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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1970-12-17, Page 20t OPER!CI SICNAM STM , ThVRSUAY, DI MBER 17, win, e lovely of Christmas -time en; This year as you trim the tree, tilt Christmas stockings or Wig the mistletoe -- give a thought ' to where you got your favorite Christmas custom; chanees are it goes farther back in history than you realize. According to ancient legend, ° on the night that Christ was r born, trees burst into bloom and bore fruit despite the wintry • 'weather. Irl Fmodern times the transformation in honor of the holy holiday is almost as miraculous,as homes throughout the world are trimmed with greens and garlandstand set aglow with tiny twinkling lights for the celebration of Christmas. Like the trees that flower, holly, mistletoe, poinsettias and many other flowers and plants are all • part of the glorious history of the Holy Season. The reasons why we celebrate Christmas with flowers have been passed down through the ages. Many of the customs and traditions have their origins in ancient pagean rites, yet over the years they have taken on Christmas implications of deep significance. The use of greenery at Christmas grew out of ancient Grecian and Roman customs. Holly, for example, was a favorite • decoration of the Romans who considered its greenness inthe middle, of the winter as a promise of the sun's return to earth for another.year. Later, the early French and English hung sprigs of the bright -berried .plant on their doors to indicate homes in .which Christ dwelled. It is also believed that holly sprang up where the infant Jesus - took His first baby steps. Ironically, ,this same plant was supposed to have made up His crown of thorns — the berries turning from red to white at the Crucifixion. Nowadays holly is frequently used for wreaths. The red -berried plant, worked into a circular shape symbolizes the hope of eternal life and makes a gift • witha warm personal • message when sent by wire to friends too far away to share Christmas with you. The most popular flowering plant for Christmas is the poinsettia, brought to the U.S. and thence to Canadatmore than 125 years ago from Mxico. So - popular are these scarlet -leaved blooms that according to many florist more poinsettias are distributed to . customers than any other holiday floral offering. 'There are many legends surrounding this Christmas colored wonder. One tale relates how a poor Mexican girl was heartbroken because she had nothing of value or beauty to offer the Virgin. In desperation she plucked some scrawny roadside weeds and placed them at the feet of the ,Holy Statue. They were instantly transformed into scarlet brilliance. A French legend tells how the Christmas rose came into being. A little girl accompanying the shepherds on their way to see the Christ Child was sad because she had no gift to offer. The angel Gabriel appeared and taking pity on the child, caused a beautiful white rose to spring from the ground. Overjoyed, the little girl plucked the bloom which she took as a gift to the Infant Jesus. Red and white bldgsoms are traditionally ' used to highlight holiday greetings, the red for joy and laughter; ' the white symbolizing spiritual calmness and purity. Using red carnations and giant white chrysanthemums to interpret these messages has become a popular custom. It is said that the custom of Christmas trees began in heavily forested ° northern Europe. St. Boniface, an eighth, century monk who converted the gagans living in what is now Germany, convinced them to stop worshipping Odin's sacred oak and instead, to adorn fir trees in their homes in tribute .' t� the Christ Child. What is the meaning of floral gift -giving at Christns? Such gift -giving probably stems from the story of the Three Wise Men. In some countries this custom is still observed ' on January 6, when it is believed that the Wise Men,appeared in the Holy Land. Lassies who get kissed under the mistletoe- have . an old Scandinavian myth to thank for this charming custom. It was the goddess Frigia who hung mistletoe high ,andwas the first to stand under theglistening plant offering kisses to all who passed beneath it. Bassam and fir branches trimmed with belts are other popular holiday decorations. The green represents everlasting life. Bells, it is said, tolled omin •�� , .:' • msec midn tai" first Christmas to warn 'Satan of the imminent birth ,Of, the Saviour. At the - stroke of twelve, the happy pealing began to announce the death of the Devil and the birth of Christ. Through these many years, flowers, greens and plants have become very much a part of Christmas celebrations. They a • Poinsettias are the brightest of the traditional Christmas flowering plants. help make the insides of homes more vibrant. On doors and gate posts they call out ,,the season's joys to passing strangers. They literally change the face of the world in honor of its Creator and in celebration of its Saviour. Yule table for less money A penny saved is a penny earned.. And Christfnas is THE time for saved pennies. An economic way to dress up the table for that festive meal this year is to modernize las' -,year's centrepiece.,A quick spray with .any one of the realm of colors available in spray paint will give your central decoration a bright new appearance., Depart • from the traditional ..and go for the "total look" in table fashion. Harmonize holiday crackers, 'candles, dinner napkins -„and your centrepiece.' Vibrant' tones of mandarin, avocado, antique gold, spanish bue,A��}�ir toise,, melonry or� xairie 's gold .are et ..ofd” especial, well by a snowy white tablecloth. For a psychedelic effect, try fluorescent colors of green, red or orange. Elegance is achieved in a shimmering silver, warm .._bronze or golden decor. Go ahead — break with tradition! After all, there'll always be holly, pine cones, poinsettias, mistletoe Philips Customized stereo Philips experience in the field pf sound is evidenced by its many major sound installations such as that in the La Scala Opera house of Milan and in many similar situations where audiences are especially critical and the demands for perfection are unconditional. Philips Stereo Components are flexible and compatible. Because we make all of them ourselves, vve can, with, - confidence, show you how to add a cassette recorder/player, reel-to-reel tape recorder, or. other . speakers, Adding such items enhances, the capabilities of your component system. Here's how: N4404 — Reel-tb-reel recorder • 1 N4408 — Deluxe reel-to-reel recorder RI 1482 — Deluxe full range speaker RH481 — High efficiency speaker PHILIPS We mean business AII 0 5245433 Now to make Star decorations at Christmas The cu tomary glow *of Christmas would be somehow dimmer with the absence of bright, glittering star decorations, One ' simple method for making stars involves the use of paper drinking cups of various sizes, glue, glitter, and "precious gems" salvaged from pld P -ss -ss! ., That's spray " P—s ". Aerosol " sprays have become an accepted part of today's lifestyle, simply because they spell convenience. And convenience is the name of the game. The list .of sprays is endless and varied ... starch, air freshener, paint, dessert •topping, hair -fix, shaving foam, etc. etc. The praises - of '*aerosols 'are sung every day via radio, TV and newspapers. But the real hero of modern sprays is unsung. It's a spirited gas made by combining - two chemicals manufactured by Canadian Industries Limited. Without it, the contents would never leave the can. This modest, hard-working gremlin is hidden inside the cap, waiting for the quick shake that turns it into a powerful propellent ... the push behind the "P-s—s--s—s". costume jewellery. 'To begin, cut triangular wedges from the tip of the cup to its base. You may cut as many points - as you wish, but five seems to be easiest and most symmetrical. ' Flatten the points' in all directions. Next, spray all over with any of the' numerous ,colors available in the spray paint line. For added interest you may wish to spray one side one color, and the other a contrasting color." (Most colors are now available in a handy five ounce can as well as the popular 14 ounce). Your stars will twinitle even more brightly if silver,' gold .or multi -colored glitter is spr.inkied on the -wet paint surface. An old' salt shaker is ideal for this purpose as the glitter will flow evenly: The final touch comes with the addition of a sparkling jewel, glued to the centre' of the star. This is particularly effective if the cup has an indented base. Household cement, with its slir . tube and pin-hole opening is especially suited to this job, as it guarantees no mess. Once the basic star -making technique has been mastered, 0, • you can ,go on to make stars of • all sizes and colors, and fashion a "r "milky way"' mobile! M SHOP at: SM!TH'S Clinton FOR NAME BRAND TOYS . GAMES CHINA . CARDS . ALUMINUM WARE . WALLETS AND PURSES ALBERT STREET - (:I INTON 482-9766 CANADA. GRADE A EVISCERATED r FROZEN, VACUUM PACKED YOUNG SWIFT PREMIUM SELF BASTING BUTTERBALL TURKEYS Canada Grade "A", Eviscerated 4 FROZEN 2Oeibs and over lb 6 TO 14 -LBS 1b 5 3 c As the turkey roasts, tke pure golden cornoil basting mixture, which has been addede mingles with the naturail. juices inside this delicious Grade "A" turkey . and bubbles through the skin to self -baste the outside of the bird. r 20 lbs. and over Ib. 35 ESH PORK ROASTS ROASTS Thankless '. SHOULDER,.: ROASTS Lean B,UTT Ib Ib POR SHOULDER OR `BUTT IUR1�Y- sTv Swift Premium or Maple Leaf Brand PURE PORIG SAUSAGE MEAT1LB ROLL Semi -Boneless, Skinless Smoked, Cooked PRODUCE FEATURES ~- '¢ ASSORTED • CALIFORNIA, SEEDLESS, SWEET, JUICY, SIZE 113's _ NAVEL 'ORANGES •GE . 28flozbtl2ARpNCOCKTAIL. In Butter Sapce or Cream Sauce, Frozen (Mixed Vegetable in 'Cream Sauce) 3 10-0z pkgs 9 5?. CHOCOLATES LOWNEY'S s le. 3.59 E. D. SMITH'B McCAIN'S PEAS MAPLE LEAF MINCEMEAT 'rWt1% !S CO'NCENTRA'TED, FROZEN- R PE JUICE OCEAN SPRAY, WHOLE OR JELLIED CRANBERRY SAUCE STUFFING MIX McLAREN'S OLIVES BREAD CRUMBS 28 -fl -oz jar 55? 'Si 12 -f1 -oz tin 49 2 oz tins 14-f1-49? 8 -oz pkg Is? Ontario Grown, ,841 -oz jar No. 1 Grade toe 14 -Ib bag 7 9 5/ 57? Daking Nugget Gems DOZEN 6' fl Florida Grown, Canada No. 1 14 -oz cello tube35 TOMATOES Grade, Firm, Red California�Grown, Canada No. 1 Grade, Large Heads L T Arizona, Tended^, �, :creen Mild; •benches -_' Oiuons "Large Bunch each 25f/ Canada No. 1 Grade, A New Crop, 'render, Sweet bunches Or..3 Grown, No. 1 Geode,.ifty p� 10.02 pkg ?TuRN. - Wattled and Waxed Ib T •, "ALL PRICES IN THIS AD GUARANTEED EFFECTIVE THROUGH SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1970 1t 4 4 w II ;r 0 4 fit