DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

   Looking at a fully decorated Christmas tree, one of the most outstanding things you notice are the ornaments.  Their color and the way they reflect the lights.  They add so much to the tree's beauty.  They come in so many different shapes, colors, designs and styles.    When the tradition of Christmas trees first came on to its own, it was decorated with candles, fruits, nuts and candy.    It was not until the 1800's that glass ornaments came along.  It started in Germany in the town of Lauscha.  The men did the glass blowing, the women did the silvering and the children painted them.  It did not take long for the new tradition of decorating the tree with the new ornaments replacing the fruit, nuts and candy.  Spreading throughout Gemany, and then quickly throughout Europe.  Glass ornament made by Krebs Glas, has 5.1 carats of diamonds priced at $30,000.00     After the 1850's, the Europeans ...

   How many Christmas commercials do you see where the fruitcake gets passed as a recycled gift from family to family?  No one really likes it!  Finally it's given to the mailman, who gives it back to its original owners.  Have you ever wondered if there is anyone out there that truly enjoys fruitcakes!  But then again not all fruitcakes are created equal.  So here's a little history about the origins and how it became associated with the Christmas holiday.  The story of the recluse, a favorite dessert of some insane person, the CHRISTMAS FRUITCAKE!!    It turns out that the earliest mention of fruitcake goes back to ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire (from a Star Wars episode of "The Empire Strikes Back").  Later it was the English, who actually started the Christmas tradition.  It was known back then as plum porridge, and it was eaten on Christmas Eve, as a transitional food after a day of fasting.  Later, dr...

   The Christmas gift shopping season is now in full swing.  The gifts are wrapped in pretty paper and placed under the Christmas tree.  It all looks so beautiful.  The tree looks complete and perfect.    Then comes Christmas morning and it's time to pass the gifts around.  Hopefully, everyone will be happy with what they have gotten from Santa. With all of the time, effort and thought that goes into each and every gift.    It's now over, the paper and the boxes that the gifts came in are in the garbage (hopefully some of it made it into the recycling bin).  The living room has been cleaned up and under the Christmas tree, it looks empty and a bit naked of its gifts.  The gift giving is over.  How did it all get started??    Tradition dictates that it started back when the three wise men came from the east, bearing gifts; gold, frankincense and myrrh to honor the baby Jesus, the King of Kings.  ...

   Christmas cards are one of the most popular holiday traditions we have today.  They are mailed out all over the world to friends, family and acquaintances during the holiday season every year.  They are available in any size, shape or color imaginable, and with a countless variety of thoughful messages.  However, some may be interested in learning about the history of Christmas cards and how they came to be so popular in our society today.    The custom of sending greeting cards dates back to Ancient China.  In order to celebrate the New Year, the ancient Chinese delighted in sending messages of good will.  Early Egyptians utilized papyrus scrolls to send their greeting.  New Year's tidings were being produced in Germany as early as the 1400's.   The origin of the Christmas card is in England.  They are a product of boys practicing their writing skills.  The boys would practice by making cards for their parents. ...

   Candy canes are a traditional Christmas treat.  There are many interesting facts about candy canes that many people know little or nothing about, however.  For example, did you know that it is possible to find candy canes at other times of the year than Christmas.  Here, we will take a much closer look at some interesting facts about candy canes. History of the Candy Cane    During the 1400's, it is rumored that the candy cane was invented by French priests.  When it was first invented, the candy can did not have any curves. It was also called a peppermint stick at this time.  The candy cane was originally a straight stick.    One little known fact about the candy cane is that it was not originally invented with red stripes.  It was not until the mid 1900's that candy canes with red stripes appeared in Sweden.    The curvy shape of the candy cane is credited to a choirmaster who worked at the Cologne Cathedr...

   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 turning the flash off for a few shots and see if the results are any better. Zoom In .  To get tho...

 Seal 2010  Seal 1931  Seal 1981    It all began in 1907 .    In the early 20th century, tuberculosis was the leading cause of death in the U.S.  Physicians were experiencing the first signs of success treating tuberculosis in special hospitals called sanatoriums, and one of those facilities had fallen on tough times.  The tiny Delaware sanatorium would have to close its doors if $300 dollars could not be raised to save it.  One of its doctors explained the plight to his cousin, a Red Cross volunteer named Emily Bissell.  Bissell was a veteran fundraiser, and she soon came up with a plan based on one that had worked in Denmark: She would design and print special holiday seals and sell them at the post office for a penny each.  Seal 1907   Emily Bissell  Expanding Mission   The tradition continued and grew year after year through World War I, The Great Depression and Word War II.  As ...