Merry Christmas Cards

You’ve purchased the perfect Christmas tree for your home. The precise spot to display your Christmas centerpiece has been chosen. Now what? This article provides tips on how to decorate the perfect Christmas tree to reflect your individual tastes.

Set up the Tree. If you are using an artificial tree make sure that it is assembled according to package directions. The first step in decorating your Christmas tree is to project the look of fullness. Spread out the tree tips so that there are no open spaces where you can see straight through the tree. This may take some time. The center support of the Christmas tree should not be seen if the limbs are spread apart correctly.

Choose your color scheme. I remember our Christmas tree from my childhood. Each year, we put all sorts of eclectic ornaments on the tree. Some of the ornaments were ones that my sisters and I had created in art class. My mom still puts those ornaments on her Christmas tree every year. As am adult, I wanted a more streamlined look to my holiday tree.

Choosing complementary colors for the Christmas tree decorations will achieve a simple yet elegant look. My personal choice of colors is blue and silver. Other complementary color choices are: blue and gold, silver and gold, red and green, red and gold, and purple and gold to name a few. All of your decorations including tree lights and the tree skirt should display these colors when possible. Choosing more than two colors for decorating could make your tree look too busy.

What types of decorations should I choose? Christmas tree decorations range from glass balls and frosted shatterproof ornaments to bows, pinecones, and snowflakes. Keep it simple. Any ornaments should come in both colors you have chosen. I’d suggest no more than two boxes of ornaments per color per style. If you are choosing a variety of ornament styles, you don’t want more ornaments than your tree can hold tastefully.

Decorate one side of the Christmas tree at a time to get an even distribution of each style of ornament. If the tree will be set in a corner, still decorate the back of the tree. A year may come when the Christmas tree stands somewhere else and you want to make sure there are enough ornaments for the entire tree.

Pre-lit or strings of lights? When you chose your Christmas tree you decided between the pre-lit variety and the plain. Pre-lit artificial trees are easier to handle. Strings of lights that are poorly wrapped one year could cause shorts in areas of the light string the next Christmas. If you’ve ever has to examine each bulb on a string of lights to find the bad one, you’ll appreciate a pre-lit Christmas tree. Pre-lit Christmas tree lights come in different colors if white lights are not for you.

To garland or not to garland? I’ve always liked garland. It makes the Christmas tree look as if it’s a brilliantly decorated holiday present. Ribbon garland is great for traditional decorating. The ribbon comes in assorted colors and can come with or without stiffened wire on the edges. Every branch of the tree doesn’t need to be wrapped. Add the garland last and wrap it around the tree about five times depending on the height of the tree. Garland should rest lightly on the branches and not tight like a noose. Whatever you do, avoid icicle tinsel and angel hair. Besides giving your tree the appearance that it is melting, tinsel is a fire hazard as is angel hair.

Star or Bow? The choice of tree toppers is up to you. Personally, I have an angel at the top of my tree. Bows are nice because they complete the look of fullness within the tree. A star or any topper needs to fit completely over the top point of the Christmas tree. That way, the topper will not lean to one side and throw off the balance of your tree.

By Garnet Miller

Labels: Ways To Decorate Your Christmas Tree

It's Christmas ! Time to adorn your home with wreaths, stars, bells and brighten it up with candles and lights. As you rejoice in the beautiful customs of Christmas, send your friends/ family/ acquaintances/ near and dear ones our warm and special Christmas Traditional ecards and share with them the joys of this wonderful season.

	Celebrating Christmas With You ! A warm and wonderful ecard to share the many traditions of Christmas with your dear ones. [ Flash ]		Wishing You Blessings And Good Tidings ! Wish your near and dear ones a blessed Christmas with this beautiful ecard. [ Flash ]
	Christmas Traditions ! Send a warm and heartfelt wish to your dear ones with the many traditions of Christmas. [ Flash ]		Goodwill And Good Cheer ! Wish your friends/ family/ acquaintances a blessed Christmas with this beautiful ecard. [ Postcard ]

	May Your Wishes Come True... A beautiful Santa Ecard wish for all your near and dear ones. [ Animated ]		Saint Nick Is Dashing Your Way... A cute and adorable santa ecard to share the joys of Christmas with one and all. [ Flash ]

Labels: Traditional Christmas Postcards

The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day.

Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St. Nicholas' life and deeds. These accounts help us understand his extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need.


The American version of St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus originally came from the Dutch version called Sint Klaas. The Dutch settlers in New Amsterdam (New York) brought this fun and lively tradition (some even say cult) to America.

This version of Santa has given the current myth its visual form and these most curious traditions:

A merry old man with red and white clothes

Eight flying reindeer, later joined by Rudolph the red nosed reindeer.

A home located on or near the North Pole

The habit of filling socks or stockings with presents on the night of December 24th.

Also the habit of entering houses through the chimney.

The most important single source for our modern day version of Santa Claus comes from the Christmas poem A Visit From St. Nicholas by Clement C. Moore. Written for his children in 1823, the family poem was later published for the general public and included what became the now famous picture of Santa Claus by Thomas Nast ( see below right ).

Actually the old "cult" of Santa Claus incorporates many traditions: Christian and Pagan, Old Catholic, Scandinavian, Dutch, German and English.

Santa brings us all together! Kids all over the world know who Santa is... And although he may be a little commercial, who can help, but love the jolly old elf?

It's the Idea of giving that reminds us; we are all on this planet together, for the long run.

So lets be kind to one another.
St. Nicholas

Countless legends (no documents exist) are told about this Patron Saint of Giving known as St. Nicholas. Within both Western and Eastern Christian Churches similar mythology, or tradition, exists.

According to these legends, St. Nicholas was born in the city of Patara, and traveled to Palestine and Egypt when he was young.

He was later imprisoned during persecutions of the Emperor Diocletian, but was fortunately released by the more humanitarian Emperor Constantine. He attended the first council of Nicaea in 325.

It's time to be jolly again coz Santa Claus is coming your way ! Send your friends/ family/ bro/ sis/ loved ones sacks fulla warm and happy wishes with our cool and groovy Christmas Santa Claus ecards. Reach out to your dear ones with these cute and special ecards and wish them jingles of joy and ho-ho-whole lotta fun on this Christmas.

	Magical Christmas To You ! A warm and wonderful Christmas wish for your friends/ family/ loved ones. [ Flash ]		Let Santa In Your Chimney ! Click on this cute ecard to make Santa drop in through a loved ones' chimney with a wish from you. [ Interactive ]
	Christmas Rockin' With Fun ! Wish your friends/ family/ loved ones a blast of fun on Christmas with this cool and groovy wish. [ Flash ]		Jingle All The Way ! Keep the bells jingling for your loved ones this Christmas with this warm and cute ecard. [ Flash ]
	A Li'l Santa Jig ! Make your loved ones go LOL on Christmas with this groovy ecard. [ Flash ]		Santa Claus Is Coming To You ! Spread lotsa holiday cheer around with this warm greeting. [ Flash ]
	St. Nick Is Comin' To Town ! A cute Christmas wish for your friends/ family/ loved ones. [ Flash ]		Merry Christmas And Jolly Holidays ! Wish your loved ones a joy-ride on Christmas with this cheerful and adorable ecard. [ Flash ]

Labels: Santa Claus Greeting Cards

Christmas calls for togetherness ! Get-together with your friends/ family/ near and dear ones, throw a party or go out caroling with them to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas. Send your loved ones from our warm and cordial Christmas Invitations and ask them to join in with you for a very merry time.let everyone know how much you care for them at. Invite everyone on Your Christmas party and set the Yuletide spirit for the Holiday Season

Christmas party Invitations

	You Are Invited ! Invite everyone to your Christmas party with this beautiful ecard. [ Flash ]		Invited To A Christmas Bash ! Invite all your friends/ family/ loved ones to join in your Christmas party with this cute ecard. [ Flash ]
	Make The Celebrations Special ! A warm and elegant Christmas invite for all your near and dear ones. [ Flash ]		Celebrate Christmas With Us ! A warm and elegant ecard with venue details to invite your friends to your Christmas celebrations. [ Interactive ]

	Tune In With Us... Invite your friends/ brother/ sister/ dear ones to join you in going caroling with this cheerful ecard. [ Flash ]		Please Join Us... A cute ecard to invite your friends/ family/ loved ones to go caroling with you. [ Flash ]

Labels: Christmas Invitation Cards and Postcards

he history and origin of this most popular holiday of the year, Christmas, can be traced to something above 4000 years back in time, and is associated with the early Mesopotamians. It is widely believed that many traditions and ceremonial aspects of Christmas can be found at a time long before Christ was born, the time when the early Mesopotamians lived. The history of Christmas is, therefore, way back in centuries.

The Mesopotamians had a twelve day-long New Year’s festival called the Zagmuk, which was celebrated to help their chief god Marduk in his battle against the monsters of chaos. Each year in winter, the Mesopotamian king traditionally visited Marduk’s temple and at the end, the custom was to kill the king who would then go with Marduk in the battlefield. However, the real king was spared and a mock king (who was almost always a criminal dressed in royal robes) was slain.

Sacaea was a similar celebration of the Persians and Babylonians where roles were reversed for a day--slaves became masters and masters slaved about as servants.

Much in the same street as Zagmuk and Sacaea, the ancient Greeks had a festival to help their god Kronos in his battle against Zeus and his Titans.

The Scandinavians had a festival called Yuletide which celebrated the return of the sun after a long, lightless, chilly winter. Special feasts were held around big bonfires made with the Yule log.

Romans were no exception either. They had their god Saturn to celebrate. Starting mid-December and ending January 1, the Roman festival Saturnalia, featured boisterous shouts “Jo Saturnalia”, elaborate masquerades, exchanging gifts, holding special feasts, decking up halls with laurel wreaths and putting up candles on evergreens. This Saturnalia festival has a close similarity with today’s Christmas celebrations and hence the history of Christmas is heavily linked to this ancient Saturnalia. But the Christians refused to honor the pagan Roman god Saturn. The early Christians couldn’t come to terms with such a frantic Christmas celebration, and wanted to observe the birthday of their Lord with devout offerings and sincere devotion.

However, as time went on and Christianity spread to every nook and corner of the world, the Church slowly loosened up a little, and came to accept the merry-making during Christmas. Today, Christmas is really incomplete without those decorations of tinsel and streamers, the lights and candles, the piping hot turkey with pies around, the decked halls, the mistletoe on the doorway, the holly, and the stockings over the fireplace, the bells on the Christmas tree and the colorful greetings and gifts.

Now ever wondered why Christmas is celebrated on December 25 ? Is it the day when Jesus Christ was born ? Well, nobody knows for sure exactly when Christ was born. There had been a lot of dispute over fixing December 25 as Christmas. In the 2nd century A.D, Hippolytus claimed this day as Christ's birthday. Then January 6 was declared by the Eastern Church as the day of His birth. Finally, in 350 A.D, the Bishop of Rome, Pope Julius I, fixed December 25 as the official day for Christmas. This date, the day of the winter solstice, was wisely chosen with the intention to outweigh the popular pagan Roman holiday of Saturnalia.

Labels: Christmas History and Origin