Zhu Zhu Pet Hamster – Check Out The Best Price On This Awesome Stocking Filler!

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Teri Champigny

Zhu Zhu Pet Hamster –
Check Out The Best Price On This Awesome Stocking Filler!

If you are looking for a top Christmas present for 2011 and something that can fill up those stocking then you cannot do much better than checking out the Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters. These strange electronic pets have become a real craze and they are set to be one of the best selling toys of Christmas 2011!

One of the most popular Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters this year will be “Num Nums” the hamster.

So What Do The Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters Do?

Well they are battery powered and behave like a real hamster! In fact they have over 40 different sound effects depending on where you put them and the environment that they encounter. They take 2 AAA batteries so make sure that you pickup some batteries to go with the toy as they do use batteries up quite quickly.

You also get a “cuddle mode” and this means that the Zhu Zhu Hamster will lie still and make cute noises very few minutes asking for a cuddle! Then you have the “Try me” mode and if you switch this on the Zhu Zhu hamster will make a noise when you push his nose even when he is switched off.

The best mode for the Zhu Zhu hamster’s though is the “Play mode” and as the name suggests this mode is fun!

You will be able to switch on the play mode and the hamster will shoot off for an adventure! Be warned though the wheels that the hamster runs on are quite strong and if you put the hamster on someone’s back it will be able to run up them!

In play mode it will run off and you will hear it make all sorts of noises there are over 40 sound effects but it will make a different noise depending on where the hamster is and what he is doing!

The only downside is that the Zhu Zhu hamsters ARE well built but because they scurry off so fast sometimes you just need to be mindful that they don’t fall down the stairs because they are breakable!

Also another thing to keep an eye on is very young children as they do have working motorized parts.

We recommend that you give to children ages 3+!

Conclusion:

The Zhu Zhu hamster pets are the perfect Christmas present and the best thing is that you can buy one of these for pretty much anybody it does not have to be for kids. If you want to go the extra mile you can buy a couple of them and have fun as they race around chasing each other.

Just make sure you keep an eye on where they are going so there are no falls down the stairs and also that you are armed with enough AAA batteries as the downside is these little hamsters use up a lot of power!

Well worth checking out this Christmas 2011!

You can even have it wrapped and shipped to your door or anywhere else if you order Zhu Zhu Pet Hamster from Amazon!

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The Ultimate Xmas Gift For 2011! – FurReal GoGo My Walkin Pup

Posted on November 13, 2011 by Teri Champigny

The Ultimate Xmas Gift For 2011! – FurReal GoGo My Walkin Pup

If you are looking for an awesome gift for someone special this Xmas then you need to check out the FurReal GoGo My Walkin Pup! This is tipped to be one of the best selling toys for Christmas 2011 and it comes in at number 4 on this year’s Christmas gift list!

If you have the kids or close family member’s or even friend’s children asking for a Dog this Christmas then remember the saying “A dog is for life not just for Christmas” – well this is where the FurReal GoGo My Walkin Pup comes in and you can indeed have a dog for Christmas and as long as you want it without having to worry about high vet’s bills!

The features of the FurReal GoGo My Walkin Pup are impressive as well you will see it looks, barks and pants just like the real thing! The actual dog is modeled on a Bichon Frise dog so it looks really cute. She is soft to the touch and the size is roughly the same as a real dog of this breed as well.

If you pat her on the head she will bark with enthusiasm and if you put her on her side she will turn and meet you. She also tail wags and has a cute high pitched bark!

The other cool thing is that the FurReal GoGo My Walkin Pup is a remote control pup and you can control her with the leash that you get. All you need to do is pick up the leash and push the forward arrow and she will start walking at a kid’s pace. If you press the left or right arrow on the control she will be able to turn corners.

Be careful though once you set GoGo off she might not want to come back!

Just a word of warning the FurReal GoGo My Walkin Pup is meant to be used inside or anywhere with a smooth, dry surface. If you are using GoGo outside make sure that the ground is dry and it is best to wipe off the rubber paws after use if you are going to be venturing outside with GoGo.

The other cool thing is that you get batteries included and the FurReal GoGo My Walkin Pup will take 4 C batteries, so you may want to stock up if you know that there will be heavy usage.

The other thing parents will want to know is that they are worried about the barking all of the time. Thankfully there is an off switch so you can get some peace after your big Xmas dinner.

The FurReal GoGo My Walkin Pup is set to be one of the top toys this Xmas 2011 and if you are looking for the perfect Xmas gift then it is well worth a look.

Just remember you will need to order this early for 2 reasons:

To make sure that you get the FurReal GoGo My Walkin Pup before Xmas day and also to make sure that GoGo is still in stock!

You can even have it wrapped and shipped to your door or anywhere else if you order FurReal GoGo My Walkin Pup from Amazon!

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Probably The MOST Popular Xbox 360 Game This Xmas! –
Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 3 On Xbox 360

Posted on November 12, 2011 by Teri Champigny

Probably The MOST Popular Xbox 360 Game This Xmas! –
Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 3 On Xbox 360

If you are looking for something for gaming fans this Xmas 2011 then you need to check out the Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 3 game. The version we have featured here is for the Xbox 360 but there is of course the PS3 version as well depending on what console you have, and there is also a version that you can get for your PC.

This is the latest game in the Call of Duty franchise and it goes without saying that it will be popular if the success of Modern Warfare 2 was anything to go by. You also had Call of Duty Black Ops as well that did VERY well.

This is the one that EVERY gamer on the planet has been waiting for!

Of course one of the main reasons that gamers pick up a Call of Duty game is for the multi-player mode and Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 3 has promised a total revamp and plenty new features!

At the time of writing the game has not been released and is due to hit the stores on November 8th 2011 so order order to avoid disappointment!

Some of the features of the game that have been confirmed for the multi-player is the prestige mode now has over 80 levels. There is now totally revamped perks that you can get for your solider and this includes the popular Overkill perk.

Weapon proficiencies allow you to change your weapons like never before and you will also be able to change more aspects of your class than in other Call of Duty games.

There is also a new game type called Kill Confirmed for multi-player that is looking VERY fun!

One of the favorite additions for Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 3 is the fact that they now have a point streak counter and this is when you manage to get several kills in a row it will now be recorded for people to look through your achievements so you can work on being the best!

What has also not been done before is that you will be able to take part in a multiplayer match split screen so this means that your friends in the same room can grab a controller and you can team up to take on the world!

If you know someone that likes gaming then you cannot do much better than getting them Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 3 for Xmas 2011 as it is set to be a best seller!

As mentioned above make sure you get this one early as stocks will not last long!

The other thing to bear in mind is that you want to check out the Amazon listing for Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 3 as you also get an awesome bonus that will give you an American Special Forces avatar and you will only be able to get this bonus from Amazon.com.

You will also get an exclusive MW3 Wallpaper as well with your order!

Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 3 On Xbox 360, this one is not to be missed!

You can even have it wrapped and shipped to your door or anywhere else if you order Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 3 from Amazon!

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Have Fun And Learn This Xmas 2011! – LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Teri Champigny

Have Fun And Learn This Xmas 2011! – LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet

If you are looking for the kids to get a bit more than just fun this Xmas and you are looking for something that will also educate them then maybe the LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet is worth having a look at!

This is an awesome Christmas gift and is tipped as one of the top sellers for 2011!
The best thing is that it mixes fun and education so your kids will actually have fun and not even know that they are getting more brainy!

Here are some features and details of the LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet:

The screen is large and gives you a big 5″ screen so you will be able to see clearly. Another thing to note is that the screen is larger than the Leapster Explorer Screen which was only 3.2″. The LeapPad also gives you a 480×272 resolution.

The other thing to note is that it is a touch screen and you will be able to control the LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet with your finger or it comes supplied with a stylus as well that is magnetic and you can also attach it to the device with the cord. If you DO end up losing the stylus there is an extra one supplied with the package so keep this one safe.

You even get some games and activities with the LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet and these include:

PetPad: This will allow you to learn how to draw letters and all the while it will teach you custom pet tricks. You need to keep your pet happy and clean and fed while playing the game and you do this by drawing letters.

Another interesting feature of this game is that you can use the microphone to “blow dry” your pet after a wash and if you shake the LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet it will make your pet jump. If you want more food and accessories for your pet then you can connect the LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet up to your computer and you will be able to purchase more.

Story Studio: In the Story Studio kids can create their own book that is a story about them that you can upload to Facebook or share via email.

Art Studio: This is an awesome feature of the LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet and it allows you to use brushes, pencils, erasers, shapes and stamps to make their own art and express their creativity.

Camera/ Video Recorder: As the name suggests with the LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet you will also get a Camera and Video Recording and the kids love this. The only thing thing that you must bear in mind is while the camera is very good it is low res.

You also get a whopping 100 games and apps that come with the LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet so it really is an awesome product this Xmas to help your kids learn and have fun at the same time!

You can even have it wrapped and shipped to your door or anywhere else if you order LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet from Amazon!

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Angry Birds Knock On Wood Game – Top Toy For Christmas 2011!

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Teri Champigny

What Is The Top Toy For Christmas 2011?
Angry Birds Knock On Wood Game

If you are looking for the best toys for Xmas 2011 then you need to check out the Angry Birds Knock On Wood Game as this has been tipped as a Christmas 2011 best seller! Basically the game is a physical version of the top IPhone game Angry Birds and it is also great fun! You get 3 Angry Birds in the pack, green pigs and one Slingshot style launcher as well as structure pieces to build the levels and what makes it fun is that you also get mission cards as well.

The way it works is that the players draw a card and build the structure shown while the opposing team as to knock down the structure just like in the Angry Birds app.

At first with how fun the game is as an app you wouldn’t think that Angry Birds would translate well into a game but it is great fun!

Also if you have younger children you don’t have to worry as the rules are simple to follow and more fun than a task. As well as that the actual structures are well built and sturdy and some kids just like to play with the figures on their own. In fact as the game has you building the structures ready for each “game card” it is mildly educational as kids will learn something about physics.

The only downside to the Angry Birds Knock On Wood Game is that some of the structures can be a little tricky to build and to make things easier the cards are all grouped in level so you will be able to see how difficult a structure is before you start it but in truth it can get tricky!

So if you have a child who is impatient and let’s face it which child isn’t they might not like waiting for the structure to be built! However when you get to the fun part using the catapult it is quite difficult to shoot the structures down.

It can be done and actually feels rewarding when you do it as well.

Just another word of warning about the Angry Bids Knock On Wood Game – make sure you keep everything all in one space as if you lose a few pieces of the structure you will not be able to build the levels shown on the game card.

Angry Birds Knock on Wood Game gets our vote as one of the top Christmas Gifts for 2011 if not the number 1 spot. The reason for this is because you can use this present as a simple stocking filler or as a “main” present and you are guaranteed to see a very happy recipient!

Just make sure if you are going to be picking up Angry Birds Knock On Wood game that you don’t wait too long as the game is set to sell out fast!

The other benefit of this game is that you can send to pretty much anyone and we have a sneaky suspicion that there will be just as many adults as children playing this game this Xmas. You can even have it wrapped and shipped to your door or anywhere else if you order Angry Birds Knock On Wood Game from Amazon!

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Christmas And Children

Posted on November 3, 2011 by Teri Champigny

Christmas And Children

Christmas is for children, both the big kids in all of us and for the young. While adults indulge in the festivities and revel in enjoying the spirit of Christmas, undoubtedly it is more fun for children because they are able to lose themselves in the wide-eyed wonders and glorious splendor of the season. Activities at Christmas that children can enjoy include all of the sights, sounds and scents that put the magic and a festive spirit into Christmas.

At major shopping centers like malls, children can enjoy various window displays and arrangements inside stores that show Christmas sceneries. The displays, which can be moving, stationary or interactive, can be so numerous and mesmerizing that parents often arrange a trip to such malls just for children to view the many displays.

Shopping malls are also a popular place where Santa Claus is sure to be found. For a small fee, children can get to sit or stand with Santa Claus, talk with him and most importantly, get a picture taken with Santa. Those children, like pre-teens and teenagers, who may be too old for Santa Claus can also be entertained by the various grand Christmas displays as well as one of their favorite activity – shopping.

Various colorful and twinkling lights is certain to be a part of the displays at malls and shopping centers, but other arrangements of Christmas lighting can also be a delightful activity for children to enjoy. Because Christmas displays have become so common, everyone has some form of lighting arrangement at their houses. This has led to neighborhoods where it is common to see an increase in traffic during the Christmas season because of the fanciful, landscaped displays of outdoor Christmas light decorations. These usually include figures of reindeers, Santa, sleighs, angels, shepherds and animals that are a part of the story of Jesus’ birth. It can therefore become an activity to take a tour of these neighborhoods with children for them to feast their eyes.

In a similar manner to the grand Christmas lighting that can be found in some neighborhoods and the occasional home, there are also themed-lighting at quaint villages and special large, Christmas light displays at venues like some public parks. The displays can be similar to those seen in neighborhoods except that they are usually on a larger and grander scale. As an example, a typical home lawn display will have a Christmas display that includes Santa, a sleigh and a reindeer or two all as separate pieces. A Christmas display at a themed-village or park would have a large and possibly moving display of Santa Claus with elf-like figures in a sleigh that is being pulled by reindeers as one big structure. These Christmas sights are what often bring out the wide-eyed wonder in children as their faces express awe and amazement.

While children will have a beautifully decorated Christmas tree at home to enjoy, it will also be fun for them to go to other lightings of Christmas tree because again, those trees are usually bigger and decorated on a grander scale than the ones in their living rooms at home. Just about every town, city or municipality will have a Christmas tree lighting in a central location.

Sometimes local firehouses will also have a special Christmas tree lighting. At these events, children can see a local official or personality flip a switch to symbolically turn on the Christmas tree, in a similar like they would have seen the President do on television.

Those local events are likely to include Christmas treats and goodies, a Santa Claus to present Christmas gifts to children and the singing of Christmas carols.

Taking time out to engage in activities just for the enjoyment of children will make them feel special, experience the magic of Christmas and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Christmas today goes hand in hand with children. Whether you are a big kid at heart or are indeed a child then Christmas is everything wonderful. You have to admit it, even if just to yourself – you believe in Santa too and everything that Christmas is.

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Christmas Decorations

Posted on October 21, 2011 by Teri Champigny

Christmas Decorations

Christmas decorations make holiday decorating a very fun time of the year. Some people take Christmas decorating very seriously. They make their homes inside and out like works of art. The various types of decoration used at Christmas are what gives a pretty and sparkling look, and what puts some splendor into the season. The Christmas tree with its myriad decorations is a standard and central decorative element of Christmas. But the presence of the Christmas tree is also enhanced by decorations such as wreaths, garlands, lights and figurines.

Wreaths have a round or circular shape and are often used as the decorative piece on the front of a door. Variations of wreaths include berry, grapevine, poinsettia and snow. The berry wreath will have individual and small clusters of red berries, holly leaves with features like a gold tint, pine cones and needle styles. A grapevine wreath has a vine-like look and may have pine sprigs and clusters of red berry.

Poinsettia wreaths showcase leaves that are red or different shades of red, and may have glittered fruits such as pear, apple and grape clusters throughout its structure. Based on the size of a poinsettia wreath, it may also have large or small pine cones, pine sprigs and holly leaves. And then there are snow wreaths that have an icy look from pine cones that are sprinkled or covered with snow and which are scattered throughout the wreath.

Garlands are primarily used to decorate stairways, banisters and mantels. Garlands also have variations such as those that have a lighted Christmas tree look with twinkling lights and tiny ornaments or tinsel to sparkle. Others such as a mixed needle lighted garland would have branches of wide and thin pine needle and Christmas lights.

Christmas lights come in various forms and are also used in numerous ways to make homes and business places shine and sparkle during the holidays. Christmas lights may be colored or plain, may or may not twinkle, and may be single-stringed or have multiple strings to be hung to create a look like icicles, which makes them very flexible in how they can be used.

To beautify houses during the Christmas season, Christmas lights may be strung around the roof line, in shrubs, placed at windows to form different patterns and placed on patios or porches to hang as icicles. Lighted candles are also used in windows to make them visually appealing.

Another type of lighted decoration seen during Christmas is in the form of figures that are placed on lawns. It’s a matter of personal taste that decides how many figures to place on lawns, whether a lot or a few pieces or sometimes just a single one may be attractive enough.

Christmas trees are the standard decorative elements that are mandatory during the season. They may be real or artificial and can be placed inside or outside. If placed outside, they should be lighted and also in a sufficiently lit but subdued lighted area to maximize their visual beauty. Christmas trees are wonderful to decorate because the entire family can participate in the decorative process by placing the ornaments, baubles, lights and tinsel on the tree. Some ornaments may even be personal, such as hand-made items or treasured keepsake mementos. When these are placed on the tree every year, it can become a tradition that is kept in the family and which creates a special memory as each Christmas comes around.

Poinsettia flowers, with their flaming red leaves, are also a staple decoration at Christmas time. They can be placed wherever it’s suitable to place plants. Poinsettias are commonly used around offices in general and personal work spaces during the Christmas season.

If there’s snow and a lucky ‘White Christmas,’ especially on Christmas Day, then it’s worth it to bundle up and with the children jump into the snow to make a ‘Frosty Snowman.’ While a smiling snowman on a lawn is a temporary decorative feature during Christmas, it’s always a surprise and delight because it means that children were out playing in the snow and having fun.

Given the many types, variations and ways in which Christmas decorations can be used, everyone can have some pleasure and be creative in arranging some form of Christmas decoration to add their own sparkle and twinkle to the holidays.

Christmas decorations are a personal touch that you can add to your home both inside and out. How much you do or how little you do is all up to you. Most everybody loves Christmas, there are very few that don’t. Merry Christmas to one and all.

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A Caribbean Christmas

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Teri Champigny

A Caribbean Christmas

A Caribbean Christmas in the tropical islands, the temperature is above 75 degrees from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, which means that it is warm and pleasant during Christmas. The Christmas season in the Caribbean is also pleasant because it is far removed from the rainy season, which usually occurs from late March to May. During Christmas time in the Caribbean, the temperature is also more temperate and tolerable compared to the searing hot days of the summer months.

As in many parts of the world, family, merriment, gift-giving are among the many activities that the people of the Caribbean enjoy during Christmas. Families often live in fairly close proximity to each other. But what makes getting together at Christmas so special is that it often involves intense and laborious preparations that are not done at any other time of the year.

In many homes, an intense cleaning is done in the two or three weeks before Christmas Day. All furniture is moved and may even be rearranged and new and fancy curtains put up for the season. The best bed linens, tablecloths, cutlery and dinnerware are also used in entertaining any visitors during the season. It is a common occurrence for visitors, including people from the neighborhood, to stop for short visits during the season.

During those visits, guests are entertained with certain food and drinks, many of which are made only at Christmas time. These include fermented drinks such as sorrel and mauby, as well as the alcoholic drink rum punch. A special type of cake, called Black cake or fruitcake, is also made at Christmas. It is made with raisins and other dried fruit that are minced and placed in wine for several weeks. This cake is the traditional dessert for Christmas dinner. The main menu of a traditional Caribbean Christmas dinner includes baked poultry, roast beef ham, boiled and steamed root vegetables, rice with peas, seasoned rice or rice pilaf, with sorrel, rum punch or mauby as the beverage.

Caroling has also been a tradition, although its practiced has been declining in recent years. Small groups from churches or schools will walk through neighborhoods singing Christmas carols or, will drive from house to house to sing carols in neighborhoods primarily in rural areas where houses are not always found in close proximity.

Two Christmas traditions that are unique to the Caribbean are the practice of Jonkonoo and having a grand market. Jonkonoo consists of a group of masked revelers who take part in a parade dancing to the beats of drums, shaking tambourines and improvised instruments. The group also include stilt walkers who appear as tall as some trees and single-story buildings. Jonkonoos perform various antics to amuse onlookers and to give candies and treats to children, especially younger children who may seem scared of any of the Jonkonoo participants.

Grand market is the big outdoor market that takes place the week before Christmas up to Christmas Eve. Outdoor markets, found in the central points of regional towns, are common in the Caribbean as a place to get fresh fruits, vegetables and produce that are grown by local farmers. But at Christmas time, they also become filled with assorted items that can be given as gifts and they bustle with activity even after nightfall. It is a special treat for children to accompany parents to grand market during the Christmas season.

Since Christmas falls during the high winter tourist season in the Caribbean, Christmas is also an opportunity for many school children to perform for tourists. Many hotels take advantage of the fact that most schools and churches will have singing and dramatic groups that perform the Christmas story and sing carols and Christmas songs. These groups are often invited to provide local entertainment at hotels and guesthouses during Christmas.

A Caribbean Christmas is definitely one of the types of vacation you won’t want to miss out on. Get away from the cold and the snow and come for Christmas in the sun. You won’t regret it.

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Twelve Things You Never Knew About Christmas

Posted on August 26, 2011 by Teri Champigny

Twelve Things You Never Knew About Christmas

Bet you never new these twelve things about Christmas. Here are the twelve things you never new about Christmas and even if you knew some I bet there are a few that you didn’t know about.

1. Christmas trees were first lighted with actual candles, which presented a fire hazard. As a result containers filled with water had to be kept near the Christmas tree.

2. Workers in the construction industry are responsible for the tradition of having a Christmas tree on display at Rockefeller Center in New York City. They are credited with placing an undecorated tree at the site in the early 1930s.

3. Since the mid-1960s, The National Christmas Tree Association has maintained a presence in the White House at Christmas by donating a Christmas tree to the First Family.

4. The former Woolworth department store first sold manufactured Christmas tree ornaments in 1880.

5. Plastic became the primary material used to make tinsel after their use for decorative purposes was at one time prohibited because lead was used in the manufacturing process.

6. The idea of Christmas greeting cards started in Britain in the late 1830s when John Calcott Horsley started to produce small cards that had festive scenes and a holiday greeting written inside. Similar cards were also being made in the United States at about the same time by R.H. Pease, in Albany, New York, and Louis Prang, who was a German immigrant. The idea of sending the greeting cards during Christmas gained popularity in both countries about 10 years later when new postal delivery services started.

7. The shortened form Xmas for Christmas has been popular in Europe since the 1500s. It is believed to be derived from the Greek word ‘Xristos’ which means Christ.

8. According to the National Confectioners Association, for 200 years candy canes were only made in the color of white and it wasn’t until in the 1950s that a machine was invented that could automate the production of candy canes.

9. The day after Christmas is called Boxing Day in England and it is a national holiday. Several stories exist for the origination of the name. It is believed to have originated from the practice of boys who would be about collecting money in clay boxes. Another thought is that the term is derived from a custom in the Middle Ages, about 800 years ago, when churches would open their ‘alms boxes’ and distribute the contents to poor people on the day after Christmas. Alms boxes are boxes in which donations of gifts and money would be placed. Yet another belief is that it comes from a custom of masters giving their servants Christmas presents in boxes on the day after Christmas.

10. Evergreen trees had special meaning in winter to people, particularly in Europe, before Christianity started. Ancient peoples would hang evergreen branches over their doors and windows because evergreens were believed to ward off witches, ghosts, evil spirits and illness. For worshipers of the sun god, evergreen plants were a reminder of all the green plants that would grow with the return of summer and the sun god being strong again.

11. In ancient times, many people worshiped the sun as a god in December because they thought winter occurred yearly because the sun god had fallen into ill health. They therefore celebrated the winter solstice because it was a sign that the son god would begin to regain strength and return to good health.

12. Legislators in Congress did business on Christmas Day in 1789, which was the first one to be observed under the country’s new constitution. The reason for the Congressional session was because it had become unpopular then to observe and take part in English customs following the American Revolution. And when Christmas celebrations were barred in Boston earlier in 1659 to 1681, it became a costly thing to be seen participating in any event or activity related to Christmas. Anyone caught doing so had to pay five shillings.

So, out of the twelve things you never knew about Christmas, how many did you really know and how many were new to you. I wonder, do you think you can find out about a few others?

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A History About Some Christmas Traditions

Posted on June 3, 2011 by Teri Champigny

A History About Some Christmas Traditions

Christmas traditions vary around the world, but some are universal. Here is just a little about the history of some Christmas traditions from around the world. How they came about and how they are celebrated. Now this doesn’t cover everywhere but it gives you an idea of the beliefs of others from around our big blue earth.

Christians celebrate Christmas to observe the birth of Jesus Christ, which is an event and not a tradition. But many other activities related to celebrating the Christmas season evolved from certain traditions, many of which are from other countries, particularly from peoples in Europe.

Among common items used in Christmas decorations are the holly and the mistletoe. Both are used primarily in wreaths and garlands. The Druids started the tradition of using the mistletoe as decorative items up to two hundred years before Christ. To celebrate the winter season, the Druids would gather the plants and use them to decorate their homes. The Druids believed the mistletoe would bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. They also believed that the mistletoe had a healing quality and could be used for everything from healing wounds to increase fertility.

In Scandinavia, the mistletoe was seen as a plant of peace and harmony and was associated with Frigga, the goddess of love. This association is probably what led to the custom of kissing under the mistletoe. In the Victorian period, the English also would hang mistletoe from ceilings and in doorways during holidays. The habit developed that if someone was standing under the mistletoe, someone else in the room would kiss that person. Such outright behavior was not generally seen in Victorian society.

The use of the mistletoe in Christmas celebrations was once banned by the church however because of its associations with pagan traditions, and the use of holly was suggested as a substitute.

Poinsettias are another traditional decorative flower used at Christmas. It is native to Mexico and is named after Joel Poinsett, who was the first U.S ambassador to Mexico and who brought the plants to America in 1828. Mexicans believe the plants were a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem and that’s one reason they are associated with Christmas. There’s also the story that a young boy was going to see the Nativity Play at a church but realized he didn’t have a gift for Baby Jesus. The boy gathered some green branches, which others scoffed at. But as he placed them near the manger, a bright red poinsettia flower started to bloom on each branch, which gave rise to their traditional use at Christmas.

Many in the floral industry, however, believe it’s because it is the most colorful plant that blooms at that time of year. But no matter which group is right, there’s no denying that poinsettias add a brilliant dash of color when decorating homes and offices for Christmas!

Candy canes became a Christmas tradition not because their red and white stripes matched the colors of the season, but for the most unusual reason of discipline. that’s because they were first used as treats that were give to German children to keep them well-behaved for the duration of church sermons. Over time, the legend of candy canes at Christmas came to be associated with some of the strongest symbols and beliefs of Christianity: the Father, Son and Holy Ghost known as the Trinity, the Blood of the Son of God, Jesus as the embodiment of holiness, purity and without sin and the Son of God as the shepherd of man. The candy cane represents these symbols respectively with its three stripes, its red and white color and its shape.

Sending greeting cards during Christmas and the holidays is as prevalent today as the custom of giving gifts. The tradition of sending Christmas cards started in 1840 in Britain with the start of public postal delivery service of the ‘Penny Post.’ Then from about 1860, large numbers of Christmas greeting cards started to be produced. The popularity of the cards increased in Britain when they could be sent by the postal service for one half-penny, which was half the price to post a standard letter at the time, if they were in an unsealed envelope. Religious pictures of Mary, Joseph , Baby Jesus, the angels, shepherds and Wise Men were traditionally placed on Christmas cards. Some cards today include scenes from the Nativity, but pictures of Santa Claus, winter scenery, Christmas trees, gift packages and others are also depicted on contemporary Christmas greeting cards.

No doubt you and your family do many, if not most, of these each Christmas… But don’t hesitate to make your holiday even more special by starting few of your own family Christmas traditions!

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