Chirstmas history and more

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48. History of Christmas

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Commercial activities during Christmas today are often decried as making

the season too materialistic. This has caused comments that the religious aspect

of Christmas is so overlooked and overshadowed that its celebration seems to be

purely pagan. But today's comparisons aren't the first there has been some link

between Christmas and pagan celebrations. As a religious, church leaders

instituted Christmas during winter because that time of year was a popular for

the celebrations of many pagan festivals. The hope was that Christmas would also

become a holiday that would gain much popularity.

Long before the birth of Jesus Christ, people in various parts of Europe would

celebrate light and birth in the darkest days of winter. The winter solstice,

when the harshest part of winter was over, was a time of celebration for many

peoples because they would look forward to more hours of sunlight during the

longer days ahead.

The Norse in Scandinavia celebrated Yule from the winter solstice on

December 21 through to January. Men brought home logs that were lighted and a

feast would take place until the log was completely burned. Each spark from the

fire was believed to represent a new pig or calf to be born in the coming new

year.

The pagan god Oden was honored by Germans during the mid-winter holiday. Oden

inspired great fear in the Germans who believed that Oden traveled at nights

through the sky to observe people and make a decision about who would perish or

prosper in life. This belief caused most people to stay inside during the

period.

In Rome it was the god of agriculture, Saturn, who was honored in a

holiday called Saturnalia. It was a holiday that started during the week that

led up to the winter solstice and continued for a month with hedonistic

celebrations. There was plenty of food and drink and the normal social class

rules of who had privilege and power in Roman society were totally disregarded

as everyone participated in the festivities. Some Romans also had a feast called

Juvenalia to honor children and the birthday of the sun god Mithra was sometimes

celebrated by the upper classes.

In the early years of the start of Christianity the main holiday was

Easter. It was in the 4th Century that church officials made a decision to have

the birth of Jesus celebrated as a holiday and Pope Julius I chose December 25

as the day of Jesus' birth. The holiday, which was first called the Feast of the

Nativity, spread to England by the end of the 6th Century and to Scandinavia by

the end of the 8th Century.

Church leaders achieved the goal of having Christmas celebrations, including

attendance at church, become popular during the winter solstice, but they were

unable to control other pagan-like celebrations during Christmas. Believers

would attend church on Christmas and then participate later in raucous and

drunken celebrations. But by the Middle Ages, from around the 5th to the 16th

Century, Christianity had outgrown paganism as a religion.

The celebration of Christmas in Europe changed in the early 17th Century

when Oliver Cromwell and the Puritans gained power in England in 1645. To remove

decadent behavior from the society, Cromwell cancelled Christmas as the Puritans

noted that the Bible doesn't mention any date for Jesus' birth. The lack of this

information and specific Biblical references to Christmas is also cited by

religious groups like Jehovah Witnesses as the reason they don't observe or

participate in Christmas. Christmas celebrations returned in England around 1649

when Charles II was restored to the throne.

Christmas wasn't a holiday in early America because the Pilgrims who came

to America had even stricter beliefs than Cromwell and the Puritans. Christmas

celebrations were even forbidden in Boston from 1659 to 1681. During the same

time however, settlers in Jamestown in Virginia were reported to have enjoyed

Christmas.

After the American Revolution Christmas again lost popularity and it wasn't

until June 26, 1870 that Christmas was declared a federal holiday. Christmas in

the United States gained popularity as a holiday period during the 19th Century.

Christmas celebrations also changed at that time to be more family-centered

rather than being carnival-like.

37. Christmas Lights

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It's only fitting, perhaps, that along with the magic of Santa Claus at

Christmas, holiday and Christmas lights also came about through the work of a

wizard - the Wizard of Menlo Park in New Jersey - as Thomas Edison was called.

It was Edison who first developed and demonstrated an incandescent electric

light bulb in 1879 that had commercial potential, an event that led the way for

the mass use of electricity and lights on Christmas tree as used today.

Before the discovery and use of electricity, candles were used to light

Christmas trees. That practice evolved into having glass covers with candles

inside them or metal lanterns that had small wicks. These were hung like

ornaments on Christmas trees. But even after Edison invented the incandescent

electric light bulb, it took many years before the large-scale manufacture of

Christmas tree lights were available commercially.

It is said that the idea of Christmas lights came from one of Edison's

assistants, Edward Johnson. In 1882, Johnson had Christmas tree bulbs made

specially for him. He displayed these electric bulbs on his Christmas tree at

his home on Fifth Avenue in New York City and it drew widespread attention. But

Christmas tree lights underwent many changes and improvement before General

Electric Co. introduced Christmas lights on a commercial scale. As an example,

among the earlier lights used on Christmas trees were night-lights that were

strung together to make light strings. After the commercial introduction of

Christmas lights, sales and wide-scale use of them soared.

Decorative mini-lights to be used for Christmas tree lighting were introduced in

the 1970s. Since then, they have continued to be popular and are the dominant

types of Christmas tree lights in the marketplace. Before that, icicle lights

were introduced as decoration for rooflines. Those decorative lights are the

most popular ones used for outdoor landscape lighting during the holidays.

Outdoor decorative lighting has evolved from Christmas tree lighting to also

become a popular way to use colorful lighting during the holidays to create

spectacular scenes.

Another development in decorative lighting at Christmas time is the use of

candles. Real candles can be used, but electric candles became more popular and

safer because they present less threat of a fire hazard. Today that threat has

also decreased with the development of flameless battery candles. The battery

operation also makes their use more flexible because they can be placed in areas

where there aren't electrical outlets. Candles are usually displayed at several

windows of a house during the holidays. They produce an appealing look

especially if there are at least two sets of three windows each other where they

can be placed.

Battery-operated candles can also be used during Christmas and the holidays for

other activities such as caroling, church services, school activities and for

other holiday arrangements around the home.

As Christmas lights have become a mandatory feature of the holidays, they are

continually being used in new ways that differ considerably from their early

beginnings. Outdoor lighting is now just as common as indoor lighting and that

is an area in which a change in the use of holiday lighting can be seen. Along

with icicle lights that illuminate rooflines and frames of houses, there are

also lights that are placed in shrubs. Holiday lighting also comes in the shape

of trees and other ornaments that can be placed on lawn to enhance the visual

appeal during the holidays.

Many lawns are landscaped by lighting during Christmas and the holiday season

with lighted figurines and various other items associated with the season. In

some communities, entire blocks of streets will have such elaborate holiday lawn

lighting that they attract passersby and even tourists - residents from

elsewhere - who are captivated by the spectacular visual displays of the

landscaped holiday lighting.

27. General Festivities and Entertainment at Christmas

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Christmas is described as a festive season therefore we should all engage

in activities during the season that provide entertainment, merriment and which

give pleasure. Because Christmas is about celebration, many types of festivities

can be found to suit all preferences to make the season a joyful one.

A readily available option is watching Christmas movies. This can be done

from the comfort of home or by spending a few hours out at the theater. A

wonderful option now available for obtaining movies is to rent them via the

Internet. It's an option that allows you to get any movie you want to see -

whether traditional, popular or a remake of an original title. There's also

fairly easy access to obscure movie titles, as well as movies with holiday or

Christmas themes.

Although Christmas movies embody the spirit of the season, you can also

take time out during Christmas to enjoy new releases that may or may not have a

holiday theme. Christmas is a good time to catch notable new releases because

they are timed to be shown in theaters before the end of the year to be

considered for prestigious Oscar nominations.

Performances of Christmas plays that depict the Nativity scene are also

another popular entertainment during Christmas. Although these performances are

done year after year, they never grow old because of creative difference in

interpreting the story, and also in how each role is acted by different actors

every year.

The dramatization of the Nativity demonstrates the meaning of Christmas and can

also simplify the meaning of Christmas for children. Participation in the

Nativity is also an important activity for children in drama groups at schools

and church groups.

Along with depicting the meaning of Christmas, the Nativity play also portrays

moral lessons that can serve as an inspiration for the way to become a more

spiritual person and to live a better life. Watching or taking part in the

Nativity play at Christmas time can therefore affect your attitude and outlook

on life.

Musical entertainment at Christmas can come from pausing during shopping to

listen to a choral group at the mall or downtown. It can also be entertaining to

simply hum along to a Christmas carol or song being played on the radio. Carols

as a tradition at Christmas is said to originate in England and France in the

Middle Ages. At the time, carols were dances accompanied by singing. The

tradition that Anglo-Saxons preferred was to have small choirs gather on the

village green and sing carols and Christmas songs to passersby. Over time, the

meaning of the word changed to refer to only certain types of songs.

The tradition of carols is also believed to evolve from the angels, shepherds

and Wise Men who bowed down to sing praises and to worship Baby Jesus.

For those who are really lovers of the arts, professional groups like

Orchestras, Symphonies, Conservatories and Choirs also offer splendid concerts

during Christmas. They will also sing Christmas carols and songs. But the

harmony of their voices accompanied by a full compliment of instruments provides

a richer and more melodious rendition of the carols that is unlikely to be heard

anywhere else.

Probably the most popular festivities at Christmas are parties, which seem to

happen everywhere all the time at Christmas. There are parties at work, home,

with friends and class parties at school. Even social hubs such as bars may have

special nights with different food and lower-priced drinks during Christmas.

It seems there is no end to the festivities during Christmas. It's always

important however to have a good time, to remember the unfortunate and to reach

out to them and to have fun but in a responsible manner.

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36. Decorating Strategies At Christmas

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With so much decorative choice at Christmas, a strategy is needed to

ensure that whatever is done looks organized, well arranged and beautiful, and

not haphazard and disorganized. By doing some basic or traditional decoration,

along with trying creative and different ideas, a beautiful and pleasing

decorative environment can be created in all homes.

Traditional decorating ideas include using wreaths for doors or

entranceways and on a wall with unobstructed view. Garlands can be placed along

surface where they can be hung vertically or horizontally. And Christmas lights

can be used by itself or with garlands, in shrubs and of course on Christmas

trees.

Using Christmas lights outdoors along the frame of houses and icicle

shaped ones to decorate the roof lines of homes have become very popular. Icicle

lights are just as easy as regular lights to put in place and they create a very

pleasing display for the holiday season. Adding color to these outdoor light

displays can also make houses and the lighting display look more spectacular.

For indoor lighting, candles have become an attractive Christmas

decorative item as they can light up the night in a subdued but beautiful

manner. Candles create a pleasing look when displayed at windows if there are at

least two sets of two or three windows directly above each other, which is in a

vertical pattern. New technologies with candles have also made them safer to

use. There are electrical candles but also battery-operated ones that can be

used safely instead of electrical ones or in places where there aren't any

electrical outlets.

There are also creative ways to use and incorporate various items around

the home to make Christmas decorations. Christmas or holiday ribbons can be used

to make bows that are pinned onto curtains to provide a festive look and a

creative Christmas decoration. Like curtains, houseplants can also be dressed up

for the holidays. Small Christmas ornaments can be gently placed on houseplants

to give porches, patios and front lawns a surprising Christmas decorative look.

Although many people don't use Christmas stockings anymore to stuff

Christmas gifts, they can still be used to create perfect Christmas decorations.

A collection of Christmas stockings can be hung on the mantle, shelf or a wall

with or without anything inside them. They will look just as beautiful as those

that are often seen in stores.

Christmas lights can also be wrapped along with garlands on a banister or

stair railing to add a twinkling Christmas look. Mistletoe can also be hung just

about anywhere with or without Christmas lights. If the tale about mistletoe is

believed however, then it should be hung somewhere with room underneath where

two people can have a friendly holiday kiss or even a hug. Fake snow can also be

sprinkled on garlands, mistletoes and wreaths to further enhance their

appearance with something from the Christmas season.

And to borrow a decorative feature from department stores, several differently

sized boxes can be wrapped, piled in a haphazard manner and placed in a corner

from floor to ceiling to make a gift pillar decoration.

Old Christmas cards can also be used for decoration by cutting pictures from

them to make a collage. The pictures are then glued onto a poster board that can

be framed or hung as is on a wall as Christmas decoration. Even Christmas cookie

cutters can be put to an easy, simple and creative use as a decorative item at

Christmas time. A ribbon can be used to string two or three or even single

cookie cutters that can be placed on the Christmas tree or at a window as

decorative ornaments.

Any home can therefore be decorated to be appealing for Christmas and the

holidays, given the many ideas and ways that Christmas decoration can be done.

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16. What Makes Christmas Magical

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Christmas is a special time of the year for the joy and intangible magic

that fills the season. It comes through in the delightful decorations, glorious

get-togethers with family and friends and the sheer feeling of joy one gets from

giving and receiving gifts.

Although the commercialization of Christmas is often decried, shopping is

an important and central activity to some of the intangible magic of Christmas.

It is at the malls or downtown stores that some of the favorite sights, sounds

and scents of Christmas can be experienced.

The decorations at Malls and retail establishments are usually very

fanciful and eye-catching, especially to children, with the many colorful and

twinkling lights. It's also a wonder for both adults and children alike to look

at the numerous tinsels, baubles and figurines such as fairies, angels and

little babies that adorn the main Christmas tree in the center of shopping malls

and others in department stores. These trees are usually extremely well

embellished with decorations that are arranged in a very professional way that

most shoppers can't replicate in their own homes. It's therefore a delight for

them to stare at such trees in wonder and amazement.

Along with the wide variety of decorations in retail establishments, there

also is the sound of music playing, bells ringing, the laughter and wishes of

Merry Christmas from shoppers that also create a special atmosphere and add to

the magic of Christmas. Even the sound of cash registers in the background adds

something to the special feeling shoppers have at Christmas time.

And of course there's always a Santa Claus that children can meet and tell

what they want for Christmas, and also have their picture taken. Sometimes Santa

Claus may distribute Christmas gifts to children, telling them that because they

have been very, very good they are getting an extra special early Christmas

present.

The ability to delight children by telling them stories about Santa Claus,

as well as making them see and talk to the jolly old fellow, puts a lot of magic

and excitement into Christmas. Once the tradition is started, or from the first

time that children have been told the story, it becomes something that they look

forward to every year during the Christmas season.

There's also the sound of music from choirs or school groups who often

give open performances singing Christmas carols and songs in malls and downtown

areas of towns. Families and others who are out and about will pause to listen

or to sing along with these groups.

Shopping is undoubtedly an enjoyable activity for most people during Christmas,

but merrier and more memorable times are enjoyed when time is spent with family,

friends and colleagues during the season. Before Christmas Day arrives, there

usually are parties at home and at work, an evening out with friends and other

occasions to get together and share the spirit of Christmas. The presence of

special Christmas music and people dressed in holiday attire provide a different

atmosphere and contribute to the magical feeling of the season.

Another thing that is different at Christmas is the scent from a fresh

Christmas tree, of gingerbread and other cookies baking and other food

preparations that are specially done at Christmas time. Most people who select a

real Christmas tree instead of an artificial one for their homes do so because

of the wonderful scent it provides. For many people, that scent from a Christmas

tree is what puts Christmas into everything else.

Another popular scent at Christmas comes from the popular Christmas song

'Chestnuts Roasting Over an Open Fire.' The actual roasting of chestnuts by

families during the Christmas season may be a rare occurrence these days but it

is occasionally done in some downtown areas and in bakeries and confectioneries

that make fresh products everyday.

All these events, activities, happenings, sights, sounds and scents of Christmas

and the holidays create special and unforgettable memories. And who can deny

that a pleasant memory is always something that is truly magical.

30. Christmas Plays/Performances

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It's always a good thing when families can enjoy outings together.

Attending Christmas plays, performances and concerts offer wonderful holiday

entertainment for all members of the family. Attending Christmas performances

and concerts offers wonderful entertainment for the entire family and provides

another way to enjoy the festivities of the Christmas season.

Families usually don't have to venture too far from their home to enjoy a

Christmas play or concert. That's because amateur actors, singers and budding

musicians in their neighborhood will usually take part in several Christmas

performances for local residents. These amateur but entertaining events can be

found at local schools, churches or at a community theater or performance

center.

It's very popular for those groups to stage performances of the Nativity

story, or other Christmas related works such as 'A Christmas Carol.' churches

and school groups may even have a complete concert series that includes a full-

length production of a play along with choirs, soloists and the band singing

Christmas carols and other Christmas songs.

What makes local Christmas performances special is that members of the

community and maybe even of your own household can be among the entertainers.

It is therefore special to see familiar faces doing something interesting and

different. For those who are budget-conscious, the performances are usually

priced to be very affordable, therefore offering an economic incentive to go out

and have an enjoyable afternoon or evening.

Those people who are lovers of the arts and who are more interested in

seeing a professional performance will likely also have a professional

theatrical company within reasonable proximity of their residence. Professional

groups may also perform Christmas classics such as 'A Christmas Carol' or they

may do another dramatic production from the works of other playwrights.

Music lovers also have a variety of performances to enjoy at Christmas

time. While one can always catch various groups singing carols in downtown areas

or at malls, there are other places to hear rich, melodious performances of

Christmas music. These include concerts by acclaimed or recognized

conservatories, orchestras, symphonies and renowned choir groups.

The beauty of hearing Christmas music by these groups is in the accompaniment of

instruments and the harmonious blending of voices, which all happens in a venue

that has acoustic features to optimize the auditory pleasure of the

performances. The different components that together make the whole performance

offers a richer quality to Christmas songs and carols that may be described as

'sounding heavenly.'

Another popular artistic performance that is popular during the Christmas season

is classical dance in the form of ballet, and particularly the performance of

the 'Nutcracker' ballet. With music written by Tchaikovsky, the story is about

a young girl who has a dream on Christmas Eve of a Nutcracker Prince and a

fierce battle with a Mouse King that has seven heads. After a fierce battle

between the Nutcracker, who leads an army of toy soldiers, and the Mouse King

who leads an army of mice, the Nutcracker is captured. But the little girl

throws her slipper at the Mouse King, hits him in the head and kills him. In the

end, the Nutcracker turns into a Prince and takes the little girl to the magical

and enchanting Land of Snow with dancing snowflakes and the Land of Sweets with

the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Attending Christmas plays, concerts or musical performances serves the basic

purpose of providing enjoyment, but it can also help young people, and even

adults, to develop an appreciation for the arts. Seeing different variations and

the creativity in performances of Christmas plays, as well as hearing different

renditions of Christmas songs, can be the first exposure that leads to a

lifelong love of the arts and maybe a dream to pursue a career in the arts.

20. Similarities between Kwanzaa and Hanukkah Celebrations at Christmas

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Kwanzaa and Hanukkah, celebrated by African-Americans and Jewish

people respectively, are observed during the Christmas season. The

celebrations are separate from activities related to Christmas however.

The observances of Kwanzaa and Hanukkah are also one reason that people

also give wishes of Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas during

the season.

Although both activities are very different and were originated

for different reasons, some similarities can be found between the two

practices. Both celebrations have commitment as a central and important

theme. They also both include symbolic forms of light and are both

commemorated over almost the same number of days – seven (7) days from

Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 for Kwanzaa, and eight (8) days and night for

Hanukkah – usually starting about one week before Christmas Day.

Starting with its origination, Hanukkah celebrations dates to an

event in 165 B.C. when the Jews were victorious over the Syrians.

Hanukkah started as a way to restore and rededicate the Temple in

Jerusalem that had been desecrated, including its golden menorah, by

the Syrians. The festival also served the purpose of once more

observing and re-instituting rituals that the Syrians had forbidden

during their rule.

Kwanzaa was started 40 years ago by a university professor as a

way for African-Americans and others in the African diaspora to engage

in celebrations that included elements of African culture.

While Kwanzaa is not as popular as Christmas, it keeps

growing and its goal has been achieved to some extent as it is now

practiced in many nations such as those in the Caribbean, which have a

large population of people of African ancestry. The wide availability

of Kwanzaa greeting cards and even postage stamps at Christmas time,

also attests to the extent to which the celebration has entered the

mainstream.

The primary symbol of Hanukkah, the menorah, which consists of

eight (8) individual lights, is very much a part of the mainstream.

Menorahs are available today in various shapes and sizes. A single

standard requirement that must be observed in making a menorah is that

there should be enough separation between the flame of each of the

eight (8) lights so that they don't give the total effect of a single

large flame when all are lit.

A flame is lit each night over the days in remembrance of how a

small quantity of oil from the desecrated Temple kept a menorah burning

for eight (8) days, when the amount should have only lasted for a

single day. It was that miraculous occurrence that gave rise to the

Hanukkah celebration to light a menorah over eight (8) days.

Kwanzaa symbols include a candleholder and seven (7) candles that

represent the roots of African ancestors and seven (7) core principles

of Kwanzaa respectively. Other symbols are, The Crops for African

harvest, Mat for African tradition, Corn for the future represented by

children, the Unity Cup and the Gifts. The Flag and Poster of Seven (7)

Principles are two (2) supplemental symbols.

These items can be found at specialty African and African-

American shops in some malls and in town with a heavy concentration of

African and African-American population.

Among the most important features of Kwanzaa are the seven (7)

core principles and values they embody: self-determination, unity,

collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose,

creativity and faith. These seven (7) principles are meant to be a

foundation and guide upon which the African diaspora can build a

strong, successful and fulfilling life while maintaining a connection

to their roots.

While not religious, the principles of Kwanzaa are meant to

instill a strong sense of spirituality in individuals. Kwanzaa seeks to

instill spirituality upon which individuals can build self-confidence

and secure self-identity through a link to their roots.

This sense of spirituality and connection to one's history, roots

or ancestry is also an element of similarity between Kwanzaa and

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34. Christmas Games and other Fun Activities

2011-08-04T14:50:00.000-07:00

Maybe no other single activity really embraces camaraderie, playfulness

and fierce but friendly competition as heartily participating in playing indoor

games with friends and family. Christmas games does all those things but also

serves the purpose of bringing friends and family together to interact directly

with each other in a competitive and happy way.

Participating in Christmas games is another way of sharing, but it is also doing

something tangible to get into the festive, jolly and relaxed mode for the

holidays. Otherwise, its easy to get caught up in all the preparation and

shopping and become ridden with anxiety. Here are some holiday and Christmas

games that will cause fierce but friendly competition and leave everyone in a

jolly mood.

For the 'Gift Wrap' game, items needed will be small gifts, wrapping paper,

scotch tape and music that can be turned on and off at will. Each gift item is

wrapped in several layers of paper. The number of layers used will depend on the

duration you want the game to last. A gift is given to the group which should

start passing around the gift when the music starts. Whenever the music stops,

whoever has the gift should remove one layer of gift wrap. This continues until

the last layer of paper is removed. Whoever has the gift unwrapped gets to keep

it.

The items needed for the 'Sock Guessing' Christmas game are two or three thick

new thermal socks, items used or seen during Christmas, pens, pencils and paper.

Each sock is stuffed with 20-25 items that are used or seen during the

Christmas season. These can be useful items such as scotch tape, ornaments,

decorations etc. Each sock should have the same items and the opening should be

tied with a ribbon so the contents inside aren't visible. The socks are then

passed around for each person to try to feel and guess the items then write down

what they think is in the sock. The person with the most correct guesses of

objects is the winner and can be awarded a separate special gift or token.

The 'Gift Grab Card Game' needs two deck of cards and a few small Christmas

gifts that are wrapped to look very interesting and enticing. One deck of cards

is passed out one at a time to guests. Each should have an equal number of cards

from the deck. The gifts are then placed in the center of the group. Someone

then calls out cards from the second deck. Whoever has an identical card gets to

choose a gift. When all the gifts are taken, everyone can steal gifts from each

other until the deck is finished and those with gifts get to open and keep them

as prizes. The fun increases when the stealing begins because everyone will have

different ideas about which gift looks interesting and try to hang onto it by

stealing it over and over if it is stolen. Some people will also try to disguise

the fact they have a gift, although they should be kept in sight.

A children's Christmas game is 'Pin the Nose on the Reindeer,' which is the

Christmas game version of 'Pin the tail on the Donkey.' The items needed are a

drawing of a reindeer's head with an incomplete drawing of the nose and several

noses with the names on one side and tape on the other. The picture should be

placed against a wall so that children can reach the nose. Each child then gets

a nose. They take turns being blindfolded spun around a couple times to

disorient them a little then told to walk to the reindeer and place the nose on

the picture. The child who places the nose closes to the reindeer's nose wins.

A delightful Christmas game for work is the 'Match the Desk to the Item' game. A

day or so before the Christmas party at work, someone needs to secretly take one

item from each person's desk and assign a number to each item. At the party, all

the items are displayed for everyone to guess whose desk the item belongs to.

14. Significance of Christmas Eve

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The day before Christmas is one that is filled with a mixture of anxiety

and anticipation. There's anxiety at putting all the final plans and finishing

decoration touches in place and getting all the necessary shopping done. There's

also much anticipation about all the merriment and excitement of Christmas day.

Children are usually hardly able to control themselves as they think about the

Christmas gifts they hope to get the next day. They may try to stay up through

the night to catch Santa Claus, or they may just be too excited to sleep.

Christmas Eve is also important for the simple reason that in ancient

custom, and among some cultures today, a holiday or other celebrated day really

starts from sundown of the day before the actual day that is celebrated.

Therefore, festivities and observances for Christmas Day would really begin on

Christmas Eve.

One of the most significant aspects of Christmas Eve however, is related

to religion. Attending Midnight Mass or earlier church services is mandatory for

many people whose religion is Christianity. This is so even for people who

aren't regular churchgoers during the year. Evidence of the importance of these

church services can be seen in the overflow of congregations at the churches.

Many churches will also have an added service earlier in the evening to

accommodate the above normal attendance, and also for individuals like the

elderly who would prefer a service that is earlier than Midnight Mass.

Another important aspect of Christmas Eve celebrations is related to

retail operations. On the day before Christmas, stores make a last ditch effort

to push sales of Christmas and other merchandise. There often are special

promotions last-minute advertised to capitalize on late, desperate Christmas

shoppers and other impulse buyers. This last effort is also aimed at increasing

sales for the Christmas period.

Some stores will remain open late, even up to midnight or just before

midnight. Macy's department store in New York City, which bills that particular

store branch as the world's largest, stayed open until midnight on Christmas Eve

of 1867 for the first time. Christmas Eve culminates the single biggest shopping

season, which started the day after Thanksgiving, for retailers.

Christmas Eve is also important for the traditions associated with it. It

is the night when parents have to play the role of Santa Claus and sneak toys

and other Christmas gifts under the Christmas tree to the absolute delight and

surprise of children who awake on Christmas morning to find the presents.

The idea of Santa Claus coming descending chimneys on Christmas Eve to leave

gifts for good boys and girls was made popular by a poem, attributed to Clement

Clarke Moore. In that poem titled 'An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas, '

which Moore wrote in 1822 and which is now popularly known as 'Twas the Night

Before Christmas,' Moore described Santa Claus as 'a right jolly old elf' who

went from house to house with his sleigh pulled by reindeers flying through the

air to deliver Christmas presents to all the girls and boys who had been well

behaved.

Food plays a big role in making Christmas Day special and much of its

preparation often begins on Christmas Eve. Poultry and other meats are often

prepared by letting them stand in a mixture of various herbs and spices,

puddings and pies are baked on Christmas Eve, as well as a fresh batch of

gingerbread and other cookies and treats.

The scents and flurry of activity related to all these preparations also help to

make Christmas Eve a memorable day on its own.

33. Holiday Parties at Home

2011-08-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

It can be very satisfying to cater to friends, families and loved ones

during the Christmas holidays. Taking the time to share food, fun and laughter

in a happy, jovial manner truly embraces the spirit of Christmas.

In deciding to have a party at home, one of the first things to consider

is whether it will be formal or informal. Among the key things that need to be

considered are the number of people to attend, the menu, the preparation of food

and arrangement of decoration that is attractive and has themes for the

holidays. It's also important to make a note of how much, if any, help will be

available from friends or family members.

A formal Christmas party likely would include a small number of people -

not more than 12 and likely fewer - who would be seated at a table for the

duration of the meal. It means that place settings and seating have to be done

and a decision made on whether the meal will be a three- or four-course dinner.

The advantage of a formal dinner is that it is very organized, it has a

known content and everyone around the table usually engages in pleasant

conversation. It also usually provides a good opportunity to get to know and

hear from everyone present without having to initiate any small talk, which some

people are not comfortable doing.

As the host of a formal dinner, you will also have the responsibility of

keeping the meal flowing smoothly by having each course brought out at the

perfect timing and to also be aware of any special needs that a guest may have.

In contrast, an informal Christmas party at home is organized in a

different manner and does not have the predictability of a formal one. The fun

and festive spirit of an informal holiday party comes from groups of people who

mill around, move about freely to have conversations, laugh and enjoy munching

on Christmas treats, goodies and other foods.

Despite the easy, fun-filled atmosphere, it is necessary to plan the use of

space and to think about the area that people will use or wander around. Making

such a plan will facilitate contact between partygoers so that the party spirit

will pervade everywhere and put participants in a livelier mood.

Another consideration to make for an informal Christmas party among friends and

family is if children will be present and about their ages, if they are allowed

to attend. Children, even older ones, always need careful supervision. If

children are going to attend a holiday party at home, arrangements should be

made for adequate supervision of them and special activities should also be

provided that can occupy their attention.

An important feature that must be a part of a festive Christmas party at home is

the right mix of music. In selecting Christmas music, consideration should be

given to what will be played at the start of the party as guests are welcomed

and introduced to each other, the songs that can be played later to inject or

enhance liveliness and later to create the right mood as the partygoers bid

farewell with 'Merry Christmas' or 'Happy Holidays.'

Along with the music, Christmas decorations and even the food can also help to

enliven a Christmas party at home. Food that is interesting because it looks

'pretty' due to the color palette of items, infuses a mellow feeling among

guests and adds an intangible element to the level of enjoyment and excitement

of the partygoers.

Christmas parties at home can also be personalized with special cookies, treats

and dishes that are ethnic. The presence of some ethnic food, but not an

overwhelming quantity, which isn't frequently enjoyed by guests will be

different and will add something that is unique to the host. And that is a part

of what a Christmas or holiday party at home is about. It's to entertain family,

friends and acquaintances with a personal style while all enjoy some merriment

in the season of goodwill and good cheer.

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40. Different Types of Christmas Trees

2011-07-27T05:42:00.000-07:00

The tradition of Christmas trees in America came from German

immigrants who had settled in Pennsylvania. It is believed that the

tradition of Christmas trees started in Germany from as early as 700

A.D and was practiced by many Germans in the 1800s. It's also since

that period that Christmas trees have also been available for sale in

the United States. While artificial Christmas trees are popular, many

people like to have a fresh Christmas tree in their homes, or outside

on their lawns. And similar to all other trees, Christmas trees also

have different shapes and qualities that make some types more popular

than others.

Along with other decorative Christmas items such as wreaths and

garlands, having a Christmas tree in your home is very essential in

creating a special atmosphere for the season. It is believed that

Christmas trees have been available for sale in America since the

1800s, which is about the same time that the former Woolworth's

department store started selling ready-made ornaments for Christmas

trees.

Choosing the right type of Christmas tree is important because

Christmas trees are often a focal point for many family activities and

traditions. Given the many types of Christmas trees that are available,

it is important to think about how the tree will be used. While a tall

tree may look very elegant, it may not be suitable if there aren't many

adults around who can reach the tree's heights. And a very short tree

may be dwarfed by other furniture in the room. It's therefore very

important to carefully consider and get a tree that has a suitable

height and also one that has sturdy branches to hold heavy ornaments.

Artificial and real Christmas trees can often be bought from the

same retail stores these days as local businesses and retail chain

stores often sell both types of trees. The best place to get a real and

fresh Christmas tree, and also to see a wide variety, is likely a

Christmas tree farm however. Using modern technology, both types of

trees can also be obtained through online transactions, via telephone

as well as by mail-order through catalogs.

Among Christmas trees there are certain types that are

always favorites and which are bestsellers. These include: Douglas,

Fraser, Noble and Balsam firs, and Scotch, Virginia and white pine

trees.

These evergreen trees all have all have one or more excellent

features related to shape, color or sheen and fragrance, which makes

them favorites for Christmas trees.

The most favorite Christmas trees basically have a pyramid or

cone shape. A pyramid-shaped tree is likely taller and has somewhat of

an elegant look. Douglas Fir, which ranks first among Christmas tree

favorites, is an example of a pyramid-shaped tree. Other examples are

Fraser, Balsam and Noble firs.

A cone shape tree tends to be short with dense branches, which makes

them excellent for holding many ornaments and other decorations.

Families that have a strong tradition of making their own ornaments, or

putting mememtos on Christmas trees may consider a cone-shaped tree.

Virginia and Scotch Pines, Norway Spruce and the Eastern White Pine all

have cone shapes.

Another feature that makes Christmas trees appealing is their

color. While all trees have a green appearance, a closer look at their

needles will reveal differences such as a bright or dark-green, blue-

green or yellowish-green hue. The needles may also emit a silvery sheen

with the right lighting. Fraser and Noble firs both have needles with a

silvery sheen, and the branches of both trees are also used for

garlands and wreaths.

Most people choose a fresh Christmas tree for its fragrance,

which can be fairly strong or just subtle, giving off just enough of a

whiff of scent. Douglas Fir, which is the most popular Christmas tree

in homes and public places, is a very fragrant tree. The Balsam fir is

also fairly fragrant. The Eastern White Pine is however, a tree that

doesn't have much fragrance.

Whether you have a favorite type of Christmas tree or will choose

one from its appearance, there are many choices to satisfy the desire

to have a fragrant and well-decorated tree for Christmas.

1. All About Rudolph and Santa's Other Reindeers

2011-07-25T11:20:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's the undeniable alliterative appeal of Rudolph the Red-Nosed reindeer

that makes him the most known or popular of all Santa's nine flying reindeers.

It certainly doesn't seem as easy to come up with a similar catchy description

for the others - Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and

Blitzen - as named in the song.

The story of Rudolph whose glowing red nose made him a standout, first appeared

in 1939 when Montgomery Ward department stores distributed about 2.4 million

booklets with the poem in the form of a story about "Rudolph the Red-Nosed

Reindeer." It was written by Robert L. May, who worked in the store's

advertisement or marketing department, to be used to attract more people into

the store. When the booklet was reissued in 1939, sales soared to more than 3.5

million copies. But it wasn't until a decade later, in 1949, that the story

really gained immense popularity when Gene Autry sang a musical version of the

fable. As a Christmas song, it is second only in popularity to 'White

Christmas.'

Rudolph, the ninth reindeer whose lighted nose guides Santa's sleigh through the

night, is now known worldwide as the song has been translated into more than 20

different languages and an animated television movie has also been based on the

story. Rudolph and his noticeable nose have also become the subject of jokes and

sparked more interest in reindeers which has led to much research into Santa and

the flying reindeers who pull his sleigh through the sky.

Along with the catchy rhythm of the lyrics, Rudolph's story is also appealing

because of the moral lessons it contains. As the story goes, Rudolph was

ostracized by the other reindeers, which laughed and teased him about his shiny

red nose. But on a foggy night, when Santa must have been concerned that he may

not be able to deliver his Christmas gifts around the world, Santa spotted him

and kindly asked if he would step to the front as the leader to 'guide my sleigh

tonight.' His shiny red nose would after all be very useful in lighting the way,

Santa thought. From then on 'all of the other reindeers loved him," and rightly

predicted that he 'would go down in history.'

Among the moral lessons the story can impart is that an attribute that is

perceived as negative or as a liability can be used for a positive purpose, or,

become an asset. It also makes the point that an individual should not let the

negative behavior of others define him or her and limit expectations of what can

be achieved. And it also illustrates how quickly opinions and attitudes about a

person can change.

The question still lingers however of where Rudolph came from. He is commonly

regarded as the son of Donner (or Donder), one of the original eight reindeers.

But the Snopes.com site rejects this however, saying that he dwelled in a

reindeer village elsewhere and it was there that he was seen by Santa who had

already started on his Christmas Eve journey to deliver gifts. And in a more

modern evolution of the story according to Wikipedia.com, an animation by the

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) introduced a son, named Robbie, of

Rudolph. That son has now become the tenth reindeer.

It's also interesting to note that the idea of Santa's sleigh being pulled by

reindeers was originated in the poem, 'Twas The Night Before Christmas.' That

poem tells the story of St. Nicholas, who is Santa, calling his eight tiny

reindeers by their names, as previously mentioned, just before he came down the

chimney of a house to start filling the stockings from a sack full of toys he

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43. Care and Disposal of Christmas Trees

2011-07-22T06:42:00.000-07:00

Since so much time and effort is put into selecting the perfect Christmas

tree, it follows that similar consideration should also be given to giving the

tree the best possible care. Otherwise, there will be disappointment if needles

start to brown or turn yellow, or branches begin to break with days or weeks to

go before the season is over. Safety is also an important reason to take proper

care of your Christmas tree because a drying Christmas tree also presents a

grave danger as a fire hazard. The average Christmas tree should last for about

five to six weeks if the proper care is given to it.

After selecting a Christmas tree and getting it home, the first thing that

should be done is to make a fresh cut and place it into a stand with water. A

Christmas tree shouldn't be mounted dry and the water in its stand should be

replenished regularly. A fresh cut is made by cutting about an inch off the

bottom in a slight diagonal shape to help the absorption of water. If a fresh

cut isn't going to be made immediately after getting the tree home, it should be

placed in a container with water and left to stand in a shaded area that is away

from the wind.

If a fresh cut isn't made and the Christmas tree is left exposed to air, the

vessels for transporting water can become blocked. If this happens, another

fresh cut can correct the problem and the tree would need to be immediately put

in a container with water.

Your Christmas tree should be secure in its stand and it should be placed

away from open flames or sources of heat such as furnaces, fireplaces and air

vents, all of which may dry it out. Decoration of the tree should also begin

after it has been mounted in its stand. Several decoration precautions should be

taken to lessen or avoid the Christmas tree being a fire hazard.

Ornaments that have an open flame or candles should never be used for

decoration. Christmas tree lights should be checked to make sure the bulbs are

working properly, the connections are intact and that no part of the cord is

damaged. If there appears to be any exposed wiring or bulbs that are not working

or which are working intermittently, that string of Christmas tree lights

shouldn't be used.

A good Christmas tree stand should be selected since water is the most

important item to getting the longest life out of your Christmas tree. In

selecting a stand, find out the amount of water it can hold when a tree is

placed in it. Some water will be displaced from the space taken up by the base

of the tree so it is important that a selection is not made based on the total

volume of water the stand can hold.

According to the National Christmas Tree Association, the average Christmas tree

may absorb up to one gallon of water each day. It is therefore important to

check the water everyday and replenish it accordingly. To make sure your

Christmas tree gets enough water, the Association recommends that one quart of

water is required for each inch of the diameter of the tree's trunk.

After Christmas is over and your wonderfully decorated Christmas tree has

provided much joy, it is important to remove it before it dries out. Options to

discard your Christmas will likely depend on the services offered by your

municipality. Some municipalities will pick up Christmas trees on particular

days, with a cut-off date. Some towns may require that residents take their

trees to specific locations, while in others Christmas trees will be picked up

with the garbage, again up to a certain date. But Christmas trees should never

be burned in the fireplace as it can cause the build up of creosote, a

colorless, oily substance.

There's also the choice that you can continue to get a different use from your

Christmas tree by cutting it to pieces yourself and be environmentally sensitive

by using it for mulch.

38. Christmas Carols

2011-07-20T20:45:00.000-07:00

The tradition of caroling and Christmas carols is believed to have

originated in England when wandering musicians would go from town to town and

visit castles and other homes of the rich to give impromptu performances. But

there also is the belief that singing carols at Christmas likely came from the

group of angels, shepherds and Wise Men who visited Jesus at his birth, because

they worshiped the holy child, sang and proclaim praises unto Him. And after

their visit, they continued their proclamations in the street.

The origin of the word carol however, is thought to come from the word

'caroller,' which is a French word that describes a circle dance with singers.

And from the twelfth through the fourteenth centuries, the carol was highly

popular as a dance song. The use of carols then evolved to festivals where they

were sung as processional songs and others were used as part of religious

mystery plays in Europe. Some traditional qualities of a carol was that the

words expressed should celebrate a topic that was seasonal, have verses and a

chorus arranged alternately and have music that was suitable for dancing.

Although many of the carols that are now popular at Christmas time are very old,

there are others from earlier times that didn't survive. During the 17th century

when the Protestants, led by Oliver Cromwell were in power in England, many

Christmas caros were banned and consequently some were never heard again. The

Christmas carols that survived the Protestant Reformation period didn't become

very popular again until the mid-19th century to the start of the 20th century.

Many of the Christmas carols that were banned, and early Christmas carols in

general, had lyrics that expressed joyous and merry themes instead of the

serious somber words found in church hymns. During the time when carols were

banned, some composers and musicians wrote non-religious songs that had highly

varied choral music, which they called carols, for Christmas. After Christmas

carols again became popular, many of those songs were re-arranged with new

Christian lyrics and used by the church.

Making changes to Christmas carols continues in a different way today with pop

artistes singing the carols to different tunes and melodies to give them a style

that characterizes the particular artiste. Having Christmas carols with tunes of

contemporary or popular music of today means that they are also more likely to

survive because younger listeners will be interested in hearing any music that

is done by their favorite or other popular singers.

The popularity of Christmas carols in the United States increased in the 19th

century, as it did in England, because many of the traditions related to

Christmas came to the United States from England. The United States and England

also have closely linked religious observances, which also accounts for the

popularity and similarity of Christmas carols that are enjoyed in both

countries.

Today, radio stations are the first to play Christmas carols, usually starting

toward mid-November, to signal the coming season. At the start of December when

the Christmas season official begins, mall stores and other retail

establishments will begin to pipe Christmas carols and songs through their

places of business.

The singing of carols at churches, schools, and by groups performing at malls

usually will be a common sight starting in early to mid-December. Carol singing

as a part of Nativity plays and concerts at churches and schools is usually in

full swing by mid-December as the Christmas season gets into high gear and the

countdown to Christmas Day begins.

Whether it's the traditional tune or popular makeovers of Christmas carols that

you enjoy, listening to them is part of an old Christmas tradition. And any

version of a Christmas carol that is played will serve the purpose of putting

you in a festive mood for Christmas that you may even want to dance, just like

the music of original carols was meant to do.

25. Where To Do Christmas Shopping

2011-07-19T05:02:00.000-07:00

Christmas shopping can be seen as an absolute thrill and to some extent,

as a necessary evil. It's a thrill to be out and about amid the sights and

sounds of the season and the jovial crowds. But for the same reasons, others

dread shopping at Christmas time. These days, you don't have to leave your home

much or at all to get your Christmas and holiday shopping done. That's because

the Internet puts shopping at your fingertips. And rather than competing with

traditional retail stores, the Internet has actually expanded the ability of

traditional stores to sell more merchandise to a larger number of people in

various locations.

Both large and small retailers can be found at their specialized Web sites

on the Internet. Most will also offer selections that can be found in the store.

Many times online retail sites will have additional items available, or access

to additional items, that aren't found in the store.

Another advantage of shopping by the Internet is that it offers access to

stores that are located anywhere. It's therefore becomes easier to order a

unique gift from niche or specialty boutique stores in locations that you

otherwise wouldn't be able to reach. It is also easy to do comparison shopping

using 'shop bots' or simply comparing prices yourself.

If Christmas shopping is done through the Internet, you have to pay

careful attention to the order times and any cutoff dates to get an item

delivered in time for Christmas. Based on anticipated volume, most sites will

give a date or the number of hours within which orders have to be confirmed for

guaranteed delivery of the items before Christmas.

The mall is a popular place for traditional Christmas and holiday shopping

to be done. Malls offer one-stop shopping and have a large variety and wide

selection of merchandise, which can minimize endless searching of several stores

for some items. They will also be beautifully decorated for Christmas, have

splendid displays and a Santa Claus to interact with children. These and other

activities that are usually at the mall during Christmas and the holidays also

make them an interesting place to take children to enjoy some of the season's

delights.

To maximize shopping at the mall, you'll need to know the differences

between the mall department stores. You'll need to find out which stores have

certain exclusive brands, which stores are moderately priced and which are more

upscale.

There are also the specialty standalone stores and spinoff store branches

for children and teenagers that seek to fill a particular niche. As an example,

stores have emerged that carry only styles related to hip-hop culture or styles

that have an 'urban' look. So it may be worth consideration to start your

shopping at a specialty store, because they are more focused, and then continue

at a department store that has a wider selection.

Another interesting place to shop at malls are the standalone kiosks that are

usually located at intervals in the open areas of a mall where there is a lot of

foot traffic. These kiosks are more likely to carry one-of-a kind and unique

items, which can even provide or inspire ideas for Christmas presents.

Also at malls will be specialized that offer home/household items, books,

music and movies, electronics, sports gear and shoes.

All of the types of mall stores previously mentioned can also be found at

Outlet or Factory Malls or Warehouses, which offer lower prices. These stores

often carry clearance items from their related mall store, merchandise with

minor flaws and merchandise that is made for the outlet. Those merchandise

usually have slight style variations from what is found in mall stores and may

also be made from different materials.

A final place to consider for Christmas shopping is downtown businesses.

They are usually small and intimate, have unique offerings and offer more

personalized assistance. Although downtown businesses are also likely to be

crowded at Christmas time, there likely will be less of a crush of people like

6. Spreading Goodwill at Christmas

2011-07-17T13:41:00.000-07:00

The real meaning of Christmas, the season of good cheer, is about giving

especially to provide some assistance to those who need help for their daily

survival and who therefore don't have the material resources to enjoy the

Christmas season. The importance of giving to those in need during Christmas is

embodied in the story of Jesus' birth, which is the reason Christmas is

celebrated.

For Christians, Jesus was born to save mankind from sin by giving

everlasting Salvation to all who believe in the Word of God and chose to follow

the principles for living in the Bible. Jesus therefore gave in the ultimate way

- he offered himself as a sacrifice for every living person. Christians

therefore believe that Christmas should be about following the example of Jesus

by giving of oneself to others, especially to those who are in need.

The Christmas season should therefore be about spreading goodwill and good

cheer. This purpose of Christmas is very significant because research by social

service organizations has shown that Christmas happens to be a high time for

depression among the have-nots, among people with problems and others who just

don't have the means and resources to enjoy the merriment of the holidays.

The hundreds of Santa letters written by children are often a sad

testament to the many unmet needs of families and individuals during the festive

Christmas and holiday times. Just about every child is told the story of Santa

Claus, or hears about him because his presence is everywhere at Christmas. And

up to the age of 7 to 8 years, most children believe the story about Santa Claus

bringing toys and other gifts. That's the reason why so many young children

often write letters to Santa at Christmas time in which the innocently plead for

toys and other gifts because they their parents or other relatives will not be

able to give them those Christmas toys or Christmas gifts that they want.

Thankfully there are many volunteer and charitable efforts carried out by

groups and corporations that seek to fulfill the needs of children and also of

adults during the Christmas season. One of the most notable organizations that

do such charitable work is the Salvation Army, which has a history of giving

service to those in need.

According to The Salvation Army's website, the organization as known today was

started in 1865 by a Methodist minister, William Booth and his wife Catherine.

They formed a group that preached, provided food and shelter to the homeless,

the hungry and to alcoholics in need of recovery services. The services were

provided in London's East End. Booth and his followers, first known as 'The

Christian Mission,' started to use The Salvation Army name in 1878.

The Salvation Army is now uniquely associated with the Christmas season through

its many representatives who dress up as Santa Claus and stand outside retail

establishments ringing their bells while they kindly seek donations from

shoppers to help the poor at Christmas.

Individuals also play Santa Claus at Christmas time and help out those in need

by donating toys and gifts through their companies, other business enterprises

such as banks or through their local municipality. These groups usually all have

a box or an area where new toys or clothing can be dropped off and the items are

then donated to families in need or to social service providers for distribution

to the needy during the Christmas season.

Along with much charitable giving at Christmas time, other public interest

groups also work hard to inform and educate consumers about avoiding the after

Christmas blues. This is often experienced in January when the bills and debts

are due as a result of all the spending, much of it on credit, that is done for

the holidays.

These groups try to spread goodwill and cheer in a different way. They try to

provide educational information on spending responsibly during the Christmas

season with the hope that the happiness and good feeling enjoyed during the

season can also carry over after Christmas and not be spoiled by the burden of

having huge bills to pay.

23. Making an Early Start to Christmas Shopping

2011-07-16T03:13:00.000-07:00

Many radio stations have started playing Christmas songs so early in

November in the past few years that one wonders if we may soon start hearing

Christmas songs around Halloween time. That would be a bit weird, even creepy

perhaps. But some early Christmas shoppers likely will have Christmas Carols

silently playing in their heads even before then.

That's because shopping, much like Santa Claus, is a staple of Christmas.

Santa never gives away any secrets to shopping for all those gifts, but he must

certainly have a strategy to be so successful every Yuletide season. The early

Christmas shopper is someone who is very organized and has a strategy to fulfill

Christmas shopping before the season kicks into high gear.

The day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, is the official retail

start to a shopping season that is always hoped to be a robust one. The strategy

of retailers is to advertise Christmas sales, specials, pre-Christmas markdowns,

giveaways, special-hour sales and other promotions. The reason for the frenzy of

retail advertising during Christmas season is because it is the single biggest

shopping time of the year. Christmas shopping that begins the day after

Thanksgiving accounts for well over half - with some estimates of up to 70% --

of annual revenue for stores.

Since retailers clearly have a strategy for Christmas shoppers seeking the

perfect gift, then shoppers also need to implement their own strategy.

The savvy and early Christmas shopper is the one who may start silently

singing Christmas Carols and songs very early to get in gear for shopping.

Starting from as early as the beginning of October, the early Christmas shopper

can begin to make lists of gifts and begin browsing to check the availability,

variety, and most important, the price of items.

By browsing before the Christmas shopping season officially kicks off, the

early Christmas shopper is more likely to get more bargains, better prices, and

is also better able to do comparison shopping when the season officially kicks

off.

It's important to know that retailers won't offer true 'rock bottom' or

'close-out' sales, or the very lowest prices during Christmas sales. It's also

important to remember that retailers are likely to offer earlier sales starting

in early October to near mid-November.

Two significant pre-Christmas sales are for Columbus Day, which falls on

Monday, Oct. 9, and Veterans Day, which will be on Saturday Nov. 11. The early

Christmas shopper who already has gifts in mind can benefit from price markdowns

during both sales periods. And of course the early Christmas shopper will also

have the benefit of shopping during the season, therefore extending the thrill

and joy of shopping.

If there is any disadvantage to being an early Christmas shopper and doing

Christmas shopping very early, it is that some retailers, particularly makers

and sellers of toys, wait until the official start of the season to introduce

some new items into stores. The strategy in doing this is to build anticipation

for a new toy that they hope will be very popular and to also target and capture

a larger majority of shoppers.

During every Christmas season there always is one, or maybe two toys, that

are regarded as the 'must-have' toys for Christmas. And it has become a present-

day phenomenon for shoppers to arrive from the wee hours in the morning to get a

prime spot near the doors of some stores so that they can be among the first in

those stores to make a mad dash for the 'hot' toy of the season.

But being doing or starting Christmas shopping early does not mean that it

has to be over before the Christmas shopping season starts. What it means is

that most or a significant part of your shopping will be done by the time Black

Friday rolls around.

What is most important to making an early start to your Christmas shopping

is to get the best deal and to do so with as little hassle as possible, by

avoiding a crowded store for example. Both of those will be accomplished for

those who are organized and motivated to get into the spirit of Christmas before

the season really begins.