Loading...
The Times Advocate, 2007-12-19, Page 21Wednesday, December 19, 2007 Times -Advocate 21 Interesting facts about Christmas Electric Christmas tree lights were first used in 1895. The idea for using elec- tric Christmas lights came from an American, Ralph E. Morris. The new lights proved safer than the traditional candles. Frumenty was a spiced porridge, enjoyed by both rich and poor. It is thought to be the forerunner of mod- ern Christmas pud- dings. It has its ori- gins in a Celtic leg- end of the harvest god Dagda, who stirred a porridge made up of all the good things of the Earth. Hallmark intro- duced its first Christmas cards in 1915, five years after the founding of the company. Historians have traced some of the current traditions surrounding Father Christmas, or Santa Claus, back to ancient Celtic roots. Father Christmas's elves are the mod- ernization of the "Nature folk" of the Pagan religions; his reindeer are associ- ated with the "Horned God," which was one of the Pagan deities. In 1937, the first postage stamp to commemorate Christmas was issued in Austria. In Armenia, the traditional Christmas Eve meal consists of fried fish, lettuce, and spinach. The meal is traditionally eaten after the Christmas Eve ser- vice, in commemo- ration of the supper eaten by Mary on the evening before Christ's birth. In Britain, eat- ing mince pies at Christmas dates back to the 16th century. It is still believed that to eat a mince pie on each of the Twelve Days of Christmas will bring 12 happy months in the year to follow. In Finland and Sweden an old tra- dition prevails, where the twelve days of Christmas are declared to be time of civil peace by law. It used to be that a person committing crimes during this time would be liable to a stiffer sentence than normal. In France, Christmas is called Noel. This is derived from the French phrase "les bonnes nouvelles," which means liter- ally "the good news" and refers to the gospel. In Guatemala, Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25; how- ever, Guatemalan adults do not exchange gifts until New Year's Day. Children get theirs (from the Christ Child) on Christmas morning. Teach kids to be generous (NC)—With so many pre- sents, the holidays can turn the focus for some children into "getting" instead of "giving". Christian Children's Fund of Canada, an organization that helps children in need around the world, has some help- ful hints to use during the gift -giving season as a way to instill generosity in your child: Teach them to count their blessings. Remember those less fortunate at home and around the world. Children can identify with a child their own age living in another country. The idea that some children don't have any toys on Christmas is a big shock for many children. Needs vs. Wants. Help children think about those who are truly needy of gifts. Have them consider the basic items they really need everyday. Ask them what they need this Christmas not just what they want. Develop a new giftless or gift reduced tradition. Create a new family tradi- tion where instead of yet another gift, a gift to a child in need is made in the name of your son or daughter. Children are often excited to know that they gave a piglet or baby goat to a child their age in a poor country. Involve them in the dona- tion choice . Going online to www.ccfcanada.ca is a way to make donating to a charity fun. Instead of another box of chocolates, have kids select a gift for their teacher like sending school supplies in their teacher's name to a school in Sri Lanka. Have them make a dona- tion in your name. Suggesting children set aside money throughout the year or use the money they would spend on another tie for their Dad to purchase a duckling for a child living in poverty is a great way for parents to lead by example. For more ways to help you involve your children in giving generously, visit www.ccfcanada.ca or call 1-800-263-5437. History of Santa Claus The conventional idea of Santa Claus is the symbol of the purity of the innocence and faith that children put in the Christmas sea- son. He symbolizes hope, love, and in the present day, Jolly Old Saint Nick is portrayed as a happy, fat old elf with glasses and rosy cheeks that delivers gifts to the children on the Nice side of the Naughty/Nice list on Christmas Eve. Santa's wardrobe consists of mainly red suits with white trim, black boots, and red, white trimmed hats with a pom- pom on top. The modern day Santa Claus hates to shave, and his principal mode of transporta- tion consists of a giant red sleigh and eight reindeer (one with a keenly red nose). He popped into and out of household chimneys, picking up scores of cook- , ies and glasses of M milk along the way. However, Santa Claus has not always been portrayed like this. The present- day Santa Claus is the end result of centuries of yarns starring kind old men and holy figures, all rolled into one. One of the most popular expla- nations of how Santa Claus origi- nated can be traced back to an old monk in Turkey named St. Nicholas. Saint Nicholas was famed for his kindness and gener- ous nature; according to legend the old monk gave away every material thing he owned so that he could spend his life traveling to help the poor and sick children of the world. At this point, I'm sure you have noticed that this version of Saint Nick did- n't start out as part of any- thing having to do with the holiday sea- son. So how did St. Nicholas ever become associated with Christmas? Over the years as he became more and more renowned for his charitable work, St. Nicholas became known as the protector of children all over. The date of his death, December 6, was celebrated with a feast and was considered an extremely happy, lucky day. The Orthodox Catholic Church adopted Saint Nicholas as the patron saint of children and seafarers, and the 6th of December is his day. The origin of Santa Claus can also be traced back to the Dutch legend of Sinter Klaas, who trav- eled the world on the eve of Saint Nicholas distributing toys and candy to the good children with Black Peter by his side, who car- ried a whip with which to punish nasty children. Author Washington Irving first brought the Dutch version of Sinter Klaas to American attention in 1809 by giv- ing account to the saint's journey on horseback on the eve of Saint Nicholas in his book, The History of New York. In 1823 the poem, "A Visit From Saint Nicholas" (also known as " 'Twas The Night Before Christmas") by Clemente Mark Moore was published, and served as the American public's first glimpse into the conventional present day idea of Santa Claus, chimneys, reindeer, cookies and all. Ontario PST exemption on bikes becomes a gift TORONTO - Just in time for the Christmas season, bikes with a price tag of less than $1000, bike helmets and select bike safety equipment are now exempt from the Ontario Provincial Sales Tax (PST), beginning Dec. 1. At first glance, tax relief for bikes when there's snow on the road seems odd, but as the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada (BTAC) and your local bike retailer will tell you, pre -Christmas is the second largest sales period for bikes. "Sales at this time of year are higher due to the Christmas sea- son, since this is when a lot of kids get their first bikes," says Pete Lilly, president of the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada. "While kids will be getting the new bikes, the McGuinty government's sales tax exemption on bikes and accessories is a gift to parents." The tax exemption will save con- sumers approximately $25 million each year. It is also expected that this move by the Ontario govern- ment will get kids more active, as well as encourage others to spend more time outdoors, while easing congestion on the roads. Mr. Lilly con- tinues, "Your local specialty bike retailer is really about much more than selling you ACCENTUAL r HAIR & SPA • Aveda Hair Salon • Aveda Facials • Manicures • Pedicures • Body Treatments • Waxing • Hot Stone Massage • Reflexology • Relaxation Massage GIFT CERTIFICATES & CHRISTMAS PACKAGES AVAILABLE 206 Main St., Parkhill, ON NOM 2K0 • 519-294-6522 Sun. -Mon. CLOSED I Tues. 9-4 j Wed. -Fri. 9-7 I Sat. 9-3 a bike. A good bike shop is part of your community - it's a place that not only equips you, but also inspires you to move on your own power. And the more you ride, the stronger and healthier you get, the less pollution and green- house gasses you generate, and the more fun you have." See www.btac.org for more information. FREE Group Professional Resume Development Interview Preparation & Job Seekers & Coaching Club Call your local Centre For Employment & Learning Office 519-235-0471 3t "Employment Ontario Programs are funded in part by the Government of Canada" J JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS! CrJ_PL_121 Hensall Hobbies jn Crafts Offering a wide selection of Cerami* • greenware or bisque • paint & supplies • firing on premises For that special gift choose from • handcrafted wood work • Stained glass • Nascar collectibles • scented teddy bears 123 King St., Hensall 519-262-3820 * WINDSOR FACTORY SUPPLY L T D. OUR DELIVERY SERVICE IS EXPANDING Our delivery trucks will be in your area every morning. No charge delivery service is offered to all customers in Hyde Park, Lucan, Centralia, Huron Park, Exeter, Hensall, Brucefield, Clinton and surrounding areas. Contact WINDSOR FACTORY SUPPLY for all your industrial, safety and janitorial needs. Phone: 519-681-3790 or 800-265-4681 Fax: 519-685-4548 Gil Check out our current specials at www.wfsltd.com.