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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.

jjdurrant

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About jjdurrant

  • Rank
    Senior Member
  • Birthday 12/18/1978

Profile Information

  • Location
    Cottage Grove, MN
  • Biography
    NA
  • Interests
    Xmas Lights, RC Cars
  • Occupation
    Systems Engineer
  • About my display
    Mostly store bought items
  1. jjdurrant

    Lighting Effects

    jjdurrant posted a topic in Lights

    Hey guys.. couple questions. 1. I remember reading somewhere that incand floods should not be shimmered or faded. Is that true? If so, do they handle on/off ok? 2. When buying from big box stores, how are you supposed to know if the LEDs they sell support shimmer and fade? Thx!
  2. jjdurrant

    Hey Guys!

    jjdurrant replied to jjdurrant's topic in Minnesota

    Got my roof line done today.. oh and I am selling more LEDs if anyone wants some: http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/for/2690302109.html
  3. jjdurrant
    I will get some pics tonight.. local means I do not have to ship
  4. jjdurrant
    I am thinking $75.. but I want to give locals first dibs
  5. jjdurrant
    Anyone interested.. I have two sets that I am not going to be using.. only used last year.
  6. jjdurrant

    Hey Guys!

    jjdurrant posted a topic in Minnesota

    Who is excited for 2011? Already took my Halloween display down today and am ready to start 2011!
  7. jjdurrant
    Hey guys.. I am sticking with 16ch again this year.. was hoping to jump to 32 with a megatree this year but no time right now. I am looking for ways to switch-up\and improve my display from last year. Here is what I am thinking... open to all feedback and suggestions! 1. Ditch the LED lawn lights. They are just no longer working with my display.. and since they are LED they get covered up quickly anyway given all the MN snow. Sell or use them some other way? 2. Incorporate more incand floods. I really like the RGB color wash you see on the side of my house in the second vid. Are these generally ok to dim and\or switch on and off frequently? And do you think adding them to the channel that runs the multis along my roof line behind the icicles would look ok without too much of a wash? 3. Ditch the whites around the garage doors. Just doesn't look right too me. Thanks!
  8. jjdurrant
    Thanks.. I need to head over your way!
  9. jjdurrant
    Great idea.. I actually know a guy who invented a trail timer... going to give him a call.
  10. jjdurrant
    They were, now it is just several inches of fluffy snow
  11. jjdurrant
    Weird.. I emailed them but did not get added tot he map
  12. jjdurrant
    I can home today and my 8 year old daughter cleared all the snow around my lawn lights and cleared off my mini-trees. She must be trying to score points with xmas right around the corner.
  13. jjdurrant
    Yeah... I suppose it could have been animals.. but I have had other issues such as theft before so I am quick to assume the worst.
  14. jjdurrant
    Cool story!
  15. jjdurrant

    Vandals got me

    jjdurrant posted a topic in Minnesota

    Nothing major, but they cut out sections on several of my c7 strings.. so irritating. I was able to repair most of them.. but it's the principle. I am not going to let it get me down though.
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