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40. Different Types of Christmas Trees

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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2. Eating Heartily but Consciously During Christmas Season

During the Christmas season, summer and its body-conscious state of mind

are distant memories. Hearty indulgence in the many foods shared at Christmas

therefore doesn't produce the same feelings of guilt. Nevertheless, its not a

pleasant thought to start the New Year carrying any extra pounds. So why then

eat yourself into a resolution to 'take off a few extra pounds' if you can

smartly avoid it?

Whether it's sharing cookies and candies at work, or having an evening out

at a party or dinner, you can have Christmas food and enjoy it. While you seem

to be eating heartily with a smile, the key is to have a secret strategy of

moderation. It involves sticking to a plan that can be called 'Eating on a

Budget.'

'Eating on a Budget' is not about the cost of what is eaten, but about the

quantity of what is eaten. It is important that a 'budget' or eating in

moderation plan is developed because it is almost impossible to avoid exposure

to a lot of cookies, candies and other sweets at Christmas. At work, you may

risk appearing like the Grinch who stole Christmas if your response will always

be something like, 'Uh..no..bah humbug' all the time that some Christmas goodies

are offered. It will seem as if you aren't in the spirit of the holidays

especially since at that time of year everyone is usually in a festive and more

relaxed mood, and the pace at work is usually slower.

A practical way to partake in Christmas goodies, for example, is to

substitute some holiday cookies for say the bagel that you usually have with

breakfast or for a mid-morning snack. And instead of just taking one cookie,

from the platter, which is noticeable and likely will encourage a colleague to

tell you to have more, take three instead. That's where the plan can come into

play. You can then enjoy the cookies over two or more hours, because nobody will

be watching how you really eat. You can always have a few candies, one cookie or

a cookie and a half by your desk and that way it will seem as if you are

heartily enjoying the holiday treats.

Another strategy is to bring - bake or buy - low calorie Christmas cookies

and candies to work to counteract others that are being offered. Since eating

healthy is highly encouraged, health-conscious cookies will not be looked down

upon so long as they taste great. A box of sugar-free Christmas chocolate

candies for example will look just as delightful as regular chocolate candies.

It's interesting to note that in a poll sponsored by the National Confectioners

Association in 2004, chocolate was the favorite food gift that Americans said

they preferred to receive for the holidays. The lowly and much maligned fruit

cake was last on the list. The second favorite holiday food gift was a fruit

basket and a plate of cookies was third on the list, according to the

Association.

For an occasion such as a Christmas party or a dinner, including Christmas

Dinner, where larger quantities and selection of food is available, the 'Eating

on a Budget' plan means that serving portions and the choice of food selected

should be carefully watched.

At a party where more desserts and sweets are likely to be available, a few of

the selections can be sampled. If the urge to try everything can't be resisted,

then do so, but then second helpings have to be severely limited. The same is

somewhat true for Christmas Dinners. One big difference is that the food served

during Christmas Dinner will be heavier, so by selecting portions wisely, one

can always say truthfully that the stomach is full.

And indeed, after a sumptuous Holiday Dinner, your body is likely to be full

from food and your soul full of joy from sharing another memorable holiday

tradition with family, friends and loved ones.

19. Making Memories During Christmas and the Holidays

A favorite Christmas song has a line that describes Christmas as 'the most

wonderful time of the year.' While giving and receiving gifts is something that

is highly anticipated and remembered at Christmas time, there are also many more

activities that make Christmas memorable and wonderful.

One of these activities is decorating the Christmas tree. The Christmas

tree occupies a central spot and is the most visible display of Christmas in

most homes. Unlike in other countries, most American homes do not have a

representation of the Nativity scene, which is more likely to be located at

churches.

As soon as the Christmas season begins on the day after Thanksgiving,

families will begin their search for the perfect Christmas tree. This in itself

can become a memorable activity as children may accompany family members to

places like a Christmas tree farm to select a tree.

Once a real or artificial tree is selected, then it's an exciting activity

for the entire family to play a part in decorating the tree. Manufactured

decorations come in many shapes and forms. But a special memory is created when

family members make a special ornament for the Christmas tree, or contribute one

or more keepsake items to decorate the Christmas tree. It then becomes a ritual

each year for those particular items to be placed on the Christmas tree although

other decorations may change in coming years.

Another activity that can help to create special memories at Christmas is

baking cookies. Along with popular gingerbread cookies, using cookie cutters to

make special holiday-shaped cookies is also practiced a lot in households. Based

on the ages of children, they can help in the actual baking activity by

measuring and mixing some ingredients, or, younger children can sprinkle sugar

on the cookies or decorate them with icing when they are finished. Helping in

this activity can also be educational as parents can use the activity of

measuring and figuring out equivalent measures to teach fractions and other

mathematical elements.

An activity that is related to food which also helps to create memories

during the Christmas season is making fruit and goody baskets, which are filled

with candies, baked items and other treats for loved ones, their special

friends, neighbors, teachers or for charity. Items such as goody baskets make

especially wonderful Christmas gifts because they are home-made. That quality

often makes them more treasured than a Christmas present that is bought at the

store.

Because Christmas is the season of goodwill and good cheer, it is very

important to reach out to family, loved ones and friends during the season. The

busy lives that many people lead today often leaves them little or no time

during the year to be in frequent contact with family and friends who are

located far away, or even others who live within a reasonable distance in the

same or a neighboring state, for example.

It is therefore very common during Christmas to send a Christmas or holiday

greeting card to those individuals. Along with the pleasant memory of receiving

the card, there may be a short letter included that gives a brief account of any

significant event in the individual's life or with members of the family. That

makes sending and receiving Christmas greeting cards more memorable.

Then there's probably the most anticipated activity of Christmas - finding

out what Christmas gift Santa brought on Christmas Eve. While adults also look

forward with much anticipation to see what Christmas gifts they will get, it's

really the children who get the most delight from receiving presents at

Christmas. The carefully planned actions to hide Christmas presents from

children and then to magically place them under the Christmas tree to be found

on Christmas morning is one of the most wonderful ways to create unforgettable

memories for children at Christmas.

41. Selection of Christmas Trees

Given the many types of Christmas trees available and the various ways in

which they can be bought, it's important to know certain qualities that a

Christmas tree should have so that it will be suitable for decorating and will

also last through the season.

One of the most important qualities a Christmas tree should have is

freshness. This makes buying a tree from a Christmas Tree Farm the best option

because you will observe the tree being cut at the time it is purchased. If a

tree is bought elsewhere, such as from a retail lot, it is important to find out

where the tree came from and when it was cut.

To determine the freshness of a tree, observe whether it looks green and

healthy, has a fragrant scent and has needles that are moist and flexible. If

the needles appear dry or show browning, then that is a sign the tree isn't very

fresh. If a large amount of green needles fall when a few branches of the tree

are shaken, that's also a sign that the tree isn't the best one to buy to last

for the entire season. The needles of fir trees should break crisply when they

are bent. If a fir tree needle is bent and doesn't break readily with pressure,

it might mean that the tree isn't absorbing water and that will affect its

longevity.

Another reason a Christmas tree farm can be a better option for purchasing a

Christmas tree is that it will be more likely to offer more species of trees and

therefore a wider variety of shapes and sizes.

For those Christmas trees that are located on retail or other commercial lots,

freshness can be determined by looking at the conditions in which the trees are

kept. Observe whether the trees are kept in stands that hold water, if baled

trees are protected from the wind and sun, if a fresh cut is put on trees and if

the trees are tied down correctly.

Another quality to consider in selecting the right Christmas tree is its size.

Before buying a tree, its important to decide where it will be placed so that

the space can be measured. You will need to do a floor to ceiling measurement

and then subtract at least 10-12 inches to get the maximum height for the

Christmas tree. It is recommended that at least 10-12 inches of space should be

between the top of the Christmas tree and the ceiling.

The bottom of the Christmas tree also needs to be checked to make sure there is

adequate space between the end of it and the lowest branches. A small diagonal

fresh cut, such as an inch, is made in that area to enhance absorption of water,

which will make the tree last longer. This cut should be made just before the

tree is placed in water. If a fresh cut is done and the tree is exposed to the

air too long, the vessels can become blocked.

Along with freshness and size, a tree should be selected based on the shape that

you like, the smell of the needles and bark and on how dense and sturdy the

branches are. For the density and sturdiness of the tree, you need to have an

idea how the tree will be decorated - how many heavy ornaments, Christmas lights

or bows will be used. As an example, a fir tree that has sturdy branches will be

better for holding heavy ornaments and a pine tree is good for Christmas trees

that have light decorations such as bows and a string of Christmas lights.

The texture of the branches and how durable or long-lasting the tree will

be are also worth considering in choosing a perfect Christmas tree.

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29. Christmas Activities for Children

While adults indulge in the festivities and revel in enjoying the spirit of

Christmas, undoubtedly it is 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 a festive spirit into Christmas.

At major shopping centers like malls, children can enjoy various window displays

and arrangements inside stores that show Christmas sceneries. 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 get to 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 activity - shopping.

Various colorful and twinkling lights is certain to be a part of the displays at

malls and shopping centers, but other arrangements of Christmas lighting can

also be a delightful activity for children to enjoy. Because Christmas displays

have become so common, 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 therefore become an 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 and the occasional home, there are also themed-lighting at quaint

villages and special large, Christmas light displays at venues like 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 as one big 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 lightings of Christmas tree

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, in a similar like they would have seen

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.