Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

How is Christmas Celebrated Around the World?

By: Dominique Halet


Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. This feast was created by the pope to promote Christianity and remove pagan festivals celebrated at the winter solstice.

During the IVth century, the pope decided to bring the Christmas day on December 25th.

Christmas has always been represented by religious ceremonies and gifts and
greetings exchange.

Here are some Christmas symbols:

* The Advent consists of a burning candle each Sunday four weeks before Christmas;

which symbolize the rebirth of light after the winter solstice.

* The December 24th Christmas Mass; which celebrates the birth of Jesus.

* The Christmas Crib; which symbolizes the birth of Jesus in Christian homes.

* The Christmas tree, a symbol from the pagan celebration and representing life.

* The Yule log; which represents the log that we put in the fireplace to warm up on Christmas Eve.

* Santa Claus, an American creation, inspired by the Christian Saint Nicholas (celebrated in Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and Alsace. This character wears a luxurious red cape, he has a long white beard and wears a red miter, he also holds a golden crosier. Saint Nicholas rewards good children while his companion Pere Fouettard/Black Pete punishes nasty children) and the elf Yule Goat, celebrated in Scandinavian countries.

Over the centuries, Christmas has evolved and Christmas Eve with our family, replaced the religious ceremonies.

The gift exchange: luxurious for the rich people and useful - sometimes only one orange - for the poor people, has been replaced by the modern marketing. People not only buys gifts but also spend lots of money in decoration items, food, drink...

The secularization of our society removed the true meaning of Christmas Time; which is, obviously, becoming a pagan feast.

Here are some countries which celebrate Christmas:

Belgium: Belgians have a festival especially dedicated to children; which is Saint Nicholas (Sinter Klaas) on December 6th. The Great Patron of Schoolboys, who is supposed to bring candies in their shoes, brings in fact toys by the thousands to our children.

In Belgium, Christmas is rather reserved for adults: the streets are decorated and illuminated, we decorate our houses, windows, gardens, Christmas trees. Belgium seems to forget that it is a Catholic country and closes more and more churches, therefore, the Midnight Mass on December 24th usually happens at 6 or 8 PM. We then eat with our family and at 12 PM we exchange our gifts. Children usually receive a book or some clothes.

Christmas Day has little meaning but practicing Catholic go to church. Belgian people visit their family on January 1st. In the Belgian Ardens, people celebrate December 31st and not Christmas.

France: Christmas is dedicated to children. The streets and the houses are decorated several weeks in advance. French people have lots of Christmas customs: Christmas Markets, the Christmas tree, the Christmas Dinner, Père Noël, Christmas gifts, stories, songs, Christmas turkey, The Christmas Crib, the Yule Log, and so on. In Alsace, however, Saint Nicholas predominates on Santa Claus.

The Netherlands: They organize their St. Nicholas (Sinter Klaas) festival: the old bearded man traveling by boat and accompanied by many black aids, who distributes gifts to good children. Dutch people reserve the big gifts for Christmas Time because they profit for some great bargains after Sinter Klaas.

Germany: Christmas in Germany lasts two days. On December 26th they visit their family and their friends. Christ-Kind offers gifts to the children on December 24th families and friends. Germany has also a Saint Nicholas festival on December 6th.

Great Britain: Christmas is celebrated in England with enthusiasm. Children sing "Christmas Carols" in the streets, they eat the famous "Christmas Pudding" at the end the Christmas Dinner. In England, Santa Claus fills the English children socks with gifts. British people also exchange greeting cards; which are a British creation.

Spain: If Santa Claus has little importance in Spain (Magi distribute gifts to children on January 6th), Spanish people decorate the streets with lights during the month of December. The windows of the shops are filled with lots of gifts and Spanish celebrate the Christmas Evening with their family.

Portugal: Christmas Eve is a holiday. The Portuguese attend the Christmas Midnight Mass; which is the "Missa Do Galo." If there is no Christmas tree in Portugal, there is nevertheless a "Wooden Christmas".

Italy: Christmas lasts three days, from December 24th till 26th. However, Christmas traditions vary from one region to another one and, depending on the region it is Babo Natale (Father Christmas) or the "Gesu Bambino" (Little Jesus) who brings gifts on December 25th. The Italian Christmas dessert is "Panettone".

Scandinavian Countries: During the Christmas Dinner, Scandinavian people reserve a place for the souls of the deceased members of their family. Once they finish to eat, they read the bible. The whole family is singing Christmas songs and dance around the Christmas tree.

Other European countries: In Romania, on December 24th, there is a Christmas candle burning until the morning of December 25th. In Russia, Christmas Day happens on January 7th, according to the Orthodox calendar. In Greece the Christmas period begins on Christmas Eve and ends at the Epiphany. Christmas is less important than Easter.

USA: The Saturday after Thanksgiving, Santa Claus is coming to announce the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. American people love to celebrate Christmas and set up a decorated Christmas in their home. Children hang empty stocks empty on the fireplace and on the Christmas morning they find them filled with candy and small toys.

Canada: Houses, shops and streets are decorated with lights. Canadian people decorate their house with a Christmas tree, a Christmas wrap, a Christmas Crib... After the "Midnight Mass" people have a Christmas Eve with their family. Turkey and the Christmas log are the essential ingredients of a Canadian Christmas Dinner.

They send greeting cards to their friends and family who live far away.

South America: Peruvian people have Christmas parties but also learn to live better on christmas time. Their Christmas season lasts a full week. Mexican people celebrate Christmas with Las Posadas (pilgrimages representing the path by the Mary and Joseph). They celebrate the last Posada on the Christmas morning and then start the Christmas dinner. I Guatemala, immigrants have imported their German customs and the Christmas tree is essential but the Christmas gifts are reserved to the children. Gift exchange for adults is on January 1st.

Australia: Christmas happens during the summertime, so Australian people celebrate Christmas at the beach. People eat cold turkey and pudding.

New Zealand: If there are few decorations, New Zealand people organize Christmas parades and people sing in the parks. They also organize their famous "Christmas barbecue".

Japan: Christmas is merely commercial significance in Japan. This festival represents Saint Nicholas and it is an opportunity to offer gifts to small children.

China: If Christmas Day is not a holiday, Christmas is celebrated in Chinese cities. This festival was imported into this country by foreign missionaries. For the Chinese people who celebrate it, Christmas is a religious event.

About the Author : Prosperity66 is an European History, Holidays and Tarot cards passionate. For more Christmas Informations feel free to visit Christmas Time and receive a free Christmas Gifts Check List.

source: www.isnare.com

Weekly Quotes-05

Good advice is always certain to be ignored, but that's no reason not to give it. ~Agatha Christie


He who loves practice without theory is like the sailor who boards ship without a rudder and compass and never knows where he may cast. ~Leonardo da Vinci


When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. It is stupidity rather than courage to refuse to recognize danger when it is close upon you. ~Sir Arthur Conan Doyle


It is hard to believe that a man is telling the truth when you know that you would lie if you were in his place. ~H. L. Mencken


I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. ~Charles Dickens


Vitality shows in not only the ability to persist but the ability to start over. ~F Scott Fitzgerald

5 Cheapskate Tips For Staging Your Spare Room

by MARCI MCFARLAND

Why stage your spare room? A staged bedroom helps emphasize the size of the house and number of bedrooms, not to mention giving the impression of a well-rounded residence. Also, a clean bedroom looks a lot better than a cluttered spare room. Since a proper home staging can lead to a quicker sale and higher sale price, the time and money you spend on this can net you significant returns.

1. Dig Into The Pile

If you have a spare room in the house you're planning to sell, you may well have something that you can use to stage it with. Is that a lamp hidden under all those old suitcases and the clothes you can't quite bear to throw away? Drag it out and see if there can't be something done with it. If you have an old set of drawers awaiting a visit from your local Salvation Army, ask them to hold off and see if you can use it to complete the illusion that this is a guest bedroom. The same goes for any old bed, painting, etc. that you can temporarily repurpose from your belongings.

2. Borrow

You probably know someone, family or friend, who has a spare bed, furniture or tasteful art that you can temporarily place in the room to create the illusion of a happy bedroom. Many people will happily give you castoff furniture in return for you taking it to the local thrift store upon the sale of your home. If the item is to be returned, however, make sure it gets returned clean and in the same (or better!) shape it was when you first borrowed it.

3. Freecycle, Craigslist and thrift stores

Freecycle.org is a non-profit organization that began for the purpose of enabling people to get rid of unwanted items without sending them to a landfill. There are groups all over the world. Craigslist and other ad sites are another alternative. Many people are just trying to get rid of their stuff, hopefully for a few bucks. Much of this is perfect for staging purposes. Thrift stores are another cheap option.

4. Redecorate

A coat of paint or an inexpensive slipcover can make dingy walls and old furniture look much more attractive. Choose a bright, airy color for the walls, perhaps a white, blue or pale yellow. Furniture can be given a quick coat of paint that perhaps matches the room's trim or complements the color of the walls. Make sure your blankets, rugs and curtains are in a solid neutral color, which will pull the room together without distracting the eye.

5. Repurpose

What you're aiming for is the look of a bedroom, not necessarily the actual article. This means that your coffee table could actually be a box covered with an attractive looking tablecloth. It may surprise you how well a blanket or throw can help disguise any furniture dings, rips or scratches. Your bed doesn't have to be an actual mattress; air mattresses set up underneath some art with a comforter and plump pillows are all the bed you need.

Marci McFarland is a Sarasota real estate agent with a broad professional approach. Her unique insight into the various lifestyle requirements of her clients, combined with an intimate knowledge of her service area including Lido Key real estate, make her an ideal choice for families and investors alike.

source: www.amazines.com

What to Talk While on a Date

by: PeterHaliday

While you are on to a date, you need to know what you should converse with your partner and what you should avoid. Interesting talks on the first date pave the way for further dating schedules.

Conversation Strategy

People should devote a substantial amount of time towards the preparation of dating conversation topics. The selected topics should never lead to close ended answers as this disallows the opportunity of learning about the other person. A date should be approached as if it were an interview. Few topics that get the conversation rolling are as follows:

1. Dynamics and Size of Family: This helps us in finding out whether our date belongs to a big family and its history, tradition and values. Any person would love to speak about his/her family which makes this topic a sure shot topic for a date.

2. Hobbies: Each and every passion has a hobby or passion that he/she follows because of the sole pleasure derived out of it. Hence, hobbies make for interesting dating conversation topics. Discussion can range from music to fitness, and travel to culinary preferences. Talking about hobbies also helps in gauging the compatibility with your date. The kind of hobbies that a person follows has deep roots within the very personality of a person and hence these discussions are immensely helpful.

3. Fond Memories: With the passage of life, we leave behind a lot of memories that hold a special place in our heart. Discussing about these instances, instantly strikes a soft chord with the other person. This topic helps in bringing out the emotional self of the other person and if he/she finds that we are genuinely interested, an instant connect is developed.

4. Crazy Instances: There is no denying the fact that if two people are able to share a good laugh together, there will not be much time before both of them will grow really fond of each other. Talking about the various crazy things that the other person has done helps immensely in this regard. It is also an important topic as far as digging out hidden information is concerned about one's habits and addictions.

5. Money Spending Preferences: This makes for an interesting topic as it helps in gauging about our date's spending habits and priorities. This is important to know as far as long term association with respect to financial values and ethics are concerned.

6. Ambitions: Talking about one's ambition helps in finding the current satisfaction level of that person. If a person has been in the same profession for a long time, he is more likely to commit for a long term relationship on account of his/her stable mindedness. A person who has ambitions of moving over to different profession may not instantly commit for a relationship.

7. Relationships and Routine: This topic can be used for discussing about our date's closeness with his/her family which gives us an indication about how important relationships are for him/her. Routine is probably one of the most effective dating conversation topics as everyone loves talking what they are doing.

8. Expectations from a Date: Some people tend to have idealistic viewpoints and unrealistic expectations which might lead to future incompatibility. Hence, knowing the expectations straight away helps a lot in developing a long lasting relationship.

Proper preparation and clear mindedness helps a lot in deriving the most out of a date.

Going on a coffee date? Learn how you can come up with good topics of conversation people love to talk about and here are few conversation tips if you have ever struggled to engage with your partner in a meaningful conversation.

source: www.articlesbase.com