History of New Year Greeting Cards

The earliest recorded New Year celebrations can be traced back to 2000 BCE in Mesopotamia. The concept was prevalent in most cultures in one way or the other but the common thought was to observe a day that marked the difference between Winter Solstice and Vernal Equinox. In most cases these festivities were closely linked to agricultural events. January 1 became the norm much later when the Gregorian calendar was introduced and accepted.

Speaking of the New Year greeting cards the first recorded mention of one can be traced back to ancient China. The ancient Egyptians and Chinese are known to have exchanged ‘good will messages’ on New Year through papyrus scrolls.

AS far as printed greeting cards are concerned, the Germans take credit. Woodcut prints were common in 1400’s. The printing and mechanization revolutions changed everything in the 1850’s. Greeting cards became affordable ways for sending personalized messages on occasions.

Companies like Marcus Ward & Co, Goodall and Charles Bennett started producing greeting cards on a large scale by the 1860’s. Naturally people resorted to buying these instead of presents. They were affordable options for expressing gratitude and good cheer towards fellowmen.

Jack and Sally Christmas Cake Toppers

Hope you all had a great Christmas this year! But of course the party is still on; and the festivities will go on till January 1 and in some countries through the January first week. The spirited American population is not to be left behind. Whether it’s California, the Caribbean, Florida, Alaska, Georgia, Illinois, or any of the other states – winter carnivals is a common sight!

To think that cake baking is over with yuletide celebrations! Not at all people continue to buy or bake plum and ginger cakes through the winter season. And those with a quirky taste have a real fetish for Nightmare before Christmas cakes. In fact Jack and Sally cake toppers are a great favorite with the younger crowd.

Tim Burtons’ motion picture is an all-time favorite. In fact people go all out to order these unusual toppers to add that extra zing to New year party celebrations. When placed atop a pure white iced cake the toppers have an even better visual appeal. Jack Skellington inspired cupcake toppers are a great hit with teens. In case the toppers are edible instead of plastic they only add to all the fun!

New Year Wishes for Teens

So another New Year has come with renewed vigor and lots of joy. It is the time of the year when you should end all your differences with people and start the year with enthusiasm and freshness. If you are a teen then this is the occasion for making up with people who are not with friendly terms with you. So can start the New Year with lot more number of friends by sending them beautiful New Year wishes. Here are some messages that you take inspiration from and write your original ones:

1. Lighten up your surroundings with your

sweet smile and make way for happiness

with your good deeds this New Year.

– Anonymous

2. Then sing, young hearts that are full of cheer,

With never a thought of sorrow;

The old goes out, but the glad young year

Comes merrily in tomorrow

• Emily Miller

3. Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a

better man.

• Benjamin Franklin

4. Resolve to make at least one person happy every day, and then in ten years you may have made three thousand, six hundred and fifty persons happy, or brightened a small town by your contribution to the fund of general enjoyment.

– Sydney Smith

Tips for writing your own messages

The worst thing that you can in wishing a close one is by not writing a personal message to the person. You should not copy New Year wises from the internet. The messages written for your near ones should have a personal touch. You can take inspiration from the cherish able moments you shared with the person.

Poinsettia – The Christmas Flower

Poinsettia is a bright red color flower that is popularly used in the United States and other North American countries during Christmas celebration. The flower is indigenous to Mexico and Central America. It was used by the ancient tribe of Aztecs in their festive celebration.

Legend associated with the Poinsettia

The flower is associated with the Christmas celebration in Mexico and other Central American countries. There is a legend that is often quoted to explain the association. According to the legend, there was a girl called Pepita who was going to the chapel on the Christmas Eve. Since she did not have any gift for the infant Jesus, she plucked some Poinsettia flowers and presented them to the little Jesus. Since then the red bright flower is used for decoration of Nativity Scene and churches. The tradition gradually spread to other North American countries over time. Now the flower is important from Mexico in the USA, Canada and other countries. This is how Poinsettia came to be called as a Christmas flower.

Poinsettia as a symbol of purity

According to the Aztecs belief, Poinsettia is a symbol of purity. When Christianity became popular in Mexico, the flower naturally became part of the Christmas celebration. Now it is an integral part of the Christmas celebration in Mexico.

Popular Christmas flowers

Decoration is an important aspect of Christmas celebration. Though plastic and paper decoration items could be more predominantly seen at homes and churches, flower still make an integral part of the decoration.

Popular flowers used for decoration in Christmas celebration

Poinsettia

Poinsettia was used by the ancient tribe of Aztecs of Mexico for reverential activities as it was considered as a symbol of purity. The custom was adopted by the Mexican Christian centuries later. The bright red color flower has also become popular as the Christmas flower in the entire North America. Its blooming season coincides with the festive season.

Christmas rose

Christmas rose is also among the most popular flowers used during the festival. It is white in color and originally from the tropical regions of the Asia. It is a tradition among young women in the North America to exchange the white rose on the Christmas Eve. It symbolizes fraternity and love.

Christmas cactus

This flower is also known as the orchid cactus. Like the above two flowers the blooming season of this cantus also coincides with the winter season. The stem of the plant is suitable for hanging baskets. Many other types of cactus are also sold as Christmas cactus during the festive season.

How Jamaican Christmas cake is unique

Christmas cannot be imagined without cakes. Cakes of diverse types are popular in different parts of the world. Among this wide range of cakes, the one from Jamaica are one of the most relished types. Jamaican cakes are slightly different from other types.

How Jamaican Christmas cake is different from other types

Rich in fruits

This is the special characteristic of this type of cake. The cake has dried fruits, especially a lot of dates and other common fruits. Some people also add almonds and cashews to add to the taste. Rum or brandy is used for mixing the fruits to flour and butter. You can add a flavor of your choice.

Dark texture

Dark texture is typical to the beautiful Christmas cakes made in Jamaica. The dark texture is rendered by the use of burnt sugar, dried fruits and other ingredients.

Moist

Jamaican cakes are made moist by adding brandy. Bakers make small holes in the cake and pour rum or brandy over the cake. This activity can be performed right after the baking of the cake is complete or before serving it. It is recommended that the cake is made moist before it is serve as moist do not last for long.

Organizing Corporate Christmas Carnivals

December is that time of the year when corporates also try and extend a warm greeting to their employees. Regardless of whether you are in America or any other part of the world corporate Christmas carnivals are a common thing these days. In fact companies that organize large scale events for employees and their families generally enlist the services of event management companies.

Though of course most organizations have able human resource and Administration departments that can well manage such events of their own accord; it is advisable to get an event management company to do the dirty job. After all official staff has their regular mandates and cannot possibly run around making large scale arrangements. A few things are an absolute must when organizing a corporate event: Christmas carnival games, food stalls and a stage for impromptu performances.

Event management organizations eat, sleep, dream and architect events – basically it’s a full time job for them. So it is a good idea to sub contract the job. Everything from planning, organizing, execution and management is done with perfect precision. What else do you need to make your corporate Christmas carnival a hit!

Hang Your Christmas Tree Upside Down

Let’s go back in time; as far back as the early 7th century when the legendary Saint Boniface traveled to Germany to spread the message of Christ. Besides several old wives tales that are associated with St. Boniface and his expedition, one story is very popular.

The great scholar used an upside down fir tree as a prop to explain the concept of Christianity to the common people. Over the years it became a custom to decorate and then hang these trees upside down from the ceiling during yuletide. The upside down Christmas tree  apparently was symbolic of the Holy Trinity – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Over the years people while moving on with times started erecting trees just as they are and decorated them with ornaments, fruits, candies, ornaments and fairy lights. Today of course people set up theme trees and what not!
Why not do something interesting this X Mas eve. Decorate the Ree with fairy lights and glitter and hang it upside down from the ceiling. Give your guests a surprise and something new to enjoy and talk about.

History Of Glass Christmas Ornaments

Glass ornaments are widely used for decorating homes and Christmas trees during the festive season. These decoration pieces have been used in Christmas celebration since the mid19^th century.

Invention of glass making

Christoph Muller and Hans Greiner are credited for setting up the Germany’s first glassworks in 1597 in Lauscha. The location was ideal for the industry as wood and sand needed for making glass were easily available at the location. In 1847 Hans Greiner (a descendent of the Hans Greiner) started making glass ornaments in the shape of fruits and nuts. This was also the time when glassworks makers started with other compounds for rendering silvery look to the wares. Greiner’s sons and grandsons carried on the tradition of Christmas glass ornament making.

How glass decoration became popular

Glass decoration became popular in 1846 when news about Queen Victoria’s Christmas tree was published in the newspaper. The tree was decorated with lots of glass ornaments that were brought in from Prince Albert’s native land of Germany. Soon producers of Christmas tree glass decorations started exporting these items to other European countries and other Christmas celebrating countries introduced these items in their traditions. The tradition soon spread to other parts of the world.

A Prop For Teaching Tenets Of Christianity

A prop is an easy way of teaching the tenets of Christianity to kids. Since it is not easy to teach someone religion, it is advisable to use a prop. When you have the task of teaching kids you need to pick something with which kids will connect to more easily.

Props for teaching tenets of Christianity

Use Nativity Scene

It is easier to teach kids with the help of Nativity Scene. Kids will find it easier to connect to the figurines used in creating the Nativity Scene, especially infant Jesus. Besides, other characters like Joseph and Mary, sheep, shepherds, horse etc. are also useful in establishing a connection between the story of Jesus and the kids. It also offers the benefits of simple story telling. The story makes one of the best Christmas play ideas.

Christmas tree

Though kids do not know the true significance (even many adults are not aware of this aspect of the tree) of Christmas, they see it as a symbol of celebration. You can use the tree as a prop to explain the Holy Trinity of God, Son and the Holy Spirit. This is what the tree was meant to denote earlier but its meaning was lost over the years.