Of all my Christmas trees..
Posted By: the aluminum one is the one I remember on 2005-12-16
In Reply to: If you're a baby boomer, you certainly remember aluminum trees w/ color wheel.I - I bought one on E-bay. They're hard to win too!
In the 1960s we had the aluminum tree with the color wheel! I still remember it vividly today (I was a small child). I was in an antique shop the other day and they had one set up as decoration (not for sale). I wanted one! I'll have to check E-Bay!
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Interesting history of Christmas Trees
Christmas Trees
How it All Got Started | Trees Around the World | Rockefeller Center
Related Links | Tree Trivia
How it All Got Started
Long before the advent of Christianity, plants and trees that remained green all year had a special meaning for people in the winter. Just as people today decorate their homes during the festive season with pine, spruce, and fir trees, ancient peoples hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows. In many countries it was believed that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness.
In the Northern hemisphere, the shortest day and longest night of the year falls on December 21 or December 22 and is called the winter solstice. Many ancient people believed that the sun was a god and that winter came every year because the sun god had become sick and weak. They celebrated the solstice because it meant that at last the sun god would begin to get well. Evergreen boughs reminded them of all the green plants that would grow again when the sun god was strong and summer would return.
The ancient Egyptians worshipped a god called Ra, who had the head of a hawk and wore the sun as a blazing disk in his crown. At the solstice, when Ra began to recover from the illness, the Egyptians filled their homes with green palm rushes which symbolized for them the triumph of life over death.
Early Romans marked the solstice with a feast called the Saturnalia in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture. The Romans knew that the solstice meant that soon farms and orchards would be green and fruitful. To mark the occasion, they decorated their homes and temples with evergreen boughs.
In Northern Europe the mysterious Druids, the priests of the ancient Celts, also decorated their temples with evergreen boughs as a symbol of everlasting life. The fierce Vikings in Scandinavia thought that evergreens were the special plant of the sun god, Balder.
Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce. It is a widely held belief that Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree. Walking toward his home one winter evening, composing a sermon, he was awed by the brilliance of stars twinkling amidst evergreens. To recapture the scene for his family, he erected a tree in the main room and wired its branches with lighted candles.
Most 19th-century Americans found Christmas trees an oddity. The first record of one being on display was in the 1830s by the German settlers of Pennsylvania, although trees had been a tradition in many German homes much earlier. The Pennsylvania German settlements had community trees as early as 1747. But, as late as the 1840s Christmas trees were seen as pagan symbols and not accepted by most Americans.
It is not surprising that, like many other festive Christmas customs, the tree was adopted so late in America. To the New England Puritans, Christmas was sacred. The pilgrims's second governor, William Bradford, wrote that he tried hard to stamp out "pagan mockery" of the observance, penalizing any frivolity. The influential Oliver Cromwell preached against "the heathen traditions" of Christmas carols, decorated trees, and any joyful expression that desecrated "that sacred event." In 1659, the General Court of Massachusetts enacted a law making any observance of December 25 (other than a church service) a penal offense; people were fined for hanging decorations. That stern solemnity continued until the 19th century, when the influx of German and Irish immigrants undermined the Puritan legacy.
In 1846, the popular royals, Queen Victoria and her German Prince, Albert, were sketched in the Illustrated London News standing with their children around a Christmas tree. Unlike the previous royal family, Victoria was very popular with her subjects, and what was done at court immediately became fashionable—not only in Britain, but with fashion-conscious East Coast American Society. The Christmas tree had arrived.
By the 1890s Christmas ornaments were arriving from Germany and Christmas tree popularity was on the rise around the U.S. It was noted that Europeans used small trees about four feet in height, while Americans liked their Christmas trees to reach from floor to ceiling.
The early 20th century saw Americans decorating their trees mainly with homemade ornaments, while the German-American sect continued to use apples, nuts, and marzipan cookies. Popcorn joined in after being dyed bright colors and interlaced with berries and nuts. Electricity brought about Christmas lights, making it possible for Christmas trees to glow for days on end. With this, Christmas trees began to appear in town squares across the country and having a Christmas tree in the home became an American tradition.
http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/holidays/christmas/trees.html
Merry Christmas! There is a story named Cat and Mouse Christmas...search Google and you'll find
x
A Christmas Story is my fave Christmas movie...forgot that one!
/
Skip Christmas Day and do drinks/snacks Christmas
Eve and spend a peaceful Christmas doing whatever it is you want to do. If you're all of 47 years old you're evidently a slow learner : )
trees
Well, you just helped me make up my mind--I'm planning to buy a new artificial tree on the 26th (love clearance sales!) and was debating because while I don't really care to have a prelit tree, it's getting harder to find a pretty tree without it. Looks like I'll keep shopping until I find one that's not prelit.
poplar trees sm
They grow tall, grow fast, die easily, one fell during a storm and broke a fence on the next street, my neighbor had to pay for a new fence, as that's the way it works, not your liability, stay away from them, they make a mess, unless you have an enemy.
I live in the NE and let me tell you, there is NO shortage of trees.
cc
Too many trees to see forest? My point was
x
jobs don't fall off trees, have you noticed?
and the state labor board is like AAMT (s/b IAMT, Indian Assoc of Med. Trans.) not REALLY for the employee, if you know what I mean. Have they done anything for you?
The trees are the main concern in a hurricane (sm)
the lake didn't even get close to the house during that supposed "100-year flood" in 1993 (not allison, the other one). We went to the other side of Houston for Rita, came back the next day. It was a mess with limbs all over but no trees down on our property. Next-door neighbor had 3 down. We've decided for the next one, we will stay in the garage and hope no trees fall on the house.
i have wildblue and connection is very reliable to me with no trees, but sm
especially if you will be going through VPN, it won't be very productive for you cuz the VPN slows down the download rates. i am connected at 100 mbps but that is nothing. download rates are extremely slow, sometimes as slow as dial up.
I am am in a rural area with lots of trees - sm
so when I had Bluesky (or what ever the name it) come out they said too many trees for the satellite. My one neighbor just got Directv high speed.....she also has lots of trees. So I may be looking into that (have Directv now just not the internet hookup). But I currently use a Sierra Wireless Aircard 875U. Unlimited and costs me $67 a month. It is through AT&T but I know Verizon has it too, as well as Sprint. You need to make sure it works where you are first though, but their websites can help you there. I love it. Not as fast as DSL but a huge step up from dial-up. I have it set up to use on my desktop, laptop, my backup desktop, and my daughter's computer. The only thing I have with it is it does not work everywhere...when I try to use it on my laptop...unlike the commercial where they show the guy in the middle of Africa or wherever he is. But I have been very happy with it.
Would you walk three blocks in 110 degrees at 3 p.m. in Arizona - no trees, no breeze, no wet SM
except for sweat. It's brutal.
Now is 110 and supposed to get hotter. Yesterday was 113 in the shade
Anyone ever plant hybrid poplar trees? They are those fast grow ones
that are supposed to grow 8 feet a year. Some claim they send up too many "sucker" shoots from the root areas, some love em. I need a wind break on the N. and W. sides of my lot, and was thinking of these. Anybody ever plant these?
mostly trees limbs causing damage by falling on wires and rooftops
much minor roof damage and blew signs down around in those towns, enough to tell there was a storm, but NOTHING like further south!
I have two artificial flame resistant trees in my garage. Too bad you're not closer!
DH has to have the real thing, which I don't care for.
If you're a baby boomer, you certainly remember aluminum trees w/ color wheel.I
a
If it rains hard, the wind blows hard and there are trees
nearby, it snows heavily it will mess up the signal. The speed is not constant, sometimes as slow as dial-up, but at least still connected. Many companies will not allow satellite.
It just seems like something always happens right before Christmas.
We both just had job changes due through no fault of our own. We basically had a month of no income there. Oh, but everyone has to have the annual Christmas drawing. Can't let us off the hook even if I have to hock my wedding band. OK, so I'm in a pity party mood today.
Christmas
I was just telling my kids the other day how I miss saying Merry Christmas this time of year and really do not like Happy Holidays! So I have started saying it again. I have no problem with other celebrations this time of year so why do we Christians have to change because of it. Being politically correct is not always best for what is in your heart. So, on that note Merry Christmas to everyone!
Christmas
Thanks, Sheri, for your uplifting message. It is, after all, CHRISTmas--not Happy Holidays like so many merchants around here are saying. It seems that they are benefiting from all the customers purchasing CHRISTmas gifts, don't you think?
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to All!
Christmas sm
This profession has taught me to celebrate life, no matter what. I am tolerant of all views. I happen to celebrate Christmas and I think we should all join together. Is everyone Irish on St. Patrick's Day? Come on, lighten up and enjoy, enjoy, celebrate life.
Thanks! Now I know what to get Mom for Christmas!
nm
Add yours: All I want for Christmas is
A kitchen where I can walk in every day and not have to battle stinking solider ants invading from the southern wall of dirt my home is built into.
For Christmas....
we received a cute Christmas poem thanking us along with a book with a CD of the song "Live Like You Were Dying." A great recognition from a great company!
Christmas help
Rad guy,
First I think all families are a bit dysfunctional. I say this from experience, I could tell you stories that would make your family probably seem normal. As a born again Christian for 30 some years now, I would have to argue with your nephew. It sounds like he may belong to a way out church or cult. Being married or single does not get you to heaven according to my Bible (King James Version). John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
I believe is this, God made the way very simple, it is people who add things and try to make it complicated.
You might ask him if he thinks the apostle Paul made it to heaven? He was not married and actually he thought it better for a church worker not to be married because they could dedicate themselves to God.
One more verse for you to use would be the following.
1 Peter 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Some Christian forget that people find God through love, not being beat over the head. It doesn't sound like your nephew is being meek, but a Bully. This is not God's way. God is a gentleman, who knock on the door of peoples hearts and waits for them to answer. He does not break down the door. He created us with free will, he is not going to force himself on us.
Good Luck.
Sandy
had it since before Christmas
I'm about 95% well now but I came down with it about a week before Christmas. Never felt so bad for so long in all my life. Of course, I tried so many OTC meds, but I did find some temporary relife by boiling a pot of water and holding me head over it and just trying to breathe. You can add a bit of vinegar too although I was so sore already from coughing and sneezing that it seemed a bit much. You can also put a towel over your head as you do this to keep the steam in. Short-term relief but at times I was desparate for anything. I also found that I seemed to finally start turning the corner when I drank lots and lots of orange juice. You have my sympathy--it is awful.
Christmas is the same way. A lot of the ESL
dictators do not celebrate Christmas so they volunteer to work so that those who do celebrate can be with their families.
Thanks! I do most of my Christmas shopping
Love the fact that I can work and shop at the same time! And it's all delivered to me!
How much does everyone spend on Christmas? sm
Just for presents, not for other things like decorations and food and stuff.
We are a family of 4, kids age 2 and 5. We also buy for my family (mom, dad, 3 sisters, brother) and his family kids (6 of them) and then we do 2 $25 gifts to exchange in a game. Just wondering what everyone's budget looks like and what everyone spends. We will probably spend about $1200 this year. Is this outrageous? It seems like a lot, but yes, our kids are spoiled
THe best Christmas lights ever...lol
Someone just sent me this web page and my kids loved it. Has music attached to the web page too.
http://www.blogtelevision.net/p/Videos-Watch-a-Video___1,2,,64183.html
We always get something for Christmas and MT Week sm
Last year we got a card and a Blockbuster gift card for two movies, popcorn and pop. I loved it! It felt like a relaxing evening on Keystrokes. We usually get them real close to Christmas so I am not expecting anything for a few weeks :)
Christmas bonus
I have five accounts and usually get an average of a month's pay. anywhere from 1700 to 200 per account.
Do they give them MTs anything for Christmas?
Just wondering if anyone knew
Christmas bonus
Last year I got a $50.00 Walmart gift card from my company. Nice gift. This year I received a $25.00 gift card from Walmart. My company merged with another company, there are taking on new accounts right and left, I worked every single holiday, many many weekeds and when ever they would asked for help, and my bonus is half of last years. This is really sad and hurtful to say the least.
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to you Sherri and thanks for sticking to your beliefs. Although I am Jewish, my children have always known both Christmas and Hanukah and are the bettter for it. Christmas is infectious and it is one disease I am grateful to have been infected with. Although we understand and worship both (hubby is Christian), we also honor and respect the right of all to believe and celebrate as they feel. Politics has no place interfering with the feeling of caring and generosity that people show more prevalently during this time of year. Christmas spirit has nothing to do with religion -- it has to do with spirituality. If the truth be known, I feel that the spirit of caring and giving is shown year-round in many ways to many people, and I don't hear people complaining. It takes many good people in this world to help those less fortunate.
Merry Christmas
Thank you Sheri and Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to all of you!
Thanks Sheri for the post!
How many of you (Christmas question)
Decorate more than 1 Christmas tree around your house. My cousin has 7. I'm right now at 4 just cuz I like to do different things and I still have 1 that I'm deciding on for the basement. I have a small fiber optic that has nativity ornaments, a 4-foot fiber optic that is an angel tree, a green (just lights) tree, and my regular 6 foot all the good old hand made and little kids ornaments. So I'm wondering are we the only crazy ones or do other people have more than 1.
A joyous Christmas season to you all.
Christmas gifts
I don't know your sisters, but if they are practical like I am, they might enjoy receiving a flowering plant (something to enjoy for months/years to come).
Also, with the price of gas as high as it is, a "gas card" would be nice. Or maybe a phone card for cell phone 'minutes'. How about a maid for a day? (I would love for someone to clean my windows for me.) Well now that you know what I want for Christmas, I will just sit back and wait . . . ;)
Merry CHRISTmas
Reminds me of when I was an office manager --
There was an employee who stated she was an atheist. She was very persistent in boycotting anything to do with CHRISTmas. Guess what? She was the first one with her hand open when it came time to pass out CHRISTmas bonuses. She also wrote "holiday pay" on her time card for CHRISTmas day. Hmmmm...
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!
That makes me feel good. I am so frelling tired of Happy Holidays or enjoy the holidays. Well, my holiday is Christmas. Holi-day or Holy Day Christmas, you know the day that Christ was born. So anyway, Merry Christmas to everyone.
Merry Christmas to you, too!
nm
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU TOO!!
My holiday is Christmas, the day I celebrate my Savior's birth. I praise His birth all year long. Too bad those without true spiritual guidance try to take it away from those that do. They need our prayers, for they are truly missing something in their lives, to have to stick their noses in others.
Merry Christmas to you all!
and to all a goodnight. 
Merry Christmas!
  Merry Christmas EVERYONE! Wow, Sheri, I am so happy to see that the owner of this board shares the same beliefs that I do.
Merry CHRISTmas to you too.
Merry Christmas, but I though this
was a transcription board.
Don't get me wrong. I'm all about Christmas. SM
I am sick of the people having to say CHRISTmas to get their point across. We all know what Christmas is without all that ___.
And.. what's the best Christmas present
nm
Christmas Bonus Ha
I'd love a Wal-mart gift card...I got a cheap plastic flashlight that had "together we shine" printed across the side.
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