Hello, I thought this would help as you begin to think Christmas 2011.

The Six Worst Gift Ideas Ever

All of us have heard at one time or another seller or buyer beware - but in this case, the saying now becomes gifter beware. Many of us give with the best of intentions, but never realize that the gifts we are about to give are truly nightmares - or worse - in disguise. No one ever means to make such a mistake, but these do occur and we are here to help you avoid these mishaps. The following are the six worst gift ideas ever to cross our paths.

The first and biggest of the six worst gift ideas ever to give is the item that tries to give a subtle hint for what you consider a needed change in this person's life. We think this is a polite way of doing it, but all in all we cause more pain and trouble than it is worth. Some examples of these types of gifts are things like books for losing weight, an audio book on helping someone with their memory, or even a book on finding the right guy or girl. For the recipient, all they experience is you calling them fat, stupid, and unable to meet good people for relationships. The gift causes pain and depression - the opposite of the intention you had for it.

The second of the six worst gift ideas ever given is giving something that shows how little, if any, thought you put into your gift. This happens more often than people like to admit to, and this is why it is number two on our list. Some examples of these gifts would be giving body jewelry to someone who doesn't even have an ear pierced, an 'I believe in Xenu" T-shirt for a Christian, or even a box of chocolates for a diabetic. If you truly don't want to put your heart into giving gifts, then don't even bother - those you call friends will appreciate it.

The third out of six worst gift ideas ever thought of would be the extremely large books often referred to as coffee table books. The typical thought when giving these books is that the large wrapped item will make the person so much more happy - but upon opening this tome of a book, almost always the person is anything but happy. Books can be a great gift, but remember that in this instance, regular sized or even pocket sized is better than extraordinarily huge.

Fourth of the six worst gift ideas ever attempted is giving a gift that the person has no way to exchange or even be able to give away. We all want the recipient to love our gifts, but we can't get it right 100 percent of the time. So please, do not give a gift from a specialty shop that does not exist in the recipient's part of the country unless you know for sure they want this item in question. If you don't, the person has the potential to be quite angry and disappointed in you and your gift.

Of the six worst gift ideas ever to see the light of day, number five may appear harmless enough, but don't allow it to fool you. We all forget a holiday or special occasion and find ourselves desperate to come up with a gift. We know we don't have enough time to go out and purchase something, and making something is out of the question. So we look through what we own and give the special someone a gift we ourselves were given before, or even something we had bought for ourselves. The problem is the immense guilt you feel after the fact for doing so. Remember, even items that at first appear free to give away - there is always a cost.

Finally, the sixth worst gift idea ever is the one where you buy the item, actually wanting it for yourself, but you figure the recipient will not want it and will give it back to you. Please know this: this type of plan will always backfire on you, and is horrible to attempt in the first place! If you want the item, buy it for you - or you will be ending up buying two when you could have only bought it once.

Always remember the golden rule: Buy for others, then buy for you as well. You will both be happy!

Santa Claus, 

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Tips To Create Christmas Cards At Home

Tips To Create Christmas Cards At Home

As the festive season of Christmas approaches again, people throughout the world send out dozens of cards to friends and relatives. The cards come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. This tradition has developed recently, and is not over 200 years old. The custom of sending Christmas cards first started in England, and slowly spread to America.

The Christmas cards can be too expensive if you try to get them from a card store. With each year, the list of people you need to send the cards to, also increases. So, what can you do to keep it inexpensive and at the same time send out the Christmas cards to all your acquaintances? The best way out would be to make Christmas cards at your own home. They are not only fun to do, but the receiver of the card also feels goods because you took pains to do it yourself. It carries a dash of personal touch.

Making Christmas cards at home is extremely easy. If you know little basics of computer then you can conveniently create a card at home. You can make use of the clip art designs to create interesting cards. If you are creative then you may as well use the paint option to draw lovely images, fill in the colors and add pictures.

To make your Christmas cards more appealing, you can also add some self-written text in the card. You can also get pictures from the Internet and paste them on word to create cards if you can’t draw. However, be sure the picture you use does not have any copyright issue. After your card is ready, get a print of it. You can also create a cover for your card and decorate it with dried flowers and leaves. To protect this from damages, you can use cellophane wrapping or contact paper.

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Fun-filled Ideas For Christmas Decorations

Fun-filled Ideas For Christmas Decorations

Christmas brings along with it lots of good times and cheer. One of the most exciting things to do during this time of the year is decorating a Christmas tree. This is also one of the most nostalgic moments for the adults and a fun time for kids. So, if you too love to decorate a Christmas tree then here are some exciting decorating ideas for this season.

You can start with the front of your home, which is mostly forgotten but is the most important one to make a good impression. You can decorate the space in the front with two Christmas trees. You can both get the pre-lit ones because they are hassle free, or you can use light the candles and out them on the trees yourself. You may get a nice welcome mat that has snowflakes or holiday flowers design.

Houses with entryways make for the perfect place for Christmas decorations. If you have a large entryway then you can place a lighted Christmas tree there. This tree can be used for decorating as well as entertaining purposes. You can place the main Christmas tree in either the living room or the den.

If you cannot put so many Christmas trees in your home then alternatively you can get the kids to make hang cloth Christmas tree banners and glue them on the wall. Glitter can be added to it to create a special effect. This is a creative and fun way to involve the kids in the decorations of Christmas at home.

Bathrooms are one part of the house that usually gets neglected when it comes to decorating. This holiday season remember to decorate even your bathroom by placing some scented pine, holiday spice, or cinnamon.

For the bedroom, you can add freshness to it by buying linens in red, green, or silver. You can also opt for holiday quilts that are warm and comfortable.

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All About Santa Claus

It's only fitting that, because Santa Claus has the magnificent capability to visit homes around the world in a single night, more than one place would claim to be his home. It is a common belief that Santa hails from the wintry North Pole, but folks in Finland will also tell you that Santa calls that country his home. To prove it, the Finns will even invite you to visit Santa in his workshop before Christmas, or during the year, and talk with Santa Claus as he and his elves busy themselves for their end-of-year Christmas expedition around the globe.

In America, the popularity of the image and legend of Santa Claus can be traced to the poem, “Twas the Night before Christmas,” which was written by Clement Clarke Moore in 1822. In that poem, Moore described St. Nicholas as a jolly fellow who flew from house to house in a sleigh pulled by reindeer and who waited for children to go to bed on Christmas Eve before he came down the chimney to deliver Christmas presents for them.

Following the distribution of that poem, between 1863 and 1886, the popular magazine Harper's Weekly published cartoons by Thomas Nast which depicted Santa as a cheerful fellow with a large, round belly and long, white beard who wore a bright red suit trimmed with white fur. In those cartoons, Santa also held a sack, which was filled with toys for boys and girls, over his shoulder. The cartoons also showed Santa reading letters from good boys and girls, working in his workshop with his elves, checking his list to make sure he had all the required toys, and even showed his wife, Mrs. Claus.

The tradition of Santa Claus was brought to America by Dutch colonists who settled in New York City, which was called New Amsterdam at the time. The real St. Nicholas is said to be a minor saint from the 4th Century with a reputation for generosity and kindness, who gave rise to legends of the many miracles he performed for the poor and unhappy. One of the stories about St. Nicholas is that he saved three poor sisters from being sold into a life of slavery or prostitution by their father. According to the legend, Santa Claus provided the girls with a dowry so they could get married.

The legend of St. Nicholas led hundreds of people to be devoted to him. Consequently, thousands of European churches became dedicated to him. After the Reformation period, however, widespread practice and worship of St. Nicholas disappeared in European countries that were Protestant, except in Holland where the legend of St. Nicholas continued. St. Nicholas was known as Sint Nikolaas, but that was later corrupted to Sinter Klaas.

Dutch colonists took this tradition of Sinter Klaas to New York City where it was adopted using the English translation of Santa Claus. Over time, the Dutch legend of the kindly saint was combined with old Nordic folktales about a magician who punished naughty children and rewarded good ones with presents. This gave rise to the stories that now exist about Santa Claus.

The red and white-trimmed suit of Santa Claus is believed to be the colors that the original St. Nicholas wore because red and white were the colors of the robes worn by traditional bishops. It is also believed that the Coca Cola Company played a role in what is regarded as the popular look of Santa Claus today, through paintings by artist Haddon Sundblom, which were used in some of the company's advertisements between 1931 and 1964.

Christmas Activities for Children

While adults indulge in the festivities and revel in enjoying the spirit of Christmas, it is undoubtedly more fun for children because they are able to lose themselves in the wide-eyed wonders and glorious splendor of the season.

Activities at Christmas that children can enjoy include all of the sights, sounds, and scents that put the magic and festive spirit into Christmas. At major shopping centers and malls, children can enjoy various window displays and arrangements inside stores that show Christmas scenes. The displays, which can be moving, stationary, or interactive, can be so numerous and mesmerizing that parents often arrange a trip to such malls just for children to view the many displays.

Shopping malls are also a popular place where Santa Claus is sure to be found. For a small fee, children can sit or stand with Santa Claus, talk with him, and most importantly, get a picture taken with Santa. Those children, like pre-teens and teenagers who may be too old for Santa Claus, can also be entertained by the various grand Christmas displays as well as one of their favorite activities - shopping.

Various colorful and twinkling lights are certain to be a part of the displays at malls and shopping centers, but other arrangements of Christmas lights can also be a delightful activity for children to enjoy. Because Christmas displays have become so common, just about everyone has some form of lighting arrangement at their houses. This has led to neighborhoods where it is common to see an increase in traffic during the Christmas season because of the fanciful, landscaped displays of outdoor Christmas light decorations. These usually include figures of reindeers, Santa, sleighs, angels, shepherds, and animals that are a part of the story of Jesus' birth. It can be a fun activity to take a tour of these neighborhoods with children for them to feast their eyes.

In a similar manner to the grand Christmas lighting that can be found in some neighborhoods, there are also themed-lighting displays at quaint villages and special large Christmas light displays at venues such as some public parks. The displays can be similar to those seen in neighborhoods except that they are usually on a larger and grander scale. As an example, a typical home lawn display will have a Christmas display that includes Santa, a sleigh, and a reindeer or two, all as separate pieces. A Christmas display at a themed village or park would have a large, and possibly moving, display of Santa Claus with elf-like figures in a sleigh that is being pulled by reindeers, all as one large structure.

These Christmas sights are what often bring out the wide-eyed wonder in children as their faces express awe and amazement. While children will have a beautifully decorated Christmas Tree at home to enjoy, it will also be fun for them to go to other Christmas Tree lightings because, again, those trees are usually bigger and decorated on a grander scale than the ones in their living rooms at home.

Just about every town, city, or municipality will have a Christmas tree lighting in a central location. Sometimes local firehouses will also have a special Christmas tree lighting. At these events, children can see a local official or personality flip a switch to symbolically turn on the Christmas tree, similar to watching the President do on television. Those local events are likely to include Christmas treats and goodies, a Santa Claus to present Christmas gifts to children, and the singing of Christmas carols.

Taking time out to engage in activities just for the enjoyment of children will make them feel special, experience the magic of Christmas, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Why Christmas is All About Children

It could be said that, since it was the birth of a baby as a gift to mankind that gave rise to Christmas, children should be the primary focus of the season. Individual families will say they have always put children first, and parents will sacrifice their own desires at Christmas to make sure their children are satisfied. Although adults look forward with much anticipation to the Christmas season, the frenzy that accounts for all the shopping and preparation during the Christmas season is really for the benefit of children.

From a financial perspective, the extensive shopping done at Christmas is really of benefit to businesses. But what really drives the maddening shopping activity is a desire by parents, relatives, friends, and acquaintances to play Santa Claus, mainly for children. Within families, children are usually the ones who receive the most gifts. This is deservedly so because their wide-eyed anticipation, excitement, and pure joy when they open their Christmas presents gives everyone an indescribably happy feeling.

Along with playing Santa Claus and secretly getting gifts for children, adults also use the Santa story for all it's worth as an effective means of discipline. As soon as the Fall season approaches, children will begin to hear warnings about their behavior and the consequence of Santa Claus not leaving any toys or presents. When the Santa Claus story is not being used to help to get the best behavior from children, it is simply pure fun to delight them by telling them stories about Santa Claus, his elves, and reindeer to enliven their imagination.

The story of Santa Claus is even useful for older children who may just be starting to unravel the mystery of Santa Claus. The stories that tell of different places where Santa Claus actually lives can be a starting point to go on an imaginative journey around the globe and may become a geography lesson to learn about those places.

Children are also central to Christmas because the many grand displays of Christmas scenery, colorful lights, and sparkling ornaments really target the attention of children. If children were not so important at Christmas time, then it is quite possible that many of the traditions that make Christmas what it is would not exist.

Christmas is also an important period for the toy industry whose clients are naturally children. Although the industry is part of the big retail picture and, therefore, seeks to boost sales during the Christmas season, there is also a deeper meaning for children. Toys are important to entertain, to educate, to help develop imagination, and to develop coordination and other skills in children. Toys can also help children to play together and learn to share.

The toy industry is important at Christmas time in introducing new products that are integral to the development of children. When children become totally captivated by a new toy at Christmas time, it may help them to learn a new skill, or provide new knowledge, all in a fun and captivating way that will make it more likely that whatever is learned will be remembered.

Children are also the focus of Christmas celebrations because it is important to create fond childhood memories of the season. These memories are created not by children necessarily receiving a lot, but by enjoying everything about the season. The story of Jesus, with the moral of sharing, giving, and doing kind deeds for others, can also help to build good character and to set a moral foundation that teaches children to have empathy and compassion during the Christmas season and all throughout the year.

Yuletide Days of Old - Ancient Customs of Christmas

Christmas, as a holiday period, was instituted and celebrated at about the same time as other winter solstice festivities, because church leaders at the time believed it would make more people participate in the new holiday period. That objective was achieved, but people also carried over some pagan celebrations and traditions into the religious Christmas celebrations.

As an example, people would attend church and then take part in a raucous, drunken, and carnival-like celebration that has some similarities to Mardi Gras. During this celebration every year, there would be a crowning of a beggar or student as the “Lord of Misrule.” Those taking part in the activities would pretend to be loyal subjects to the Lord of Misrule.

During this time some of the poor would also visit the rich in their houses and ask for some of their best food and drink. Those among the rich who didn't cooperate would be subject to rowdy behavior and mischief by the poor. For their part, the rich used Christmas as the time when they would reach out to the poorer members of society by tolerating them in such visits or by leaving out food and clothing for them.

For many centuries before the birth of Christ and the recognition of Christmas, there had been celebrations in many countries during the middle of winter. During the darkest days of winter for example, the early Europeans were said to celebrate light and birth. The winter solstice was a period of rejoicing for many people because it meant that the worst part of winter was over and they could therefore look forward to having days that were longer with more hours of sunlight.

In that tradition, the Norse peoples in Scandinavia would celebrate a period of Yule from December 21, which was the winter solstice or start of winter, through January. To recognize the re-emergence of the sun, fathers and their sons would take large logs home and set them on fire. There would then be a big feast until the log was completely burned out. That could take as many as twelve days to happen.

The custom also was one of hope for the Norse because there was the belief among them that every spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born in the New Year. Many parts of Europe also thought that the end of December was a perfect time to celebrate because, during that time, a lot of cattle would be killed to avoid having to feed them during winter. For many people, the end of December was the only time during the year when they had a significant amount of fresh meat. Also, by that time of year, wine and beer that was made earlier in the year would have fermented and would have finally been ready for drinking.

The tradition of Santa Claus has also been an ancient legend with slight differences, or variations, going back to the 1700s in some countries. In Germany and Switzerland, children who were well behaved would receive a Christmas present from Christkind or Kris Kringle. Christkind, which means “Christ child,” was believed to be an angel-like figure that went along with St. Nicholas on his holiday journeys to deliver gifts.

A jolly elf by the name of Jultomten was believed to deliver presents in Scandinavia, in a sleigh that was pulled by goats. In France, Pere Noel is the one who fills the shoes of French children with Christmas gifts, sweets, or treats at Christmas time.

In Russia, there's a legend that Babushka was an elderly woman who gave incorrect directions to Bethlehem to the three Wise Men so that they wouldn't find Jesus. She later felt sorry for doing so but couldn't find the Wise Men to tell them about the error. Today in Russia, it is believed that on January 5, the day before the Epiphany or Three Kings Day, Babushka visits Russian children and leaves presents by their bedsides, in the hope that one of the children will be Baby Jesus and will forgive her.

What Makes Christmas Magical?

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 and angels that adorn the main Christmas Tree in the center of shopping malls and 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 is, 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 is also the sound of music playing, bells ringing, and the laughter and wishes of Merry Christmas from shoppers, which 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.

Of course, there's always a Santa Claus that children can meet, tell what they want for Christmas, and also have their picture taken with. 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 is 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. 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 are usually parties at home and at work, evenings 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 on an Open Fire.” The actual roasting of chestnuts 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 of these events, activities, happenings, sights, sounds, and scents of Christmas create special and unforgettable memories. Who can deny that a pleasant memory is always something that is truly magical?

Fancy Tales Related to Christmas

A lot of what is widely regarded as true about Christmas, or held as a tradition, cannot be, or has not been, verified, or has changed throughout the years. Even Christmas Day itself, December 25, has been questioned as to whether that is the exact day on which Jesus was born.

Skeptics have asked, “Why would shepherds be out in the cold watching their flocks by night during the winter?” Those skeptics have put forward the thought that Jesus may really have been born in the spring instead. It is, therefore, little wonder that there are many fancy stories and tales that are told about Christmas and the Christmas season.

The most common fancy tale that everyone tells, particularly to children, is about Santa Claus, also called St. Nicholas. But even if it were accepted that Santa Claus existed, where does he live, and how is he able to get to all of the houses of good boys and girls on Christmas Eve?

In the United States, Santa Claus is said to have two homes. There is a home in Torrington, Connecticut, which is used as a distribution point for Santa and his many helpers, who are elves, to hand out gifts. And then, a second home is said to be located in Wilmington, New York, and that is where Santa Claus and his delivery reindeer crew are located.

But Santa can be visited in Cyberspace at anytime, and what about the widely held belief that Santa Claus really lives in a village at the North Pole? The people of Finland also claim that their country is the official residence of Santa Claus. That's because in Finland, you can actually visit a village anytime during the year. There you can see Santa's workshop, and observe Santa and his elves hard at work, as they prepare for their very important Christmas gift delivery job on Christmas Eve. The only day when Santa's workshop is closed to visitors is, of course, on Christmas Eve.

Maybe a very smart visitor could visit Santa's workshop on the day before Christmas Eve to see if there are any clues as to how Santa and his reindeer plan to make their trip the next day. As the tale goes in Finland, Santa Claus and his reindeer do not reach their destinations around the globe by flying.

Finland welcomes visitors to Santa's workshop, but there is nothing said about whether visitors actually have any chance of having a word with the man himself. While the chances of doing so are believed to be non-existent, among the questions that inquiring minds could ask Santa is whether Rudolph is the son of Donner (and to confirm the spelling - Donner or Donder), or whether Santa spotted him in a different reindeer village, one foggy Christmas Eve, after he had already started on his Christmas toy delivery mission.

If mere mortals got a chance to question Santa, then he also would likely have some questions for us humans. He may want to know whose idea it was to have Christmas trees and for the gifts to be placed under them.

The tradition of Christmas trees, as it exists today, comes from Germany, by way of immigrants; but it isn't clear how the tradition really gained a foothold in Germany. One story is that Christians in Germany, during the 16th century, started to bring trees that were decorated into their homes. Some of those Christians would build pyramids for Christmas. The pyramids were made of wood and would be decorated with evergreens and candles, if wood was in short supply.

It is however Martin Luther, a Protestant reformer, who is said to have been the first to add lighted candles as decoration to a tree, based on his inspiration from the brilliant light of twinkling stars that shone through the evergreen trees as he walked home one winter evening.

As the legend goes, Martin Luther placed a tree in a primary room of his house and placed wires with small, lighted candles around the branches of the tree. That is how, as the tale goes, the Christmas tree, as known today, was started.