Welcome To Christmas Celebrations :

In 1223, St Francis of Assisi originated the manger scene based on his interpretation of some little-known ecclesiastical customs. They believed the plant had special healing powers for everything from female infertility to poison ingestion. One story (almost certainly false) that is often told about the origin of the candy cane is as follows: Winter solstice happens on the shortest day of the year when, in the northern hemisphere, the earth is tilted farthest away from the sun.

Christmas Traditions :
Friends and families exchange gifts and greetings, children hang stockings in the United States or keep empty toy-boxes for Santa Claus to fill it up with toys, candies or other gifts. Food items, such as candies and cookies, were used predominately and straight white candy sticks were one of the confections used as ornamentation. The candy maker made these candy canes for Christmas, so everyone would remember the true meaning of Christmas. He replicated the starlight by using candles attached to the branches of his indoor tree.

Santa Claus :
Santa is portrayed as an elf with a miniature sleigh equipped with eight reindeer which are named in the poem as Blitzen, Comet, Cupid, Dancer, Dasher, Donner, Prancer, and Vixen. 1860s: President Abraham Lincoln asked Nast to create a drawing of Santa with some Union soldiers. Parents should be aware that fostering a belief in the Santa Claus of today may backfire later. A child looks to parents to furnish everything--food, comfort, courage, and truth. When a parent says, “Yes, there really is a Santa Claus, and his reindeer can really fly,” he is no longer playing a game. That parent is lending his personal authority as a parent to the myth, giving it the ring of truth. What happens later to a parent’s credibility when the child finds out that the story isn’t true? Many stories are told of his generosity as he gave his wealth away in the form of gifts to those in need, especially children.

Some Quotes :
"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other." ~ Burton Hillis
"I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month." ~ Harlan Miller
"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." ~ Charles Dickens
"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love." ~ Hamilton Wright Mabi