How Christmas Cards Affect the Printing Industry

Author: Bella Harris

Each day during the Christmas season, many businesses and private individuals turn to printers, asking them for personalised calendars and corporate Christmas cards. Writing Christmas cards became a tradition in the XVIII century, when the British royal family started to use them as a form of congratulation for social acquaintances.



So, Christmas cards became the ideal way to congratulate someone during the holiday season, without having to spend a lot of money on the purchase of gifts and wrapping paper. Furthermore, Christmas cards could be sent by mail without any problem; as the XX century advanced, more and more people turned to Christmas cards as a solution to an increasing social ambiance and to lessen the need to provide tokens or gifts of friendship that overwhelms their entire financial income.



Even so, Christmas cards became a great advertising and marketing opportunity since trade cards started to appear. Trade cards are prints on one single sheet or card, with the business simply wishing the customer a Merry Christmas; but the idea of the 'Christmas card' as we know it started to appear and become more popular in the XX century. In 1961 only 2000 of them were printed, while in 2005 an average of 1.4 million Christmas cards were printed, sent and distributed.



This makes Christmas cards one of the strongest money-makers for the printing industry, not only from the private sector, but also from the commercial sector that seeks to elevate their business higher in the ranking of the target market, in contrast to their competitors.



Frequently, printing workshops linger through the year with a small amount of work, according to the difficulties and economic events that happen in the location where they are found; it might be that all the work they do relates to marketing promotional products. Big printing companies do not worry much about the off season, since they carry on the printing requirements for other companies, however, the small printing business, the one that suffers the changes of the printing business season, suffers the consistent reduction of marketing promoting products.



The Internet, with its online marketing potential, makes it less necessary for advertisers and marketers to use promotional products to enhance the presence of a product, service or business in the target market. Consequently, printing workshops have to subsist as much as possible on alternative means, until the Christmas season. Christmas cards are still popular among private citizens and businesses; however, the appearance of the laser printer and the increasing use of the Internet has modified greatly the way Christmas cards are viewed, printed and even created.



In yester years, Christmas cards were printed on cardboard and decorated with water colours and even glitter; now, even serigraphy is taken off the Christmas cards, making laser printed Christmas cards the new fashion statement; this might end up reducing the printing workshops to a thing of the past.



Despite it all, Christmas cards are still the biggest income source for all printing workshops alongside the printing of catalogues and calendars. Therefore, the effect that Christmas cards have on the printing industry is evident to the naked eye.

About the Author:
Solopress is a UK printing company dedicated to providing you a variety of printing services and products to successfully promote your business.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/how-christmas-cards-affect-the-printing-industry-784676.html

Exterior Christmas Decorations

Author: Terry Henman

Decorating the exterior of your home for the Christmas holidays is an essential but criminally overlooked part Yule Tide plans if you have children or you are having guests over for a get-together at any point. the front of the house is the first thing people see when they arrive so setting the tone for fun and excitement from the very beginning will start things off with a real bang and ensure plenty of anticipatory grins before anyone has even stepped foot inside.




Despite the obvious extra safety precautions needed to fit exterior decorations, it is actually a much simpler and less fussy job than decorating the whole interior of a house. It is mainly just a lot of lighting..... and perhaps the odd six foot Santa! Before you head to the nearest garden or DIY centre, take a pen and pad outside your home and sketch a really basic outline of you home's façade. Pay special attention to its linear qualities or the edges of things like windows, the porch roof, the front etc as these are the areas where you will be hanging lights. Use a tape measure to gauge roughly how much lighting you will need. Although this is can be quite an ordeal in the cold weather, you will only ever have to do it once as you then have the measurements for future Christmases. Next, look around your garden for any other features you want to pick out- trees look especially magical with a cluster of lights entwined in them, you could also hang some waterproof baubles for a really pretty finish. If you have enough room, you will probably want a main feature for your front lawn. Blow up Santa's and snowmen are available but you might want to check the weather forecast before you buy, if snow is predicted it would be much better to create your very own feature, this is also a much more appealing and fun option for children.



It is wise to have a clear idea of a colour scheme for your lights before you arrive at the store. This will save you lots of time and make at least one shopping trip at this time of year stress free. A cohesive colour scheme of lights that picks out all of the main features of your house will look really professional and make your home the envy of the street. White or blue or a combination of the two works really well to create a winter wonderland theme, whereas red, gold or green will create a more traditional look.




If you plan on making a snow man with your children, a good idea is to keep a small roll of discount fabric at the ready. That way you can create a big scarf for your work of art then tie it into your scheme by creating bows of the same material for your trees, bushes and front door wreath.



It may be cold out there but I'm sure you will agree that a fun winter garden that really gets the festivities of to a flyer is certainly worth one two sniffles. You may even get an extra present or two for your efforts!

About the Author:
Terrys Fabrics retail in a wide range of curtains and fabrics.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/exterior-christmas-decorations-784371.html

How To Give Gifts To Women On Christmas?

People always say that it is easier to give gifts to men because men are easy going. However, it turns out that women are easier with gifts because you have tons of ideas for gifts for women. If you are dating a girl, you can consult this article for gifts to give her as Christmas present.


First of all, women always love shampoo and body products. You can pick tons of kinds of these products at stores. However, you have to find out which kind she is using, and what her favorite is. Most of women will be surprised when you give her the type of bath and shower products which she likes the most. They will wonder that you know everything about her that means you care about her very much. Also, if you can make your own it will be great. Here is a small tip for you to make her bath product. You can buy roses and leave them in the sun for about a week. Once they are dry, you can buy a good and beautiful box to put them into the box. Remember to put a piece of paper with sweet words inside the box so that she can read it every time she takes bath she will think of you.


Secondly, you can think of jewelry. Women love jewelry. Remember that you should not buy the very expensive jewelry because some women think that you try to buy her with all the good and expensive products and they will tend to reject you. Therefore, buy the good stuff but not too luxurious. You can also think of something special you can make to your jewelry. For example, if you can ask people at jewelry shops to make a smiley face on the jewelry or her name on it, she will love it for sure. Also, you can also make your own jewelry if you like. She will love it when she finds out that you make that kind of jewelry for her only. You can buy some colored stones at the jewelry shops and buy some necklace chain to put them all together. They will look good if you are crafty or even they look ok, she will be very moved if they know you spend time doing this for her.

For some type of women meaningful gifts will be the most important to them. For these types of women, you have to think out of the box. Do not try to spend lots of money for a waste or do not buy her jewelry because she will be returning it. You can make something out of your own. A song sung by you in a CD will sweet words will work for these women. A tape of all the pictures you have she have been taking together will move her a lot. Also, something surprising will make her moved as well. For example, you can cover her eyes, and then take her to the special place and say something very sweet to her. These things will definitely help you to knock her down.
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Presents For Men On Christmas?

Men are easy with gifts. However, it is not quite easy when you want to give them a meaningful present. It may end up in a trash bin or they may leave them there and never touch them again. Therefore, if you want to impress a man, or show how much you love him, you have to spend more time on the presents.


Flowers are not a bad idea for a romantic guy. Flowers suit really well if you want to show him how lovely and gentle you are when you give him your flowers. However, there are some points you have to remember when you give them flowers. They must look beautiful but manly. You cannot give guys pink flowers because it is more a gay thing than ever. Also, you should pay attention to the packing. The packing must not be too small or something girly. They must look strong and show the strength of a man.


Also, a pack of flowers will be not complete without a card. Many people nowadays forget to give cards when they send flowers. However, flowers are as much important as cards. The cards will be the places that you can share your thoughts and your love to the person you are sending flowers to. So, never forget the cards even when you send flowers, especially men because they tend to loot at the cards more than look at the flowers.

If that man is your father, things will be different. You should definitely pick up something thoughtful and to show that you are always beside him and care about him. A picture of you and him in a good phrame would be a good idea. The book that he always wants to read but he cannot find it anywhere and now he receives it as a present. Will it be good for him? I am sure that he will love it when he sees the present. If you are a girl giving the gift to your father, there will be more ways to give him presents as well. You can sing? Let's sing for him and record it in a DVD, then you has a wonderful present for him. If you have some kids, and you want to give him a special gift, why don't you collect some funny pictures of you and your kids or even with him , and then make a photo album and even ask the kids to say 'I love you' to him on the DVD. I am sure that any grandparent will be much moved when they see this present.

If the man is your friend or coworker, you can think of something consumable. A bath or shampoo product will be good for a normal present. Or think of what they may like or always want to have to buy for them. A disk of music which is their favorite will rock. Or a movie which they always want to see will work as well.
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Holiday Decorating Safety

Many families and homes in the United States do some type of home decorating during the months of November and December. Christmas is, by far, the most decorated holiday in this country. However, decorating accidents and injuries are also quite common around the holidays. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), approximately 10,000 people visit emergency rooms each year due to accidents related to holiday decorating. When decorating your home, it's important to follow good safety procedures to protect yourself and your property.

First and foremost is Christmas tree safety. Some people believe that real trees are fire hazards. For the most part, this is untrue, provided that they are kept watered. A well-hydrated real Christmas tree is no more of a fire hazard than a fire-retardant artificial tree. There are automated Christmas tree waterers on the market today that make the task of watering your tree much easier. Instead of having to remember to water the tree every day, just fill up the tree waterer's reservoir, and it will do the work for you for several days or up to a week.

It's also important to check your holiday lights before using them. Strings of lights should be checked for frayed cords, broken bulbs, or other signs of damage. Don't take any chances with old lights! If they look like they've outlived their useful life, discard them. There are many organizations that now recycle holiday lights; check online for a location near you.

Be sure not to plug too many strings of lights into one outlet or extension cord. You should carefully read and follow all safety instructions that come with your lights. A good rule of thumb is no more than 3 strings of lights plugged together into one outlet. Extension cord safety is also important. Be sure not to run extension cords under rugs, as this can cause wear over time. When decorating outdoors, you should also take care not to run extension cords across driveways or sidewalks where they might be a tripping hazard for pedestrians.

Of all the dangers of holiday decorations, candles play the largest role in holiday accidents and injuries. According to the CPSC, as many as 14,000 house fires occur each year due to burning candles, and those fires result in approximately 170 deaths. The best way to play it safe with candles is simply not to use them at all. If you must burn candles, be sure to keep them far away from children and pets. You should never leave a burning candle unattended. It's also important to keep open flame away from anything that might be flammable such as curtains and drapes, wrapped package and other paper, and live and/or artificial trees and greenery.

Candles are not the only source of open flame around the holidays. When the weather turns cold, many families like to have fires in their fireplaces or wood burning stoves. It's important to take precautions with these types of fires, too. Remember to keep young children and pets far away from fireplaces and stoves to avoid burns. Also, it's important to have a good safety screen in front of a fire so that popping sparks don't ignite carpet or other nearby objects. If you like to hang stockings on your fireplace, be sure they are far enough away that the heat or popping sparks won't catch them on fire, either. Special salts used to produce colorful flames should also be kept away from children and pets, as they can be poisonous when ingested.

Remember, 'tis the season to deck the halls safely and soundly. No family enjoys a holiday spent in the emergency room! With some good common sense and basic safety rules, you can make the holidays a safe and pleasant time for yourself and your family.

Find more great holiday tips and ideas at The Christmas Tree Storage Bag Shop, including safe holiday storage products. Or visit Home Products 'n' More for an automatic Christmas tree waterer.
Article Source: http://www.articleset.com

Four Foul Foods To Avoid During the Holidays

Levittown, NJ- Time off from work, out of your daily routine, coupled with an endless buffet of holiday feasts and treats can leave people starting the new year unhealthy and unfit. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. Dr. David Ostreicher, author of Brush Your Teeth and Other Simple Ways to Stay Young and Healthy from Wheatmark Publishing (www.brushyourteethbook.com), has a list of ways to keep people from looking like Santa after the holidays.

His message is simple: Air and water are polluted. Diet is loaded with artificial ingredients and hormones. Americans are fat and do not exercise. Yet we are living longer, far longer, than our grandparents did. Why? This is the American Paradox. The answer is simple: Hygiene, from improved sewerage to personal hygiene. How do we beat the paradox? There are simple and easy ways to stay young and healthy, focusing on the principals of health: good hygiene. That includes mental hygiene, sleep hygiene, physical hygiene, brushing your teeth, and avoiding the “foul four” foods that hijack your health.

“The American diet is one of excesses,” Ostreicher said. “We eat too much, too many calories, too much fat, too much salt and too much sugar. And those elements make up the ‘Foul Four’ dietary villains.”

• Salt – “Salt raises your blood pressure and can lead to heart attacks and strokes,” Ostreicher said. “It has also been linked to cancers of the stomach and esophagus. Throw out your salt shaker. You don’t need to add any salt to your food. Salt is not the only spice. We should all make much better use of pepper or other spices. When cooking, leave out the salt, or cut the amount in half. After a period of time, your sensitivity to salt will change. Your taste buds will accommodate to the normal salt diet, and soon you will find you don’t need it anymore.”

• Sugar -- Sugar is Ostreicher’s next target. He believes we eat way too much of it, and the wrong kinds of it. “Whether it’s in the form of table sugar (from sugar cane or sugar beets), or high fructose corn syrup, the average American eats about three pounds of sugar a week,” Ostreicher said.

• Calories – Those three pounds of sugar is equal to 3,312 empty calories per week. “No vitamins, minerals, fiber… just 3,212 calories,” he said. “That will convert to 4 pounds of fat per month. No wonder obesity in America is epidemic.”

• Fat – The last of the Foul Four on Ostreicher’s hit list is fat. “Fat is another endless supply of calories,” he said. “USDA “Dietary guidelines for Americans” says we should limit total fat to 20% to 35% of our RDA for calories. Most Americans get more than that. Fat, especially the “bad” fats (saturated and trans) are linked to obesity, heart attacks and cancer.”

One major fallacy to avoid this holiday season is the idea that any member of the Foul Four is somehow made healthy because it’s organic.

“It seems intuitive that ‘organic’ is healthier,” Ostreicher said. “Given the choice, I would rather eat an organically grown tomato than one grown in a field with pesticides and artificial fertilizers. However, there is very little true scientific evidence to show that eating ‘non-organic’ foods cause serious illness. There is a ton of evidence that shows that eating sugar, salt, and high fat/high calorie diets cause all kinds of health problems and increase risk for disease. At the end of the day, with all the choices we have with our diets today, clearly we can all agree that avoiding these Foul Four foods is a good start.”



About the Author
Dr. David Ostreicher, author of Brush Your Teeth and Other Simple Ways to Stay Young and Healthy from Wheatmark Publishing (www.brushyourteethbook.com), is a graduate of Columbia University where he earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery, Certificate in Orthodontics and Masters in Public Health. He also holds a Masters of Science in Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport, where he served as a professor of nutrition. A sought-after guest for top media programs, Dr. Ostreicher has lectured worldwide, and has authored scores of articles about dentistry, orthodontics, nutrition and health. Dr. David (as his patients call him) has appeared on over 25 local and national shows, including The Morning Show, Independent Network News, Today, Regis Philbin Lifestyle, Geraldo, and Sally Jesse Raphael.

Pine Cone Crafts - Homemade Christmas Decorations

Author: A.C. West

If you are decorating your home for the holidays on a budget, there are so many possibilities to make your home look gorgeous and festive using inexpensive items. One great items to use to spruce up your home for Christmas is pines cones. In many places, you can get pine cones for free right from your own back yard. If you do not live near an area where you would have access to free pine cones, they can be purchased inexpensively from most any craft store. Decorating your home with holiday crafts made from pine cones are very simple to do and are even an easy enough project for children to participate.

Pine cones can be used for ornaments for the Christmas tree. One simple project for children and adults alike is to decorate the pine cone with glue and glitter. Tie a string to the cone and hang on the tree.

Another beautiful project is to paint the pine cone with a brush or spray paint in holiday colors. Glitter can also be sprinkled on the cone before the paint dries to give it a frosted, sparkly look. The painted cones can be used for tree ornaments with string or ribbon added to hang on the tree. Another way to use the painted cones is as a centerpiece on your coffee table or dining room table. Place the painted cones in a bowl or basket and add some greenery too, if desired.

Decorated or natural, plain pine cones can also be added to wreaths for a wonderful look. Pine cones added to garland and ribbons on a fireplace mantle give a simple but elegant look to your holiday decor.

Christmas decorating on a budget does not need to be skimpy, cheap or unflattering. By using your creativity and a small amount of inexpensive supplies, you can decorate your home beautifully and receive many compliments from your family and holiday guests.

About the Author:

Needs great ideas for Home Made Christmas Decorations? Get Little Kids Christmas Crafts and The Christmas Crafts Collection.

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Choosing Christmas Tableware Carefully

Now that Christmas has ended, it is time to put away all of your tableware decorative, Christmas trees and other seasonal decorations in order to come to terms with the harsh realities of the new year. Some people will undoubtedly have gained some weight from over-indulgence, others may try to deny the end of their holiday period by taking the lazy approach and keeping their decorations up for longer. After a while you begin to realise how ridiculous your home must look further into the New Year and so pick up the pace in bringing normality back in to your house.

Some people will not realise this but people do reuse the same Christmas decorations and tableware for a number of years in a bid to save money. Whilst this is not a bad idea and a wise step into saving money, after a while the decorative items and tableware begin to age and wear out. Every year Christmas becomes more modern and each style begin to change to suit the progression of time. Even though this is a celebration that comes once a year, it is still difficult to keep up to speed with changing styles especially if one is planning a big party for the following year.

Buying cheap crackers are very often a waste of money and are generally of a much lower quality than a more expensive box. The fact remains, the more you pay for Christmas crackers the better the prizes and not necessarily the jokes! A good tip for saving money on crackers is to make them yourself. This is much more enjoyable process and the end results are much more humorous. Putting up a Christmas spread for a large number of people does not always have to be a taxing and complicated affair either if the right approach is taken.

The food preparation can start as early as the night before as long as all the ingredients are purchased in advance. Tableware design can very often be made simple and laid in a classy fashion with all of the traditional perks that brighten up the holiday season. Avoid using paper plates, no matter how little money you have to spend. Plastic cutlery and plastic plates are easily found in most supermarkets and pound shops. These give the illusion of looking like proper plates and are cheap to buy. They can be reused, however most are not dishwasher safe.

If your party involves just a few close relatives then your best bet is to bring out your nice cutlery and dishware to impress. Depending on how much of a spread you intend to put out, it is a good idea to have everything served neatly in large platters and dishes. Stick to normal white plates and serving dishes, rather than fancy colourful dishware. White may seem like such a boring shade to pick, however this naturally brightens up the table making all your tiny Christmas decorations stand out more.

Decorating the table with small poinsettia plants or seasonal decorative items will bring more joy to the meal. Use candles, small Christmas confetti, crackers and little bells to bring more sparkle into your party or meal. The idea of this seasonal event is to bring family and loved ones closer together, treat yourself excessively with lots of food and exchange gifts. When putting up a party for friends and family, it is a good idea to have everything prepared in advance and turn the meal into a buffet.

About the Author:
Anna Stenning knows a lot about picking out the right tableware for large parties, especially for a Christmas get together.

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Tips To Help You Throw The Best Christmas Party

The smell of warm apple-cinnamon cider permeates the air, mingling with fresh pine as you traverse from the kitchen to the living room with your tray of hors d'oeuvres, including cheeses, fruits and breads. The soft sounds of Frank Sinatra, the laughter of children and the dull roar of a snowplow fill the background.
The soft glow of the Christmas lights emanate from the tree, illuminating the smiles of your family patriarchs and matriarchs. Is anything more glorious than a well-planned Christmas party?

As much as you'd like to think the laborious toilet scrubbing, the time-consuming tree decorating and the scrutinizing of invitations will be everyone's focus, let's face it, the heart of any party is the food. With the melange of details, you're likely to feel overwhelmed already, so you may want to consider making your party a potluck affair, where everyone brings a dish and you supply some of the basics.


Another no-fuss option is to just spend the extra money on a caterer to ensure the most anticipated part of your Xmas party goes off without a hitch. Try to aim for more appetizers or grab-and-go foods to minimize the amount of dishes, mess and seating arrangement hassles. Freshly baked bed, Brie and smoked Gouda cheese, bread dip, fruit trays, nuts and chocolates are all must-have hors d'oeuvres. For any main courses, be sure you stick to tested-tried-and-true recipes; now is not the time to experiment!

Don't forget the festive Christmas party drinks! The big bowl of holiday punch is always an easy answer, but there are so many other wintry libations to serve. For instance, you can make eggnog that will get grandma run over by adding some rum, brandy, whiskey or bourbon to the cream, eggs, sugar and nutmeg concoction. Or for a boozy take on apple cider, why not throw a little rum, butterscotch schnapps, apple pucker or cinnamon schnapps in the mix? There are many festive wines to choose from as well.

Red wine glogg is a fancy hot Swedish wine drink with aquavit or brandy. Generally, well-liked wines at Christmas parties include Pinot Noirs and Cabernet Sauvignons for reds, Pinot Grigios and Rieslings for whites, or a Zinfandel Blush. Other mixers should be available too: cola, tonic water, ginger ale, tomato juice, and coffee and tea. Be sure your guests know what to expect for the drink situation when they receive their invites so they know if they need to bring anything.

Be sure to be a good host at your Christmas party. Keep an eye out for people who've gone rotten on the nog and be sure you've got a collapsible cot or air mattress for them to crash at your pad for the night. You'll want to have some pancake mix or eggs on tap for the next morning in that case too.

Though it may seem like a lot of work, few things are more rewarding than throwing the party that everyone's oohing and aahing over for the next year. There's no better way to spread the holiday cheer this Christmas season than to be the party maestro yourself!


Discover more about the christmas party from Mike Selvon portal where a free gift awaits you. We appreciate your feedback at our christmas tradition blog.

Which Came First: Santa or the Christmas Tree?

You think Santa Claus and decorated trees when you think Christmas, right? The Jolly One probably comes first as the number one symbol of the holiday, but there's no mistaking that Christmas trees are nearly just as important when it comes to celebrating the holiday right.

Santa Claus and Christmas trees are so intertwined, so connected, in how we celebrate, it makes one think that Santa maybe even invented the Christmas tree. After all, it's Santa who places everyone's presents underneath the tree. Maybe back in the old days, before trees, he used to place presents under children's beds and in the bathtub. And maybe eventually he got tired of it, and instead invented Christmas trees as a convenient and fun place for him to leave presents. Makes sense, right?

Maybe, but Santa had little to do with the real reason that Christmas trees came about. Sorry to disappoint you folks, but it was actually German Christians who started the Christmas tree celebration, way back in the 1500s. And as for decorating these trees, the story goes that one of the top Christians of them all, Martin Luther, started decorating his family's tree in the 1500s with lit candles. He got the idea one night walking home under the stars.

Then the idea really caught on in the mid-1800s, when the Queen of England and her children started decorating a tree for Christmas. Sketches of the royal family with their decorations got put in all the major newspapers, and soon every good Englishman was starting a new family tradition: decorating their house and home with colorful decorations and freshly smelling, beautifully green evergreen trees.

In America, however, we were a little bit slow, not just with decorating Christmas trees but with celebrating Santa Claus and anything else 'extra' in their Christmas festivities. That's because up until the very end of the 1800s, Americans saw Christmas as a very religious holiday. There was no room for chubby men in red suits, or bright decorations and candles, and even a Christmas tree. All Americans did back then was go to church service. Period.

But then the Queen of England enjoyed her Christmas tree. And many immigrants to the United States, especially the German ones, celebrated December 25 with trees, lights, and holiday cheer. Eventually, the fun caught on. In true American fashion, though, Americans not only took on the tradition of Christmas trees and decorations, they improved on it. Every thing had to be bigger, better, and more festive!

For example, at the turn of the 20th century, Europeans tended to like their trees manageable, at only about the height of your typical sixth grader. But when Americans started catching on to the tree tradition, they decided they liked their trees big, so big that they touched the ceiling of their homes.

Then Americans took it one step further with the invention of electricity in homes. Trees were braided with strings of multicolored lights. Homes were covered with decorations of every color, blinking lights, and Santa Claus statues with his sleigh of reindeer. Even towns and cities started setting up Santa Claus displays around Town Hall, as well as Christmas trees that reached to the sky.




About the Author
Randy Stocklin is the co-founder of the popular website http://www.mailfromsantaclaus.com, which offers personalized letters from Santa Claus.

The Secret History of Santa Claus

Santa Claus is one old dude. We all know that. Just look at how white his beard and hair are, right? But did you know that the legend of Santa Claus, and St. Nick, go back nearly to the time of Christ, nearly 2,000 years ago? No? Well then, sit back, pour yourself a hot chocolate, grab yourself a plate of cookies, and get ready for the story of Santa Claus.


It is said that around the year 280 A.D., there was a man born by the name of Nicolas. He was born in the Near East in a town called Patara. To find it today, look on a map or a globe for the country of Turkey, near Greece. It was there that the man who would become Santa Claus was born.

Nicolas had a big heart, so big that he became a monk and devoted himself to his god and his religion. But Nicolas also was a big fan of his family and his neighbors, and he also devoted himself to them. Word spread in his homeland and far and wide about how kind and generous Nicolas was. Nicolas was born into wealth, and stories soon spread about how Nicolas gave away all of his family's money to the poor, the sick, and anyone else he came across who needed it.

He became so famous that Nicolas was known as the protector of all children (and sailors too). Once, he even saved three young girls, sisters, from being sold into slavery by their father. Their father, you see, needed money, and was going to make a fortune by selling his daughters. Instead, Nicolas came to their rescue by offering the father money for the girls, and then setting them free.

No wonder that Nicolas became Saint Nicolas after his death. For hundreds of years, Europeans celebrated him on the date of his death, December 6. Some even say that Saint Nick was the most popular saint in all of Europe during the end of the Middle Ages. December 6 was always considered a lucky day for this very same reason.

How did Saint Nick go from being the protector of children to Jolly Old Saint Nick, the guy we know as Santa Claus, who not only protects children, but brings them great gifts too? Well, that's one heck of a long story, and it involves a manger, and baby Jesus. We probably all already know that story by heart.

But what you may not know is that the end of December was already a big deal in Europe before Christmas was started. It was during this time of year that many Europeans celebrated that winter was almost over. They would have great feasts, celebrated the harvest of their wine and their beer, and the coming of spring and the sun. So then it made perfect sense that when people also started celebrating the birth of Baby Jesus, that the two traditions would meld.


The notion of feasting and celebrating a holiday of lights, the happiness and giving of Saint Nick, and the hope and love brought by Baby Jesus, all of it merged to form the perfect holiday: Christmas. And who makes sure that it happens every year? None other than Santa Claus.



About the Author
Randy Stocklin is the co-founder of the popular website http://www.mailfromsantaclaus.com, which offers personalized letters from Santa Claus.

Christmas crunching options, would you rent out your house?

If you are feeling the crunch this Christmas and are looking for a way to earn a little more money, it may be a good idea to offer a room up for rent if you have any spare. Not only would you be providing someone in need with a place to live, you will be receiving an easy and welcome source of income.

Those thinking of renting out their house may feel initially reluctant to open their door to a stranger, feeling as though the privacy that is taken for granted when you close the front door will be suddenly ousted away.

For many though, the choice between losing their house due to rising mortgage repayments or opening it up to a stranger is an easy one to decide. If you are living in a house that you love, but one that has become empty after grown children have moved out, it is often unthinkable to give it up and move to a smaller location. A very real alternative is to open up the rooms that are no longer used to students if there is a nearby university, or young professionals who are just starting out. You can also advertise with companies who look for suitable accommodation for contract workers on short placements.

Home swapping for holidays is also becoming more popular. For those still desperate to get away on their annual holiday but unable to afford their usual accommodation then home swapping becomes a viable option. Already gaining popularity, home swapping allows you to write off the huge cost of renting accommodation for your holiday stay, instead you just offer your home up for a few days in exchange.

There are plenty of websites dedicated to home swapping holidays where you can compare photos and e-mail the owners of the houses in the locations that are most suitable to you.

However, whether renting your house to tenants or considering a house swap, there is one thing that you must make sure that you update; your home insurance. Special home insurance policies for holiday house swaps are available from most lenders and it is essential that one is taken out, no matter how tempting taking off without filling in any paperwork may be.

After all, what if that nice family from France you rented your Cornish cottage to decide to make off with everything you own? You wouldn’t be covered under an average home insurance policy. Home insurance policies are also not valid on property that you earn revenue on. It is essential that you shop around to get the best terms for your insurance policies. There is no excuse to lose money by sticking with the same extortionate home insurance policy out of comfort or laziness.

Insurance policy providers may also offer rent insurance but this type of cover can be very expensive. Others include cover of up to 10% of rent but if this is claimed, you could find that your premiums rise considerably.



About the Author
David John Martin writes about a range of subjects. Check out http://www.confused.com for house insurance price comparison.