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Commercial activities during Christmas today are often decried as making
the season too materialistic. This has caused comments that the religious aspect
of Christmas is so overlooked and overshadowed that its celebration seems to be
purely pagan. But today's comparisons aren't the first there has been some link
between Christmas and pagan celebrations. As a religious, church leaders
instituted Christmas during winter because that time of year was a popular for
the celebrations of many pagan festivals. The hope was that Christmas would also
become a holiday that would gain much popularity.
Long before the birth of Jesus Christ, people in various parts of Europe would
celebrate light and birth in the darkest days of winter. The winter solstice,
when the harshest part of winter was over, was a time of celebration for many
peoples because they would look forward to more hours of sunlight during the
longer days ahead.
The Norse in Scandinavia celebrated Yule from the winter solstice on
December 21 through to January. Men brought home logs that were lighted and a
feast would take place until the log was completely burned. Each spark from the
fire was believed to represent a new pig or calf to be born in the coming new
year.
The pagan god Oden was honored by Germans during the mid-winter holiday. Oden
inspired great fear in the Germans who believed that Oden traveled at nights
through the sky to observe people and make a decision about who would perish or
prosper in life. This belief caused most people to stay inside during the
period.
In Rome it was the god of agriculture, Saturn, who was honored in a
holiday called Saturnalia. It was a holiday that started during the week that
led up to the winter solstice and continued for a month with hedonistic
celebrations. There was plenty of food and drink and the normal social class
rules of who had privilege and power in Roman society were totally disregarded
as everyone participated in the festivities. Some Romans also had a feast called
Juvenalia to honor children and the birthday of the sun god Mithra was sometimes
celebrated by the upper classes.
In the early years of the start of Christianity the main holiday was
Easter. It was in the 4th Century that church officials made a decision to have
the birth of Jesus celebrated as a holiday and Pope Julius I chose December 25
as the day of Jesus' birth. The holiday, which was first called the Feast of the
Nativity, spread to England by the end of the 6th Century and to Scandinavia by
the end of the 8th Century.
Church leaders achieved the goal of having Christmas celebrations, including
attendance at church, become popular during the winter solstice, but they were
unable to control other pagan-like celebrations during Christmas. Believers
would attend church on Christmas and then participate later in raucous and
drunken celebrations. But by the Middle Ages, from around the 5th to the 16th
Century, Christianity had outgrown paganism as a religion.
The celebration of Christmas in Europe changed in the early 17th Century
when Oliver Cromwell and the Puritans gained power in England in 1645. To remove
decadent behavior from the society, Cromwell cancelled Christmas as the Puritans
noted that the Bible doesn't mention any date for Jesus' birth. The lack of this
information and specific Biblical references to Christmas is also cited by
religious groups like Jehovah Witnesses as the reason they don't observe or
participate in Christmas. Christmas celebrations returned in England around 1649
when Charles II was restored to the throne.
Christmas wasn't a holiday in early America because the Pilgrims who came
to America had even stricter beliefs than Cromwell and the Puritans. Christmas
celebrations were even forbidden in Boston from 1659 to 1681. During the same
time however, settlers in Jamestown in Virginia were reported to have enjoyed
Christmas.
After the American Revolution Christmas again lost popularity and it wasn't
until June 26, 1870 that Christmas was declared a federal holiday. Christmas in
the United States gained popularity as a holiday period during the 19th Century.
Christmas celebrations also changed at that time to be more family-centered
rather than being carnival-like.
It's only fitting, perhaps, that along with the magic of Santa Claus at
Christmas, holiday and Christmas lights also came about through the work of a
wizard - the Wizard of Menlo Park in New Jersey - as Thomas Edison was called.
It was Edison who first developed and demonstrated an incandescent electric
light bulb in 1879 that had commercial potential, an event that led the way for
the mass use of electricity and lights on Christmas tree as used today.
Before the discovery and use of electricity, candles were used to light
Christmas trees. That practice evolved into having glass covers with candles
inside them or metal lanterns that had small wicks. These were hung like
ornaments on Christmas trees. But even after Edison invented the incandescent
electric light bulb, it took many years before the large-scale manufacture of
Christmas tree lights were available commercially.
It is said that the idea of Christmas lights came from one of Edison's
assistants, Edward Johnson. In 1882, Johnson had Christmas tree bulbs made
specially for him. He displayed these electric bulbs on his Christmas tree at
his home on Fifth Avenue in New York City and it drew widespread attention. But
Christmas tree lights underwent many changes and improvement before General
Electric Co. introduced Christmas lights on a commercial scale. As an example,
among the earlier lights used on Christmas trees were night-lights that were
strung together to make light strings. After the commercial introduction of
Christmas lights, sales and wide-scale use of them soared.
Decorative mini-lights to be used for Christmas tree lighting were introduced in
the 1970s. Since then, they have continued to be popular and are the dominant
types of Christmas tree lights in the marketplace. Before that, icicle lights
were introduced as decoration for rooflines. Those decorative lights are the
most popular ones used for outdoor landscape lighting during the holidays.
Outdoor decorative lighting has evolved from Christmas tree lighting to also
become a popular way to use colorful lighting during the holidays to create
spectacular scenes.
Another development in decorative lighting at Christmas time is the use of
candles. Real candles can be used, but electric candles became more popular and
safer because they present less threat of a fire hazard. Today that threat has
also decreased with the development of flameless battery candles. The battery
operation also makes their use more flexible because they can be placed in areas
where there aren't electrical outlets. Candles are usually displayed at several
windows of a house during the holidays. They produce an appealing look
especially if there are at least two sets of three windows each other where they
can be placed.
Battery-operated candles can also be used during Christmas and the holidays for
other activities such as caroling, church services, school activities and for
other holiday arrangements around the home.
As Christmas lights have become a mandatory feature of the holidays, they are
continually being used in new ways that differ considerably from their early
beginnings. Outdoor lighting is now just as common as indoor lighting and that
is an area in which a change in the use of holiday lighting can be seen. Along
with icicle lights that illuminate rooflines and frames of houses, there are
also lights that are placed in shrubs. Holiday lighting also comes in the shape
of trees and other ornaments that can be placed on lawn to enhance the visual
appeal during the holidays.
Many lawns are landscaped by lighting during Christmas and the holiday season
with lighted figurines and various other items associated with the season. In
some communities, entire blocks of streets will have such elaborate holiday lawn
lighting that they attract passersby and even tourists - residents from
elsewhere - who are captivated by the spectacular visual displays of the
landscaped holiday lighting.
Christmas is described as a festive season therefore we should all engage
in activities during the season that provide entertainment, merriment and which
give pleasure. Because Christmas is about celebration, many types of festivities
can be found to suit all preferences to make the season a joyful one.
A readily available option is watching Christmas movies. This can be done
from the comfort of home or by spending a few hours out at the theater. A
wonderful option now available for obtaining movies is to rent them via the
Internet. It's an option that allows you to get any movie you want to see -
whether traditional, popular or a remake of an original title. There's also
fairly easy access to obscure movie titles, as well as movies with holiday or
Christmas themes.
Although Christmas movies embody the spirit of the season, you can also
take time out during Christmas to enjoy new releases that may or may not have a
holiday theme. Christmas is a good time to catch notable new releases because
they are timed to be shown in theaters before the end of the year to be
considered for prestigious Oscar nominations.
Performances of Christmas plays that depict the Nativity scene are also
another popular entertainment during Christmas. Although these performances are
done year after year, they never grow old because of creative difference in
interpreting the story, and also in how each role is acted by different actors
every year.
The dramatization of the Nativity demonstrates the meaning of Christmas and can
also simplify the meaning of Christmas for children. Participation in the
Nativity is also an important activity for children in drama groups at schools
and church groups.
Along with depicting the meaning of Christmas, the Nativity play also portrays
moral lessons that can serve as an inspiration for the way to become a more
spiritual person and to live a better life. Watching or taking part in the
Nativity play at Christmas time can therefore affect your attitude and outlook
on life.
Musical entertainment at Christmas can come from pausing during shopping to
listen to a choral group at the mall or downtown. It can also be entertaining to
simply hum along to a Christmas carol or song being played on the radio. Carols
as a tradition at Christmas is said to originate in England and France in the
Middle Ages. At the time, carols were dances accompanied by singing. The
tradition that Anglo-Saxons preferred was to have small choirs gather on the
village green and sing carols and Christmas songs to passersby. Over time, the
meaning of the word changed to refer to only certain types of songs.
The tradition of carols is also believed to evolve from the angels, shepherds
and Wise Men who bowed down to sing praises and to worship Baby Jesus.
For those who are really lovers of the arts, professional groups like
Orchestras, Symphonies, Conservatories and Choirs also offer splendid concerts
during Christmas. They will also sing Christmas carols and songs. But the
harmony of their voices accompanied by a full compliment of instruments provides
a richer and more melodious rendition of the carols that is unlikely to be heard
anywhere else.
Probably the most popular festivities at Christmas are parties, which seem to
happen everywhere all the time at Christmas. There are parties at work, home,
with friends and class parties at school. Even social hubs such as bars may have
special nights with different food and lower-priced drinks during Christmas.
It seems there is no end to the festivities during Christmas. It's always
important however to have a good time, to remember the unfortunate and to reach
out to them and to have fun but in a responsible manner.
With so much decorative choice at Christmas, a strategy is needed to
ensure that whatever is done looks organized, well arranged and beautiful, and
not haphazard and disorganized. By doing some basic or traditional decoration,
along with trying creative and different ideas, a beautiful and pleasing
decorative environment can be created in all homes.
Traditional decorating ideas include using wreaths for doors or
entranceways and on a wall with unobstructed view. Garlands can be placed along
surface where they can be hung vertically or horizontally. And Christmas lights
can be used by itself or with garlands, in shrubs and of course on Christmas
trees.
Using Christmas lights outdoors along the frame of houses and icicle
shaped ones to decorate the roof lines of homes have become very popular. Icicle
lights are just as easy as regular lights to put in place and they create a very
pleasing display for the holiday season. Adding color to these outdoor light
displays can also make houses and the lighting display look more spectacular.
For indoor lighting, candles have become an attractive Christmas
decorative item as they can light up the night in a subdued but beautiful
manner. Candles create a pleasing look when displayed at windows if there are at
least two sets of two or three windows directly above each other, which is in a
vertical pattern. New technologies with candles have also made them safer to
use. There are electrical candles but also battery-operated ones that can be
used safely instead of electrical ones or in places where there aren't any
electrical outlets.
There are also creative ways to use and incorporate various items around
the home to make Christmas decorations. Christmas or holiday ribbons can be used
to make bows that are pinned onto curtains to provide a festive look and a
creative Christmas decoration. Like curtains, houseplants can also be dressed up
for the holidays. Small Christmas ornaments can be gently placed on houseplants
to give porches, patios and front lawns a surprising Christmas decorative look.
Although many people don't use Christmas stockings anymore to stuff
Christmas gifts, they can still be used to create perfect Christmas decorations.
A collection of Christmas stockings can be hung on the mantle, shelf or a wall
with or without anything inside them. They will look just as beautiful as those
that are often seen in stores.
Christmas lights can also be wrapped along with garlands on a banister or
stair railing to add a twinkling Christmas look. Mistletoe can also be hung just
about anywhere with or without Christmas lights. If the tale about mistletoe is
believed however, then it should be hung somewhere with room underneath where
two people can have a friendly holiday kiss or even a hug. Fake snow can also be
sprinkled on garlands, mistletoes and wreaths to further enhance their
appearance with something from the Christmas season.
And to borrow a decorative feature from department stores, several differently
sized boxes can be wrapped, piled in a haphazard manner and placed in a corner
from floor to ceiling to make a gift pillar decoration.
Old Christmas cards can also be used for decoration by cutting pictures from
them to make a collage. The pictures are then glued onto a poster board that can
be framed or hung as is on a wall as Christmas decoration. Even Christmas cookie
cutters can be put to an easy, simple and creative use as a decorative item at
Christmas time. A ribbon can be used to string two or three or even single
cookie cutters that can be placed on the Christmas tree or at a window as
decorative ornaments.
Any home can therefore be decorated to be appealing for Christmas and the
holidays, given the many ideas and ways that Christmas decoration can be done.
Don't get frustrated! Reclaim the Magic of the Christmas Holidays and bring your family closer.
Christmas is a special time of the year for the joy and intangible magic
that fills the season. It comes through in the delightful decorations, glorious
get-togethers with family and friends and the sheer feeling of joy one gets from
giving and receiving gifts.
Although the commercialization of Christmas is often decried, shopping is
an important and central activity to some of the intangible magic of Christmas.
It is at the malls or downtown stores that some of the favorite sights, sounds
and scents of Christmas can be experienced.
The decorations at Malls and retail establishments are usually very
fanciful and eye-catching, especially to children, with the many colorful and
twinkling lights. It's also a wonder for both adults and children alike to look
at the numerous tinsels, baubles and figurines such as fairies, angels and
little babies that adorn the main Christmas tree in the center of shopping malls
and others in department stores. These trees are usually extremely well
embellished with decorations that are arranged in a very professional way that
most shoppers can't replicate in their own homes. It's therefore a delight for
them to stare at such trees in wonder and amazement.
Along with the wide variety of decorations in retail establishments, there
also is the sound of music playing, bells ringing, the laughter and wishes of
Merry Christmas from shoppers that also create a special atmosphere and add to
the magic of Christmas. Even the sound of cash registers in the background adds
something to the special feeling shoppers have at Christmas time.
And of course there's always a Santa Claus that children can meet and tell
what they want for Christmas, and also have their picture taken. Sometimes Santa
Claus may distribute Christmas gifts to children, telling them that because they
have been very, very good they are getting an extra special early Christmas
present.
The ability to delight children by telling them stories about Santa Claus,
as well as making them see and talk to the jolly old fellow, puts a lot of magic
and excitement into Christmas. Once the tradition is started, or from the first
time that children have been told the story, it becomes something that they look
forward to every year during the Christmas season.
There's also the sound of music from choirs or school groups who often
give open performances singing Christmas carols and songs in malls and downtown
areas of towns. Families and others who are out and about will pause to listen
or to sing along with these groups.
Shopping is undoubtedly an enjoyable activity for most people during Christmas,
but merrier and more memorable times are enjoyed when time is spent with family,
friends and colleagues during the season. Before Christmas Day arrives, there
usually are parties at home and at work, an evening out with friends and other
occasions to get together and share the spirit of Christmas. The presence of
special Christmas music and people dressed in holiday attire provide a different
atmosphere and contribute to the magical feeling of the season.
Another thing that is different at Christmas is the scent from a fresh
Christmas tree, of gingerbread and other cookies baking and other food
preparations that are specially done at Christmas time. Most people who select a
real Christmas tree instead of an artificial one for their homes do so because
of the wonderful scent it provides. For many people, that scent from a Christmas
tree is what puts Christmas into everything else.
Another popular scent at Christmas comes from the popular Christmas song
'Chestnuts Roasting Over an Open Fire.' The actual roasting of chestnuts by
families during the Christmas season may be a rare occurrence these days but it
is occasionally done in some downtown areas and in bakeries and confectioneries
that make fresh products everyday.
All these events, activities, happenings, sights, sounds and scents of Christmas
and the holidays create special and unforgettable memories. And who can deny
that a pleasant memory is always something that is truly magical.
It's always a good thing when families can enjoy outings together.
Attending Christmas plays, performances and concerts offer wonderful holiday
entertainment for all members of the family. Attending Christmas performances
and concerts offers wonderful entertainment for the entire family and provides
another way to enjoy the festivities of the Christmas season.
Families usually don't have to venture too far from their home to enjoy a
Christmas play or concert. That's because amateur actors, singers and budding
musicians in their neighborhood will usually take part in several Christmas
performances for local residents. These amateur but entertaining events can be
found at local schools, churches or at a community theater or performance
center.
It's very popular for those groups to stage performances of the Nativity
story, or other Christmas related works such as 'A Christmas Carol.' churches
and school groups may even have a complete concert series that includes a full-
length production of a play along with choirs, soloists and the band singing
Christmas carols and other Christmas songs.
What makes local Christmas performances special is that members of the
community and maybe even of your own household can be among the entertainers.
It is therefore special to see familiar faces doing something interesting and
different. For those who are budget-conscious, the performances are usually
priced to be very affordable, therefore offering an economic incentive to go out
and have an enjoyable afternoon or evening.
Those people who are lovers of the arts and who are more interested in
seeing a professional performance will likely also have a professional
theatrical company within reasonable proximity of their residence. Professional
groups may also perform Christmas classics such as 'A Christmas Carol' or they
may do another dramatic production from the works of other playwrights.
Music lovers also have a variety of performances to enjoy at Christmas
time. While one can always catch various groups singing carols in downtown areas
or at malls, there are other places to hear rich, melodious performances of
Christmas music. These include concerts by acclaimed or recognized
conservatories, orchestras, symphonies and renowned choir groups.
The beauty of hearing Christmas music by these groups is in the accompaniment of
instruments and the harmonious blending of voices, which all happens in a venue
that has acoustic features to optimize the auditory pleasure of the
performances. The different components that together make the whole performance
offers a richer quality to Christmas songs and carols that may be described as
'sounding heavenly.'
Another popular artistic performance that is popular during the Christmas season
is classical dance in the form of ballet, and particularly the performance of
the 'Nutcracker' ballet. With music written by Tchaikovsky, the story is about
a young girl who has a dream on Christmas Eve of a Nutcracker Prince and a
fierce battle with a Mouse King that has seven heads. After a fierce battle
between the Nutcracker, who leads an army of toy soldiers, and the Mouse King
who leads an army of mice, the Nutcracker is captured. But the little girl
throws her slipper at the Mouse King, hits him in the head and kills him. In the
end, the Nutcracker turns into a Prince and takes the little girl to the magical
and enchanting Land of Snow with dancing snowflakes and the Land of Sweets with
the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Attending Christmas plays, concerts or musical performances serves the basic
purpose of providing enjoyment, but it can also help young people, and even
adults, to develop an appreciation for the arts. Seeing different variations and
the creativity in performances of Christmas plays, as well as hearing different
renditions of Christmas songs, can be the first exposure that leads to a
lifelong love of the arts and maybe a dream to pursue a career in the arts.
Kwanzaa and Hanukkah, celebrated by African-Americans and Jewish
people respectively, are observed during the Christmas season. The
celebrations are separate from activities related to Christmas however.
The observances of Kwanzaa and Hanukkah are also one reason that people
also give wishes of Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas during
the season.
Although both activities are very different and were originated
for different reasons, some similarities can be found between the two
practices. Both celebrations have commitment as a central and important
theme. They also both include symbolic forms of light and are both
commemorated over almost the same number of days – seven (7) days from
Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 for Kwanzaa, and eight (8) days and night for
Hanukkah – usually starting about one week before Christmas Day.
Starting with its origination, Hanukkah celebrations dates to an
event in 165 B.C. when the Jews were victorious over the Syrians.
Hanukkah started as a way to restore and rededicate the Temple in
Jerusalem that had been desecrated, including its golden menorah, by
the Syrians. The festival also served the purpose of once more
observing and re-instituting rituals that the Syrians had forbidden
during their rule.
Kwanzaa was started 40 years ago by a university professor as a
way for African-Americans and others in the African diaspora to engage
in celebrations that included elements of African culture.
While Kwanzaa is not as popular as Christmas, it keeps
growing and its goal has been achieved to some extent as it is now
practiced in many nations such as those in the Caribbean, which have a
large population of people of African ancestry. The wide availability
of Kwanzaa greeting cards and even postage stamps at Christmas time,
also attests to the extent to which the celebration has entered the
mainstream.
The primary symbol of Hanukkah, the menorah, which consists of
eight (8) individual lights, is very much a part of the mainstream.
Menorahs are available today in various shapes and sizes. A single
standard requirement that must be observed in making a menorah is that
there should be enough separation between the flame of each of the
eight (8) lights so that they don't give the total effect of a single
large flame when all are lit.
A flame is lit each night over the days in remembrance of how a
small quantity of oil from the desecrated Temple kept a menorah burning
for eight (8) days, when the amount should have only lasted for a
single day. It was that miraculous occurrence that gave rise to the
Hanukkah celebration to light a menorah over eight (8) days.
Kwanzaa symbols include a candleholder and seven (7) candles that
represent the roots of African ancestors and seven (7) core principles
of Kwanzaa respectively. Other symbols are, The Crops for African
harvest, Mat for African tradition, Corn for the future represented by
children, the Unity Cup and the Gifts. The Flag and Poster of Seven (7)
Principles are two (2) supplemental symbols.
These items can be found at specialty African and African-
American shops in some malls and in town with a heavy concentration of
African and African-American population.
Among the most important features of Kwanzaa are the seven (7)
core principles and values they embody: self-determination, unity,
collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose,
creativity and faith. These seven (7) principles are meant to be a
foundation and guide upon which the African diaspora can build a
strong, successful and fulfilling life while maintaining a connection
to their roots.
While not religious, the principles of Kwanzaa are meant to
instill a strong sense of spirituality in individuals. Kwanzaa seeks to
instill spirituality upon which individuals can build self-confidence
and secure self-identity through a link to their roots.
This sense of spirituality and connection to one's history, roots
or ancestry is also an element of similarity between Kwanzaa and
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Maybe no other single activity really embraces camaraderie, playfulness
and fierce but friendly competition as heartily participating in playing indoor
games with friends and family. Christmas games does all those things but also
serves the purpose of bringing friends and family together to interact directly
with each other in a competitive and happy way.
Participating in Christmas games is another way of sharing, but it is also doing
something tangible to get into the festive, jolly and relaxed mode for the
holidays. Otherwise, its easy to get caught up in all the preparation and
shopping and become ridden with anxiety. Here are some holiday and Christmas
games that will cause fierce but friendly competition and leave everyone in a
jolly mood.
For the 'Gift Wrap' game, items needed will be small gifts, wrapping paper,
scotch tape and music that can be turned on and off at will. Each gift item is
wrapped in several layers of paper. The number of layers used will depend on the
duration you want the game to last. A gift is given to the group which should
start passing around the gift when the music starts. Whenever the music stops,
whoever has the gift should remove one layer of gift wrap. This continues until
the last layer of paper is removed. Whoever has the gift unwrapped gets to keep
it.
The items needed for the 'Sock Guessing' Christmas game are two or three thick
new thermal socks, items used or seen during Christmas, pens, pencils and paper.
Each sock is stuffed with 20-25 items that are used or seen during the
Christmas season. These can be useful items such as scotch tape, ornaments,
decorations etc. Each sock should have the same items and the opening should be
tied with a ribbon so the contents inside aren't visible. The socks are then
passed around for each person to try to feel and guess the items then write down
what they think is in the sock. The person with the most correct guesses of
objects is the winner and can be awarded a separate special gift or token.
The 'Gift Grab Card Game' needs two deck of cards and a few small Christmas
gifts that are wrapped to look very interesting and enticing. One deck of cards
is passed out one at a time to guests. Each should have an equal number of cards
from the deck. The gifts are then placed in the center of the group. Someone
then calls out cards from the second deck. Whoever has an identical card gets to
choose a gift. When all the gifts are taken, everyone can steal gifts from each
other until the deck is finished and those with gifts get to open and keep them
as prizes. The fun increases when the stealing begins because everyone will have
different ideas about which gift looks interesting and try to hang onto it by
stealing it over and over if it is stolen. Some people will also try to disguise
the fact they have a gift, although they should be kept in sight.
A children's Christmas game is 'Pin the Nose on the Reindeer,' which is the
Christmas game version of 'Pin the tail on the Donkey.' The items needed are a
drawing of a reindeer's head with an incomplete drawing of the nose and several
noses with the names on one side and tape on the other. The picture should be
placed against a wall so that children can reach the nose. Each child then gets
a nose. They take turns being blindfolded spun around a couple times to
disorient them a little then told to walk to the reindeer and place the nose on
the picture. The child who places the nose closes to the reindeer's nose wins.
A delightful Christmas game for work is the 'Match the Desk to the Item' game. A
day or so before the Christmas party at work, someone needs to secretly take one
item from each person's desk and assign a number to each item. At the party, all
the items are displayed for everyone to guess whose desk the item belongs to.
The day before Christmas is one that is filled with a mixture of anxiety
and anticipation. There's anxiety at putting all the final plans and finishing
decoration touches in place and getting all the necessary shopping done. There's
also much anticipation about all the merriment and excitement of Christmas day.
Children are usually hardly able to control themselves as they think about the
Christmas gifts they hope to get the next day. They may try to stay up through
the night to catch Santa Claus, or they may just be too excited to sleep.
Christmas Eve is also important for the simple reason that in ancient
custom, and among some cultures today, a holiday or other celebrated day really
starts from sundown of the day before the actual day that is celebrated.
Therefore, festivities and observances for Christmas Day would really begin on
Christmas Eve.
One of the most significant aspects of Christmas Eve however, is related
to religion. Attending Midnight Mass or earlier church services is mandatory for
many people whose religion is Christianity. This is so even for people who
aren't regular churchgoers during the year. Evidence of the importance of these
church services can be seen in the overflow of congregations at the churches.
Many churches will also have an added service earlier in the evening to
accommodate the above normal attendance, and also for individuals like the
elderly who would prefer a service that is earlier than Midnight Mass.
Another important aspect of Christmas Eve celebrations is related to
retail operations. On the day before Christmas, stores make a last ditch effort
to push sales of Christmas and other merchandise. There often are special
promotions last-minute advertised to capitalize on late, desperate Christmas
shoppers and other impulse buyers. This last effort is also aimed at increasing
sales for the Christmas period.
Some stores will remain open late, even up to midnight or just before
midnight. Macy's department store in New York City, which bills that particular
store branch as the world's largest, stayed open until midnight on Christmas Eve
of 1867 for the first time. Christmas Eve culminates the single biggest shopping
season, which started the day after Thanksgiving, for retailers.
Christmas Eve is also important for the traditions associated with it. It
is the night when parents have to play the role of Santa Claus and sneak toys
and other Christmas gifts under the Christmas tree to the absolute delight and
surprise of children who awake on Christmas morning to find the presents.
The idea of Santa Claus coming descending chimneys on Christmas Eve to leave
gifts for good boys and girls was made popular by a poem, attributed to Clement
Clarke Moore. In that poem titled 'An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas, '
which Moore wrote in 1822 and which is now popularly known as 'Twas the Night
Before Christmas,' Moore described Santa Claus as 'a right jolly old elf' who
went from house to house with his sleigh pulled by reindeers flying through the
air to deliver Christmas presents to all the girls and boys who had been well
behaved.
Food plays a big role in making Christmas Day special and much of its
preparation often begins on Christmas Eve. Poultry and other meats are often
prepared by letting them stand in a mixture of various herbs and spices,
puddings and pies are baked on Christmas Eve, as well as a fresh batch of
gingerbread and other cookies and treats.
The scents and flurry of activity related to all these preparations also help to
make Christmas Eve a memorable day on its own.
It can be very satisfying to cater to friends, families and loved ones
during the Christmas holidays. Taking the time to share food, fun and laughter
in a happy, jovial manner truly embraces the spirit of Christmas.
In deciding to have a party at home, one of the first things to consider
is whether it will be formal or informal. Among the key things that need to be
considered are the number of people to attend, the menu, the preparation of food
and arrangement of decoration that is attractive and has themes for the
holidays. It's also important to make a note of how much, if any, help will be
available from friends or family members.
A formal Christmas party likely would include a small number of people -
not more than 12 and likely fewer - who would be seated at a table for the
duration of the meal. It means that place settings and seating have to be done
and a decision made on whether the meal will be a three- or four-course dinner.
The advantage of a formal dinner is that it is very organized, it has a
known content and everyone around the table usually engages in pleasant
conversation. It also usually provides a good opportunity to get to know and
hear from everyone present without having to initiate any small talk, which some
people are not comfortable doing.
As the host of a formal dinner, you will also have the responsibility of
keeping the meal flowing smoothly by having each course brought out at the
perfect timing and to also be aware of any special needs that a guest may have.
In contrast, an informal Christmas party at home is organized in a
different manner and does not have the predictability of a formal one. The fun
and festive spirit of an informal holiday party comes from groups of people who
mill around, move about freely to have conversations, laugh and enjoy munching
on Christmas treats, goodies and other foods.
Despite the easy, fun-filled atmosphere, it is necessary to plan the use of
space and to think about the area that people will use or wander around. Making
such a plan will facilitate contact between partygoers so that the party spirit
will pervade everywhere and put participants in a livelier mood.
Another consideration to make for an informal Christmas party among friends and
family is if children will be present and about their ages, if they are allowed
to attend. Children, even older ones, always need careful supervision. If
children are going to attend a holiday party at home, arrangements should be
made for adequate supervision of them and special activities should also be
provided that can occupy their attention.
An important feature that must be a part of a festive Christmas party at home is
the right mix of music. In selecting Christmas music, consideration should be
given to what will be played at the start of the party as guests are welcomed
and introduced to each other, the songs that can be played later to inject or
enhance liveliness and later to create the right mood as the partygoers bid
farewell with 'Merry Christmas' or 'Happy Holidays.'
Along with the music, Christmas decorations and even the food can also help to
enliven a Christmas party at home. Food that is interesting because it looks
'pretty' due to the color palette of items, infuses a mellow feeling among
guests and adds an intangible element to the level of enjoyment and excitement
of the partygoers.
Christmas parties at home can also be personalized with special cookies, treats
and dishes that are ethnic. The presence of some ethnic food, but not an
overwhelming quantity, which isn't frequently enjoyed by guests will be
different and will add something that is unique to the host. And that is a part
of what a Christmas or holiday party at home is about. It's to entertain family,
friends and acquaintances with a personal style while all enjoy some merriment
in the season of goodwill and good cheer.
