Christmas Decorations
Have you seen those holiday decorations lately that look like giant, blow-up snow globes? They’re absolutely adorable. The trick is having a lawn large enough to pull it off. If you have a decent-sized front yard, go for the globe. If your yard isn’t large enough, don’t cram it in. Go for smaller decorations instead.If you’re tempted to buy one of those lighted nets for your bushes, don’t. There’s such a thing as looking too uniform when it comes to Christmas lighting and nets aren’t going to give you the best effect when it comes to your Christmas decorations.

Light Up Your Walkways
Lighted walkways are always attractive and there are a number of holiday light sets you can buy for your pathways. Make sure that you don’t have too few lights but also make sure that you don’t crowd the lights together. Space lights apart approximately every two feet and you’ll be well on your way to excellent holiday decorations.

Christmas Lights
Christmas rope light decorations are gaining popularity. Of course, Laura Legend was curious about the Christmas rope light and wanted to know its significance.Traditions behind various types of Christmas lights and decorations.Christmas lights and decorations are generally beautiful and fill the season with a holiday spirit. Some Christmas lights and decorations actually have a rich history in traditions though many people don’t know a thing about the history behind the Christmas lights and decorations.A look into various Christmas lighting traditions from different cultures.Christmas lighting is a tradition just about everywhere. Candles, icicle lights, chaser lights and luminarias are just a few examples of many different types of Christmas lighting.Is the Christmas icicle light more than just a decoration?The Christmas icicle light is growing in popularity. Around the Christmas season you are sure to see Christmas icicle light strands adorning the eves of homes and businesses everywhere.German and American contributions to the tradition of Christmas lights.Christmas lights are commonly used to decorate indoors and outdoors today. Christmas lights adorn Christmas trees, homes and other buildings. Going for a drive to view the amazing Christmas lights is a tradition for many families.

Christmas Songs
The word Carols actually means dance or a song of praise and joy! Many years ago, the singing of carols first originated in Europe. But these carols were not Christmas carols but pagan songs, sung at the Winter Solstice celebration. (The Winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, usually around the 22 nd December.)Early Christians took over the Pagan Solstice celebrations for Christmas and gave Christian songs to sing instead of pagan ones. The earliest carols that were written were mostly in Latin, a language that the normal people couldn't understand, and was only sung by the priest and choir in the church.In 1223 St. Francis of Assisi started Nativity plays in Italy. The people in the plays sang songs telling the story during the plays. These choruses were in common language and people watching could merrily enjoy and understand them. The new carols spread to France, Spain, Germany and other European countries.Traveling singers (known as Troubadours, Jongleurs or Ministrels) started singing these type of songs or carols and the words were changed for the local people wherever they were traveling. One carol that has changed like this 'I saw Three Ships.' By the end of Middle Ages, carols even started to be sung in Churches.During Victorian times, two men called William Sandys and Davis Gilbert collected lots of old Christmas music from villages in England and by their and other carol books, carols became popular again.Before public carol singing became popular, there were sometimes official carol singers called 'waits'. They were named such because they only sang on Christmas Eve (this was sometimes known as 'watchnight' or 'waitnight' because the shepherds were watching their sheep when the angels appeared to them.) when the Christmas celebrations began.New carols services were created and became popular, as did the custom of singing carols round the streets. Both of these customs are quite prevalent till today. One of the most popular types of Carols services are Carols by Candlelight services. These services are held all over the world.

Christmas Stockings
Nothing signifies Christmas like the hanging of fluffy red stockings with white trim above the fireplace mantle. In the United States, families have been practicing this tradition for years in preparation for that special day of spiritual celebration and giving.Though in modern times the Christmas stocking is often used as a holder of small gifts for children and loved ones, there are many legends associated with the actual history of the Christmas stocking.

The Dutch Theory
Some say the Dutch introduced the Christmas stocking to America. It was told that during the 16th Century, children in Holland would leave their clogs by the hearth filled with straw for the reindeer (or "donkey").A treat for Santa was left in the house near the fire. In return "Sinterclass" would leave the children treats. Later the clogs would become stockings, and the Saint known to all would become "Santa Claus."

Christmas Trees
The exact origin of the Christmas tree seems under debate, but it is safe to say that this symbol evolved from Pagan tradition.The Norse pagans and Celtic Druids revered evergreens as manifestations of deity because they did not "die" from year to year but stayed green and alive when other plants appeared dead and bare. The trees represented everlasting life and hope for the return of spring.The druids decorated their trees with symbols of prosperity -- a fruitful harvest, coins for wealth and various charms such as those for love or fertility. Scandinavian Pagans are thought to be the first to bring their decorated trees indoors as this provided a warm and welcoming environment for the native fairy folk and tree elementals to join in the festivities. The Saxons, a Germanic pagan tribe, were the first to place lights on the their trees in the form of candles. Ancient Romans decorated their homes with greens at the Festival of Saturnalia, their New Year and exchanged evergreen branches with friends as a sign of good luck.Christmas tree historyThe first Christian use of the Christmas tree symbol is credited to 16th century when devout Christians also brought decorated trees into their homes. German born Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, is credited with starting the trend in England in 1841 when he brought the first Christmas Tree to Windsor Castle.While Europe had already been celebrating Christmas for some time, the first recorded sighting of a Christmas tree in America came in 1830's Pennsylvania. It seems a local church erected the tree as a fundraising effort. Christmas trees were generally not thought kindly of in early America, as many people saw them as Pagan symbols, which is in fact, their origin. By the 1890's, however, Christmas ornaments were being imported from Germany and Christmas trees were in high fashion.

Christmas Wreath
The wreaths were created in the same way the Christmas trees were created. For some it symbolizes the strength of life overcoming the forces of winter. Back in ancient Rome, people used decorative wreaths as a sign of victory. Some believe that this is where the hanging of wreaths on doors came from. Since these times, many wreaths have been made. Some are made for crafts, others for purely decoration, and yet others have more deeper meanings.The origins of the Advent wreath are found in the folk practices of the pre-Christian Germanic peoples who, during the cold December darkness of Eastern Europe, gathered wreaths of evergreen and lighted fires as signs of hope in a coming spring and renewed light. Christians kept these popular traditions alive, and by the 16th century Catholics and Protestants throughout Germany used these symbols to celebrate their Advent hope in Christ, the everlasting Light. From Germany the use of the Advent wreath spread to other parts of the Christian world. Traditionally, the wreath is made of four candles in a circle of evergreens with a fifth candle in the middle. Three candles are violet and the fourth is rose, but four white candles or four violet candles can also be used. Each day at home, the candles are lighted, perhaps before the evening meal-- one candle the first week, and then another each succeeding week until December 25th. A short prayer may accompany the lighting of each candle. The last candle is the middle candle. The lighting of this candle takes place on Christmas Eve. It represents Jesus Christ being born.Wreaths that are made for crafts and decoration have a different purpose than other types of wreaths. Usually they are made for just decoration, like in the same way christmas lights are used. They usually give a house the finishing look or the finishing touch. They give the house the extra little Christmas feeling. They are usually made out of evergreen leaves which again symbolize life throughout the tough winters.

Christmas Holly
Holly is one of the trees said to be the tree of Christ's cross. Legend tells us that the trees of the forests refused the defilement of the cross, splintering into tiny fragments at the touch of the ax. Only the holly behaved like an ordinary tree, allowing itself to be cut and formed into a cross. It is as a Passion symbol that holly is found in pictures of various saints. It's presence indicates that the saint is either reflecting upon Christ's Passion or foretelling it.In Germany, holly is called Christdorn in memory of Christ's crown of thorns. According to legend, the holly's branches were woven into a painful crown and placed on Christ's head while the soldiers mocked him saying, "Hail, King of the Jews." The holly's berries used to be white but Christ's blood left them with a permanent crimson stain.Another legend about this Christmas plant says that a little orphan boy was living with the shepherds when the angels came to announce the birth of the newborn king. Having no gift for the baby, the child wove a crown of holly branches for its head. But when he lay it before Christ, he became ashamed of it's poverty and began to cry. Miraculously, Jesus touched the crown and it began to sparkle while the orphan's tears turned into beautiful scarlet berries.Many superstitions surround the holly. It is a man's plant and is believed to bring good luck and protection to men while ivy brings the same to women. It is thought that whoever brings the first sprig of Christmas holly into the home will wear the pants that year. It was hung about the doors and windows to keep away witches, spells, evil spirits, goblins, and lightning. On Christmas eve, English virgins hung holly on their beds to protect their virtue from Christmas goblins. However, elves and fairies were welcome in British households, and sprigs of holly were hung as hiding places for them. Romans gave gifts of holly to their friends during Saturnalia as good luck charms and protection against evil. Because of all these superstitions, early Christians were forbidden to decorate with this plant, especially during Saturnalia.

Christmas Candles
Through the centuries, candles have been offered as gifts and used to ward off darkness. The first use of candles at Christmas was during the Roman festival of Saturnalia. Tall tapers of wax were given as gifts to guests and offered to Saturn as a symbol of his light.The Pagans also used candles during Yule festivities. Candlelight and bonfires were used as symbols of the sun, and a farewell to the past seasons as well as a welcome to the beginning of a new cycle of seasons.As Christianity spread, candles were placed in the front window to guide the Christ Child as he wandered from house to house on Christmas Eve. In some parts of Europe, this tradition still continues. In Sweden, St. Lucia is still celebrated with the youngest girl in the family wearing (or carrying) a crown of small lit tapers.Candles also play a significant role in other traditions of the season, including Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Yule and Candlemas. Chanukah is also known as the Festival of Lights. During Chanukah a special eight-branched candelabrum is slowly lit over eight days.Kwanzaa’s central practice is the lighting of the mishumaa (seven candles) of Kwanzaa whichsignifies each of the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles).Although Candlemas was originally a Pagan festival to celebrate purification, Christians now celebrate it on February 2, the 40th day after Christmas. It is a day representing and honoring Christ and Mary’s purification in the temple.During the Victorian era, candles were used on Christmas trees and were considered a symbol of the Star of Wonder. Often, various merchants and tradesmen would give a bundle of pine-oil perfumed tapers, tied together with ribbon as gifts to their loyal patrons.Today, scented candles continue to enhance Christmas. Pine, cinnamon and gingerbread spice are just a few of the scented candles that have become popular over the years. Even little tea-lights help to spread the wonderful smells of potpourri.Christmas dinner isn’t the same without a couple of candles. Fringed with small wreaths or majestically standing in heirloom candlesticks, their warm glow cradles the faces of family and friends; and adds brilliance to the golden hue of a table laden heavy with feast.This Christmas continue the tradition of candles in your décor. Enjoy their colors, aromas and light as they add a touch of magic to a wonderful time of year.

Christmas Clothes
Dressed up shinier than a Christmas tree? The problem may be that your holiday wardrobe may be a bit heavy on the glitz. Learn how to avoid common holiday fashion mistakes and look your prettiest this year.Start by incorporating small embellished items into your wardrobe, such as a handbag.Make sure the embellishment is scaled to your figure -- paillettes or huge sequins may overwhelm petite figures.Large, intricate jewelry looks best with streamlined, simple clothing.In general, embellishment such as sequins, embroidery, trims and studs look classier on basic colors like black or white.Make sure embellishment is used on or near a body part you want to call attention to -- it draws the eye to it.For maximum impact, wear just one embellished item at a time.If you do mix embellishments, make sure they are different types, such as a fringed shawl with an embroidered skirt.

Christmas Cookies
Springerle (SPRING-uhr-lee) - These have been and still are traditional Christmas cookies in Bavaria and Austria for centuries. Springerle are white, anise-flavored cookies, made from a simple egg-flour-sugar dough. Usually rectangular or circular in shape, they have a picture or design stamped on the top. The images are imprinted with specially carved rolling pins or flat molds (Springerle presses, or boards). After the cookies are baked, the designs are sometimes enhanced with edible food colors--or with tempera or acrylic paints, if the cookies are to be used as decorations. Hartshorn is the traditional leavening (it is an ammonia compound).The name Springerle comes from an old German dialect and means "little knight" or "jumping horse." Historians trace these cookies back to the Julfest, a midwinter celebration of pagan Germanic tribes. Julfest ceremonies included the sacrificing of animals to the gods, in hope that such offerings would bring a mild winter and an early spring. Poor people who could not afford to kill any of their animals gave token sacrifices in the form of animal-shaped breads and cookies. Vestiges of these pagan practices survive in the baking of shaped-and-stamped German Christmas cookies such as Lebkuchen, Spekulatius, Frankfurter Brenten, and Springerle.

Mistletoe
The Christmas custom of kissing underneath a branch of mistletoe goes back hundreds of years, certainly to the early 17th century. But legends about the curious plant go back even farther, even to the time of Christ and earlier. One legend has it that the wood of the cross of Christ was made from mistletoe, and supposedly for that reason the mistletoe plant has been doomed to live as a parasite, and is so classified today, making it condemned to live on the goodwill of other trees. Shakespeare in Titus Andronicus called it “the baleful mistletoe,” no doubt referring to the fact that in large quantities the waxy white berries are toxic. On the other hand, ancient Druids thought the plant had healing, even magical, powers.Back in Roman times in Britain, Pliny the Elder referred to the habit of Druid priests of cutting away mistletoe from oak trees where it attached itself, using golden sickles and spreading white cloth on the ground under the tree lest the trimmings touch the ground and risk losing their powers. The Druids elevated mistletoe to sacred powers, even using it in ceremonies of human sacrifice. Unlike other plants, mistletoe retained its fresh green color, and the evergreen therefore became a symbol of fertility. They also hung it over doorways to protect against evil.Because of the Druids’ use of mistletoe, Christians banned its use in their churches in England. Because mistletoe grows primarily on apple, lime, poplar and hawthorn trees in the midlands and up to and around York, it was a local favorite there long after the Druids were in decline. So in the famous minster at York, its use during the holiday season has always been retained.

Santa Clause
The American version of the Santa Claus figure received its inspiration and its name from the Dutch legend of Sinter Klaas, brought by settlers to New York in the 17th century.As early as 1773 the name appeared in the American press as "St. A Claus," but it was the popular author Washington Irving who gave Americans their first detailed information about the Dutch version of Saint Nicholas. In his History of New York, published in 1809 under the pseudonym Diedrich Knickerbocker, Irving described the arrival of the saint on horseback (unaccompanied by Black Peter) each Eve of Saint Nicholas.This Dutch-American Saint Nick achieved his fully Americanized form in 1823 in the poem A Visit From Saint Nicholas more commonly known as The Night Before Christmas by writer Clement Clarke Moore. Moore included such details as the names of the reindeer; Santa Claus's laughs, winks, and nods; and the method by which Saint Nicholas, referred to as an elf, returns up the chimney. (Moore's phrase "lays his finger aside of his nose" was drawn directly from Irving's 1809 description.)The American image of Santa Claus was further elaborated by illustrator Thomas Nast, who depicted a rotund Santa for Christmas issues of Harper's magazine from the 1860s to the 1880s. Nast added such details as Santa's workshop at the North Pole and Santa's list of the good and bad children of the world. A human-sized version of Santa Claus, rather than the elf of Moore's poem, was depicted in a series of illustrations for Coca-Cola advertisements introduced in 1931. In modern versions of the Santa Claus legend, only his toy-shop workers are elves. Rudolph, the ninth reindeer, with a red and shiny nose, was invented in 1939 by an advertising writer for the Montgomery Ward Company.In looking for the historical roots of Santa Claus, one must go very deep in the past. One discovers that Santa Claus as we know him is a combination of many different legends and mythical creatures.