DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

           There's no sure-fire way to capture the beauty of Christmas lights in a photograph.  But, there are a few tips that might help.  Here are five things to try when photographing the lights come Christmas.       Take a lot of Pictures .  Often, the trick to getting a few beautiful shots is to take several attemps and to simply get rid of the weird ones.  Especially with using a digital camera, it's very reasonable to take a hundred shots so that you can get five pictures that you really like.  If at first you don't succeed, try, try, again.       Turn Off the Flash .  Sometimes capturing great shots of light in an otherwise dark area happens when you turn off the flash.  Having the flash on can overcompensate for the brightness of the picture and leave your photograph distorted.  If your pictures just aren't coming out right, try turni...

   Where did tinsel come from?  Its origins are murky, but it was apparently first made in Germany during the 1600's.  It was made by hammering out a paper thin silver alloy and then cutting that into strips.  It's unlikely that this first version was as thin as what it is today.  It was used, not only on Christmas Trees (which were just catching on in Germany) but also on any other decoration that needed a little shine from statues to fireplace garlands.  Since candlelight, lanterns and fireplaces were the primary method of lighting homes, reflective surfaces were often used to maximize the light.a    The early stuff was meant to be reused, carefully gathered from the trees and decoration to be used again the next year.  Unfortunately, silver-based metals tend to tarnish when they aren't used or aren't kept next to the skin (some claim it was the candlelight that tarnished them, but simple disuse could do the same).  Cheaper all...

   December is a time to celebrate our faith, be with our family, and enjoy great food. But, there are more food holidays in this month than you might think. Actually there is a national food holiday for everyday of the year. In this article, you'll not only find out which food holidays are in December, but you'll also find suggestions on how to celebrate each holiday.   National Pie Day December 1 : Pies are so easy to make, especially if you start out with store bought pie crusts. Just make a quick filling, bake, and enjoy. National Fritters Day December 2 : Try a nice apple fritter for breakfast with a big cup of coffee. National Apple Pie Day December 3 : Apple pies are so easy to make, but since you just made a homemade pie, why not pick up a Mrs. Smith's pie? Just bake and add a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. National Cookie Day December 4 :  This is definitely the time to bake cookies. Get out your favorite recipe and make a large ...

Besides all the popular winter holidays, there are lots of other reasons to celebrate throughout the month of December. Check them out.        December 1: Special Kids Day  - If you have any special kids in your life, make this a day for them to remember. December 2: International Day for the Abolition of Slavery  - You may have thought that slavery was abolished long ago, but it still goes on. December 3: International Day of Disabled Persons  -  Spend the day like a disabled person would. I bet you will appreciate everything you are able to do that other people might not be able to. December 4: National Cookie Day  - What else would you do on National Cookie Day? December 5: Bathtub Party Day  - A party in the bathtub? That just sounds wrong. December 6: St. Nicholas Day  - It's like having a Christmas before Christmas. December 7: National Cotton Candy Day  - Try to not get sick ...

         The upside down Christmas tree is one of the strangest trends seen in a while.  There are some people who probably like the idea.  An upside down Christmas tree is just a matter of personal preference, some people love the newest trends while others prefer traditional decor.  How long will the upside down Christmas tree be popular?  Only the consumer knows for sure, after all, we do determine such trends.  If people stay fascinated with the upside down Christmas tree, then it will become a mainstay.  If the upside down Christmas tree is ignored by consumers because it is just too bizarre,  then it will go away just like any fad.  I am a traditionalist myself.          Every retailer that is selling the upside down Christmas tree is quick to point out that the tradition came from the 12th Century in Central Europe.  They would hang the Christmas tree upside dow...