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Did you know?
  • The original Rudolph did not have a red nose. In that day and age, red noses were seen as an indicator of chronic alcoholism and Montgomery Ward didn’t want him to look like a drunkard. To complete the original picture, he was almost named Reginald or Rollo.
  • The Christmas wreath was originally hung as a symbol of Jesus. The holly represents his crown of thorns and the red berries the blood he shed.
  • The three traditional colors of most Christmas decorations are red, green and gold. Red symbolizes the blood of Christ, green symbolized life and rebirth, and gold represents light, royalty and wealth.
  • Tinsel was invented in 1610 in Germany and was once made of real silver.
  • The oldest artificial Christmas trees date back to the late 1800s and were made of green raffia (think grass hula skirts) or dyed goose feathers. Next the Addis Brush Company used their machinery that wove toilet brushes to create pine-like branches for artificial Christmas trees that were less flammable and could hold heavier decorations.
  • ‘Jingle Bells’ – the popular Christmas song was composed by James Pierpont in Massachusetts, America. It was, however, written for thanksgiving and not Christmas.
  • Coca-Cola was the first company that used Santa Claus during the winter season for promotion.
  • Hallmark introduced their first Christmas cards in 1915.
  • The first recorded date of Christmas being celebrated on December 25th was in 336, during the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine. A few years later, Pope Julius I officially declared that the birth of Jesus would be celebrated on that day.
  • Santa Claus's sleigh is led by eight reindeer: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Dunder (variously spelled Donder and Donner), and Blixem (variously spelled Blixen and Blitzen), with Rudolph being a 20th-century inclusion.
  • Outdoor Christmas lights on homes evolved from decorating the traditional Christmas tree and house with candles during the Christmas season. Lighting the tree with small candles dates back to the 17th century and originated in Germany before spreading to Eastern Europe.
  • That big, jolly man in the red suit with a white beard didn’t always look that way. Prior to 1931, Santa was depicted as everything from a tall gaunt man to a spooky-looking elf. He has donned a bishop's robe and a Norse huntsman's animal skin. When Civil War cartoonist Thomas Nast drew Santa Claus for Harper's Weekly in 1862, Santa was a small elflike figure who supported the Union. Nast continued to draw Santa for 30 years, changing the color of his coat from tan to the red he’s known for today.
  • Christmas 2018 countdown has already begun. Will you be ready???
  • Why do we love Christmas? It's all about the traditions. In this chaotic world we can miss the "good old days." Christmas reminds us of that time.

fairclb

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Everything posted by fairclb

  1. fairclb
    I know the feeling here, a few years ago we have two outlets installed along the roof-line (running from a single 20A), and this year I had two more added, each running to their own 20A. I had an electrician do it though, that's not an area I want to meddle with and mess up! Using an animated display and some LEDs does help control the electric cost. I also only run it for about 2 hours on weekdays and 3 on weekends until about a week from Christmas when I extend that time a bit longer.
  2. fairclb
    Love the pics, giving me great ideas for next year
  3. fairclb
    Glad to hear you got it working
  4. fairclb
    Just downloaded and tested Zara Radio... this will work much better than what I was using. I am getting ready to install it on the other computer and setting up the playlist. Thanks Lee!
  5. fairclb
    I have played with the trial version of visualizer... but, don't tell my wife that I kinda like the idea of having a wall of lights that I can play with throughout the year
  6. fairclb
    I have been using Windows Media Player and a scheduled task to start and stop the playlist.... I will check out Zara radio, it may be a much better solution! We do plan to order it in the next few weeks. I have a room that I can use to hang lights hooked up to the controllers so that I can see how the sequences look. I may just take you up on your offer to help once I get started. Thanks for your response!
  7. fairclb
    We have a moderate display in comparison to many, with a total of about 20,000 lights along with various lawn ornaments. I don't foresee adding too much more as far as lights go, but will be transitioning to LOR for next year. We are going to purchase the "starter kit" with 32 channels. We already have a dedicated computer that runs the timers, music (wireless to outside speakers) and FM transmitter, that will be used to run the sequences. I have extensive technical experience with networks, design and programming, I am hoping that helps with setting up the show and programming the sequences... I was hoping to get some advice from the vastly more experienced users on this board on how to begin and if you think we are headed in the right direction.
  8. fairclb
    We do ours Thanksgiving night every year so that the family can all be there for the "grand lighting". Then, we eat pie
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