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How Did Hanging An Xmas Stocking Become A Holiday Tradition?

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How Did Hanging An Xmas Stocking Become A Holiday Tradition?A giant red velvet Xmas stocking with white trim is sure to be a hit come Christmas morning. This 60-inch sock can be filled with just about anything. Baby’s First Christmas is a popular stocking option as well. Pink and blue are the obvious choices, some made of satin and others of felt. Each sock is embellished with trim and ornamentation. There are also stockings with snowmen and Santa Claus himself.

But why do we hang these by the fireplace each holiday season? Well, the answer would depend on where someone was to look or who they asked. There is, however, one tale that seems to be the most common. A nobleman loses his wife and has three daughters that are old enough to wed. However, he has no dowry to give a potential suitor. He tries his hand at various businesses, but none are successful. After losing everything, he and his daughters move to town. A man by the name of Saint Nicholas hears of these terrible woes. Late one night, Saint Nicholas makes his way down their chimney and drops bags of gold into the girl’s stockings hanging by the fireplace. In the morning, the girls and their father discover this gift, and the father can now give his daughters away in marriage with a nice dowry. Regardless of how the tale started or if there is any truth, it has become the tradition to hang a Xmas stocking by the yuletide fire. Then wait expectantly to see what the jolly old elf brings Christmas morning.

Finding Christmas Lights For Sale To Decorate A Home

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Finding Christmas Lights For Sale To Decorate A HomeFinding Christmas lights for sale brings out the child in those who enjoy this merry holiday season. These bright illuminations have unquestionably come a long way. In 1880, Thomas Edison gave us our first display of Christmas lights. He strung strands across his laboratory complex to help bring yuletide cheer to those that passed by. Over a hundred years later, they have become a staple in holiday décor.

Illumination has become such a staple in Christmas decorating that it helps bring in over $6 billion annually, and more homeowners are creating holiday light shows on their houses and in their yards. These illumination productions typically require more than 100,000 bulbs, with some reaching over one million. And the people that put on these shows do it year after year.

Thanks to online retailers, Christmas lights are for sale year round. And they come in all shapes, sizes and a multitude of colors. There are novelty strands of pink flamingos, cocktail glasses, snowmen, chili peppers, and footballs for adding merriment. Whether choosing novelty lights or traditional strands, most of them can be strung end to end for a seamless look.

Icicles and snowflakes are often strung across a home’s eaves or in trees. LED technology has created such unique effects that the icicles appear to be dripping water as they hang down from the roof. Strung snowflakes in the trees seem to be falling softly through the branches. These effects help in creating the magical look many people enjoy displaying during the holiday season.

What Are Some Cool Christmas Gifts To Give This Year?

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What Are Some Cool Christmas Gifts To Give This Year?Cool Christmas gifts are no longer hard to find thanks to the internet. No one wants to give a present one year that ends up at the White Elephant exchange the next year. So what are some unique presents that people can give? Much of that depends on the relationship between the giver and receiver, and it also depends on how well they know each other.

Some presents are more special when they can be personalized, or a sentiment is added. Take for example an angel pin. Some are simple gold or silver, and others are more ornate in detail and use crystals or semi-precious stones as embellishments. These can be a great present for someone that is close in relation when given with a sentiment of what the pin is representing. Many times loved ones will give these to each other the first Christmas after a family member has passed. They use the pin to help symbolize their loved one that has passed on and remember that they are watching over them.

Other presents are considered practical. This would include an all-in-one hammer set. This set includes a hammer and a Philips and flat head screwdriver. The screwdrivers are contained within the hammer’s handle. Another practical present is a Gooseberry Cookbook. The recipes are easy to follow and take the reader from appetizers to desserts and everything in between.

Celebrating the holidays with friends and family can also mean meeting the newest addition, a little bundle of joy. Depending on the relationship, finding cool Christmas gifts might feel difficult. A premade basket can solve that dilemma and is filled with a blue or pink blanket, bib, rattle, and an adorable stuffed snowman.  There is no limit to the unique presents that can be found online!

Ways To Use Icicle Lights For The Holiday Season

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Ways To Use Icicle Lights For The Holiday SeasonIcicle lights are finding rejuvenation outside of the holiday season. They are still a common choice for homeowners that want to add that little something extra to their homes exterior, but are gaining new life in other uses as well.

Putting the strands on the homes exterior is done with efficiency using shingle-gutter clips. These accessories help maintain the integrity of the strands by homeowners no longer using staples or nails to mount the lights. They also give the strands a neater appearance. The two main types of icicle lights that are on the market are LEDs and mini bulbs. LEDs are commonly sold in strands of ten and can connect multiple strands together. Mini bulb sets are on one central strand with various lengths that extend from the main. Multiple strands can also be joined to cover the full length of the home’s exterior. Many homeowners also use these in their trees, along fence lines, or on their porch railings.

Some uses that are popping up in the home’s interior are these strands being strung behind a headboard typically made from reclaimed pallets. This makes for a very romantic yet rustic feel, and the bulbs are muted in brightness. Another decorative favorite is an elegant bowl filled with various balls of material or embellishments. Adding a strand of bulbs to it keeps the look fresh and adds something different. In a child’s room, these strands can mimic falling rain or twinkling stars at night.

With the vast bank of DIY projects online using these unique strands of illumination, they can be used throughout the year.

The Christmas Ornament Is A Favorite Gift And Decoration

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The Christmas Ornament Is A Favorite Gift And DecorationThe Christmas ornament is a favorite of gift givers. Grandparents will start collections for their grandchildren, with the first one being Baby’s First Christmas. These can be personalized with the child’s name and birthdate or the year. Couples often have one to commemorate their first year of marriage. These too can be personalized with their last name, initials, and year of the wedding.

One family favorite is the Pickle. This tradition, said to have German roots, is a favorite of many children. Why? Because the first child to find the pickle hidden in the tree is supposed to receive a special gift from St. Nick himself. It is also said that if an adult finds it, it will give them a year of good luck. Who wouldn’t want to find that on their tree?

The history of the Christmas ornament is one filled with folklore and tradition. Most historians believe they originated from Germany and became an American mainstay starting in the 1840s. By 1935, they were in millions of American homes, and they continue to grow in popularity every year.

They started as hand-blown glass or hand-casted lead, and many producers have continued in this tradition adding to the intricacies of each piece. However, they are now made from various other materials including metal, resin, plaster, plastic, and various fabrics. Embellishments of all kind adorn each one. Some have real feathers or semi-precious stones and crystals for added interest.

Whether the ornaments adorning a tree hold fond childhood memories or they are a new addition to the tree, they are a gift rich with love and sentiment.

Things To Consider Before Buying Christmas Tree Skirts On Sale

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Things To Consider Before Buying Christmas Tree Skirts On SaleChristmas tree skirts that are on sale don’t have to become part of the ugly sweater contest at work. With the vast array to choose from, there is sure to be one that will fit just about any budget and the home’s overall decor. There are a few things to consider before making that final purchase and settling on something less than appealing.

Height: Consider the height of the tree when deciding on the diameter of the skirt. Even Christmas tree skirts that are on sale will have a variety of widths. For mini table tops, there are some that are as small as 4 inches on up to 20 inches in diameter. Their larger counterparts can go up to 56 inches in diameter. This size would be perfect for the 10 foot Fir in the family room.

Style: Does the tree have a theme or particular color palette? This would help determine the type of material, color, and any ornamentation the skirt would have. There is a classic white with red embroidered poinsettias and red trim, a traditional red velvet with the words Merry Christmas embroidered on it, and also shimmery gold and silver fabrics to adorn the base. For the mini table toppers, there is a Santa inspired wrap with plush red velvet and white trim that glimmers.

One quick search and there is sure to be a style and color that will work perfectly. Another benefit to wrapping the base is that it will protect the flooring beneath it should there be an accidental spill while watering, and it will catch quite a bit of the loose needles as well, making for a quick clean up.

Choosing An Artificial Christmas Tree For Sale

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Choosing An Artificial Christmas Tree For SaleEvery year more and more people are choosing an artificial Christmas tree for sale rather than the natural fir straight from the woods. Even without the muddy hunt for the perfect greenery, the faux option can provide the same amount of holiday cheer to any home.

19th century Germany was said to have been among the first to go with a less natural version made up of dyed feathers, while the majority today are constructed of a durable, fire-retardant PVC material. Additional materials such as wood, ceramic and glass are also utilized. Those that want something a bit more unique have many options to choose from as styles have come a long way. Assorted colors, flocking, pre-lit, and scented options are just a few of the variations available.

The American Christmas Tree Association found that upwards of 80% of those putting up this seasonal decor have opted for an artificial Christmas tree for sale in recent years. This is proof of the numerous reasons why replicas are ideal. Not only does their reusable nature make them cost effective over the years, they allow for flexibility and convenience in the decorating process. They are safe from fire hazards and call for little to no upkeep while erected. No more watering to keep up with or pine needles to dispose of. You can’t beat that! Yes, many people enjoy the fresh, pine scent that accompanies the real thing, but even that can be solved with the options available. Some come pre-scented, whereas aromatic sprays are also available to maintain the woodsy ambiance.

While the cutting and hauling may appeal to some, choosing to go with a fake tree can provide the same holiday spirit with even more time to make and treasure the more memorable holiday moments.

Visiting An Online Christmas Store For Holiday Decor And Gifts

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Visiting An Online Christmas Store For Holiday Decor And GiftsAn online Christmas store is a great place for holiday items throughout the year. Whether it is décor items or personalized items, they can be a one-stop-shop for nearly any holiday needs. Personalization has become quite popular. It can take ordinary things and make them one-of-a-kind; something that has become more popular with Christmas items. From wreaths to water bottles, to platters and ornaments, more people are going the custom route.

Many people that look at an online Christmas store are looking for personalized ornaments to commemorate a significant day like a baby’s birth or a couples wedding day. Parents or grandparents will often customize ornaments for their kids and grandkids. However, they no longer are limited in their choices. Does their child have a unique name? Not a problem when each item can be customized. How about the grandson that plays multiple sports? The ornament can have a baseball, football, basketball, and golf ball if that suits the bill.

Unique gifts are on trend as well, and items that are personalized are meeting that need. A monogrammed tree skirt with the couple’s initials is a great way to commemorate their first Christmas together, or how about a holiday wall hanging with their wedding date on it? Again, personalization is the key to making these simple gifts unique.

A child’s teacher is often recognized during the holidays. A customized ornament is a great gift. So often teachers comment on how every year while they are decorating their tree they remember each child that has given them an ornament. Teachers will often choose to have a tree in their classroom and decorate it with ornaments from previous years.

Whether visiting an online Christmas store for personalized gifts or unique decorations, more people enjoy being able to shop any time of day in the comfort of their own home.

Xmas Wreaths Can Be Found In A Variety Of Options

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Xmas Wreaths Can Be Found In A Variety Of OptionsXmas wreaths are becoming a highly popular addition to many holiday decor collections. Whether real or artificial, pre-lit or adorned with colorful ornaments, they are sure to spread even more holiday cheer.

Who knew there was a history behind the use and symbolism of these seasonal pieces?  The Etruscans of 700 B.C. saw them as crowns, while the Greek and Roman empires placed a more symbolic meaning on them to represent key sacred figures. While widely used as holiday decor during contemporary times, some hang them to signify endurance throughout the cold winter months, as a reminder of the circle of life, or as a merry welcome to visitors.

Xmas wreaths can be found in an extensive variety of sizes, styles, and themes, depending on the overall look you’re going for. It’s a great idea to narrow down the options before the final purchase. Consider the location it will be placed; indoors or out, on a door or wall, and what is the surrounding decor? The placement can determine the materials it should be made of. There are artificial options as well as natural. Faux greenery may be plastic or fabric, they can contain tinsel or berries, or they can be constructed out of ornaments. While most contain branches of fir, cedar, or pine trees, there are plenty of other options as well. Those that are artificial can be carefully stored for future use. If it is decided to have a pre-lit variety there are more decisions to be made. Are LED, Fiber Optic, mini, colored, or white bulbs preferred? Each is illuminated with a compact and concealed battery pack. Lastly, what size would be best? Dimensions range from a petite six inches to several feet, depending on what will best showcase the greenery in the setting chosen.

Whether hung with a celebratory feel or for meaningful symbolism, Xmas wreaths are sure to brighten any room or entry point. There are a vast amount of options to choose from, so be creative and the final look is sure to be enjoyed throughout the season.

Looking For Nativity Figurines To Complete A Holiday Set

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There Are A Variety Of Nativity Figurines AvailableNativity figurines are in households throughout the world. Many families choose to display them throughout the year as well. This requires a durable material and quality craftsmanship to endure accidents or mishaps during the year, or to withstand unpacking and packing each holiday season.

Nativity scenes are crafted out of various materials including wood, a rubber base, marble, plaster, and ceramic. Many manufacturers are choosing to use a rubber based material to meet the needs of the customers; those who are seeking durability. And don’t let the word rubber-based lead to thinking these are poorly crafted. The exact opposite is true. Even these nativity figurines are being individually hand painted in Italy. Thus giving customers that unique look and resilience they are looking for.

Each set will be comprised of the infant Jesus, Mary and Joseph. These figures are often depicted in various forms, but the three are the foundation of any set. In addition to these are other pieces that can complement the set. Those items would include Palm trees or Cyprus trees, outbuildings, angels, the Star of Bethlehem, and a variety of livestock. Additional people would be Gabriel the Shepherd, Melchior, Gaspar, Balthazar, Nathan the vegetable merchant, and Andrew the potter, for example.

There is a variety of sizes available to suit any home or room. Many times children wish to have one in their room, and some sets are just right for them. There are large scenes that will compliment an oversized room with vaulted ceilings, as well as scenes that can adorn a fireplace mantle appropriately.