Just for Fun: Christmas

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Home Decoration Tips For Christmas

Shendy

Christmas is that time of year we all wait for, a time for giving and receiving gifts. It is that time of the year when the whole family gathers together to celebrate this joyous occasion. What better time to do up your house than now.

You may want to change the whole look of the house, changing your rugs and even doing some refurbishment or just clean it up from top to bottom. To change the whole look, work should be started a month before Christmas otherwise a nice paint job should do the trick.

A little creativity, planning before hand and color co-ordination with furniture and accessories should make your home attractive. Discard clutter or unwanted things from the house to show more open space. Furniture should be re-arranged to enhance the look of the place.

If your sofa appears too bland and you don't want to spend money on buying one then you can buy beautiful sofa covers or get them made and still get the look you want. Some lace or showy curtains and a grand rug that covers the sitting area would gel well with the decor of the room.

There are rugs especially designed for this occasion so you may want to want to get one of those for the Christmas period. Even if you do not want to get an area rug with a distinctly Christmas scene, you can still get one that features the colors of Christmas either in a monotone or an eclectic blend of red, green and white.

Since the living room and the dining room are the two places where guests will be entertained mostly during Christmas, these are the rooms that should be decorated the most though if you do have children they would surely insist on having their room decorated too for Christmas.

The Christmas tree is the first thing I would recommend, to decorate your home, as it is the main thing that a child looks forward to on Christmas day. Decorations made in the shape of mistletoes and bells, snowmen and Santa are lovely to hang around in the house. Try your hands at making them and later they can be proudly shown off.

Poinsettia's, Christmas candles and stockings placed or hanging from the mantel, at this time of the year, would add a touch of glamour to the room. A big Christmas wreath with hollies, bows and ribbons would be a welcome sight at the door.

The dining room is another place where the family meets and so would be the next place to decorate. A beautiful centerpiece on the dining table would be the highlight of this room, arranged with fresh or artificial poinsettia's and greens making it attractive.

Christmas candles decorated with flowers placed on the table along with little Christmas sweets or chocolates in different shapes like stars, Christmas trees, snowmen, Santa's, fruits, flowers, etc delicately placed in small baskets would look excellent, these come handy as 'give-aways' to adult guests especially since Christmas is the time for giving.

Christmas Decoration for Home Ideas Photo Galleries

Not forgetting your children and all the small guests who come by, at this time of the year, by placing fancy gifts near the Christmas tree.

Fun and Interesting Christmas Trivia You May Not Know

Shendy

There is no doubt that Christmas is one of the most awaited holidays in the world. Besides being the birthday of Jesus Christ, we know that this season would mean gift giving, lots of food and drinks, colorful streets and houses, Christmas carols, and so on. Countries may have different ways of celebrating the season, but if there is one thing that is true for all, it is that the season puts us in a very happy and festive mood. And this is one reason why we just love Christmas.

But as much as you know that the season is a time for sharing, for getting together, and for stuffs like Christmas trees, cards, carols, Santa Claus, and other things associated with Christmas, do you know the stories behind them?

Christmas Tree

Did you know that the custom of setting up a Christmas tree originated from Germany? This custom can be traced to 16th century Germany, when devout Christians had decorated trees into their homes. Moreover, it is believed that Martin Luther, a 16th century Protestant reformer, was the one who first added lighted candles to a tree.

Christmas Card

Did you know that the first Christmas card was made and posted in 1843? It was designed by John Callcott Horsley, a British artist. The making of the first Christmas card would have not been credited to him if a British business man did not commission him to do so. The British businessman was Sir Henry Cole, who did not have enough time to write all of his friends and professional acquaintances to greet them a merry Christmas. The card showed a picture of a family drinking wine together. Each of the two side panels showed an act of charity: clothing the naked and feeding the hungry.

Christmas Carol

Did you know that one of the oldest Christmas carols was put together in the 300s? It is believed, on the other hand, that the first recorded Christmas carol was written by Aurelius Prudentius, and it was entitled 'Of The Father's Love Begotten." And with the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg, Christmas carols became more popular. It is because the machine made it possible for copies of the carols to be reproduced easily. Furthermore, the 'Messiah,' which is one of the most popular carols of all time, was created by George Frederich Handel. He first performed the song in 1742, as a fundraiser for charities. Of course, who would forget the very famous 'Silent Night, Holy Night.' It was written in 1818, by a priest in Austria named Joseph Mohr.

Santa Claus or Father Christmas
Did you know that Santa Claus was based on a real person? He was Saint Nicholas, a Christian leader from Myra (in modern-day Turkey) in the 4th century AD. He was known for his generosity. The belief that Santa Claus comes down the chimney and puts presents in stockings is said to be based on one of the notable things that Saint Nicholas did. Because he wanted to give money to poor people without them knowing about it, what he did was climb the roof of a house and dropped a purse of money down the chimney. And, it so happened that the purse landed in the stocking, which a girl had placed to dry by the fire.

Yes, Christmas and the things we associate with Christmas have interesting stories behind them. Isn't it nice to know the story behind the birth of the every Christmas card or the man behind the jovial and generous fellow we know as Santa Claus? Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2562849

More Than 10 Tips to Plan Your Outdoor Christmas Lighting

Shendy

Are you an avid aficionado of Christmas lighting - or just want to be the best in your street? Well read on for my tips on how to have the best outside Christmas lights for this year's yard decoration.

1. Start early. This is the most important step. The most successful displays in your street have been planned for more than a year, probably the planning for next year starts when this year's lights have gone up. Here are a number of advantages to this, you have time to ponder your design, and make the most of any off season purchasing.

2. Plan, think and plan some more! Choose your theme; plan your layout on paper. Think about colors and types of lighting you will use. Do you animated Christmas lighting if so where? Will you need extra power outlets? Are you using bulbs (C7 or C9), LED or solar lighting? They each have advantage. For roof mounted displays, work out what supports are required and how to mount them.

3. Measure everywhere you want to hang outdoor Christmas lights, then add extra to make sure you have enough length of lighting

4. Work out the number of sets you need. This can be affected by the number of lights (and hence the length of the string) in each set. Also take into account that the length of the lights is not the same as the overall length of the set. Do you need any extra power cords, now is the time to work it out.

5. Decide if you need extra power outlets and get a qualified electrician to install them. If power outlets are to be under roof eaves, then consider having a switch installed somewhere convenient. Ensure all outlets outside and extension cables are waterproof.

6. Acquire your light sets; make sure that the light sets for outside use are rated to be used outside. Make sure you have plenty of the right kind of spare bulbs (if using incandescent C7 or C9, LEDs have a very long lifespan).

7. Before installing your lighting test all the sets. Better to find any faults whilst the sets are on the ground.

8. Prior to installing outside Christmas lights check any fixings that you have that may need to be replaced. Make sure you have the fixings you need to attach the lighting, such as screws, nails, clips or a staple machine. Make sure that all cables on the ground are safe( i.e. not laid in water).

9. Plan to put the lighting up early in the season when it is not so cold and busy. This also gives you time to make any adjustments necessary.

10. Ensure you have the right tools to hand, including a helper to hold the ladder.

11. Put your lights up. And enjoy.

The Never Ending Christmas Recipe

Shendy

Celebrating the holidays starts at home. And not only there, but it also starts in the mind and hearts of those who want to continue yearly traditions for sentimental reasons. Xmas recipes, or Christmas recipes, are a great way to continue yearly traditions within your own family.

In my family, we've taken recipes going back to our great, great grandparents and choose one every year to create and then to add something else to it. This way, we honor the tradition set by our fore parents and add our own element of personality to it as well. The best way to look at it is that you're creating something bigger than yourself.

Take last years rum pie pudding. My brother and I took elements from a Christmas over 40 years ago and created a pudding out of it.Needless to say, it was a hit with everyone at the table, but we got asked why pudding? Why not pudding was our answer! I can't think of someone who doesn't like pudding, i mean come on now.

But that's the element of added personality. And you can do it with almost any recipe. Just add that one extra spice or twist to it and make it your own. Let's take a kids treat, reindeer antlers. What you're going to want to do is take a candy cane and wrap licorice strings around the base of the cane near the loop and tie a knot. That could be the end all, be all the treat, but take it one step further. Dip the candy cane in melted chocolate and then freeze the candy cane.

Take the candy cane out of the freezer and then tie on the licorice. Instant classic!

So in the end, just take something old as a recipe in your family, and turn it into something new by adding your own personality to it. It's fun and it will allow your own legacy to continue on in the Christmas years to come!

Unique Christmas Traditions From All Over the World

Shendy

People from all over the world celebrate Christmas in so many different ways and you will be quite surprised at the stories behind many of these Christmas traditions.

Did you even know that Christmas Day, the 25th of December, was previously a holiday which can be transferred from one date to another? It was not only in the 4th century AD when Pope Julius I made it official and set December 25th as Christmas Day. This day matched the pagan ritual for the winter solstice also known as the feast for the Return of the Sun. It was meant to reinstate a Christmas celebration in place of the pagan ritual.

As for how the rest of the world celebrates Christmas, here they are.

France - Christmas in France is known as Noel drawn from the French expression "les bonnes nouvelles" which means "the good news" and denotes the gospel. Based on the French belief that farmers who burn a log from Christmas Eve to New Year's Day have an abundant harvest the following year, some families are burning a log from their homes.

Germany - Christmas in Germany are characterized by Christmas trees dating back as far as the 16th century. They quickly spread all over the world and then to England when Queen Victoria's husband, Albert came from Germany and brought this tradition.

Norway - After the family dinner and opening of the presents, Norwegians hide their brooms in accordance to the belief that witches and other spirits will come out during Christmas Eve and steal their brooms. Another Christmas custom in Norway is to gather the finest wheat from the harvest, put away until Christmas and then attached these to poles from branches. The head of the household checks this just before sunset and if there are sparrows seen to be consuming this is seen to be an indication of a good year for crops.

Philippines - Even 200 years before the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan and Christianity, historical accounts have determined that people are already holding Christmas festivities.

Poland - Polish families also prepare a twelve course dinner for Christmas Eve however unlike the Ukrainians, this feast is composed of twelve non-meat dishes which stand for the twelve months of the year. Most dishes include specialties of carp, herring, and other fish.

Ukraine - Households prepare stew with meat the day before Christmas. They also set up a twelve course Christmas dinner. The youngest child in the family is tasked to look out the window and watch for the evening star to come out, the sign for the banquet to begin.

United Kingdom - Mince pies in the UK is a long standing tradition dating back to the 16th century. Children usually leave a drink and mince pies for Santa while there is a also a tradition that eating mince pies during the Twelve Days of Christmas will bring about happiness in the next 12 months. On average, the British eat 27 mince pies each.

United States - In the US, children leave stockings during Christmas and set aside a glass of milk and a plate of cookies for Santa just before going to be bed on Christmas Eve. It is typical of the American household to have a Christmas. The official national Christmas tree is a giant sequoia which stands over 90 meters (300 feet) high in the King's Canyon National Park in California.

Each country has unique Christmas customs and beliefs. The world may be a large place but when the Yuletide season comes around there is a feeling of renewed hope and a special sense of togetherness which transcends not only to families, fellow countrymen but to the whole world itself. Christmas season is a special celebration which we look forward throughout the year.