Wednesday, December 1, 2010

SELF MOTIVATION!

Rather than engage in the 10 hour time commitment it takes to decorate the banister,
I will waste time sharing some little known (probably for a good reason) Christmas trivia.
Anything to get out of dragging the gee gaw out!

* Christmas trees are edible. Many parts of pines, spruces, and firs can be eaten. The needles are a good source of vitamin C. Pine nuts, or pine cones, are also a good source of nutrition.  Just ask your cat......or your two year old.

*Greeks do not use Christmas trees or give presents at Christmas. A priest may throw a little cross into the village water to drive the kallikantzari (gremlin-like spirits) away. To keep them from hiding in dark, dusty corners, he goes from house to house sprinkling holy water.  For presents, I'll take my chances with the gremlins.

* "Wassail" comes from the Old Norse "ves heill"--meaning what the hell is , this stuff? to be of good health. This evolved into the tradition of visiting neighbors on Christmas Eve and drinking to their health.  Sorry, wassail fans, if drinking wassail brings you good health, I'll be dead before the holiday season's out.  Why can't we drink to people's health with ice cold Coke?

* After "A Christmas Carol," Charles Dickens wrote several other Christmas stories, one each year, but none was as successful as the original.  Because, nothing says "Merry Christmas" like lame children, misers, and old English poverty.

*Before settling on the name of Tiny Tim for his character in "A Christmas Carol," three other alliterative names were considered by Charles Dickens. They were Little Larry, Puny Pete, and Small Sam. And THIS is why we revere him as a great classic writer!  He's creative like that!

* In Britain, eating mince pies at Christmas dates back to the 16th century. It is still believed that to eat a mince pie on each of the Twelve Days of Christmas will make you spew, give those perfect English teeth and bring 12 happy months in the year to follow.  There's a reason they ate them in the 16th century!  Cupcakes hadn't been invented yet.  Move on people! Get a new tradition.  And take your fruit cake with you!

* The Puritans forbade the singing of Christmas carols. Yeah, it was probably after they were forced to listen to those dogs barking out "Jingle Bells," Smashing Pumpkins' version of "Christmastime," and Bruce Springsteen's "Santa Claus is Coming to Town."  Those are all banned around here too!

Well, that was motivating!  NOW, I'm going to crank up the holiday tunes, hope Adam Sandler's version of the Hanukah song comes on and deck the halls! 


8 comments:

Paula said...

TEN hours to decorate the bannister? I made a swag from fabric many years ago that looks great - all I do is tie it on every year. Five minutes, tops.

Oh yes. I'm the stranger from NH that fell across your blog and enjoy reading it. I think it's the mom that so obviously enjoys her almost grown and grown kids that makes me laugh. Pretty much in the same situation, but I'd be a dead person if I blogged it! May you have a glitter free Christmas!

Mama Badger said...

10 hours? Seriously? You'd better get a lot of enjoyment from that.

I'm with you on the Mince Pie. My MIL insists on it every year, and only she eats it. Ewwww. Cupcakes for everyone!

Have you heard the Phineas and Ferb Christmas CD? Destined to be a classic.

Brandy@YDK said...

i feel like i learned so much.

Unknown said...

Im raising my Santa Claus decorated can of Coke in your honor! It's the only thing in my house that has any sort of Christmas decoration on it.

Juli said...

Okay the only one I knew was that X-mas trees are edible...but stay away from the moss...just sayin'

Unknown said...

Those facts were all informative and hilarious. Personally, I prefer Little Larry. Oh, and I'm pretty sure Christmas trees are also a good source of fiber.

Ashli Dardenne said...

Shucks. I really liked Puny Pete.

Cyndy Bush said...

I strongly prefer the name "Puny Pete".
My brit in-laws still eat mince pie every flipping Christmas. And all kinds of other nastiness too. Blech!