Archive for December, 2012


New Year’s Resolutions

Around the world and throughout history, many civilizations have observed celebrations for the New Year. The oldest recorded festivities were held in Babylon 4,000 years ago. Today, countries around the globe mark the end of the old year and the beginning of the new on December 31, New Year’s Eve. In America, it’s customary to watch fireworks, attend parties, count down the minutes to the New Year with friends and family, watch the ball drop in Times Square, sing “Auld Lang Syne,” and make resolutions, of course. The  most popular resolutions have to do with self improvement like losing weight or quitting smoking. When did this particular custom begin? Once Click to Read more…

Last Minute Holiday Cards for That Favorite Teacher

The holiday season just wouldn’t be the same  without some last minute scrambling.  Despite my best planning and intentions, there was someone overlooked, a special teacher.  I thought our standard family Christmas card would suffice but my daughter felt otherwise. “But mom, she’s my FAVORITE teacher!” she insisted. Okay, okay, I get it but with this being the last week of school, this needed to happen today and only today.  Gads! So last night I ordered the card online from home (personalized with the teacher’s name).  On my way to work, I swung by the Target store near my office (beating the afternoon crowds was a relief), picked out a Click to Read more…

Last Minute? Don’t Panic!

Everyone has good intentions when it comes to the holidays. We make our lists, check them twice, organize and prioritize, and sure enough, despite our care, we sometimes forget to buy Christmas cards the special people in our lives. A coach, teacher, hairdresser, personal trainer, nail technician, babysitter, pet groomer, house cleaner … even the postman deserves some seasonal cheer. Or perhaps your hectic holiday plans have left you frazzled and you haven’t had time to fight the crowds at the stores to pick through the limited selection of Christmas cards left on the shelves? Need customizable Christmas cards in a hurry, even personalized Photo Cards? Last minute holiday party invitations? Click to Read more…

Why the Poinsettia at Christmas?

December 12 marks National Poinsettia Day, an observance dedicated to the flower that has become a popular symbol of the holiday season. Close to $200 million is spent on decorative poinsettias every year. But why do we associate the bright red (or white variety) poinsettia with Christmas? During a trip to Mexico in 1828, American botanist and U.S. Ambassador, Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett, came across the wild plant with its beautiful, red, star shaped leaves  (Euphorbia Pulcherrima). In Mexico, poinsettias are known as Flores de Noche Buena (flowers of the holy night) for their association with the Star of Bethlehem. Poinsett sent cuttings home to South Carolina, where the greenhouse grown plants Click to Read more…

National Cookie Day

Sift the flour, mix the butter, Roll the dough for the cookie cutter. A white sugar star, a red Christmas bell, A brown teddy bear with a gingery smell. Christmas cookies taste so sweet – They’re fun to make and good to eat! —–Anonymous December 4 marks the observance of National Cookie Day! There’s no better month to celebrate these delicious treats that have been making holidays bright for centuries. Baking and exchanging Christmas cookies is as much a tradition in some households as putting up and decorating a tree. Gingerbread cookies in particular evoke the seasonal spirit. While the earliest forms of gingerbread can be traced to ancient Egypt Click to Read more…

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