DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

   Who hasn't grown up in the United States watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on television every year?  To me, it wouldn't be Thanksgiving without the Macy's Day parade.  Promptly at 9 am in the morning, eastern time.  The television is tuned to the Thanksgiving Day parade (I'll probably dvr it, just in case I don't get up in time to see it), accompanied by the pleasant aroma of turkey and stuffing in the oven.  The kids watch the Thanksgiving parade while waiting for the Thanksgiving dinner menu to be done at or around 1 or 2 o'clock.  After Santa arrives in his sleigh on the television, it's time to eat some early Thanksgiving snacks.    The annual Thanksgiving Day parade event in New York City was started by Macy's department store on Thanksgiving Day in 1924.  The first of the annual Thanksgiving day parades in the area, however, occurred at the Bamberger's department store in New Jersey.   The Macy's Thanksgivi...

   Although decorating Christmas trees can be traced back to ancient Romans who decorated trees with small pieces of metal during their winter festival, it was not until the 16th century that fir trees where brought indoors at Christmas.    And in the 1840's, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert introduced the Christmas tree as the centrepiece of the royal family's holiday celebration.  In fact many of our festive customs and traditions date back to Victorian times.  The Victorians loved music, many had a piano or organ in the parlor at home and family sing a longs were customary throughout the year.  It is not surprising that they revived the old medieval carols and also composed new ones. Christmas Cards    We also have the Victorians to thank for the tradition of sending Christmas cards.  The very first Christmas card was printed in December 1843, at the request of Sir Henry Cole.  The artist J.C. Horsley was commissione...