Artificial Trees

 

The warm embrace of the cold winter season, the aroma of freshly baked cookies, the exciting sight of presents under the Christmas tree and the stimulating spectacle of bright colors – these are just some of the exhilarating sensations we experience every Christmas. Another noteworthy scene is the influx of lush greeneries that come in different forms.

From real and artificial Christmas trees to live Christmas plants scattered in your home, these greeneries not only help bring out the Christmas spirit but they also represent significant symbolisms derived from past traditions. Here are some of the most common greeneries we see every Christmas and the beliefs and customs they represent.

Yew Trees – These trees belong to the evergreen family and symbolize one’s everlasting life with the Lord.

Fir Trees – Most commonly used as Christmas trees, fir trees also represent everlasting life with God because of their deep green color. These are often recreated as artificial trees, which most households use during the holidays.

Holly – The Holly is a popular ornament that livens up any home. This prickly green plant highlighted by its red berries symbolizes Jesus Christ’s crown of thorns. The berries signify the drops of blood caused by the thorns.

Ivy – Because it needs to cling on to something for support, the Ivy is a reminder to every Christian that we need God in order to grow.

Laurel – Laurels resemble a wreath and worn on the head by ancient Greeks as a crown of glory. This greenery represents success, and in the Christian context, God’s victory over the Devil.

Christmas Wreath –Coming from the old English word “writhen” which means to twist, the wreath consists of evergreens in circular form. It is said to have come from the tradition of Advent Wreath that symbolize the four weeks of Advent.

Mistletoe – Mistletoes have been associated with a lot of beliefs. The Greeks believed it had mystical powers and later in the Middle Ages, it was thought to ward off evil spirits. They were also used to keep witches away. The custom of kissing under the mistletoe used to be associated with primitive marriage rites. Now, exchanging a kiss under the mistletoe is an anticipation of happiness and long life as well as a promise to marry for couples in love.

Tags: artificial Christmas trees, Christmas, Christmas plants, Christmas Trees, Christmas wreath
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Thinking of what to get Grandma for Christmas or her birthday? Try these ideas and make her feel truly special!

Audiobooks

If Grandma likes to read but finds it difficult due to the strain to her eyes, consider getting her some audiobooks. Ask about her favorite titles or authors and give her a collection. This will not only spark a renewed interest in literature but also keep her mind active.

Membership to Activity Centers

There are organizations that offer programs for the elderly to help them become more dynamic individuals. Because of these opportunities, seniors are now more fit and active. If Grandma and Grandpa are still strong and fit, sign them up for classes to help them achieve a healthy mind and body.

Service Coupons

Give your Grandma a booklet of things you want to do for her for the entire year. For example, a coupon can entitle her to have your company all day and be driven to wherever she wants to go. In some coupons, you can also offer a shopping spree, a movie date, breakfast for two at her favorite place or anything that you think will make her feel special!

Indulge her hobbies and skills.

If she has a special talent in baking, buy her the stuff she needs and ask her to bake some goodies for Christmas. This way, Grandma doesn’t only feel productive and stimulated, she also feels much more needed and loved!

Tags: gift ideas, grandma, grandparents
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Although Christmas was originally a Christian tradition, it turned out to be one of the biggest and most popular events throughout the world. This is probably because Christianity accounts for about a third of the world population, with approximately 2.2 billion adherents who belong to various Christian denominations.

This guide may come in handy if you are planning to go on a holiday trip with your family. Here are 35 ways you can say “Merry Christmas!”

Afrikaans – Gesëende Kersfees

Afrikander – Een Plesierige Kerfees

Arabic – I’d Miilad said oua sana saida

Bahasa (Malaysia) – Selamat Hari Natal

Chinese (Mandarin) – Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan

Chinese (Cantonese) – Gun Tso Sun Tan’Gung Haw Sun

Croatian – Sretan Bozic

Danish – Glædelig Jul

Dutch – Vrolijk Kerstfeest

Filipino – Maligayang Pasko

Finnish – Hyvaa joulua

French – Joyeux Noël

German – Fröhliche Weihnachten

Greek – Kala Christouyenna

Hawaiian – Mele Kalikimaka ame Hauoli Makahiki Hou!

Hindi – Shub Naya Baras

Hungarian – Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket

Icelandic – Gledileg Jol

Indonesian – Selamat Hari Natal

Irish – Nollaig Shona Dhuit

Italian – Buon Natale!

Japanese – Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto

Korean – Sung Tan Chuk Ha

Latin – Natale hilare et Annum Faustum

Maltese – IL-Milied It-tajjeb

Portuguese – Feliz Natal

Russian – Pozdravlyenie s Rozjdyestvom i s Novym Godom

Samoan – La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou

Spanish – Feliz Navidad

Swedish – God Jul

Thai – Sawadee Pee Mai

Ukrainian – Srozhdestvom Kristovym

Urdu – Naya Saal Mubarak Ho

Vietnamese – Chuc Mung Giang Sinh

Welsh – Nadolig Llawen

Tags: christmas traditions, Merry Christmas
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When you think about it, gift wrappers are carefully selected only to be thrown out. As such, they account for majority of the waste created during the holidays.

Be “Green” this year and recycle that used wrapping paper. If you don’t have a stash of old wrapping papers or gift bags, try these tips and jumpstart your creative side.

Paper Bags

Presents placed in brown paper bags show that you are an earth lover. Highlight the bag with a beautiful gold or silver ribbon. If you want a funkier look, decorate it with crayons and markers or paste several cut-outs.

Glass Jars

Remove the label completely then place your gift inside and hide it by lining up the jar’s interior with colorful recycled paper like a glossy magazine pages or left-over art papers from your kids’ school supplies. Take it further and add other elements like Styrofoam pellets for that snow effect!

Paper Waste

Add character to your gift by wrapping it with dated maps, magazine pages, crossword puzzle, graphing paper, or anything that has interesting shapes and colors!

A Gift within a Gift

Add a special touch by wrapping the item in another gift like a pretty scarf or a beautiful purse. This effort not only makes you “Green” but also makes you a very thoughtful gift-giver!

Tags: alternative gift wrappers, DIY, Eco-friendly, Recycling
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Shocked about that $2,000 Christmas tree you just saw online? Wait till you read about the world’s most expensive Christmas trees! Here are just some of them:

Soo Kee Jewellery Diamond Christmas Tree
USD 1,005,000

This million-dollar tree was produced in 2007 by Soo Kee Jewellery in Bugis Junction, Singapore. Standing at nearly 20 feet, the tree was encrusted with 3,762 crystal beads, 21,798 glittering diamonds (totalling 913 carats), and 456 Christmas lights. Bedecking it with these gems is just logical since it was produced by a jewellery store. With this 7,000-pound tree, Christmas is at its most lavish!

Ginza Tanaka 24-Karat Gold Christmas Tree
USD  1,600,000

Another tree produced by a jewellery shop, the Ginza Tanaka Christmas tree boasts of 46 pounds worth of gems – with 240 jewels made up of pearls and diamonds! The 24-karat gold tree was on display at the jewellery shop in Osaka, Japan back in 2008.

Takashimaya Christmas Tree
USD 1,800,000

This tree may be petite at only 40 centimeters but don’t underestimate its ability to stun you with its sparklers! Festooned with 400 diamonds from Australia and southern Africa, this tree was on display in 2009 at the Takashimaya department store in China. Aside from showcasing 100 carats of diamonds, the tree also flaunted beautiful preserved roses and a teddy bear. Now that’s one really steep but cute little Christmas tree.

Emirates Palace Christmas Tree
USD 11,400,000

And the most expensive Christmas tree of all goes to… the Emirates Palace Christmas Tree!

This tree is only 13 feet, way shorter than most commercial artificial Christmas trees. Yet, it was a record breaker in 2010 with its $11 million worth of jewellery ornaments from Style Gallery. The extravagant tree was decorated with 181 pearls, diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and other precious gems. For one of the most expensive hotels in the world, it is certainly befitting!

Tags: artificial Christmas trees, Emirates Palace Christmas Tree, Ginza Tanaka 24-Karat Gold Christmas Tree, most expensive christmas trees, Soo Kee Jewellery Diamond Christmas Tree, Takashimaya Christmas Tree
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One of the many reasons people choose artificial Christmas trees over real ones is because they are reusable. They are also versatile in that they can be utilized to fit almost any kind of occasion. Here are some ways you can use your Christmas tree, even when the holidays are over.

Valentines

Use red Christmas balls and create heart-shaped paper ornaments with your kids to be added on the tree.

Easter

Bring out your pastel-colored ornaments to create an Easter tree during the spring. Use light pink, purple and white ornaments as your main decorations and fill out the rest of the spaces with baby blue, soft yellow and light green embellishments.

Mardi Gras

Celebrate Mardi Gras at home with your tree fully decorated in purple, green and gold ornaments. Your lovely Mardi Gras tree will definitely be an interesting conversation piece for visiting friends and family.

Patriotic Celebrations

Commemorate Independence Day or Memorial Day and show your patriotism by decorating the tree with red, white and blue accesories. You can also purchase patriotic tree ornaments online to complete the look.

Birthday

Surprise your loved one by setting up his or her own Birthday Tree! To do this, just display her favourite stuff and photographs on the tree. For example, if he loves sports, hang ornaments that pertain to his favorite team. If she loves dogs, display some small stuffed dog toys for her to enjoy looking at. Then place all the birthday gifts at the bottom of the tree, just like you would every Christmas. Seeing this whole scene will definitely be an exciting moment for the birthday celebrant!

With these ideas, you can make the most out of your artificial Christmas trees and enjoy them all throughout the year!

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The holiday season is almost over but it doesn’t have to be! Snuggle up with the kids or plan a movie date with your loved one at home with these Christmas-themed films.

Home Alone (1990)

Home Alone is a comedy film that defines “adventure” as being left alone at home on Christmas Eve and defending it from burglars. Join eight-year-old Kevin McCallister as he outsmarts able-bodied adults at every turn. Although this movie is rated PG, note that it features slapstick violence and mature language.

A Christmas Story (1983)

Set in the 1940s, this film is about a boy called Ralphie and his attempts to convince everyone that a BB gun is just the right Christmas gift for a 9-year old boy. While everyone around him believes that he might “shoot his eye out” with the gun, he remains adamant that the toy is the only appropriate Christmas present. A Christmas Story is a classic film that reminds grownups what it is like to be a child.

The Polar Express (2004)

The Polar Express is based on the 1985 children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg and directed by Robert Zemeckis. It tells the story of a disillusioned young boy about the existence of Santa Claus – until he boards a magic train to the North Pole, that is. Join him as he journeys toward a realization that the beauty of life never withers for those who believe. Watch this with kids age 3+.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

For a Christmas dose of Jim Carrey, watch this holiday film with your family. A live-action adaptation of the Dr. Seuss poem, How the Grinch Stole Christmas features amazing set design and impressive make-up. This is a wholesome treat for kids although there may be some crude humor. Rated PG.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

The Nightmare Before Christmas is a stop-motion animated film that combines two of the biggest holidays in the world: Halloween and Christmas. Written and directed by Tim Burton, the movie features interesting characters and a memorable musical score that kids will surely enjoy.

Tags: Christmas, Christmas films, Christmas-themed films, holidays
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Every Christmas, we should give love not only to our friends and family, but also to Mother Nature. Show how you care about planet earth by properly disposing your real Christmas tree when the holidays are over.

Artificial trees are recyclable, but the real ones are more troublesome. One thing you should remember is that you cannot simply put out your real Christmas tree in the street and expect it to be picked up with your regular garbage. Don’t throw away your tree just yet. Make the most out of Christmas by recycling your natural tree. Here are some options:

• If you have a private fish pond, chop up the tree and sink it into the pond to turn the logs into fish feeders. This makes great refuge for the fish.
• The best thing about a natural Christmas tree is that it is biodegradable. Chip the tree and use it as mulch that you can cultivate your garden with.
• After removing all the ornaments, use the tree as sanctuary for birds. As a bird feeder, put some fresh orange slices to attract birds to sit on its branches. Its branches will eventually become brittle within the year so when this happens, chip it or break the tree apart.

Some communities offer recycling services for these trees to them a new purpose. Aside from turning them into mulch, some counties use the trees as sand and soil erosion barriers for stabilizing the lake and river shorelines. Donate your tree to your county or any charitable foundation by researching about these services.

Contact a non-profit organization to get your tree for you. Boy scouts can pick up your real Christmas tree in exchange for a donation.

There are areas where these trees are collected two weeks after Christmas. Find out if your area does this and know the requirements for size, flocking, and the like, so you can prepare to put it out by the curb for recycling. You can also bring it to a drop off center. Most counties usually have a recycling center where you can drop off 1 to 2 trees for free.

Tags: artificial trees, real Christmas trees, Recycling, recycling real Christmas trees
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So now that you have found the perfect Christmas tree and bought your preferred tree ornaments, it’s time to decide on a topper that will make a statement to express your exquisite taste!

People have always asked themselves what kind of star they will place on top of their Christmas tree. Instead of asking the same thing, why not think about the type of topper to use this year?

The star represents the Star of Bethlehem that guided the three kings towards the manger where Jesus Christ was born. While a star holds an important symbolism, you do not always need to use if for your tree.

Here are some ideas on what else you can crown your tree with.

Angel Topper

The Angel Topper is not something new. It is one of the traditional Christmas tree toppers and it represents the host of angels in the story of the Nativity. It can also mean that the angel is watching over your family throughout the season.

Family Picture

If you are the sentimental type, displaying your family picture on top of the tree will bring a smile to your face. It will remind you that your family is the reason you always have happy holidays.

A precious stuffed toy

Make your little girl happy when she sees her own teddy bear guarding the tree. Let her feel part of the process by carrying her up as she places her stuffed toy on top.

A keepsake from your last trip

How about topping your tree off with a keepsake from your trip to France? Perhaps, a miniature of the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower or some leis you got on your way home from Hawaii. These items not only make your Christmas more memorable, they also serve as great conversation starters with your guests.

…Or just anything!

It does not have to be symbolic and as long as your kids enjoy the sight, anything can be a good topper. If you want to pay tribute to Superman, place a Superman figurine on top just for fun. If your kids have imaginative minds and love telling stories about dragons and fairies, then get some figurines that represent those creatures. The perfect Christmas tree topper is the one that you and your family will enjoy looking at!

Tags: Christmas tree toppers, topper ideas, tree toppers
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Every time Christmas approaches, we start seeing an influx of reds and greens around. Together, these lively colors are associated with Christmas. But contrary to what others believe, these colors were not inspired by our conventional green wreaths and Christmas trees or Rudolph’s red nose and Santa’s red suit. These colors were actually derived from tradition since long ago.

Green is recognized to represent everlasting life, based on the evergreen tree’s ability to survive even during the winter season. In the context of Christmas as shaped by Christian tradition, green symbolizes Jesus Christ’s eternal life. Red on the other hand represents the suffering of Jesus Christ.

Another take on the origin of holiday colors comes from the olden Church practice of Miracle Plays. Miracle Plays were religious theatre presentations in the 14^th century that were used to educate the illiterate. It was a tradition to show the Paradise Play every 24^th of December, which was the story of the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve. Since it was winter in December, there were no available apple trees. So instead, they used a pine tree and attached apples to its branches. Using pine tree as the Tree of Good and Evil had become a tradition by the churches so people started including it to their annual Christmas decorations. People started to assemble pine trees in their homes and hang red apples around them. This custom resulted not only to our practice of displaying Christmas trees at home but also to the use of the colors green and red to represent Christmas.

And this is why your mistletoe, holly and ivy, as well as your modern Christmas trees, lights, garlands and artificial wreaths are just never the same without these festive Christmas colors.

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