Shoppin' Saturday with 18 Days till Christmas!!Happy Saturday! Raining, cloudy and an overall icky weather day here on Long Island.  Going to def catch up on my online Christmas shopping today! Being that its Shoppin' Saturday, ' I thought i would combine it with my ongoing Christmas Season "To Do" Daily. Christmas Season "To Do" Day 6: Christmas Tree Shopping With Christmas upon us in 19 days, it's time once again to put up the tree. Do you put up a real tree or artificial? I have done both through the years and quite frankly there is nothing nicer than the woodsy, balsam smell of a real pine at Christmas time! According to the Christmas Tree association, each year over 56 million new trees are planted for future Christmas tree sales. This year, an anticipated 30-35 million people will purchase Christmas trees. Additionally, about 23 percent of the consumers will purchase their trees from a 'Christmas tree farm' while about 62 percent will buy trees from a retail lot. If you are buying a real tree this year, here are few helpful tidbits to ponder when shopping this year: * The Early Bird Catches the ...Tree? Or Not Traditionally, most people purchase their Christmas tree the weekend following Thanksgiving. Some might say that it's wise to shop earlier to beat the crowd (which is true) but nothing is more Christmasy than shopping for your tree once the Christmas season has started! With holiday music on the radio and the countdown underway, buying a tree can really put you in the spirit for Christmas! *Cyber Shopping for Christmas Tree If you are very busy or have an aversion to walking through the Christmas tree lots, there is an alternative. Real Christmas trees are now available to purchase online. Over 300,000 people but their tree online. (Though I find it slightly antiseptic and void of Christmas spirit - and that's coming from an online shopping junkie!). It is, however, a wonderful alternative for the home bound or sick. Having a truck pull up with a beautiful, cheery tree can prove very uplifting and joyous. Online trees are more expensive with most companies shipping as early as mid November and taking orders as late as December 15th. The best online Christmas tree vendors according to Forestry Expert Steve Nix, are touch of mountain Christmas trees and greens (http://www.ncfraser.com/). And Green Valley Christmas Trees (http://www.greenvalleychristmastrees.com/) * What Are Most Popular Christmas Trees The Frasier Fir is the number 1 choice of Christmas trees sold here in North America, though there are many varieties, including the Douglas Fir, Colorado Fir and Blue Spruce. In the end, regardless of the tree variety, your real tree with bring you a season of joy and memories. As for me, after writing this I convinced myself to leave the artificial pre-lit (a real time- saver!!) in the basement and get a real tree this year! Hoping to get out and buy one tomorrow!! Now, off to go have another piece of the DELICIOUS carrot cake Gianna baked last night!!  With so many carrots in the fridge, Gianna embarks on baking a Carrot Cake! In other news, please read all about St. Nicholas, written by Tanya in her Daily column today ------------->>>>>> Happy Shopping and Happy St. Nicholas Day! -E  CLICK IMAGE for more information about St. Nicholas (courtesy stnicholascenter.org) | Happy St. Nicholas Day!Greetings!  Today is a very special day in our household... It's St. Nicholas Day and because of the miracle of St. Nicholas, my Grandmother's life was saved (by St. Nick coming to her in a dream and kindly telling her that she must wake up!) This incident all took place back when she was a young child and the apartment where she lived with my great grandparents 'Mama' & 'Papa Pete', along with my Uncle George (Elisa's dad) had been engulfed in flames! Thank God everyone survived! Think about it... I wouldn't be here, and neither would any of my family be here or ever be born if it weren't for the miracle of dear St. Nicholas. And thus every year... We follow in the tradition set by my beloved Grandmother, to be gifted with a new Christmas ornament on this day. Since my Grandmother has passed on and the family has grown, we celebrate this holiday by now doing a secret Santa style ornament exchange in honor of this wonderful Saint that this very meaningful day represents. And I also cook a big wonderful Italian meal (of course), and we all gather together for good food, laughs, memories, and to kick off the holiday season!  About St. Nicholas The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships. Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day, December 6th. Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St. Nicholas' life and deeds. These accounts help us understand his extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need. (Credit stnicholascenter.org) In the provinces of Trieste, Udine, Belluno, South Tyrol and Trentino St. Nicholas (San Nicolò) is celebrated with gifts given to children on the morning of 6 December and with a fair called Fiera di San Nicolò during the first weeks of December. Depending on the cultural background, in some families this celebration is more important than Christmas. (Credit wikipedia) Much else going on this weekend, but instead of chewing your ears off today, I will be giving you the full scoop of the weekend events all tomorrow! Be sure to come back and see what's going on 7 have a Blessed St. Nicholas Day! -T  |
