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.
As I get older putting up decorations has become a chore and the thought occurs- does anybody care? One year as I was putting up the Christmas light an elderly woman passed by and told me how she always enjoys looking at my lights ( I have some sort of lights up all year long), they make her feel good. Since I didn't recognize her from the block I asked her where she lived and she told me, it was on the next block over. So I asked her how could she see my lights from a block away. She lived in on the top floor of an apartment house and could see them from there. I've had to cut back in recent years but I still put the lights out all year long.
Location
Brooklyn, NY
Biography
Retired. The wife has always liked Christmas so I decorate outside. From Christmas went to Halloween to all the other holidays to all year long.
Interests
Like old cars and of course toy and model trains.
Occupation
Retired
About my display
Used to run a lot of miniature string lights but gave up on them for two reasons. Bulbs blowing out, too much trouble to find the burnt out bulbs and then can never find replacements. Also as I get older small stuff is harder to see, the covers don't make an impression visually. Tried inflatables but they're too much trouble to set up and the motors burn out. I now use mostly blow molds and C7 or C9 LED light strings which make a nice colorful display.
Recent Profile Visitors
The recent visitors block is disabled and is not being shown to other users.
Very nice, picture perfect. Everything looks great- the sled, the MERRY CHRISTMAS lights, elevated nativity, everything including the leaves on the ground.
