Interesting Facts/ Notes About Christmas

By:John Pawlett

It is an accepted fact that the Christmas tree tradition is one that was brought to the shores of America by German immigrants who continued a practice that was popular in their former homeland. Today, a Christmas tree, even a miniature one, is present in just about every home at Christmas. It is therefore interesting to note some little-know facts about the Christmas Tree and other traditions related to Christmas.

The first interesting fact is the source of real Christmas Trees for some Americans. These can be bought at a Christmas Tree Farm or at many local stores and other places of business in just about every town and city across the country around Christmas time. But according to the National Christmas Tree Association, Americans buy about 330,000 Christmas trees that are real through e-commerce or from a catalogue and have them shipped by mail-order.

The scent of real Christmas trees is the reason they are so popular. But as they stand silently in their decorative wonder, they also are providing another benefit. The Christmas Tree Association says the amount of oxygen produced on a daily basis by one acre of Christmas tree is enough to provide enough oxygen for 18 people. And during the first week, a Christmas Tree at home will use up to one quart of water each day to help retain its longevity for the many days of Christmas.

Since Christmas celebrations gained popularity in America, the Christmas Tree has always been a big tradition. During the 1950s however, artificial Christmas trees were not always green. It was very popular during those times to have artificial trees with other colors such as silver, pink and aqua. The appeal in having these colored Christmas trees may have been due to the fact that they looked shiny and bright and appeared like tinsel instead of green foliage.

An important ceremony related to the Christmas tree that gains national attention during the Christmas season is the lighting of the National Christmas Tree at the White House. This tradition can be credited to President Calvin Coolidge who lit the first decorated Christmas tree outside at the White House in 1923.

The lighting of the National Christmas Tree has also been used to convey some symbolic meaning not related to Christmas. It was not lighted until Dec. 22 in 1963 because of a national mourning period of 30 days for the assassination of President Kennedy. And while Teddy Roosevelt was President he gave an order that banned the Christmas tree from the White House, not for the assassination of President McKinley in 1901, which caused him to become president, but for reasons related to the environment.

Also of note is that when the National Christmas Tree was lighted on Dec. 13 in 1984, temperatures were in the 70s during an unusually warm December. Christmas has been celebrated in the United States since the 1600s although it wasn't always very popular. It took more than two centuries into the mid-late 1860s for Christmas to become a popular holiday season all across America.

So maybe the rest of the country owes the holiday of Christmas Day to the state of Alabama, which in 1836 became the first state to declare Dec. 25 a legal
holiday. It is interesting to note that on Christmas Day of 1789 Congress was in session. And to show how far ahead of the game Alabama was, it wasn't until June 26, 1870 that the federal government declared Christmas as a federal holiday.

Although Christmas is based on the Christian religion, not all Christian groups celebrate the season. Among the Christian groups who do not celebrate Christmas and related traditions such as sending greeting cards are Jehovah Witnesses.

Jehovah Witnesses and other non-participating Christian groups say Christmas isn't specifically mentioned in the Bible as a time or reason to celebrate and since they strictly adhere to the word of the Bible, they refuse to celebrate Christmas.

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: christmas, christmas card, christmas tree, christmas song, christmas light, christmas music

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

Christmas Service is an informative resources site on everything Christmas related.
Find out how Christmas Service can expand your horizons.

Top Holidays Articles
1). Halloween Pumpkin Carvings By : Sean Carter Pumpkin carving is one of the most enjoyed and most looked-forward-to traditions of Halloween, as also of the entire season Autumn. Pumpkins of all shapes hit the market during this season, but you got to be a little mindful while buying pumpkins for your Halloween pumpkin carving. Pumpkins sometimes come in odd shapes which do not make good visuals after carving.
2). Who Stole The Spirit Of Christmas By : Nicola Bullimore Once again it is the time of year where it is impossible to forget that Christmas is just around the corner, we see advertising on our TV’s, in the shops, on the radio and we read about it in magazines and newspapers, but what is Christmas all about? How have things changed since the time that Christmas began? Originally Christmas was all about Christians celebrating the birth of Jesus, now it has become a time where the kids are looking forward to seeing what Santa has left for them in their Christmas stockings and under the Christmas tree.
3). Homemade Halloween Costume Ideas For Children By : Nicole Dean You can find a large variety of Halloween costumes available at stores in your neighborhood. However, when you consider the cost and lack of originality, homemade costumes are a more fun and oftentimes more cost-effective option. Plus, if you involve your children in creating the homemade costumes, the results will be worth more than any store-bought costume in any store.
4). Three Holiday Ornaments Anyone Can Make By : Henry Gallant Do you spend loads of money on holiday ornaments every year, trying to create a unique and unforgettable Christmas tree display? Do you wish holiday decorating were simpler and more affordable? If so, here are three fun and easy ideas for creating your very own recycled Christmas tree ornaments! Remember, decorating need not be costly or stressful.
5). This Valentine’s Day Say “I Love You” With Cookies By : Christine Steendahl What better way to tell your sweetie “I Love You” than with some fresh baked cookies? Give some of these sweet treats a try this Valentine’s Day. Cupid himself would be impressed by these yummy creations. They are sure to be a hit with your Sweetheart, Children, Neighbors or anyone else special to you as well. Don’t forget to get the kids involved! I still have memories of making Valentine’s Day Cookies as a child.
6). Orgin Of Valentine's Day By : Nicole Dean Each February, in places around the world, friends exchange flowers, gifts, and candy in celebration of Valentine's Day. The name of St. Valentine is known across the globe as a patron saint. Most of us however, do not know the true origin of St. Valentine and how this special day came to be. What we do know is that February is the month of romance.
7). The holidays are upon us By : Carol Welsh Do difficult relatives ruin your holidays year after year? I had a colleague, Traci, who proclaimed a few weeks before Thanksgiving that the family gathering would be ruined as usual because of her sister-in-law, husband, and meddlesome nephew. She had a defeatist attitude plus she figuratively put on full battle gear ready to go to war with these despicable in-laws.
8). Caring For and Planting a Balled in Burlap Christmas Tree By : Michael J. McGroarty Tis the season when lots of people drag a real tree into their house and decorate it. Some people buy live trees that are balled in burlap instead of a cut tree. A live tree is a great idea, but many people make serious mistakes when it comes to handling a live tree, and they end up losing their money. The information in this article also pertains to any live tree you are planting, be it now during the winter, or during the summer.
9). Stay Sane This Holiday Season: 7 Tips To Make Your Life Easier By : Gwendolyn A. Lee The stress of the impending holiday season is enough to take an experienced host out of their Thanksgiving turkey, tryptophan-induced coma and turn them into a Christmas-crazed, Black Friday maniac. With these seven helpful hints, avoid the fervor of the masses and retain your sanity. 1. Delegate! Although hosting the perfect holiday celebration may feed your ego, it may also provide you with sleepless nights before the big event.
10). Welcome to Cyber Monday! By : Matthew C. Keegan Well, I learned something new this past weekend. Specifically, the Monday following Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest days for online retailers. Dubbed “Cyber Monday” by some, online merchants track one of the largest one day spikes in sales on this particular day much like “brick and mortar” purveyors experience with “Black Friday” the day that follows Thanksgiving.

New Holidays Articles
1). Enjoy Christmas Everyday With Christmas Screensavers By : CD Mohatta Most of us say - Let every day be Christmas. But we say this only during Christmas. As Christmas passes, the spirit passes and after some days, we all get busy with our day-to-day life and forget everything about Christmas and its spirit. Why do we wish every day to be Christmas? Because we all love the atmosphere of Christmas and the time, when we love giving.
2). Give your Mama the gifts of love By : Marianne Mother's Day, one of the most important holidays of the year, is coming soon. This year, it falls on May 14. Mom endured labor for you, so how can you repay her? It is the fact that giving dear Mom a gift for Mother's Day was no longer an easy task. Mother’s Day is the second most popular holiday for gift-giving, following Christmas. The simple things really count.
3). Fourth Of July - How To Select Ecards? By : CD Mohatta How to select ecards for Independence Day? It is a very significant t day when all Americans congratulate each other for the freedom they enjoy. The ecards must express their feelings effectively. Let us find out how to chose ecards for Fourth of July. Look for Free ecards - Please look for free ecards. Most of the sites offer free ecards, but there is a problem with free ecards - that of quality.
4). Memorial Day Screensavers - The Spirit Of Patriotism By : CD Mohatta Memorial Day is a national holiday in the United States. This day all Americans remember the brave soldiers who gave their life for their country. Memorial Day screensavers can bring a great sense of gratitude and patriotism. Let us see how we can use them. Please look for the following in selecting Memorial Day Screensavers. Design - Avoid downloading three-dimensional screensavers.
5). Wallpapers For Holidays - How To Chose Free Desktop Wallpapers? By : CD Mohatta Desktop wallpapers for holidays are a great treat for the eyes during the holidays. These wallpapers add color and festive spirit to the computer screen. Whenever you look at your desktop, you get to see a lovely wallpaper with lovely colors, designs and text. That feeling cannot be easily described. Desktop wallpapers and holidays - The holidays bring their own fun and festivity.
6). Poor Old Santa Claus By : Angie Stocklin Poor old Santa Claus. Sometimes he gets a bad rap. People say he doesn’t represent Christmas well. People say he doesn’t set a good example for Christians celebrating December 25. And people say—gasp!—that he doesn’t even exist. Plus, there are some folks out there who are trying to confuse just who Santa is. Is he really Saint Nicolas? Or is he some imposter, some big elf from the North Pole who wants to take credit for everything that Saint Nick has done and stands for.
7). Memorial Day Ecards - Select The Best By : CD Mohatta Memorial Day is the day all Americans remember the brave soldiers who gave their life for their country. If these brave soldiers had not given their life, it would have been difficult to get independence and maintain it. The nation is therefore always obliged to them. Please show your gratitude for the departed solders and praise their bravery. Share these thoughts with your friends and family with Memorial Day ecards.
8). Valentine Screensavers - Is Love Only For A Day In The Year? By : CD Mohatta Valentines day comes once in a year. But that does not mean that lovers stop loving each other for the rest of the year. They continue loving each other with the same intensity. The only difference is that on Valentines Day the love is expressed in different ways and lover overflows more. Valentine screensavers are designed to express this romantic love.
9). Thanksgiving Screensavers - Develop Attitude Of Gratitude By : CD Mohatta Thanksgiving is the time to feel gratitude for everything that we have. It is not only the celebration, but also the spirit of thanks that makes this holiday so special. If we think about our life, and ourselves we should thank the clouds for giving us rain, the trees because they give us fruit, the earth because it gives us a place to live. Our parents for giving birth to us, our friends, for sharing our thoughts and being with God and us for giving all these.
10). Father's Day Jokes That Will Bring A Smile To Dad's Face! By : Nicola Kennedy What better way to give dad a great day than to make him smile. With some funny Father’s Day jokes, you can do just that. This sampling of Father’s Day jokes from all over the internet will surely tickle your father’s funny bone this Father’s Day. One evening, while sitting around the dinner table, a little girl looked up and asked her father, “Daddy, you’re the boss, right?” Her father was very pleased by this and replied, “Yes.