In the United States, it has been calculated that a quarter of all personal spending takes place during the Christmas/holiday shopping season. Census Bureau reveal that expenditure in department stores nationwide rose from $20.8 billion in November 2004 to $31.9 billion in December 2004, an increase of 54 percent. In other sectors, the pre-Christmas increase in spending was even greater, there being a November–December buying surge of 100 percent in bookstores and 170 percent in jewelry stores. In the same year employment in American retail stores rose from 1.6 million to 1.8 million in the two months leading up to Christmas. Industries completely dependent on Christmas include Christmas cards, of which 1.9 billion are sent in the United States each year, and live Christmas Trees, of which 20.8 million were cut in the U.S. in 2002.
Christmas tree skirts and Christmas tree collars go around the base of your tree provide a decorative backdrop for gifts. If you choose a real tree, a skirt can also be a big help in collecting fallen needles. For the final touch of holiday flair, check out The Home Depot’s huge assortment of festive Christmas decorations, including lights, ornaments and garland. And once the holiday season’s come to an end, our Christmas tree bags, ornament and light organizers and storage boxes will simplify packing everything away neatly until next year.
The poor would go to the houses of the rich and demand their best food and drink. If owners failed to comply, their visitors would most likely terrorize them with mischief. Christmas became the time of year when the upper classes could repay their real or imagined “debt” to society by entertaining less fortunate citizens. Christmas, a Christian holiday honoring the birth of Jesus, has evolved into a worldwide religious and secular celebration, incorporating many pre-Christian and pagan traditions into the festivities. For the first time in more than seven decades, Christmas—celebrated today by Russian Orthodox Christians—is a full state holiday across Russia’s vast and snowy expanse.
The iconic version of Santa Claus as a jolly man in red with a white beard and a sack of toys was immortalized in 1881, when political cartoonist Thomas Nast drew on Moore’s poem to create the image of Old Saint Nick we know today. St. Nicholas first entered American popular culture in the late 18th century in New York, when Dutch families gathered to honor the anniversary of the death of “Sint Nikolaas” , or “Sinter Klaas” for short. The family was also becoming less disciplined and more sensitive to the emotional needs of children during the early 1800s. Christmas provided families with a day when they could lavish attention-and gifts-on their children without appearing to “spoil” them. Also around this time, English author Charles Dickens created the classic holiday tale, A Christmas Carol. The story’s message-the importance of charity and good will towards all humankind-struck a powerful chord in the United States and England and showed members of Victorian society the benefits of celebrating the holiday.
In the East, the birth of Jesus was celebrated in connection with the Epiphany on January 6. This holiday was not primarily about the nativity, but rather the baptism of Jesus. Christmas was promoted in the East as part of the revival of Orthodox Christianity that followed the death of the pro-Arian Emperor Valens at the Battle of Adrianople in 378. The feast was introduced in Constantinople in 379, in Antioch by John Chrysostom towards the end of the fourth century, probably in 388, and in Alexandria in the following century. From furniture to seasonal décor, housewares to gifts, food & drinks to paper and party goods—your Christmas Tree Shops andThat! Our ever-changing selection of surprising finds offers endless possibilities to celebrate both special occasions and everyday living at a great value!
Six tips for families to make the best of Christmas and the holiday season this year. Here are some simple ways to get rid of all the clutter from the holiday season. They’re some of the most important people on your holiday shopping list. Christmas is the one time of year where collections of finely knit, red-and-green light-up sweaters adorned with bows, glitter, and knick-knacks emerge after being stowed away in cardboard boxes all year. These glorious garments make their debut only during this special season. The holidays are the perfect excuse to spread cheer to those around you and, in doing so, help you enjoy the holiday more, too.