The History Behind Christmas Decorations

Angels- Dated back to the 1880's and associated mainly with the Christian culture. They are also known in Buddist, Islam, Hinduism and Judaism cultures.

Christmas Balls- Dated back to 300 years ago and invented in Germany, christmas balls were first made out of glass. Today, they can be made out of thin plastic or glass and come in a variety of colours and shapes.

Christmas Candles- Dated back to the 16th century, the Christmas candle was first associated with the Christmas tree. The candle symbolizes joy and life in a dark time.

Tinsel- Dated back to 1610 and invented in Germany, tinsel was first made out of genuine silver. Today, tinsel is made with artificial replacements since it tarnishes over time.

Black Friday.. turned out deadly!

Can you believe that when the US stores opened on Friday morning at 5am.. customers were so impatient to crash through the doors at Walmart and kill an innocent 34 year old man? What has gotten into people these days! The second incident was 2 people shot at a Toys R US in California where two men shot each other after the woman with them got into a bloody fight.

I couldn't believe this when I first read it so I thought I would share and discuss how bad people can be even around the holidays.

Hot Trends for Holiday 08'

http://www.yourhome.ca/homes/article/543587

Four Christmases with Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughan
Be sure to see this movie as it comes out this Wednesday November 26th!
Here is the link to the trailer:
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/four_christmases/

Here is a link to the events happening in the Greater Toronto Area this Holiday Season!
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/539818

Retail stores may experience a sales drop in time for Christmas....
http://www.thestar.com/article/535360

Holiday Recipes...

Here is a great recipe for making a traditional gingerbread house this Christmas season!

NABISCO® Holiday House

Prep time: 6 hours

Total time: 6 hours

Makes: 1 house

What You Need:

23 Honey Maid Honey Grahams

2 cans (16 oz. each) ready to spread white frosting

43 Oreo White Fudge Covered Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

46 ring shaped candies (red and green)

13 ring shaped chewy fruit snacks

2 sticks of gum

6 Holiday Oreo Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, Halved

24 NILLA Wafers

15 Green Gumdrops

Assorted decorating icing

Make it:
CONSTRUCT 10x7-1/2-inch base and frame for house, using stiff cardboard or foam core.
ATTACH 19 of the grahams to front and sides of house frame with frosting, cutting grahams to fit. Attach 40 of the white fudge covered cookies to roof frame with frosting, overlapping cookies slightly. Decorate roof with frosting, using pastry bag fitted with small star tip. Attach roll candies and chewy fruit snacks to roof.
BREAK remaining grahams along scoring into 4 (2-1/2-x1-1/4-inch) rectangles. Attach to house for shutters. Attach gum pieces to house for front door. Halve remaining white fudge covered cookies; attach above windows. Place halved holiday chocolate sandwich cookies, wafers and gumdrops around house, using halved wafers for front steps.
USE decorating icing to make wreaths, bows and pine boughs on house and to decorate house as desired.

This is a fun, family recipe for everyone to assemble and enjoy!