I just wanted to know when i should start hanging up my Christmas Decorations 10 points=best answer thanks so muchh

You should start now.
I put them up with my mom yesterday.
I always look forward to it every year.
It’s so fun.
We play Christmas music for the first time and we actually bond while doing it – which is what we need considering we rarely get along.
But I love it.

Put them up now!
Actually, have somebody do it with you.
It can be such an awsome tradition.

Visiting a Christmas tree farm and buying a live tree grown in New Jersey can be a memorable holiday experience for the entire family? The process can be any where from an hour to a good part of the day, depending on what you and your family wants to gain from the experience.

The choices for selecting a New Jersey grown live tree are many. You can choose to cut your own tree, or pick a live tree and have it cut for you, or buy a live tree already cut, or buy a living tree you can plant.

To extend the experience to a family fun event, you can venture off to a Christmas tree farm that offers sleigh rides, hay rides and related winter events and fun.

A fresh-cut Christmas tree not only will bring warmth, beauty and the rich scents of the season to your home, but also will last throughout the holidays if given proper care.

Christmas trees are a renewable resource. They are grown as a crop; planted, sheared, and cultivated to be harvested for your enjoyment! Where each tree is cut, a new seedling will be planted. Christmas tree farms not only provide beautiful greenbelts throughout New Jersey, they also are environmentally sound. They consume huge amounts of carbon dioxide and reintroduce large quantities of oxygen into the atmosphere, thus cleansing the air that we breathe. One acre of Christmas trees produces the daily oxygen requirement for 18 people.

The selection of a live Christmas tree.
When choosing a tree, select one that best suits your needs. Determine where will it be located in the home, and what type of ornaments you have – are they heavy or light? These considerations will help you select the species, the height, shape and density. Amongst the variety of species of Christmas trees grown in New Jersey, the best choices for needle retention are all the pines; Austrian, Scotch, White and Mexican Border. The Douglas-fir, Concolor, and Fraser Fir are also excellent. The Colorado Blue Spruce is very good, and the Norway and White Spruces are fair.

It is difficult to gauge the height of trees in the field. Check with the Christmas tree farm, they usually have measuring sticks available. Even though you cannot cut your tree exactly even with the ground and you will need to cut an additional bit off the bottom of your tree when you get home, your stand will add about four inches and your top piece another four inches to the final height of your tree. Therefore, it is recommended that you choose a tree that is somewhat shorter than the height of your ceiling.

The Care of the live Christmas tree
With a few simple steps, you can enjoy your tree throughout the holiday season!
A fresh cut tree, brought home in advance of bringing it indoors for decorating, should be placed in a container of water, in a cool shaded area, sheltered from the wind. If kept outside, make sure the water supply does not freeze. Before bringing it indoors, cut off an inch from the butt end. This fresh cut will enable the tree to soak up water. Put the tree in a stand, which can hold one to two gallons of water. Since fresh cut trees absorb a pint to a quart of water each day, check water level at least once daily and always keep water level above the cut end. Always keep the butt of the tree in water. If it has been out of water for more than a few hours, the sap will seal the cut trunk and it will no longer absorb water. Keeping a tree stand filled with water will prevent needle drop and prolong the tree’s freshness and color.

Select a location inside your home that is not too close to a fireplace, heat duct or radiator. Place tree in tree stand with plastic netting on. This makes it easier to move and straighten tree. Netting can be removed once the tree is set up.

The tree will take a couple of hours to return to its natural shape once the netting is removed. Fill the stand with water. On the initial fill, warm or hot water is beneficial.

The care and planting of a balled & burlapped tree.
If you have selected a balled & burlapped (dug) Christmas tree, several days prior to being brought indoors, it needs to be placed in an unheated, protected enclosure (utility building, garage, carport, basement) or on the northeast side of the house. This conditioning process adjusts the tree to the effects of rapid temperature and humidity changes that occur indoors. Before bringing the tree indoors, place it in a washtub or similar waterproof container. To help stabilize it, sand or gravel may be filled in around the root ball. Keep root ball moist; approximately a pint to a quart of water, daily, will sustain a 5 to 6 ft. tree. Ideally, it’s best to keep a dug tree in a 65 to 68 degree indoor environment and for no longer than seven days.

After tree is dismantled, do not bring it directly outdoors. If possible, gradually introduce it to the colder temperature by first placing it in a sheltered area, for several days. The hole, where the tree is to be planted, should be dug to an approximate depth of 18 inches, prior to the ground freezing and the soil from within placed where it cannot freeze. Fill the hole with leaves and cover it with plastic. Do not remove the burlap and strapping, before planting. After tree has been positioned (top of root ball should be even with original soil grade), fill hole halfway – with saved soil, cut strapping, roll down burlap and complete filling hole. A plastic covered root ball is handled in the same manner, except that before planting, slits should be cut in the plastic’s bottom half – this facilitates water drainage and root penetration. Water thoroughly and mulch.

Disposal and recycling your Christmas tree.
The disposal and recycling of Christmas trees can be coordinated with your local Municipal Government, who usually offer recycling programs. The trees are chipped into mulch and made available free of charge to homeowners. These trees may also be placed in your yard, where birds can make use of them either as a winter shelter or as a feeding station, if food is hung from the branches.

A Christmas tree is biodegradable, it’s branches may be removed and used as mulch in the garden. For proper Christmas tree disposal, check with your local municipality.

Listing of New Jersey Christmas tree farms
Provided below is a listing of popular Christmas tree farms in New Jersey. While this listing is reasonably up to date as of this writing, last minute weather and business conditions at a tree farm may change and it is strongly recommended that you call the farm in advance to confirm their supply, their hours of operation, and whether they are continuing to allow choose-and-cut or just precut trees. Do not drive out there if you can’t reach them by phone!

Augusta
Holiday Tree Farm, Augusta
973-948-7488… 44 Augusta Hill Rd…Route 80 West to Exit 34B. Rte. 15 North to intersection with Rte. 206 at Ross’ Corner/Skyland Park. Straight on Rte. 206N to first left onto Augusta Hill Road. Farm is ½ mi. on left.
Species…2,500 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Douglas-fir, Canaan Fir

Belvidere
Wyckoff’s Tree Farm, Belvidere
908-475-4508…249 County Route 519…I-80, exit 12 to Rte 521S to 519S (10 miles from Rte 80), I-78, exit 17 to Rte 31N to Rte 46W to Rte 519S (mile marker 39).Species…600 trees; Douglas-fir
Open…8:30-4 (daily), Nov. 24 – To be determined

Blairstown
Glenview Farm, Blairstown
908-362-6904…2 Glenview Lane…I-80 Exit 12 N. – Rte. 521 – 4 mi. to Blairstown, left on Rte. 94 – 1 mi. to Mohican Rd.; From Newton – Rte. 94 S. 12 mi. to Mohican Rd. 4 mi. – rt. on Gaisler Rd. – farm 1 mi.
Species…500 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Douglas-fir, Concolor Fir, Fraser Fir, Canaan Fir Open…9-5 (daily), Nov. 24 – Dec. 17

Jolly Holly Christmas Tree Farm, Blairstown
908-362-6327… 56 Maple Lane…Exit 12 on Rte. 80 W to Blairstown. At traffic light, take Millbrook Rd up hill to Maple Lane. Left on Maple Lane. Farm is on left.
Species…200 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Douglas-fir, Concolor Fir
Open…12-4 (Sat & Sun), Nov. 25 – Dec. 17

Califon
Alger Tree Farm, Califon
908-832-2298… 7 Beacon Light Rd…From Rte. 78 exit 24 (Oldwick) 7 mi. N or Rte. 517. Turn left on Beacon Light Rd. to first house on left.
Species…400 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Douglas-fir, Concolor Fir
Open…8:30-5 (Sat & Sun), Dec. 2 – 24

Chesterfield (near Bordentown)
Spruce Goose Christmas Tree Farm, Chesterfield
609-298-2498…194 Bordentown-Georgetown Rd.(Rte. 545 S)…NJ Tpk. Exit 7 or I-295N Exit 57A, take Rte. 206 N. or Rte. 130 N towards Bordentown, 1st right onto Rte. 545 S. Proceed 4 mi. Farm on right. Or from intersection of Rtes. 537 & 545, take Rte. 545 N 3.5 mi. Farm on left. From McGuire AFB, take Rte. 680 W.
Species…1,000 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, White Pine, Douglas-fir, Canaan Fir, Serbian Spruce, all Fraser Fir are pre-cut.
Open…9-5 (daily), Nov. 24 – Dec. 24

Cranbury
Barclay’s Tree Farm
35 Orchardside Drive, Cranbury, NJ 08512
609-799-1855; Hours: Weekends 9am-5pm, Nov 27 – Dec 19
Directions: NJTpke Exit 8A, Rt 32 W to Rt 130, So on Rt 130 for 1.5 mi to light at Dey Rd. Right on Dey Rd. 1.5 mi to 1st right – Orchardside Dr. From Rt 1 , East on Scudders Mill Rd 2 mi to left at 5th light onto Dey Rd. 2.3 mi to left onto Orchardside Dr.
Choose & Harvest: Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Canaan Fir, Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce
Features: One low price. Saws, netting, rope and assistance provided free.

Simonson Farms
Dey Road and George Davison Road, Cranbury, 609-799-0140
Hours: M-F 12-7, Sat & Sun 9-6.
Directions: From NJ Tpk to Exit 8A. Bear right out of the tolls toward Rte. 535. At traffic light, turn left onto Rte. 535 S. Follow to third traffic light, and turn right onto Rte. 614 ( Dey Rd.) west. Straight on 614W 1.9 mi. to U-cut field or 3 miles to retail lot.
Species: 3,000 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, White Spruce, White Pine, Douglas-fir, Concolor Fir, Fraser Fir, Canaan Fir
They currently have harvestable Douglas-fir, blue spruce, Norway spruce, white pine, Concolor fir, and Canaan fir. We have two farms where you can cut your own tree. One is located on George Davison road in Cranbury and the other on Dey Road in Cranbury. Trees in these fields are U-cut… that means you have the pleasure of cutting down your own tree. Saws are available if needed. They supply twine and trees can be wrapped for ease of transport.

Cream Ridge
Bullock Farms, Cream Ridge
609-758-8726… 83 Emleys Hill Rd…From I-195, Exit 16, take Rte. 537 W past Great Adventure. Make 2nd right onto Emleys Hill Rd. Approx. 1 ½ mi., farm on right.
Species…250 trees; Norway Spruce, White Pine, Douglas-fir
Open…9-5 (Wed – Sun), Nov. 24 – Dec. 23

East Brunswick
Giamarese Farms, East Brunswick
732-821-9494… 155 Fresh Pond Rd…From the New Brunswick Area – take Rte. 1 S to 2nd Milltown exit, which will be Main St. Exit will loop over Rte. 1. Once on Main St., Milltown, count 3 traffic lights from Rte. 1. Make right onto Khulthau Ave, which is 3rd light. Go ¼ mi to split in road. Bear rt. onto Fresh Pond Rd. Go about 2 mi. Farm on right on top of hill at #155. Large sign in front.
Species…300 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, White Spruce, Douglas-fir, Concolor Fir, Fraser Fir, Canaan Fir
Open…10-5:00 (Tue – Sun), Nov. 24 – Dec. 24 (closed Mondays

Farmingdale
Meadowview Farm, Farmingdale
732-938-7181… 60 Birdsall Rd…½ mi. south of Farmingdale on Rte. 524. Left on Birdsall Road. First farm on left.
Species…200 trees; Norway Spruce, White Pine, Douglas-fir
Open…9-4:00 (Sat & Sun), Nov. 25 – Dec. 24

Flemington
Cherryville Farms
14 Joe Ent Road , Flemington, NJ 08822 , 908-806-4580
Hours: Open 9:00 AM until dark, Saturdays & Sundays – starting Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Directions: Located one mile east of Quakertown on Route 616 ( Quakertown Road) Franklin Township, Hunterdon County.
Species: Canaan Fir, Concolor Fir, Douglas Fir, Blue Spruce & Norway Spruce
Features: Tagging, saws & treewheelers available. Wreaths, Crafts & Refreshments Cut your own, or they’ll cut it for you. —–Tagging, saws & treewheelers available Wreaths, Crafts & Refreshments.

Hillsdale
Demarest Farms
244 Werimus Road , Hillsdale 201-666-0472
Christmas trees, wreaths, all Christmas related items, featuring Santa’s Enchanted Woods as featured on Good Day New York

Lebanon
The Evergreen Farm, Lebanon
908-236-9550… 4 Bass Lane…Rte. 78 W to Exit 20A ( Lebanon). Turn right at first light onto Rte. 22 W. Turn left (jughandle) at first light ( Round Valley). Go 3.3 mi. on Rte. 629 to Bass Lane OR Rte. 31 N from Flemington to Molasses Hill Rd. Take to end. Turn right onto Rte. 629 to Bass Lane.
Species…500 trees; Blue Spruce, Douglas-fir, Concolor Fir, Fraser Fir, Canaan Fir
Open…10-5 (Fri, Sat, Sun), Nov. 18 – Dec. 17. Closed Thanksgiving, but open for tagging by appt. Nov 1

Manalapan
Anne Ellen Christmas Tree Farm, Manalapan Twp.
732-786-9277… 114 Daum Rd. Manalapan…Garden State Pkwy Exit 123, Rte. 9 S. to Gordon Corner Rd. exit. Right on Tennent (5.4 mi.) to Daum Rd. NJ Tpk Exit 8, Rte. 33 E (7.9 mi.) left on Woodward Rd. (.4 mi.). First left onto Daum Rd.
Species…3,000 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, White Pine, Douglas-fir, Fraser Fir. Open…9-8 (daily), Nov. 20 – Dec. 23

Robbinsville
McLaughlin Tree Farm, Robbinsville
609-259-8122… 1312 Old York Road…Located on Rte. 539, 2.1 mi. north of Route I-195 (Exit 8). Across from Herbert Road. 3.5 mi north of Allentown and 4 mi. south of Hightstown. Easily accessible from Rtes. 195, 130 & NJ Turnpike via Exit 8.
Species…1,000 trees; Douglas-fir, Canaan Fir, Scotch Pine
Open…8-5 (Sat & Sun & by appt.) Nov. 25 – Dec. 24

Rosemont
Rosemont Tree Farm, Rosemont
609-397-1809…Route 519…From Flemington – Rte. 12 W to Rte. 523 right onto Rte. 604 to Rte. 519. Turn right onto Rte. 519. Farm 300 yards. From Trenton – Rte. 29N thru Lambertville and Stockton. Right onto Rte. 519 1.5 mi. to farm.
Species…1,000 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, White Pine, Canaan Fir, Scotch Pine Open…9-4:30 (Thu – Sun), Nov. 24 – Dec. 23

Sussex
Shale Hills Farm
98 Pond School Road, Sussex , 973-875-4231
Directions: At intersection of Rtes. 23 or 94 N.-take Rte. 23 N. – 1 1/2 mi. to Double S Diner on left – turn behind Diner on Pond School Rd. – 1.2 mi. to farm – sign.
Species: 700 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Scotch Pine, Douglas-fir
Hours: Open Weekends after Thanksgiving from 9:30 am until dark.

Trenton
Willard Christmas Tree Farms, Trenton
609-587-1776… 300 Basin Rd…Rte. 1 to Bakers Basin Rd. (.5 mi. South of I-295 overpass), 1 mi. to Basin Rd. on right. Farm 1 mi. on left.
Species…1,000 trees; Blue Spruce, Douglas-fir, Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir
Open…12-5 (Mon – Fri), 8-6 (Sat & Sun) Nov. 24 – Dec. 23 Enjoy a Hay wagon ride as you select your tree from our fields and cut it down yourself. We have available pre-cut trees that have been freshly cut from our fields. Christmas Trees we have available are Scotch Pine, White Pine, Douglas Fir, Norway, Colorado Blue and White Spruce. Also available are fresh dug balled and burlapped trees from our fields. You can enjoy indoors during the Holiday season and then plant outdoors to enjoy for a lifetime. All farms carry roping, wreaths and greens for all your Holiday Decorating needs.

Whitehouse Station
Holly Bough Plantation, Whitehouse Station
908-534-2622… 88 Cole Rd…I-78 or Rte. 22 to Rte. 523, two miles south to Rte. 620 (Dreahook Rd.), ¼ mi. to Holland Brook Rd. – Turn right, continue 1.5 mi. to split in road, turn right onto Cole Rd.
Species…200 trees; Blue Spruce, Canaan Fir, Black Hills Spruce
Open…9:30-5 (Sat & Sun), Nov. 24 – Dec. 23.

Wrightstown
Edwards Christmas Tree Farm, Wrightstown
609-758-7729… 338 Jacobstown-Cookstown Rd…From Mt. Holly, take Rte. 537 E. to right at light at Jacobstown-Cookstown Rd. Farm is one mile on right. From Freehold, take Rte. 537 W. to left at light at Jacobstown-Cookstown Rd. Farm is one mile on right. Species…200 trees; White Pine, Douglas-fir, Scotch Pine
Open…9-4:30 (daily), Dec. 1 – Dec. 24

Frank Dalotto
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/christmas-tree-farms-in-new-jersey-72188.html

If there is one sure fire way to depress me, it is the word Christmas. Yup, just mention the word Christmas and it will surely fill me with the blues. I am dreaming of a blue Christmas. I really do not know why this is. The Christmas bells and decorations, the Christmas carols and all the yuletide cheer fail to bring in the ho ho hos from me. Mind you. I do not hate Christmas. I like the feel of the cool breeze on my face every night and I love to eat all the food that my mother prepares every Christmas Eve.

I try to rack my head for any reason why this aversion for Christmas. I finally figured it out: presents. Yes, the holidays of spreading love and cheer is also the time for gift giving. And gift giving scares me a lot. You may think that I am a regular Scrooge. I really don’t care. But if you have twenty godchildren and an army of little nephews and nieces, I bet you too would feel like I feel. To all who can sympathize on my plight, repeat after me: “Christmas? Bah Humbug!” Now, wasn’t that fun?

There are two problems involve in gift giving. The first one is the most serious one: the financial aspect. Buying for all these children involve a small fortune. And since we can’t seriously consider robbing a bank, it is wise to buy way before the holiday rush when toys are cheaper and it is also wise to but this from bargain stores. If you are not too busy look for useful gift items in flea markets, bazaars or garage sales. Forget malls. They will bankrupt you, but if your last name ends in Gates or Murdoch, then forget what I said here and go buy in the fanciest mall in your area.

The second and the less obvious problem is what to give them. Now, I have no problems with boys. They are the easiest species to deal with. Just buy them the latest WWE game title and you are all set. Of course, if it is too expensive, water guns are sure hit among the youngest of boys. Always has, always will be. Trust me on this one. I am a geek, but I still remember cherishing my water gun.  The problem is with the girls. They are fickle, picky beings. You can’t just simply buy them dolls coz you will be met with that-is-so-last-year! Gift giving to a girl requires certain finesse and skill. I did a lot of research and I found my answer: Bratz games. Yes, Bratz games. You may ask what are these Bratz game? Well, Bratz games are different flash games that can be found in the Net based in the best selling dolls Bratz. Just provide them with the Bratz games website and there it is: Merry Christmas. You will not spend a single cent and trust me, you will get the adoration of your goddaughters and nieces.

Lea Smith
http://www.articlesbase.com/computer-games-articles/christmas-blues-683854.html

Hanging up stockings is a Christmas tradition. How did it begin? I have two different stories to tell. The first is that when dear old Santa Claus came down the chimneys (with great difficulty, because of his chubby tummy) he jiggled and shook, occasionally and accidentally, letting small gifts fall out of his sack and into the socks and stockings which hung around the fireplace to dry over night. Of course, when the happy owners of the stockings and socks came to don their warm, dry, hosiery in the morning, they were cheerfully surprised to find their stockings filled with ‘delights’.

The second story is that the origin of this wonderful tradition dates back to the fourth century. It was attributed to the real Saint Nicholas who was especially famous for his kindness to children. St. Nicholas heard about three poor sisters whose father was very poor. So poor was this man and desperate as well, because he could not afford to provide any of his daughters with dowries so they could marry. The legend tells us that on Christmas Eve, the sisters, as was their usual custom, washed their stockings, and hung them near the chimney to dry. Secretly, that same night, St. Nicholas visited their home, climbed upon the roof of their home, tossing a handful of gold coins down their chimney. When the gold coins tinkled down the chimney, amazingly they fell into the maidens the stockings. All the sisters were wed happily, thereby giving birth to the tradition of the Christmas stocking.

These days, Christmas stockings are an essential highlight of Christmas, though when we hang them out now (even though we may not have a fireplace) we do tend to hang out our stockings, expecting them to be filled with little treats in the morning. Finding just the right Christmas stockings is simple with fantastic sites like everythingchristmas.com.au, where you can do all your online shopping and have fast delivery to your door. Another great online site where you can register free, and search hundreds of classified pages to find stocking fillers and things for Christmas is OzFreeOnline.com.

It’s really worthwhile browsing all the latest classified listings from all over Australia, so join today and begin shopping.

Making your own Christmas stockings can be fun; get the whole family to make their own individual stocking to hang up at Christmas, you may have to help little ones with the sewing, but they can glue on any fancy bits and pieces they want to make the stocking unique to them.

You will need large pieces of coloured felt, coloured thread or wool, a large sharp embroidery needle, coloured ribbon, lace, bells, tinsel, sequins, buttons, fake holly and berries, little pine cones, PVA glue and anything else you wish to use to decorate your stockings.

Just use one of dads ‘big’ socks for the pattern and pin it to a large piece of brown paper. Cut around the sock to make a template. If you have never done anything ‘crafty’ before, don’t despair, online sites that can assist you here are spotlight.com.au, where you can learn how to do just about anything by booking into their many craft classes. OzFreeOnline.com has classified pages where in the Arts and Crafts you can browse the many free ads where people are willing to share their talents with you, and where you can place your own free ad just by registering and joining the many other Australians online.

Now that you have a pattern for the stocking, place it over two pieces of felt. The felt doesn’t have to be the same colour, so be unconventional. Pin the brown paper pattern close to the edge of the felt, and cut around the fabric. You will need both pieces of fabric to make one entire stocking.

When you have done this, pin the two pieces of felt together and sewing on the right side, work blanket stitch around the edge of the stocking to sew both parts together. Sew a piece of ribbon about 12cm long on the inside at the back of the stocking, so that you can hang your stocking up over the fireplace.

Decorate the front of the stocking with anything you like to make it ‘only one of its kind’ and glue everything in place with the PVA glue. You might even stick felt initials on it as well. The sequins will catch the lights from the Christmas tree and look lovely and sparkly when reflected at night. Now all you need to do is find a shoebox for each person in the family (aged 12 years and over) so that they can save fillers for these little stockings such as;

Lollies

Chocolates

Chocolate Santa’s

Nougat

Dried fruit

Small change

Gift vouchers

Faux jewellery

Hair clips

Football key rings

Mini notebooks or address-books

Pretty little earrings

Lace handkerchiefs

Crazy cufflinks

Tennis balls

Golf balls

‘Matchbox’ cars

And any other little ‘bits and bobs’.

Barbara Thorp
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/begin-planning-christmas-in-april-part-1-132125.html

Although Christmas is celebrated all over Europe, Malta has its own special ways of celebrating its holiday season. This article gives you some ideas of the traditions in Malta and what one can do during this Celebrative time.

Christmas Traditions in Malta

Malta is a Catholic country, and a very devoted one at that. The Christmas season brings about bright lights as well as prayer. ‘Merry Christmas’ in Maltese is ‘Il-Milied it-Tajjeb!’ and during this time of year streets and roundabouts all over the Maltese islands are decorated with colourful lights and nativity scenes. Private homes are dressed with decorations and Christmas trees, and the churches are thoroughly decorated, inside and out!

Cribs containing nativity scenes, known as ‘Presepji’ are very common, both inside the private homes, as well as inside the local churches. It is said that cribs were first introduced to the island by rich Italian noblemen, but were highly unpopular. As their popularity grew, they began to be made and displayed by the locals themselves. The first true Maltese crib in fact is thought to be the one displayed in the Dominican Friars Church in 1617! Maltese features began to replace Italian ones (such as the still-evident flour windmill) and the figurines that filled the cribs, known as ‘pasturi’, were also made by the locals. Today, various displays of hand-made cribs are set up for the public in the villages.

It is traditional – taught to school children at a young age – to sow wheat, grain and canary seed, known as ‘gulbiena’, on cotton buds some few weeks before Christmas. These are left in the dark until the seeds produce white grass-like shoots. Once they are fully-grown, they are used to decorate the crib or placed beside statues of Baby Jesus.

Schools hold Christmas concerts before the start of the holidays which contain Christmas themes, relating stories of the Nativity, Santa Clause, the Befana or the Baboushka for instance. Nativity pageants in local churches are enacted at 11pm on Christmas Eve followed by Midnight Mass to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. One Maltese tradition, initiated by altar boy George Sapiano in 1883 is the preaching of the child, known in Maltese as ‘Il-Priedka Tat-Tifel’. Here, a boy or girl delivers the sermon to the people after having learnt it by heart, a process that may take up to 4 or 5 weeks. Children may then open their presents (left for them by Santa Clause or Father Christmas) on the following day, Christmas Day.

Traditionally, the Maltese Christmas Meal included a large turkey that was taken by the woman of the house to be baked at the local bakery, in a dish full of vegetables and potatoes. As for desert, the ‘Qaghaq tal- Ghasel’ or honey ring was eaten, followed by a cocoa and chestnut soup known as ‘Imbuljuta tal-Qastan’. Today, Christmas turkey, cakes, pudding and mince pies are popular, inherited during the British colonial period. Italian panettone is also very popular. Besides the traditional home cooking there are several excellent Restaurants in Malta that offer traditional Christmas Day lunches.

Things you can do during your Holiday in Malta

After all the Christmas shopping is done – the most popular shopping areas being that of the Sliema Seafront and the Valletta High Street which are also decorated with lights and the playing of Christmas carols – the Maltese population team up to open their pockets once again, this time as an act of charity. For the past few years a programme called L-Istrina has been held, that includes a 12 hour marathon from noon to midnight packed with local entertainment and auctions, as well as phone-in lines, the profits of which are donated to selected charities on the island. This has now become a real part of Christmas for most of the Maltese who donate willingly, giving up to Lm1.3 million (over €3 million) in 2005.

With regard to entertainment, Malta’s most popular production is the Christmas pantomime that, for the past 30 years, has been staged by a local amateur dramatic company (the MADC) at the National Theatre, the Manoel Theatre in Valletta. This year, the traditional MADC panto, being Sinbad the Tailor, has been moved to the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre and a new pantomime will be staged by another company known as Masquearde Theatre Company at the National Theatre; that being Jack and the Beanstalk. These spectacles include a host of visual treats, games and sweets for kids, jokes for adults, as well as the making fun of local politicians and personalities.

Apart from the pantomime, another two treats for kids are the Ta’ Qali Christmas Village and Santa’s Toy Town. In Ta’ Qali, the area that used to be an air field during World War 2 has since been converted into a recreational park which provides an ideal place for picnics and weekend afternoons. During the month of December, for almost 2 weeks, this same area is transformed in a ‘Christmas Village’ with entertainment for all the family. At the Popeye Village Fun Park, in Mellieha, an area is converted into Santa’s Toy Town where children can watch over 200 animated elves prepare the toys that Santa will deliver to children around the world on Christmas Eve, play games, see Malta’s largest crib, watch puppet shows and enjoy a fun meal.

Claire Zammit Xuereb
http://www.articlesbase.com/holidays-articles/christmas-in-malta-718618.html

I am 22 and live w/ my parents. I have worked in Security for 1 1/2 years, and am a private Investigator now. I bought a 95 Camaro last Feb. at my job for Christmas for $1500. Used but it works. About two hours ago there was a suspicious truck that circled our block like three times and I was watching it too. The third time they circled and then the truck parked in front of my curb of the driveway, just about 20 feet away. At the time my dad and I were out in the garage cleaning up, and we saw them. I started very slowly approaching it, but with caution too. Once I walked maybe five feet from where I was standing, he stepped on the gas pedal and took off. We had both our car in the driveway(a Chevy Prizm, and an old Camaro), then when they left I could not get any info or license plate number because it was night and dark. I saw though it was a silver, or light grey F-150 new model, like last years models with black tinted glass windows. My dad told me he saw the people in it as a White male w/ dark hair, with a hispanic woman next to him, they looked like teenagers, or punks of some sort. We quickly put the cars in the garage and went inside and the next time I see them I will call 9-1-1. My dad said he saw them circling some time before Hurricane IKE hit Houston. We live an hour away in Katy. But I am giving this info out too anyone who reads this so they can keep a look out on there surroundings where they are. I would like to inform you as well the people in that truck I believed to have been after my car, a 95 chevy camaro. I don’t know why but ever since I bought it I feel that I may be being followed, b/c some days I come home and I see a few cars off the street that I never have seen in the neighbor hood before normally and they are always driving in front of my house and looking in our direction… So, then I get the suspicion, that I am being followed , people are after my car or what the hell do they want? I know, I know I will call the police if it gets worse but I am watching them now.

Why would they be after my car, it’s sort of old, and doesn’t have any modifications, or anything flashy on it. I just use it to go to work. If they are targeting us, we never did anyone harm. Why? What do you think of this. Who are they targeting the car or my family?
Usually we have them in the garage most of the time and at night but when we come home from work we leave in the driveway to cool off for a few hours.

I cleaned the car the first time, and I found some white stuff like a powdery substance and I thought it may have belonged to the guy who owned it before me, that’s why we tried to contact him to transfer the title from his name to mine and he disappeared and we can’t track him down. I found the white stuff in the area behind the rear speaker and back seat. You know after we bought it, I searched the car good for stuff like that and though I should go and in form the police about it but I don’t want to get in volved w/ their criminal crap you know. But I am still uncertain if it has something to do with the cars passing and seeing it in my drive way. I check the background and the record of the car before I bought it and it was all clear, then I bought it , and found this stuff now.
Also I forgot to mention that the white stuff I found, I cleaned it up because I didn’t want to take the blame for another persons messed up ways. I didn’t want to go to get in trouble. But I will soon scan the car again in a day or two and see if there is anything else but if I find more of the same , then I will get rid of the car and turn it into police.
Who ever said thatr this a made up story, it is not okay! I just started working as a P.I. and I am trying to do what’s right and you need to stop judging other people like that. I also mentioned at the top.. I am 22 years old! I need real answers please from true people. That includes you charlsyeh, otherwise don’t answer my question.

They were after the Heroin or coke. A PI and you didn’t call the Police? And no title? You should call the Police and ask them to bring a drug sniffing dog to the car. It’s better if you call them than they pull you over and find something. Keep us posted. 8~)

Our husky has a tendancy to get out of her collar when she is tied up, so we keep her in the front yard because it has a fence. Unfortunatley she has a funny habit to chew on anything that is out there, including Christmas Decorations. We don’t have this problem inside, so it is a puzzler. My question is, how can I have even the simplest Christmas decoration (she chewed through our Christmas Lights around the windows, and our solar powered path lights) when nothing is safe out there?

Put bitter apple or vinegar on the item dogs don’t like those things so it will prevent her from chewing on it.

I have a light on a wall with it’s switch about three feet below it. I’ve added the double-gang box and an outlet, but clearly don’t have it wired correctly.

There are three wires coming into the box: black, white, and copper (ground). I’ve attached those wires to the line side of a GFCI receptacle, then run new wires from the load side of the receptacle to the switch. Oops!

When nothing is plugged into the outlet, the switch and light work as expected. However, plugging anything into the outlet (such as Christmas Lights) causes the light on the wall to come on dimly, and the Christmas lights are also dim; further, turning the switch on causes the light on the wall to come one fully (as expected) and the Christmas lights to turn of completely.

Any thoughts as to what I’ve done wrong? I have a feeling that I should have spliced something in either the light or the switch boxes.
Thanks,
Kevin

they are both wrong.
If you only have three wires coming into the box (your light switch) then that means the supply (of powere) is going to the light first then the wires are going down to the light switch to complete the circuit. You need to have the supply at that light siwtch box in order to connect an outlet. If you were to do this then you would have 6 wires in the box. a black white and copper from supply and a blac white and copper that go to your light. If that were the case then you would just splice in your outlet from the supply using wire nuts.

But I will agree that if you don’t know what you are doing its unsafe to mess with electric as you could burn your house down and not be covered

Yeah, I know, I still have my Christmas Lights up!!
Actually, they’re just for ambient lighting in my apartment. I have 3 strands of 100-lights each, and they’re incandescent mini-bulbs. Does anyone know what wattage that would equal?
I’m wondering if it’s more efficient to have the XMas lights running than it is to have 4 bulbs of 60 watts each from my overhead light.
Thanks!
–C

According to the article below, 300 ‘mini-lights’ would require 144 watts. This would be less than four 60 watt bulbs. However, Christmas Lights are intended to be used seasonally, and the wiring and insulation is sized accordingly.

The best solution would be to install compact fluorescent lighting instead of standard light bulbs. The equivalent light output for each regular 60 watt bulb would be about 13 watts for a total of 52 watts!

Everyone will look forward to the company Christmas party when you make plans to include these corporate Christmas party games!

Oh Come All Ye

When you need Christmas office party games that will not only allow guests to mingle but will also give them something to talk about, then how about giving this one a try?

Before the party, come up with several item categories.

At game’s end, guests will be grouped into these categories so aim to have 3-5 guests per group (for small office parties) or as many as 20 each (for larger corporate gatherings). Within each category you’ll need several items that fit the description.

Here are a few examples:

* Christmas song titles: “Jingle Bells,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “The First Noel,” “Silent Night,” “Away in a Manger”

* Christmas sweets: candy canes, sugar cookies, chocolate-covered cherries, ribbon candy, chocolate orange

* Christmas dinner: ham, turkey, yams, cranberry sauce, stuffing

* Christmas Decorations: lights, tree, ornaments, garland, candles

Write all of the items on slips of paper without indicating their categories, but do keep a master list of all of the items and categories to avoid confusion later.

To play the game, have participating employees and guests draw a slip of paper from a Christmas stocking as they enter. Once everyone has arrived, explain that they each hold one item in an unnamed category.

During the office party, their task is to talk to other guests to determine both their category and which partygoers share the same group. The first group to find all of its members and correctly guess the category wins the prize!

Christmas Ornament Bowling

If you’re looking for corporate Christmas party games that will have guests on their feet and cheering, this one is right up your alley! Christmas ornament bowling is full of unpredictable fun, and the built in comedy of rolling ornaments is a guaranteed ice breaker!

Setting up this game is easy. Use rolls of wrapping paper to make a lane to keep wayward ornaments from wandering too far out of line. Set up bowling “pins” at one end; miniature Christmas trees are the perfect accent for this holiday party game!

To play, collect several ornaments of various shapes – as long as they will roll (and not necessarily in a straight line), any shape will do. For safety reasons, avoid ornaments made from glass or those which are otherwise fragile. Have guests take turns rolling the ornaments down the lane. Award one point for each knocked over tree or pin, and the player with the most points wins.

This game is fabulous because it works for parties of any size, whether you need corporate Christmas party games for 10 employees or 100. Simply set up more lanes for bigger crowds and let the good times roll!

An office Christmas party doesn’t have to be dull just because it’s a corporate event. In fact, you can make this year’s one of the most memorable yet when you put some of these corporate Christmas party games to work for you!

Qing Gu
http://www.articlesbase.com/management-articles/tips-on-corporate-christmas-party-games-639021.html