Why. Christmas Plays/Performances Make The Season Special

It's always a good thing when families can enjoy outings together.
Attending Christmas plays, performances and concerts offer wonderful holiday
entertainment for all members of the family. Attending Christmas performances
and concerts offers wonderful entertainment for the entire family and provides
another way to enjoy the festivities of the Christmas season.

Families usually don't have to venture too far from their home to enjoy a
Christmas play or concert. That's because amateur actors, singers and budding
musicians in their neighborhood will usually take part in several Christmas
performances for local residents. These amateur but entertaining events can be
found at local schools, churches or at a community theater or performance
center.

It's very popular for those groups to stage performances of the Nativity
story, or other Christmas related works such as 'A Christmas Carol.' churches
and school groups may even have a complete concert series that includes a full-
length production of a play along with choirs, soloists and the band singing
Christmas carols and other Christmas songs.

What makes local Christmas performances special is that members of the
community and maybe even of your own household can be among the entertainers.
It is therefore special to see familiar faces doing something interesting and
different. For those who are budget-conscious, the performances are usually
priced to be very affordable, therefore offering an economic incentive to go out
and have an enjoyable afternoon or evening.

Those people who are lovers of the arts and who are more interested in
seeing a professional performance will likely also have a professional
theatrical company within reasonable proximity of their residence. Professional
groups may also perform Christmas classics such as 'A Christmas Carol' or they
may do another dramatic production from the works of other playwrights.
Music lovers also have a variety of performances to enjoy at Christmas
time. While one can always catch various groups singing carols in downtown areas
or at malls, there are other places to hear rich, melodious performances of
Christmas music. These include concerts by acclaimed or recognized
conservatories, orchestras, symphonies and renowned choir groups.
The beauty of hearing Christmas music by these groups is in the accompaniment of
instruments and the harmonious blending of voices, which all happens in a venue
that has acoustic features to optimize the auditory pleasure of the
performances. The different components that together make the whole performance
offers a richer quality to Christmas songs and carols that may be described as
'sounding heavenly.'

Another popular artistic performance that is popular during the Christmas season
is classical dance in the form of ballet, and particularly the performance of
the 'Nutcracker' ballet. With music written by Tchaikovsky,  the story is about
a young girl who has a dream on Christmas Eve of a Nutcracker Prince and a
fierce battle with a Mouse King that has seven heads. After a fierce battle
between the Nutcracker, who leads an army of toy soldiers, and the Mouse King
who leads an army of mice, the Nutcracker is captured. But the little girl
throws her slipper at the Mouse King, hits him in the head and kills him. In the
end, the Nutcracker turns into a Prince and takes the little girl to the magical
and enchanting Land of Snow with dancing snowflakes and the Land of Sweets with
the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Attending Christmas plays, concerts or musical performances serves the basic
purpose of providing enjoyment, but it can also help young people, and even
adults, to develop an appreciation for the arts. Seeing different variations and
the creativity in performances of Christmas plays, as well as hearing different
renditions of Christmas songs, can be the first exposure that leads to a
lifelong love of the arts and maybe a dream to pursue a career in the arts.

Fancy Tales Related to Christmas

A lot of what is widely regarded as true about Christmas or held as a
tradition cannot or has not been verified, or, has changed through the years.
Even Christmas Day itself, Dec. 25, has been questioned about whether that is
the exact day on which Jesus was born. Skeptics have asked why would shepherds
be out in the cold watching their flocks by night during the winter. Those
skeptics have put forward the thought that Jesus may really have been born in
the spring instead. It is therefore little wonder that there are many fancy
stories and tales that are told about Christmas and the Christmas season.
The most common fancy tale that everyone tells, particularly to children,
is about Santa Claus, also called St. Nicholas. But even if it were accepted
that Santa Claus existed, where does he live and how is he able to get to all
the houses of good boys and girls on Christmas Eve?

In the United States, Santa Claus is said to have two homes. There is a
home in Torrington, Connecticut, which is used as a distribution point for Santa
and his many helpers, who are elves, to hand out gifts. And then, a second home
is said to be located in Wilmington, New York, and that is where Santa Claus and
his delivery reindeer crew are located.

But Santa can be visited in Cyberspace at anytime and what about the
widely held belief that Santa Claus really lives in a village at the North Pole?
The people of Finland also claim that their country is the official
residence of Santa Claus. That's because in Finland, you can actually visit a
village any time during the year and see Santa's workshop and observe Santa and
his elves hard at work as they prepare for their very important Christmas gift
delivery job on Christmas Eve. The only day when Santa's workshop is closed to
visitors is of course, on Christmas Eve.

Maybe a very smart visitor could visit Santa's workshop on the day before
Christmas Eve to see if there are any clues to how Santa and his reindeers plan
to make their trip the next day. That's because as the tale goes, in Finland
Santa Claus and his reindeers do not reach their destinations around the globe
by flying.

Finland welcomes visitors to Santa's workshop but there is nothing said
about whether visitors actually have any chance of having a word with the man
himself. While the chances of doing so are believed to be non-existent, among
the questions that inquiring minds could ask Santa is whether Rudolph is the son
of Donner (and to confirm the spelling - Donner or Donder) or whether Santa
spotted him in a different reindeer village one foggy Christmas Eve when he had
already started on his Christmas toy-delivery mission.

If mere mortals got a chance to question Santa, then he also would likely have
some questions for us humans. He may want to know whose idea was it to have
Christmas trees and for the gifts to be placed under them.

The tradition of Christmas tree as it exists today comes from Germany by
way of immigrants. But it isn't clear how the tradition really gained a foothold
in Germany. One story is that Christians in Germany during the 16th century
started to bring trees that were decorated into their homes. Some of those
Christians would build pyramids for Christmas.

 The pyramids were made of wood
and would be decorated with evergreens and candles if wood was in short supply.
It is however Martin Luther, a Protestant reformer, who is said to have
been the first to add lighted candles as decoration to a tree based on his
inspiration from the brilliant light of twinkling stars that shone through
evergreen trees as he walked home one winter evening.

As the legend goes, Martin Luther placed a tree in a primary room of his
house and placed wires with small, lighted candles around the branches of the
tree. And that is how, as the tale goes, the Christmas tree as known today, was
started.

Christmas Activities for Children

While adults indulge in the festivities and revel in enjoying the spirit of
Christmas, undoubtedly it is more fun for children because they are able to lose
themselves in the wide-eyed wonders and glorious splendor of the season.
Activities at Christmas that children can enjoy include all of the sights,
sounds and scents that put the magic and a festive spirit into Christmas.
At major shopping centers like malls, children can enjoy various window displays
and arrangements inside stores that show Christmas sceneries.  The displays,
which can be moving, stationary or interactive, can be so numerous and
mesmerizing that parents often arrange a trip to such malls just for children to
view the many displays.

Shopping malls are also a popular place where Santa Claus is sure to be found.
For a small fee, children can get to sit or stand with Santa Claus, talk with
him and most importantly, get a picture taken with Santa. Those children, like
pre-teens and teenagers, who may be too old for Santa Claus can also be
entertained by the various grand Christmas displays as well as one of their
favorite activity - shopping.

Various colorful and twinkling lights is certain to be a part of the displays at
malls and shopping centers, but other arrangements of Christmas lighting can
also be a delightful activity for children to enjoy. Because Christmas displays
have become so common, everyone has some form of lighting arrangement at their
houses. This has led to neighborhoods where it is common to see an increase in
traffic during the Christmas season because of the fanciful, landscaped displays
of outdoor Christmas light decorations. These usually include figures of
reindeers, Santa, sleighs, angels, shepherds and animals that are a part of the
story of Jesus' birth. It can therefore become an activity to take a tour of
these neighborhoods with children for them to feast their eyes.

In a similar manner to the grand Christmas lighting that can be found in some
neighborhoods and the occasional home, there are also themed-lighting at quaint
villages and special large, Christmas light displays at venues like some public
parks. The displays can be similar to those seen in neighborhoods except that
they are usually on a larger and grander scale. As an example, a typical home
lawn display will have a Christmas display that includes Santa, a sleigh and a
reindeer or two all as separate pieces. A Christmas display at a themed-village
or park would have a large and possibly moving display of Santa Claus with elf-
like figures in a sleigh that is being pulled by reindeers as one big structure.
These Christmas sights are what often bring out the wide-eyed wonder in children
as their faces express awe and amazement.

While children will have a beautifully decorated Christmas tree at home to
enjoy, it will also be fun for them to go to other lightings of Christmas tree
because again, those trees are usually bigger and decorated on a grander scale
than the ones in their living rooms at home. Just about every town, city or
municipality will have a Christmas tree lighting in a central location.
Sometimes local firehouses will also have a special Christmas tree lighting. At
these events, children can see a local official or personality flip a switch to
symbolically turn on the Christmas tree, in a similar like they would have seen
the President do on television.

Those local events are likely to include Christmas treats and goodies, a Santa
Claus to present Christmas gifts to children and the singing of Christmas
carols.

Taking time out to engage in activities just for the enjoyment of children will
make them feel special, experience the magic of Christmas and create memories
that will last a lifetime.

Christmas Movies

Movies related to Christmas help to create a fun atmosphere and can also
teach moral lessons related to Christmas. While everyone will have different
Christmas movies that are most enjoyable, there are some that remain favorites.
'A Christmas Story' is told from the point of view of a little boy in the
days before Christmas and on Christmas Day. It shows him doing routine things
each day but against the backdrop of the Christmas season with the decorated
store windows, Santa Claus, the snow and frostiness, and of course his wish for
a Christmas toy. But his parents disapprove of the toy that he desired. The
movie is good in showing the innocence of the Christmas season.

'A Christmas Carol,' written by noted author Charles Dickens, tells the
story of old Scrooge whose only purpose in life is to make money. Scrooge puts
making money above his family, friends and everyone who cares about him. His
response to Christmas is a grumpy, 'Bah Humbug.' He gets a different experience
however, when ghosts appear to him and try to point out the error of his ways.
The movie's lesson is about the importance of appreciating people in your life.
'It's A Wonderful Life' is a story about hope and the worthiness of
everyone. It tells the story of a man experiencing despair and self-destruction
because he thinks he is of no worth to those around him, and they would be
better off if he didn't exist. An angel grants him his desire and he gets to see
what he contributes and what life would be like without him.

Every Christmas, 'A Miracle on 34th Street' can be seen on television. It
asks and answers the question 'Is there really a Santa Claus?' The movie is
about a man who claims to be Kris Kringle, or Santa Claus, but is not believed
and so he has to prove his identity claim.
'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation' is about the Griswold family with
Mr. Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, who gets into silly accidents that provide
a lot of humor. The movie shows the lives of the family as they celebrate
Christmas and the difficulties that arise when their entire family comes to
visit for Christmas.

'Home Alone' is about a large and chaotic family with lots of kids who are
going on Christmas vacation. Amid the chaos of leaving on the morning of the
trip, one child is left behind and must stay and fend for himself in a very
large house during the Christmas season. At first he was happy to be alone but
then two thieves break in and he has to fight them off. The movie shows the
importance of family and loved ones. A sequel, 'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York'
tells of the boy who was left alone going to an aunt and uncle's home and again
encountering the two thieves who are seeking revenge.

'How The Grinch Stole Christmas' was first made as an animation for
television but other versions have since been done as motion pictures. The
Grinch is a grouchy, green man who lives in the mountains above the small town
of Whoville where residents, called The Whos, celebrate Christmas
enthusiastically every year. The Grinch who doesn't like Christmas wants to
spoil it for Whoville and so he tries to steal all the toys, food and gifts that
The Whos have accumulated for Christmas. The movie provides a lesson on the true
meaning of Christmas.

'A Charlie Brown Christmas is an animated television movie about the
popular Peanuts comic strip. The movie is about the comic strip's main
character, Charlie Brown, and tells of the experience with his friends for
Christmas. It also has Biblical references that relates to the true meaning of
Christmas.

'Frosty The Snowman' is an animated story about a snowman, named Frosty,
that comes to life and who must avoid a greedy musician who is trying to get the
magic that brought Frosty to life. The movie is very funny and has lots of
wonderful songs.

'Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer' is also an animation about the reindeer
with a shiny nose that kisses a pretty girl and also helps out his friends.

Decorating Your Workplace for Christmas

When it comes to Christmas decorations, there are many who only decorate their homes, but there are others who wish to do more.  If you are one of those individuals, there is a good chance that you may be interested in decorating your workplace for Christmas.  If you are interested in decorating your workplace or even just your workspace, you will find that there are a number of different ways that you can go about doing so; ways that can help you find affordable Christmas decorations or the ones that look the best.

Before you can begin to familiarize yourself with easy and low-cost ways to decorate your workplace for Christmas, you may want to keep a number of important things in mind. One of those things is the fact that not everyone celebrates Christmas as a holiday.  There are some individuals who choose not to celebrate Christmas on their own, but there are others who are following the views and beliefs of their religion.  Since there is a good chance that you may be working with someone who does not celebrate Christmas, you may want to ask your supervisors or your other employees before you begin decorating, even if you are only decorating your own personal workspace.

Once you have determined that it is okay for you to decorate your workplace for Christmas, you may want to start searching for Christmas decorations.  As nice as it is to decorate your office, not everyone treats it the same as their home.  That is why there is a good chance that you may be looking for low-cost Christmas decorations.  If you are looking for low-cost Christmas decorations, you are advised to examine your local dollars stores. Depending on the dollar store in question, you should be able to find a fairly large selection of low-cost Christmas decorations.  These low-cost Christmas decorations may include small strands of Christmas lights, Christmas pictures, Christmas signs, as well as small Christmas cardboard cutouts.  Many of these low-cost items would look great in your office space.

Although there is a good chance that you may be shopping for Christmas decorations on a budget, there is also a chance that cost may not be a concern of yours.  If you are looking to have the best decorated workspace in your building, you may be shopping for beautiful, elegant, or trendy Christmas decorations. If that is the case, you may want to think about shopping at a local specialty Christmas shop or online.  These shopping methods will likely give you the biggest selection of Christmas decorations to choose from.  They may cost a little bit more, but they are almost always worth the price. Whether you are looking for porcelain or ceramic Christmas figurines, tabletop fiber optic Christmas decorations, or small Christmas trees that you could decorate, you should be able to find what you are looking for online or at a specialty Christmas shop.

As mentioned above, it was advised that you speak to your coworkers and supervisors before you decorate for Christmas.  Even if you know of someone in your workplace who does not celebrate Christmas you can still decorate your workspace for Christmas; however, you will need to take a little bit different of an approach.  Instead of decorating your workspace or workplace with Christmas decorations that symbolize Christmas, such as decorations that have Christmas trees, Santa, or reindeers on them, you could take a more simple approach.  Simply by purchasing a red and green tablecloth for your desk or an artificial bouquet of red and green flowers, you could still bring the holiday spirit into your workplace, without having to worry about offending one of your coworkers.

By keeping the above mentioned points in mind, you should easily be able to decorate your workplace or workspace for Christmas, no matter what you had in mind.  Christmas season is all about sharing, giving, and spreading the holiday joy, so, if you want, start spreading that joy to your coworkers today!

Having a Christmas Party? Why You Should Decorate Your Home

Have you recently made the decision to host a Christmas party this year or even next?  If so, it is likely that you have your party all planned out or, at least, you should be looking to develop a plan soon.  Regardless of whether you have already started planning your Christmas party yet, have you thought about decorations?  Christmas decorations are an important party of the holiday season, but they are an even bigger party of a Christmas party. That is one of the many reasons why you should want to decorate your home for Christmas.

As previously mentioned, Christmas decorations are an important part of Christmas, as well any type of party.  There is just something about Christmas that makes everyone want to celebrate it, particularly with Christmas decorations. The same can be said for a party.  Party decorations, even Christmas party decorations, makes a party, well, seem more like a party.  Having Christmas decorations at your Christmas party will likely make your party more enjoyable.  There is just something about Christmas decorations that brings out the Christmas spirit.  Therefore, if you are looking to make your Christmas party a festive one, one that your guests will never want to forget, you are advised to decorate your home for your Christmas party.

While Christmas parties come in all different forms, popular Christmas party forms includes parties that are for children or parties that are for family.  Regardless of whether or not you have adults and children present at your Christmas party or just children, one thing is for sure; children love the Christmas season.  One of the reasons for that is because of the pretty decorations.  If you are a parent, yourself, you likely already know first hand how much children enjoy looking at Christmas decorations.  In fact, the decorations are sometimes the first thing that children notice.  Therefore, if there will be children that will be attending your Christmas party, it may be a good idea to decorate your home for the event.

As previously mentioned, Christmas parities are often associated with friends and family.  That is why there is a good chance that you or your guests would want to document the holidays. This documentation is often done with a video camera or a picture camera.  Regardless of which is being used, you will find that Christmas decorations make the perfect backdrop for video footage or pictures.  In fact, it may also be a good idea to decorate and designate an area of your home for pictures. This may not only put your decorations to good use, but it will also encourage your guests to document the holiday with pictures.

Another reason why you should decorate your home, for your Christmas party, is because, in most cases, you will find that your guests expect your home to be decorated.  A Christmas party really isn’t a Christmas party without Christmas decorations. In fact, the decorations are often what sets a Christmas party apart from any other party.  Since parties, especially Christmas parties, are often associated with decorations, you will find that your guests expect to see them.  Perhaps, that is one of the most important reasons why you should decorate your home for your Christmas party; you don’t want to let your guests down do you?

As you can easily see, there are a number of different reasons why you should decorate your home for your Christmas party.  If you are looking to find the largest selection of Christmas decorations or a particular type, you are advised to start your shopping early, preferably in late October or early December. As Christmas approaches, you will find that many retail stores sell out of their Christmas decorations and very few replenish their stock. Therefore, if you are planning on decorating your home for your Christmas party, you will want to get started soon.  In fact, as soon as the Christmas decorations hit the store shelves, it may be a good idea to, at least, start purchasing your decorations.

Low-Cost Christmas Decorations

Are you planning on decorating your home for Christmas this year?  If so, have you completed the first step?  When it comes to decorating for Christmas, the first step is getting the decorations.  Unfortunately, in today’s world, many families are finding it difficult to afford “extras,” including Christmas decorations. However, there is good news.  If you are on a budget, there are still a number of different ways that you can get your home decorated for Christmas. You can do so with low-cost Christmas decorations.

When it comes to low-cost Christmas decorations, it is important to remember that different people associate low-cost with different things.  Just because you think a particular Christmas decoration is low-cost doesn’t necessarily mean that someone else will. For some individuals, a low-cost Christmas decoration is an item that only costs one dollar, for others it is five, and for others it can be fifty dollars.  That is why it is important, when looking for low-cost Christmas decorations, that you keep this in mind.  However, no matter what your view of low-cost is, there are still a number of different ways that you can go about decorating for Christmas.

Perhaps, the easiest way to save money while decorating for Christmas is to not buy any Christmas decorations.  If you decorated your home for Christmas last year or in recent years, did you save your old Christmas decorations?  If you did save your old Christmas decorations, you may want to think about using them again this year. Although it may be nice to have brand new Christmas decorations, they are not required.  Not only can you save money by using your old Christmas decorations, but you might not have to spend any extra money at all!

In addition to using your own used Christmas decorations, you may want to think about using other people’s old Christmas decorations. During the summer and sometimes during the early fall, you may be able find local yard sales.  Yard sales are a great place to get used Christmas decorations for an affordable price.  If you are unable to find a yard sale, you can also purchase used Christmas decorations online. You can easily find a collection of used and sometimes even deeply discounted new Christmas decorations by doing your shopping on an online auction website.

Although you can save a fairly large amount of money by buying used Christmas decorations, as previously mentioned, there is a good chance that you want new ones.  If this is the case, you still have a number of different options.  You should check your local dollar stores, discount stores, and even department stores. Many of these stores, around Christmastime, have a large selection of Christmas decorations, at an affordable price. If you are looking to save the most money, it may be a good idea to visit your local dollar stores. Some dollar stores sell really nice Christmas decorations for a dollar and sometimes even less.

It might even be possible for you to make your own Christmas decorations, with items that you already have inside your house. In fact, this is how you can turn your old Christmas decorations into new ones.  Simply by altering your existing decorations in one way or another, for instance by adding a bow, you could make your old Christmas decorations like new.  You can also take a simple candleholder and turn it into a Christmas candleholder with a little bit of creativity.  The same can be said for a number of other items that you likely already have inside your home.  This is another way that you could avoid spending any money on Christmas decorations.

As you can easily see, there are a number of different ways that you can go about finding or making your own low-cost Christmas directions. Although you may be worried about the quality of those decorations, you shouldn’t be.  Most times, it isn’t necessarily about the Christmas decorations themselves, but they way that they are presented or arranged.