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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.

    Ottawa Barry

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    About Ottawa Barry

    • Rank
      Member
    • Birthday 02/06/1962

    Profile Information

    • My favorite Christmas story
      1989 first Christmas as new parents
    • Location
      Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
    • Biography
      Married 37 years, 2 boys and 2 grand Children
    • Interests
      Clydesdale horses, working with the Shriner's
    • Occupation
      Quality Control Inspector
    • About my display
      All blow molds arrange din various scenes.

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    1. Big J Illinois started following Ottawa Barry
    2. Ottawa Barry
      Up in the frozen wilds of Ontario Canada, I have all of my ground installed blow molds mounted on a piece of 3/4 plywood so about an inch of plywood is visible all the way around I drill a hole in each corner and then hammer a 10 inch spike into the ground. Never had a problem with them blowing over.
    3. Ottawa Barry
      Chiming in from Canada, I have 5 of each of the 2 types of TPI top hat snowmen, all my Green Hats have carrot noses and all my Black Hats have button noses.
    4. Ottawa Barry
      I fibbed in my previous post. The paint I picked up was indeed Krylon indoor/outdoor, satin finish "Almond"
    5. Ottawa Barry
      Great grab! I love that candle, may I ask who made it?
    6. Ottawa Barry
      I picked up a can of "Almond" coloured paint at Wal-Mart, last December. Now I have not used it yet, but the cap colour seems to be close to most flesh tones. It was not a popular brand of paint, and was in the "craft" section rather then the paint of hardware section. Hope this helps
    7. Ottawa Barry
      Mel: I love tooning in for your history lessons !!!
    8. Ottawa Barry
      Looks great! Love the Bible! Is there a sight I could find plans for one??
    9. Ottawa Barry
      Great Job !!
    10. Ottawa Barry
      I have picked both up since last Halloween, the orange belly on Kijiji (Craig list style site) and the Brown belly at a thrift store. Both appeared to have been originally bought at Zellers
    11. Ottawa Barry
      Its defiantly a Canadian mold, but I don't think it’s TPI. I've got 3 of them the name National Plastics, or Imperial Plastics rings a bell. Unfortunately I won't be able to look at mine for a while, there are stored off site due to some house renovations
    12. Ottawa Barry
      Boy does that bring back memories !!!!
    13. Ottawa Barry
      I would have to say the Santa Train and tender car, or the TPI Drummer Boy would top my list.
    14. Ottawa Barry
      Rocking Horse Santa is at the top of my want list !!! Great find, congrats!!!
    15. Ottawa Barry
      I was in Wal-Mart last night and they had blow mold pumpkins in a couple of sizes. These were the type with open mouth, nose and eyes, they seem to be of a harder more dense plastic then the traditional TPI pumpkins. No manufacture marks only "Imported for Wal Mart", The shelf was not tagged with a price yet either, I guess they are still in set up mode.
    16. Ottawa Barry
      Hey guys just wondering if any Ontario retailers have any molds out for either Halloween or Christmas? Still nothing here in Ottawa.
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