Listen to Christmas music while enjoying this page. Click on Christmas music, then minimize that window, which will return you to this page.

Merry Christmas... In which language might you like to say this heartwarming greeting?  Listen to the way Merry Christmas is spoken in other parts of the world. Our family celebrates Christmas by honoring the birth of Christ and emulating the benevolence of Santa Claus.  Your family is probably much like ours when it comes to having traditions for the holidays.  We have traditions in decorating, traditions in cooking and baking, traditions in music and movies and traditional events that just make the holidays the very best time of the year.  Our most unusual Christmas occured five years ago when we decided to try something different . . . a train trip that may have been the beginning of a new tradition for our family.  Eleven of us boarded Amtrak's California Zephyr at Emeryville, CA to take the train to Reno, NV and back the next day.  All had gone well from the moment the conductor called out "all aboard," that is until our return trip.  While dining at tables set with linen, silver and stemmed goblets we were seranaded by the rickety-rick sound of the wheels speeding over the tracks. Out the windows snow piled on the trees. As it became fierce I realized we were in a blizzard, not surprising since we were crossing Donner Summit . . . the gently swaying train jerked. It jerked again. It began to creak and lean to one side. It jerked again and stopped.  Silence hit. Everyone froze. Smiles turned to fear. What dreadful thing was next? The train creaked and leaned some more.  Conductors ran down the isles, mumbling into their radios. The train had derailed.  More conductors ran past. One yelled out . . . "don't move til we tell you to."    Train derailed near Donner Summit for more than 17 hours, turning a pleasant 7-hour train trip into a 25 hour ordeal. Head engineer assesses situation amidst blizzard.   Once we knew we were not tumbling down the mountainside, passengers relaxed. Smiles returned as someone several tables away joked that we were the new Donner Party . . . but five shivering hours later it wasn't funny.  We were in pitch darkness. The food and beverages had long ago disappeared. The crew could not run the emergency generators so we had no lights and no heat.  The pleasant seven-hour trip turned into a twenty-five-hour ordeal.  When we finally arrived at the Emeryville station my then six-year-old grandniece was interviewed by a TV reporter who asked what she liked best about the train trip.  My grandniece replied, "when the train was on the track." The following year only five of us will be making the trip again. The rest of the family thought we were crazy.  Just in case... we brougt rations and blankets.  None were needed.

Jesus...  The Reason for the Season! In celebrating this joyous time of year we should begin at the beginning.  Without the birth of Jesus Christ and his life on earth there would be no Christmas, for all of Christianity began with His birth. Learn about The birth of Jesus  The great artists of this world celebrate Christ's birth and life through their paintings. Enjoy the pictorial celebration by these renown painters. Grab a cup of hot chocolate or cider, snuggle into your chair and watch this entertaining video titled "God's Story," narrated by actor Dean Jones.

Centuries later along came Santa Claus St. Nicholas was a man of faith who lived his life in devotion to Christ. Saint Nicholas loved children and cared for the needy. He brings the love of Christ and the healing of Jesus. When we honor this saint, follow his example of selfless giving, we honor the Christ Child who selflessly gave the greatest gift of all—himself.  Read the evolution of St. Nicholas into today's Santa Claus:  Saint Nicholas and the Origin of Santa Claus and see the Timeline of St. Nicholas  and the beloved story of The Night Before Christmas.  Christmas stories from around the world  and more online Christmas Stories.  One of the cutest and most creative is A Christmas Story by Jacquie Lawson   Tracking Santa Claus... You can track Santa Claus from when he leaves the North Pole on Christmas Eve.  Detecting Santa all starts with the NORAD radar system called the North Warning System.  It is available in the following languages: Deutsch, English,  Español, Français, Italiano, and Japanese.  Just click the "Track Santa" image. For more than 50 years, NORAD and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) have tracked Santa. The tradition began after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co. store advertisement for children to call Santa on a special "hotline" included an inadvertently misprinted telephone number. Instead of Santa, the phone number put kids through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief's operations "hotline." The Director of Operations, Colonel Harry Shoup, received the first "Santa" call on Christmas Eve 1955. Realizing what had happened, Colonel Shoup had his staff check radar data to see if there was any indication of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Indeed there were signs of Santa and children who called were given an update on Santa's position. Thus, the tradition was born. This powerful radar system has 47 installations strung across the northern border of North America. NORAD makes a point of checking the radar closely for indications of Santa Claus leaving the North Pole on Christmas Eve. NORAD receives record number of Santa inquiries Questions for Santa ...  As you know,  this is Santa's busiest time of the year. But if it’s re ally important, click here to send Santa an email. His helpers will be sure he gets it. "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus." "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exists, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy."   ~ From Francis Pharcellus Church, an editor with the New York Sun, 1897, responding to a letter from 8-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon Read Virginia's letter and the editor's reply.  A very heartwarming letter. Christmas Around The World Christmas Traditions Around the World Fun Stuff Big kids and adlts can play this Christmas word search game online.  Visit the Wilstar Christmas site for games, puzzles and more. Here's an interactive puzzle with a special message just for you. Take a break and enjoy these little flash shows  Make paper snowflakes with these step-by-step instrucitons.  A good project while watching TV. Print a copy of this Christmas Tree  for children to color and to use in craft projects. Or print and color this plain Christmas Tree

The Christmas Tree  One therory of the history of the Christmas Trees goes back to the 7th century when St. Boniface, a monk from Crediton, Devonshire traveled to Germany to teach the Word of God.  He used the triangular shape of the Fir Tree to describe the Holy Trinity of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The converted people began to revere the Fir tree as God's Tree, as they had previously revered the Oak. By the 12th century it was being hung upside-down from ceilings at Christmastime throughout Central Europe as a symbol of Christianity.  Then in the 1500's the trees were turned upright and decorated with paper, fruits and sweets. Then in 1600's trees were decorated with ribbon, tin shapes, small books and lace as well as food,  In the 1700's candles adorned the trees.  In 1851 Mark Carr opened a retail Christmas Tree lot in New York City, the first in the United States. And in 1856, Franklin Pierce, our 14th President, brought the first Christmas Tree into the White House. In 1923, President Calvin Coolidge started the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony now held every year on the White house lawn.   According to the National Christmas Tree Association, there are approximately 30-35 million Real Christmas Trees sold in the U.S. every year.  The top Christmas Tree producing states are Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Washington. (See a Complete List of all 50 states ranked by several variables.) Real Christmas Tree Safety Tips, Not Scare Tactics  10 Biggest Myths about Christmas Trees The top selling Christmas Trees are: balsam fir, Douglas-fir, Fraser fir, noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine and white pine. How Christmas Trees Work provides an avalanche of interesting information and photos about Christmas trees: fresh cut, living, or artificial.  The California Christmas Tree Association has a listing of all the certified Christmas Tree Farms in the state, plus information on where to find certified trees and how to choose a tree.  Take a day trip to a California Christmas Tree Farm or to tree farms in other states. Did you know... Trees absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen while growing. North American Real Christmas Trees are grown in all 50 states and Canada. Eighty percent (80%) of artificial trees worldwide are manufactured in China, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. Real Trees are a renewable, recyclable resource. Artificial trees contain non-biodegradable plastics and possible metal toxins such as lead.

The Polar Express Explore THE POLAR EXPRESS interactive train . . . All Aboard! The Polar Express Buzzalong * Build a snowman * Watch the Polar Express trailers * Step aboard the train * Visit the puppet car * Get wonderful downloads * Play games, and so much more  It's like being inside the movie.  Richard's comment:  This is a great movie . . . the animation is lifelike. The music and story are refreshing. The Polar Express could become a holiday classic.

Mistletoe Kissing under the Mistletoe has long been a Christmas tradition.  Using Misteltoe in winter celebrations dates by to Druid priests 200 years before the birth of Christ. The ancient Celtics believed mistletoe had  magical healing powers and used it as an antidote for poison, infertility, and to ward of evil spirits. The plant was also seen as a symbol of peace, and it is said that among Romans, enemies who met under mistletoe would lay down their weapons and embrace. Scandanavians associated the plant with Frigga, their goddess of love, and it may be from this that we derive the custom of kissing under the mistletoe. Those who kissed under the mistletoe had the promise of happiness and good luck in the following year. Mistletoe Q & A Wanna be prepared to do a little kissing, but can't find mistletoe in your neighborhood? Don't worry, you can buy mistletoe online at  More Kisses

Christmas at the White House White House Christmas 2007 White HouseTree  |  Presidential Holiday Cards  |  National Tree  |  Menorah Lighting  | Mrs. Bush's Hot Chocolate Recipe  |  Mrs. Bush's other recipes. Take a fascinating tour of Past White House Christmas Trees.  You can order a White House ornament for your very own Christmas tree. Enjoy the spectacular 360 degree tours of the famous rooms in The White House that are all decked out for Christmas.  East Room | Green Room | Blue Room | Red Room | State Dining Room | Center & Cross Halls.

Pointsettia - The Christmas Flower The poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), also known as the Mexican flame leaf, Christmas star, Winter rose, Noche Buena or Pascua, is a sub-tropical plant known for its striking red displays at Christmastime. They are named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States ambassador to Mexico, who introduced the plant in the U.S. in 1825. Care of Poinsettias nly water when the surface soil is dry to the touch.  Then water until it runs freely out the drainage hole in the container. Discard the water that collects in the saucer. Do not leave the plant standing in water. Overly wet soil lacks sufficient air, which results in root injury. A wilted plant may drop its leaves prematurely, so check the soil frequently. Plants exposed to high light and low humidity require more frequent watering. If wilting does occur, immediately water as described above, and 5 minutes later water again. Place your plant near a sunny window where it will have the most available sunlight. To keep the plant in bloom, maintain it at a temperature of 65 to 70 degrees F during the daylight hours and, if possible, move it to a cooler place at night. Because root rot disease is more prevalent at temperatures below 60 degrees F, do not put the poinsettia in a room colder than this. Avoid exposing the plant to hot or cold drafts, which may cause premature leaf drop. An excellent guide to keep your Poinsettia so it will reflower next Christmas includes step-by-step pictures Poinsettia Trivia Toxicity - Poinsettias are not poisonous. Even though they are a Euphorbia and have a milky sap, there reputation for being a dangerous plant is totally unfounded. Some people may experience some sensitivity to the sap. If exposed simply wash your hands with soap and water. Bracts - What we commonly call flowers are in fact bracts which are modified leaves. This is not an uncommon plant feature. Plants such as bougainvillea and dogwood also use bracts to show off their colors. Cyathia - The true flowers of the poinsettia are small, yellow, round and located in the center of the showy colored bracts. They will fall away in a week or two and leave the bracts. If the cyathia are missing or are being dropped, the poinsettia is not at it prime and should be avoided.

Everyone needs to know how to Roast Chestnuts, right? If for no other reason than to say we know how to do it.  Believe it or not, It's simple and here's how to do it. Buy 2 pounds chestnuts in shells Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Slit the skin of each nut with an X to allow the steam to escape as they cook. Put nuts on a baking sheet, and roast in the oven for about 15 minutes. When nuts are cool enough to touch, grasp the curling skin, and peel. Browse my sister's collection of recipes in her Cyber Kitchen and on her   Christmas Recipes page.  Her recipes will make you want to fire up your oven and whip out a mixing bowl.  You can also download cooking and baking booklets.  Recipes from other parts of the world: European ~ African ~ Asian and Pacific Islands ~ North and South American Native Recipes ~ Jewish Recipes ~ Jewish Cooking in America.  Holiday Season is Baking Heaven in Mid-West Kitchen Stacey Reszler's friends in Wisconsin call her culinary skills a gift.  Her husband, Jim, jokingly calls them a disorder. "My husband says I suffer from CFD - chronic feeding disorder. I love having people over. That's the Greek in me. Everyone has a gift; this is mine," she said. "Christmas is special. I always have a tray of cookies put together, and it makes it very convenient and easy to see a friend and say, 'Come on over for some tea and cookies.' You don't have to plan way ahead," she said. Stacey's recipes are on my sister's web site:  Christmas Recipes

Gingerbread Houses Gingerbread houses are special in our family.  You might want to get your family together and decorate a gingerbread house.  NECCO's candy experts teamed up with baking instructor Susan Logozzo to offer a step-by-step guide for creating a traditional gingerbread house with some special twists for creative decorating with candy. Try your hand with this full size printable ideas and pattern for a Gingerbread House. For kids a Miniature Graham Cracker Gingerbread House is a lot of fun to make with little mess. Here's a Home Sweet Gingerbread House with directions and recipes including the recipe for Royal Icing, a must in making any gingerbread house stay together!  If you've never tried to make a Gingerbread House, then you'll love this photo guide to make a Gingerbread House by HGTV chef Aaron Morgan.    If you're not into making one from scratch, many stores are now selling the kits. Kids big and small really get into decorating their own, so buy several of them. Or, you can buy Gingerbread House kits online.  Sugarcraft has several styles to choose from and at very reasonable prices. You say, you're a techie not a baker, then try your hand at building this Techie Gingerbread House, from scratch.  No pun intended. Not a techie, not a baker but you're in to cross-stitching, then here's a Cross-Stitch Gingerbread House. A different kind of gingerbread, is Gingerbread Millwork used on Victorian homes is now available to add punch to modern homes. Another source is Vintage Woodwork, they have a full catalog.

Decorating your yard for the holidays If you're decorating the outside of your house this holiday season, you might be like most of us concerned about the high cost of electricity.  Well, not anymore!   Meet your new best friend in holiday decorating... LED lights.  LED yard lights use just a fraction of the energy of regular lights.   Hardware to make dazzling light displays:  http://www.Lightorama.com Woodcraft Holiday Decorations for your yard http://www.ChristmasDoneBright.com  http://www.ChristmasDecor.net http://www.PlanetChristmas.com  Stunning holiday displays in neighborhoods across America    Christmas Inflatables Tuff Inflatables - Christmas Shop for inflatable on Google Shop Christmas Inflatables.com Shop inflatables and other Christmas decorations Unique Christmas inflatables and so much more to entertain the child in us all - the above photo of a snow man decorating a Christmas Tree is one of their creative inflatables.

Thank you for visiting. I hope you have enjoyed our Christmas page.  May you and your family have a safe and Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year! Richard Richard A. DeBiaso Richard's Promotional Products (Formerly Business Boosters)  3205 Whipple Road Union City, CA 94587-1218 510-429-4803 Serving customers coast to coast since 1986 "I'm only an email away" to sign my guestbook   to top of page