ham Turkey Red Meat Many cities and towns had Reds: Pinot Noir Reds: Pinot Noir, Reds: Cabernet competing chocolate shops with and Zinfandel Zinfandel, Shiraz Sauvignon, Bordeaux, wonderful window displays filled Whites: Whites: with intricate, molded solid chocolate Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, Shiraz figures to entice hungry passersby. Gewurztraminer Pinot Blanc, By this time, they had perfected the Viognier, Riesling art of molding chocolate by using metal molds. The Anton Reiche Wine Santa 2016 – $78 Company began manufacturing these molds in Dresden, Germany during the 1870’s. They even designed and produced very large “show case” molds upwards of 3 feet tall for chocolate shop windows. Unfortunately, metal chocolate mold production in Europe all but ceased during WWII and was eventually replaced by plastic molds which became the material of choice by the 1960s. Our “Chocolate Santa” was inspired by this tradition and we feel he makes the perfect calorie-free gift for someone with a sweet tooth.

Chocolate Santa – $78 Cordiallyinvited Santa and Mrs. Claus love to entertain during the holiday season. Both are dressed in their finest coats trimmed with fur.

Holiday Mrs. Claus $78 ; Holiday Santa – $80

12 BYERS’ CHOICE LTD. 215-822-6700 13 Greetings from the North Pole

At one time or another, we have all imagined what it would be like to visit Santa at the North Pole.

Surely, his wonderland Not much is known for compound is covered in sure about Santa’s helpers, a blanket of glistening but from stories passed white snow with icicles down through generations, hanging from every eve. most people have started It’s decorated with brightly to compile a pretty good illuminated Christmas idea. At this point, we lights which give it a accept as fact that these warm and inviting glow. North Pole elves are As you enter the main smaller than humans, building through two tall extremely crafty and “Mitzi” wooden doors, you find tireless workers. They are a grand stone fireplace filled with childlike joy, and the sweet aroma of great singers of Christmas fresh baked gingerbread carols, of course, and wear that brings you straight pointed shoes to match Our new Bald Santa for 2016 is checking his Louisa May Alcott first wrote about back to your childhood. their ears. It is also fairly “nice list” while sorting through his stack of letter Christmas Elves in 1850. The first published There are surely many well known that Santa’s requests for special toys and treats. The elves that image of these elves working in the similar buildings to elves love to eat anything assist Santa are named after some of our favorite workshop appeared on the cover of explore including the sweet, especially candy classic Christmas vocalists. There is “Bing” with the Godey’s Lady Book in 1873. Godey’s was stables where the reindeer canes. block letters and “Burl” with the toy horse on the a very influential publication at the time live and the enormous table. “Frankie” is holding a toy horn and “Dino” is and was also responsible for publishing the workshop where the elves inspecting a toy train. Little “Mitzi” has just arrived first image of a decorated Christmas tree. are busy making toys. from the kitchen with Mrs. Claus to bring some sweet refreshments for break time. We all know the importance of keeping an elf’s sugar level up during Bald Santa with Mailbag - $78; Mrs. Claus with Treats - $ 76; Burl: Elf on Workbench - $ 99; Frankie: Elf with Horn – $73; Dino: Elf with Train – $73; Bing: Elf with Blocks – $73; Mitzi: Girl Elf with Candy Canes – $73 the holiday season. 14 BYERS’ CHOICE LTD. 215-822-6700 www.byerschoice.com 15 Deliver Christmas Cheer

English painter, John Callcott Horsley designed the first known mass-produced Christmas card in London, 1843.

A government worker by Later images used on early the name of Sir Henry Christmas cards included Cole came up with the scenes of nativities and idea and enlisted his artist snowy landscapes. friend, John Horsley, to Prior to the 1840’s, sending design the first Christmas letters through the mail

card that was printed on was far too expensive sturdy cardboard. The for ordinary people. The Auntie Esther – $76; outside images depict railways allowed for a Auntie Esther’s New Boyfriend – $76 people helping the less more affordable system fortunate. The main image to move the mail more was of a family sitting effectively. This new system down to enjoy a Christmas allowed prices to drop Christmas Greetings feast. If you look closely, significantly with trains Another Christmas means another chance to you’ll notice the family replacing the horse and catch up with the extended family. The questions raising glasses filled with carriage used prior. As on everyone’s mind this year are not “What is in wine while the children the mail became more that shiny package under the tree? Wonder if the Postman – $73 ; English Mailbox (11”H) – $24; Girl with Christmas Cards – $70; sip from the glasses. The Woman Selling Christmas Cards – $75; Boy with Christmas Cards – $70 affordable and popular, turkey will be dry as a bone this year?” They image was considered bright red pillar post are “Which new boyfriend will Auntie Esther Don’t you just love opening your mailbox in December to find quite controversial not only boxes designed by Richard bring to dinner? Where did they meet? What it filled with cards and holiday greetings sent by friends and because of the underage Redgrave in the 1850s ever happened to the interesting guy that we all Did you know? English mail carriers were family during the weeks leading up to Christmas? drinking, but because began to spring up in found so charming last year?” It’s sure to be a sometimes called “Robin Postmen” because it was frowned on that This tradition of sending notes of holiday cheer and well wishes urban areas throughout great story. of the red uniforms that they wore. alcohol would be depicted through the postal service dates back more than 170 years when the Britain. This affordable new at all on a card with a first Christmas cards were printed and sold in the UK back in 1843. postal system designed for religious message. Roughly the masses was nicknamed 1000 of these first cards 16 BYERS’ CHOICE LTD. 215-822-6700 the “Penny Post.” www.byerschoice.com 17 were printed and mailed. Twas the Night Before Christmas

‘Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house . . . lead us to thinking about mice. What were they doing when they were stirring about? Perhaps they were finishing off the cheese from the Christmas Eve party or soup noodles from dinner.

Mouse in Christmas Snow Box – $35

Mouse in Nightshirt with Candle – $45 Santa Mouse with Cookie – $45

Mouse with Swiss Cheese – $45 They could be doing last minute decorating with Santa’s snow and putting out Mouse in Soup Can – $35 cookies for you-know-who. Night Before Christmas Reading – $100; Nativity Table (8” H) – $24; Having turned out the light, Decorated Tree with Lights (18”H; requires 3 AA batteries) – $48; they probably curled up in a cozy slipper to read before wishing all a good night! 18 BYERS’ CHOICE LTD. 215-822-6700 Bedtime Mouse – $40 www.byerschoice.com 19 Did you know?

The Salvation Army was founded in London, England by one-time Methodist Reform Church minister, William Booth.

Byers’ Choice Ltd. introduced the Salvation Army line of Carolers in 1992.

There are 618 Salvation Army Shelters worldwide.

The annual Red Kettle Christmas fundraising Making a Difference campaign started in 1891 when a Salvation Army Doing the Most Good captain in San Francisco set up a crab pot and Christmas is special for the Salvation entertainment, games, a family photo and began collecting money Army. They open their doors and their much more. Santa joins the festivities for the poor at Christmas. hearts to those who would have no with a gift for every child. Last Christmas, Silver & Gold Christmas without them. Their guests the Salvation Army of Milwaukee was The 1966 Beatles song On every Christmas tree! are served a turkey dinner, treated to prepared to feed 8,000 to 10,000 meals. “Strawberry Fields Forever” is John Lennon’s Burl Ives made this song a Christmas standard after it was featured in the nostalgic reference 1964 animated television presentation of “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.” to a Salvation Army It’s hard not to hum along! The Christmas season carries with it a deeper orphanage called sense of purpose, of sharing our blessings, of giving Strawberry Field in Our “Red Velvet Santa” and “Red Velvet Mrs. Claus” couldn’t agree more Woolton, England. to those less fortunate. and are decorating an elegant Christmas tree this year with classic silver and gold ornaments. The Salvation Army If you do not have a chimney, is referenced in over Red Velvet Mrs. Claus – $74; Red Velvet Santa – $76; Salvation Army: Woman with War Cry – $74; Man with Tuba – $75; Boy with Trombone – $75; place this Magic Key outside on 140 films including Glass Ornament Market Stall (11”W x 6”D x 18”H) – $85; Kettle with Tripod (13” High) – $17; Door (19.5” H x 13” W x 3.5” D) – $69 Christmas Eve for Santa to come “” Silver Hoop Tree (17.5”H) – $68; Magic Santa Key - $15 A portion of the proceeds from the Salvation Army figurines will go directly to The Salvation Army. through the front door! and “Titanic.”

20 BYERS’ CHOICE LTD. 215-822-6700 www.byerschoice.com 21 Polar Bear Cub – $22 Decorated (5.5”High) Accessories Tree with Lights – $48 Set the stage for your Caroler Walking Polar Bear Seated Polar holiday displays! Cub – $20 Bear Cub – $22 (3.5”High) (4.5”H)

Caroler Condo Storage Box – $40 Display Riser – $48 (17.5”L x 15.5”W x 14”H) (11”H x 20”W x 10”D)

Candy Cane Cottage – $120 (18”H; Requires 3 “AA” Batteries) (Resin; 14”W x 13.5”H x 9”D)

Caribou – $24 (11” High)

Penguin on Snow Saucer – $20 (5.5” High) Large Penguin – $20 Wrought Iron Fence – $36 (6” High) (Plastic; 21.5”W x 6.5”H) Street Clock – $48 Spotted Reindeer – $20 (8” High) 16” Snow Tree Door – $69 – $12 Black Bear – $22 (19.5” H x 13” W x 3.5” D) (6” High) 12” Snow Tree – $10

Fireplace with Candelabrum 9” Snow Tree – $35 – $8

Mailbox with Stand – $20 Requires one (Metal; 7.5” High) “N” battery – not included Seated (19” High) Black Bear – $22 (5.5” High) English Mailbox – $24 22 215-822-6700 (11” High) 23 (10”W x 8”H x 3.5”D) Christmas Russia Baboushka is a Dickensian traditional Russian Christmas figure who distributes presents to children. Legend is Poland told that she declined At supper’s end on to go with the Wise Christmas Eve, Father Men to see Christmas, known as because of the cold The Star Man (often weather. However, the parish priest in she regretted not disguise), pays a visit going and set off to try and catch ©Ian Dickens to each home with rewards for all the up, filling her Gerald Charles Dickens, good children. Koledy, basket with presents. great-great grandson of or carols, are sung and She never found Jesus, the famed author, returns presents are opened and that is why she to the United States in before the family heads visits each house, leaving toys for 2016 for his American tour off to the church for . good children. of “A .” Please visit our website’s calendar of events to find Baboushka – $77 a venue near you! www.byerschoice.com Polish Star Man – $77 Christmas around the World Mrs. Fezziwig – $70; Mr. Fezziwig – $70; Scrooge – $73; Mrs. Cratchit – $73; Spirit of Christmas Future – $68; Marley’s Ghost – $76; Bob Cratchit & Tiny Tim – $134 Mrs. Cratchit’s English Ireland The Feast of the English Christmas Pudding is really best when made a full year in advance and Italy (January 6th) was celebrated in allowed to mellow. It was customary in many English homes to mix the pudding some towns in Ireland early in Advent — the religious season before Christmas — and allow it to sit for as ‘Nollaig na mBan’ In Italian folklore, or Women’s Christmas. twelve full months before eating it the following year. Everyone in the family was visits all the Traditionally the women children of Italy on supposed to stir the pudding once for good luck. If you can’t make it the year got the day off and the the eve of the Feast of men did the housework before, at least give it a few weeks to age. the Epiphany. She fills and cooking! The their shoes with candy women met in each It is fascinating to learn about these and how they have evolved and presents if they are other’s homes to sew good; a lump of coal and chat. through the years as they have been passed down through the generations. You can or dark candy if they learn about more unique celebrations and traditions including foods, decorations, and have been naughty. customs on our website: www.byerschoice.com/christmas-traditions

Befana – $77 Irish Santa – $76 24 BYERS’ CHOICE LTD. 215-822-6700 www.byerschoice.com 25 Let it

Shine D. E.

G.

A. I. B. Add some sparkle H. to your holidays. F. Bring the shine, shimmer and magic of freshly fallen Christmas snow inside! Our “Jolly Happy Souls” are endearing snow C. people that visit us each year from the North Pole. Born from the imagination of children, these charming characters will bring holiday smiles to faces for many years to come.

Dressed in American-made arctic polar fleece dusted with glitter, each enchanted Snowman is named and comes with its own passport. A. Floyd Flurries – $64; B. Simon Shivers – $64; C. Windy Northstar – $48; D. Bumpy Roundhead – $48; E. Crystal Diddums – $48; F. Buddy Dithers – $48; G. Celeste Hibernal – $64; H. Parson Brown – $64; I. Skipper McDrift – $48; Measure approximately 11” to 18” high

26 BYERS’ CHOICE LTD. 215-822-6700 www.byerschoice.com 27 raise your glasses Inspiring quotes for Thanksgiving Toasts

Colonial Mrs. Claus – $75; Colonial Girl – $74; Colonial Santa – $78; Colonial Boy – $74; Colonial Man – $74; Colonial Woman – $75

At Christmastime Colonial Williamsburg’s houses, shops, and taverns are decorated inside and out with “Forever on imaginative arrangements of fruits and greenery. Colonial Thanksgiving Day, Burning cressets illuminate pathways and lead the the heart will Christmas Pilgrim Man – $73; Pilgrim Girl – $73; Pilgrim Boy – $73 ; Pilgrim Woman – $73 find the pathway way to celebrations. Once inside, one often finds an home.” elegant apple cone, a long-standing favorite decoration. “Not what we say “Nothing is more honorable than a grateful – Wilbur D. Nesbit Dressed in vivid holiday colors and ready to entertain about our blessings, heart.” – Seneca their guests with the hospitality of the season, this but how we use Colonial Caroler family is ready to share a traditional them, is the true “We should certainly count our blessings, but we should also make our Williamsburg Christmas. blessings count.” – Neal A. Maxwell measure of our Visit our website for the “Virginia Holiday Nut Cake” Thanksgiving.” recipe. www.byerschoice.com/christmas-traditions/ “We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting colonial-virginia – W.T. Purkiser something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating Virginia Holiday Nut Cake what we do have.” – Frederick Keonig Original recipe and photo from the book, “Entertaining Ideas from Williamsburg.” 28 BYERS’ CHOICE LTD. 215-822-6700 www.byerschoice.com 29 4355 County Line Road Chalfont, PA 18914

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Favorite German Christmas Traditions

Krampus 2016 - $78

Advent Calenders Day

Nutcrackers Night Christmas Markets Glühwein $6.00 CHRISTMAS 2016 Vendor – $75; Nutcracker Boy – $73 Lebkuchen Nutcracker Girl – $73; Nutcracker Woman – $75 Nutcracker Market Stall (11”W x 6”D x 18”H) – $85