New Kind of Chocolate to Help with PMS Problems

Chocolate is craved by women! When women are premenstrual the cravings are even stronger. Most would say chocolate is essential around this time, for everyone’s sanity.

Some chocolate manufacturers are adding natural botanicals to alleviate or soothe the symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). Most boyfriends, husbands, and even some friends would say if it works, it would be fantastic!

Kwanzaa

In 1966 a African-American holiday, "Kwanzaa", was created by a California professor, Dr. Maulana Karenga. Kwanzaa is not religious, political; or is it a substitute for Christmas.

Kwanzaa is celebrated for seven days, December 26 to January 1. And the name "Kwanzaa" comes from a Swahili phrase which means "first of the harvest". It celebrates family, community responsibility, self-improvement, commerce and culture.

Seven candles are placed in a candle holder (Kinara) which is set on a mat made of straw, with an ear of corn for each child in that family. The candle holder has three green candles on the left, three red candles on the right and a black candle in the center. One candle is lit each day of celebration beginning from left to right.

Merry Christmas!!

Happy Holidays, Season’s Greetings, Celebrate the Season, Holiday Greetings, Joyeux Noel, Frohe Weihnachten, Mele Kalikimaka, Feliz Navidad, Christmas Wishes, Joy To The World, Happy Christmas, Buon Natale, and Season’s Eatings!!

Christmas Traditions

Christmas is a time for families and friends to celebrate and enjoy the warmth of home, and to have fun. Children look forward to all the gifts under the tree, and will always promise to be good. Adults look forward to the planning, preparing and consuming lots of good food. And probably the wonderful exchange of gifts.

The more common traditions we know are: Santa Claus, decorating, ornaments, singing carolers, sleigh rides, stars, cutting your own Christmas trees, large holiday meals, wreaths, Christmas fudge, poinsettias, candy canes, Rudolph, Christmas cookies, stockings, Christmas candy, and gift exchanges.

Christmas celebrations vary greatly in different regions of the United States; because of the variety of nationalities that have moved into these regions. Some shoot off firearms or fireworks, some places Santa arrives by boat and the people eat outside, some place stars on mountains, others have parades, Santa helps hand out presents and in Washington D.C. the president pushes a button and turns on the lights of a huge Christmas tree. Christmas traditions are enjoyed wherever you are!

Merry Christmas!

Singing Christmas Songs or Christmas Carols

Do you sing Christmas songs of Christmas carols? Do you know what the difference between the two? A Christmas carol has a rapid, regular beat, with simple and straight forward rhythms and can be sung by a choir or small group. Christmas songs have a much more complex compositions.

But either, a song or a carol can bring back many fond childhood memories. They spread the tidings of Christmas, they gather families and friends together, and make everyone feel the Christmas spirit and spread joy.

Some favorites are: Jingle Bells, Here Comes Santa Claus, White Christmas, A Holly Jolly Christmas, Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. But the most famous Christmas carol is "Silent Night".

A Red-Nosed Reindeer – Named Rudolph

We all know the story and the song; but do you know where it originated? It was created for an appreciation gift to customers of a well known department store. In 1939, an employee of the Montgomery Ward stores created a book called: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The store handed out 2.4 million copies that year to their customers. And by 1946 over 6 million copies had been given away.

A song writer Johnny Marks wrote lyrics and melody for the song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and a phenomenon was born. In 1949 Gene Autry recorded the song, and it sold 2 million copies that year. Everyone, children and adults alike sing this song at Christmas. It is a true favorite and puts a smile on all of our faces!

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer song became one of the best selling songs, second only to Bing Crosby’s "White Christmas". A 1964 television special about Rudolph still remains a holiday favorite to this day. Whenever you think of Christmas you think of Rudolph with his nose so bright!

Do You Need Christmas HELP?

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For parents, kids, and teachers. Free things to do to occupy the time until Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas!!

Decorating Christmas Trees and Hanging Stockings

The Christmas tree is a family’s center of attention for holiday celebrations. The scent of fresh cut Christmas trees are enjoyed by 25 to 30 million Americans, every year. There are over 600 different kinds of Christmas trees, but most of us only choose between fir, spruce and pine.

Some trees are decorated with strings of blinking lights, stars, ornaments, garlands, tinsel, bows, bells, your special family collectibles, popcorn, candy canes, baubles, beads, angels or snowflakes. The kind of tree and decorations depend on where you live, or what theme you have chosen for that year. Some unique themes are military, Victorian, western, children’s toys, a favorite sport or team, music, or even a certain business theme.

Stockings resemble the shape of an empty sock or a sock shaped bag. They can be any color and can be made from any type of material. Christmas stockings are filled with candy, fruit, chocolate coins and small toys; or it could be a lump of coal if the child has been naughty!! Some stockings have a name at the top, (so Santa knows which stocking gets the lump of coal). The fireplace mantel is the usual place for hanging stockings; but they can be hung almost anywhere!

We all remember: "The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there!"

Holiday Chocolates

Many holiday celebrations are not complete without candy and the candy of choice is usually chocolate. Chocolate candy is for all holidays; Valentine’s, Easter, Mother’s Day, Halloween, Father’s Day, and of course Christmas.

Some people use holiday chocolates for parties, decorating, gift giving and even snacking! Nothing compares to chocolates freshness, richness, and allure of the smooth, velvety sweet delights.

When you give holiday chocolates, you give a gift of sophistication.

Sending Greetings with Christmas Cards

Today, Christmas cards can be purchased in all shapes and sizes. The most popular are the old fashioned and nostalgic cards. The sending of Christmas cards began in 1843. These cards were produced in England, and for more than 30 years Americans had to import them. Now, millions of cards are produced each year in the United States.

An average family in America will mail out about 20 Christmas cards each year; and may receive that many cards back. Some write a Christmas letter, to inform everyone of what they have done over the past year. Also, sending electronic Christmas cards is a fast growing trend.

Seasons Greetings!!

The Christmas Plant - Poinsettias

This holiday plant was named after Joel R. Poinsett, who was a U.S. ambassador to Mexico. The native Mexican plant was brought to America in 1828.

Poinsettias represent over 85% of the potted plant sales during the Christmas holiday season. California is the top poinsettia producing state, with the Paul Ecke Ranch in Encinitas, CA growing 70% of the poinsettias sold in the United States.

There are over 100 varieties available. Most Americans prefer the flaming red poinsettias. Some other colors available are: white, pink, yellow, red marbled, deep pink, salmon orange, pale green and coral.

Candy Canes- Old and New

These sweet holiday candies; once called "candy crooks" were invented during the 17th century. The canes were made by hand and only were white in color. The canes were used to decorate Christmas trees and help keep small children quiet during ceremonies. In 1950 a machine was invented to automate the candy production. Candy canes increased in popularity and are still a favorite holiday treat and decoration today.

Today candy canes are available in many different shapes, colors (they usually reflect the canes flavors), sizes (between 2 and 12 inches in length) and flavors. The flavors number many. Some flavors of today are; pineapple, chocolate mint, mixed berry, watermelon, butterscotch, caramel corn, wintergreen, cinnamon, pina colada, tutti fruiti, cappuccino, coconut, blueberry, peppermint, green apple, orange, strawberry, cherry, bubble gum, and raspberry.

Each year 1.76 billion candy canes are made. That is enough candy canes to stretch from Santa Clause, IN to North Pole, AK and back again 32 times.