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Merry Christmas . . . in which language might you like to say this heartwarming greeting? How about saying Merry Christmas in 350 different languages?   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.  Last year 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." This year only five of us will be making the trip again. The rest of the family thinks we're crazy. Just in case . . . we're bringing rations and blankets.  Now on to some holiday cheer . . .

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 why he was born in a manger.  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. . . . Jesus . . . The Reason for the Season! . . .

. . . Then centuries later along came Santa Claus Every child big or little loves Santa Claus.  What better way to add excitement to the holidays than to receive a personaized letter from Santa Claus postmarked at the North Pole!  Adults can sign up here.  How long until Santa comes?  Check the countdown to Christmas.     Q: What do elves learn in school? A: The Elf-abet! The history of Santa Claus, as we Americans know him, has more than one version.  Here are a couple that should help set the record straight:  The History of Santa Claus from North Pole Santa Claus and  The Evolution of Santa. And, yes, I still believe in Santa Claus! Now boys and girls you may email Santa Claus and tell him what you want for Christmas. You just might get a letter back from him, too!   But before you do, please ask your parents if it's okay for you to write him.  On Christmas Eve you can track Santa's travels and see Santa on a video cam. Q: What nationality is Santa Claus? A: North Polish. At the North Pole web site young and old can sing-along with all the favorite Christmas Carols.  Kids of all ages can play neat games.  Be sure to read the story of The Night Before Christmas.  See what Christmas is like all around the world   . . . plus in the Workshop kids can make some great crafts and delicious recipes.   Try your hand at decorating this Interactive Gingerbread House.  Print out this Gingerbread House and color it.  Big kids and adults can play this Christmas word search game online. And, visit the Wilstar Christmas site for games, puzzles and more. Take a break and enjoy these little flash shows or make paper snowflakes while watching TV.  Here's a quick puzzle with a special message. Q: What goes Ho, Ho, Swoosh, Ho, Ho, Swoosh? A: Santa caught in a revolving door! Take a look at this interactive card from Dan Klimek and also from Barbara Jones.  Send your online friends and family lovely Christmas Cards free with no strings attached from the folks at Mt. Shasta, California. Q: Where do polar bears vote? A: The North Poll. Send Free Online Greeting Cards at 123 greetings.  Remember, Wise men still seek Him.  And, for the classiest cards on the net, see Jacquie Lawson's awesome creations.       Turn your volume up and click on the photo for a greeting just for you. Q: What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus? A: Claustrophobic. If you're decorating the outside of your house this holiday season, you will find these sites helpful: http://www.PlanetChristmas.com http://www.Lightorama.com http://www.ChristmasDoneBright.com http://www.ChristmasDecor.net

Help Santa Find the Perfect REAL Tree  Deadline for entry is 11:59PM, December 31st, 2004. Click the image to enter the contest for a chance to win some fabulous prizes, including: * $5,000 to $10,000 scholarships * All-expense paid trips for four to Orlando, FL (estimated value, $5,000) * All-expense paid trip for four to Pigeon Forge, TN including: * Tickets and back stage opportunity to the Louise Mandrell theater, * Tickets to Dollywood theme park, and * Four meals at the Alabama restaurant Sponsored by: The National Christmas Tree Association

~ The Christmas Tree ~ The first Christmas tree retail lot in the United States was started in 1851 in New York by Mark Carr. Christmas trees take 7-10 years to mature.  Christmas trees remove dust and pollen from the air.  About Real Christmas Trees    Tree Care Tips  Oregon and Washington account for nearly 12 million of the 23 million real Christmas trees produced in 2003.  A recent survey concluded that 23.4 million American homes had live Christmas trees, compared to 50.6 million homes with "fake," or artificial trees. The number of homes without any kind of Christmas tree numbered 21.7 million.    Q: Why does Santa have 3 gardens? A: So he can ho-ho-ho. You'll find good information for your beloved Christmas Tree at  How Christmas Trees Work as it 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. Q: What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire? A: Frostbite.

~ 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. Ever wonder What Mistletoe is? Wanna be prepared to do a little kissing, but can't find some?  Don't worry, you can buy Mistletoe online. Q: What do you call a cat on the beach at Christmas time? A: Sandy Claus.

~ Christmas at the White House ~ Mrs. Laura Bush announced today, December, 2, 2004 "A Season of Merriment and Melody" as the theme for the 2004 holiday season at the White House.  White House Christmas decorating fact sheet.  Take a fascinating tour of the Christmas Trees at the White House, past to present: Past President's White House Christmas Trees.  Past White House Trees  Replicas from the original family home plans of the nation's Presidents were created by White House staff members and displayed in a wintry forest throughout the rooms of the White House.  See all fifteen. It's quite a treat.   Photo at right is replica of President F.D. Roosevelt's home. 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. Worth your consideration are the Christmas Traditions at the White house: White House Tree | Presidential Holiday Cards | National Tree | Menorah Lighting | Mrs. Bush's Hot Chocolate Recipe | Mrs. Bush's other recipes. Q: What did Santa shout to his toys on Christmas Eve? A: Okay everyone, sack time!

~ Pointsettia - The Christmas Flower ~ Poinsettias make up 88% of the flowering plants purchased for Christmas. The most popular being, of course, red. Poinsettias originated in Mexico.  It grows there as shrubs that can get up to ten feet tall.  Poinsettias come in more colors and variations than the ver popular red.  Other colors include, white, cream, yellow, pink and peach.  Poinsettias can even come striped, marbled, or spotted with contrasting colors.

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. Entertaining for the holidays is truly the high point of the year in our family. doesn't have to be exhausting.  At Recipe Hunting Links you'll find recipes for every palate. Try it, you'll like it. Q: What's a snowman's favorite treat? A: A snowcone! If you have a passion for food, you'll love this exhaustive compendium of recipes and resources for cooking and baking. It's awesome!  Here's a wonderful source for recipes for your European Heritage or African Heritage or Asian and Pacific Islands or North and South American Native Recipes and Jewish Recipes or Jewish Cooking in America.  Q: If Santa and Mrs. Claus had a child, what would he be called? A: A subordinate claus. At the Food Network they have a Christmas Entertaining section for all the winter holidays filled with recipes and tips that are guaranteed to knock your socks off. And, be sure to check out my sister's Cyber Kitchen on her web site for "Down to earth recipes for out of this world cooking." Q: What do snowmen wear on their heads? A: Ice caps!

~ 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.         A replica of the White House, the 2003 gingerbread house, right, was created by White House pastry chefs and stood more than six-feet wide and 3-feet tall.     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 Gingerbread House for Experienced Bakers to try their hand at.  Home Sweet Gingerbread Home directions and recipes including the recipe for Royal Icing, a must in making any gingerbread house stay together! Click here for the printable version with photos. Also, 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. Q: Why does Santa Claus go down the chimney on Christmas Eve? A: Because it " soots " him! 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. Q: What do snowmen eat for lunch ? A: Icebergers! 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.  Q: Why is Christmas just like a day at the office? A: You do all the work and the fat guy with the suit gets all the credit.

~ Christmas Songs ~ Lyrics for traditi.onal Christmas music . . . Christmas Songs: The Twelve Days of Christmas - Christmas carol from Not Just for Kids! with lyrics and midi file. Christmas Carols Page - A site devoted to giving lyrics to classic Christmas carols. Christmas Songs  - These Christmas song lyrics are easy to print out for caroling.    For your listening pleasure . . . New Christmas Music! - Quality music that easy on the ears and with an upbeat tempo.  Free Christmas music downloads - Free Christmas carols and traditional holiday music. Printout a Christmas Story to read to your family . . .  Christmas Stories - Christmas-Stories.com - The largest index of Christmas stories on the Internet Not Just for Kids! Christmas Stories and Poems - Christmas Stories and Poems to amuse the whole family. Q: What's a good holiday tip? A: Never catch snowflakes with your tongue until all the birds have gone south for the winter.

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   Many of the graphics on this page are compliments of a very talented lady named Anne at Anne's Place.   to top of page