Christmas Tree Contest Winner

Congrat's to Anita! My girls loved your tree! Thanks for sending it in! Please email me your mailing address and I will have your diva ornament out :)

Here's a picture of Anita's tree. I think it's cute :)

Christmas Lights

One tradition we have in our family is to drive through neighborhoods and look at all the pretty lights strung on all the homes. There are some gorgeous displays out there.

Did you ever wonder where this tradition came from? Well, you can thank the pagans for it.

It turns out this tradition of lighting up our houses at Christmas comes directly from the pagan winter solstice ritual of lighting fires to honor the rising of the sun and the legthening of the days.

It wasn't until the early 20th century that Christmas lights began to appear in department shop windows, all with the intent to lure shoppers to their store. You can guarantee that the weathly homes would have the lights strung on their gates and windows as well.

It wasn't until after World War II that outdoor lights became more affordable and thus more popular amongst the 'common folk'.

Do you have any traditions when it comes to lights? Are you of those who love to create fantastic displays for others to enjoy or are you like me, you only string some off the roof and enjoy other's hard work?

Feebie Friday (Great Christmas Deal!)

I placed my order today on this great deal. My total WOULD have been $88 but I only paid $29.96. Let me tell you what I got ... 140 FREE Address Labels, FREE XL T-shirt (for Father's Day with a cute logo), FREE Wall Calendar, FREE Desk Calendar, FREE Sticky Note Pads and FREE Note Pads.  The ONLY thing I paid for was the extra wall calendar and desk calendar that I ordered.  NOT bad in my opinion!  Check it out!

FREE 7 Day Shipping on Orders Over $35

Premium Business Cards Now FREE Christmas Cards Now 50% OFF Car Door Magnets Now FREE Return Address Labels Now FREE Photo Christmas Cards Now 50% OFF Standard Postcards Now FREE Window Decals Now FREE 2010 Desk Calendars Now FREE Pens Now FREE Invitations and Announcements Now FREE Oversized Postcards Now FREE FREE Sticky Notes 1 FREE BINGO! Great Discounts Inside FREE T-Shirts 1 FREE Note Cards Now FREE Small Magnets Now FREE 2010 Wall Calendars Now FREE Brochures Now FREE Note Pads Now FREE Letterhead Now FREE Large Magnets Now FREE Keychains Now FREE Flyers Now FREE Rack Cards Now FREE Photo Flip Books Now 50% OFF

Hurry! Don't miss your chance to win BIG savings now! Offers end January 4, 2010!

Hmmm, Gingerbread

Have you ever wondered why Gingerbread Men are the staple at Christmas time? I know for my children, when they think of gingerbread men they first think of Shrek then they think of Christmas. But why?

Did you know that the Gingerbread Man was actually a real person? Not just a cookie made in stories.

Rumour has it that the Gingerbread Man first appeared i nthe court of Queen Elizabeth 1. She presented courtiers with gingery likenesses of themselves. Hmmmm ...

Gingerbread has its deep roots thorughout eastern Europe and, at one point, Nuremberg was knows as the gingerbread capital of the world. Also in Germany, the famous 'lubkuchen' was made and used to build special 'witches houses' (not Christmas, I know but I still thought it was interesting) from Hansel and Gretel. Some countries created a soft, delicately spiced cake while others produces a crisp, flat cookie or a warm, thick, steamy-dark squares of 'bread'.

I have a recipe for Chocolate Gingerbread Men I thought I would share with you ....

1 c. salted butter                     1 c. brown sugar

2/3 c. molasses                       1 egg

2 1/2 c. flour                           1 tbsp groung ginger

2 tsp baking soda                   2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp. ground nutmeg              1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/4 c. cocoal powder

Cream the butter, sugar, molasses and egg together. Sift dry ingredients and gradually add to the cream mixture. Mix well. Chill the dough for either 1 hour or 1 day. Roll out on a floured surface and cut into any shape (preferably gingerbread men though).  Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes, cool and then decorate to your heart content!

Enjoy!

Online Cookie Exchange

I'm in the midst of preparing for a cookie exchange. Two to be exact. One is tomorrow night. I flipped through a magazine I bought (100 BEST Cookies) and I 'think' I've narrowed it down to 3 recipes.

Now I might make a little bit of each or just one ... haven't made up my mind yet. I guess it will depend on how the recipes turn out and my mood. But it got me thinking ... there are so many wonderful bakers ... why not host an online cookie exchange! 

If you're in ... just post your favorite cookie recipe and any memories or story about why it's so special :)  How does that sound?

I'll go first ....  wait ... I still have to figure out a recipe to make ... you go first :)

O Christmas Tree ... O Christmas Tree (Contest)

When do you put your tree up? Are you the first of December type of person or do you wait till just before Christmas? Do you use fake or real?

Myself, I normally like to have my tree up December 1^st – or the weekend closest to it. This year I’m late (sorry kids). We also use a fake tree, it’s cheaper. But I do love the smells of a real tree!

Did you ever wonder how this tradition came to be? Why do we put a tree up in our homes? Why do we decorate this tree and place presents underneath?

I ‘think’ I have the reason.

Back in the 14^th century, the tree was a symbol of everlasting life to the pagans. The evergreen, with its vibrant green color, symbolized eternal life at a time of year when all other plants would die – especially in the cold weather.

Despite this fact, it wasn’t really until the 19^th century that placing a tree in our homes became popular.

It took Queen Victoria and her German husband, Prince Albert, to make this Christmas symbol a household tradition.

To help me get in the Christmas spirit … let’s host a Diva Christmas Tree contest.

Here’s the rules:

1. You have until December 11^th to send me pictures of your Christmas tree (must be this year).
   
2. You must be a follower.
   
3. December 12^th I will have my children help me choose the best decorated tree J 
   
4. I will post that tree on my blog.
   
5. The winner will receive a “Diva” Christmas ornament to hang on their tree – to be sent out in time for Christmas.
   
   

What do you think? You in? If so ... email me your pictures to sweetchickette@gmail.com

Under the Mistletoe?

How many of us hang mistletoe throughout our house? Do you use the read stuff or do you have an old one you’ve held onto for years? If you had to take a guess at where this tradition came from, what would you say? If I said it came from the medieval times, would you believe me? (Of course you would!)

This wonderful, albeit awkward tradition was first introduced during the medieval times as a way to boost fertility and vitality. Back then though, there was no such thing as hanging just a sprig or two of mistletoe from the rafters. Women, on a quest to conceive, would actually wrap this plant around their waists and wrists. Can you imagine!!!

What gave mistletoe its allure was the fact that this tiny little green plant that grows on the top of apple trees (did you know that?) could grow without roots and produce fruit, even in the harshest climate.

The mistletoe was given as a symbol of love and unity, and was a plant closely associated with couples (medieval times remember … you had to be married first …), hence the kissing theme.