This year The Fred Loya House has over 400,000 lights dancing to the sounds of a Techno Christmas. This is one of two shows being played this year. The second show will be posted soon and it is the the traditional show featuring lights dancing to The Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The house is located in El Paso Texas, and is at the corner of Bob Mitchell and Paseo De Oro. Shows will run from Dec. 3 to Jan. 1st 2011. Show times are 6, 7 and 8 Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This has truly become a must see of the Christmas season.

Duration : 0:7:12

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Technorati Tags: christmas, Christmas Lights, Crazy lights, holidays, techno christmas

A few vacation ideas for you and yours this holiday season. . .

1) The Big Apple

Discover the excitement of the city this Christmas- there’s plenty of holiday fun in the city that never sleeps. Delight in the lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center, stroll through the Holiday Lights at the Bronx Zoo, and indulge in some retail therapy on 5th Avenue. Take in a Broadway show or enjoy the holiday classic at the New Your City Ballet- The Nutcracker. With constant holiday events and activities on the calendar you’ll find something to delight everyone in your family this Christmas!

2) Disney World

Discover the ultimate in Christmas wonder by experiencing the “Merriest Place On Earth”. Each Christmas season Disney World delights children and adults alike with its many special Christmas celebrations. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a must do, featuring spectacular fireworks displays, an incomparable Christmas parade, and dynamic stage shows all in the Magic Kingdom. Experience Holidays Around the World at Epcot and immerse yourself in the diverse holiday traditions of different cultures. Revel in the Christmas spirit of Japan, Italy, France and many more . . . all in one day! Don’t miss The Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney Hollywood Studios- a show featuring millions of lights, twinkling in a brilliant synchronized performance to your favorite holiday songs. Also check out Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade at The Animal Kingdom and the Festival of the Seasons in Downtown Disney!

3) Staycation

Save money by staying home for your vacation. Odds are that you’ve never explored your town as a tourist because you’ve been looking through the eyes of a local. You’ll save cash on everything from gas or airfare to accommodations. Check out your town’s website or visitor’s center- be sure to check the calendar of events and map your days like you would if you were out of town. Take photos, try restaurants you’ve never been to, and take any local tours that are available. Most importantly have fun- this is no time for cleaning out the garage!

4) Climate Swap

Whether you’re dreaming of a white Christmas or wishing the white stuff away, we could all use a change of pace. If you live in a harsh winter climate consider a tropical getaway. You can bask in a beach lover’s paradise while your friends fight the chill at home! However, if you’ve never experienced the magic of waking up to snow on Christmas morning- head somewhere where your childhood Christmas wish will come true. Whether you’re hitting the slopes or sitting by the fire it will be a special Christmas memory that will last a lifetime.

5) All Aboard

Spend your Christmas on a floating resort! Cruise ships offer non-stop action, around the clock buffets, shopping & shows. There’s something here for everyone and many different cruise lines to choose from, you can truly customize your cruise experience. Explore amazing port locations and enjoy endless on ship activity. As an added bonus most holiday cruises include an all out New Year’s bash!

Nick Green
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/5-christmas-vacation-ideas-685508.html

This is a video of some RGB Christmas Lights (GE Color Effects) which I reverse engineered to show my own patterns. These christmas lights don’t do what you are seeing out of the box. Full documentation on how I did this can be found on my blog post on the subject, here:
http://www.deepdarc.com/2010/11/27/hacking-christmas-lights/

Duration : 0:0:36

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Technorati Tags: Christmas Lights, Color Effects, GE, hack, Hacked, LED, RGB

While many historians attribute the first National Christmas Tree to President Calvin Coolidge in 1923, there was another, less known tree ceremony that occurred in Washington a decade earlier.  On December 24, 1913 in the East Plaza of the U.S. Capitol, the Washington Community Christmas Tree was lit for the first time.  A crowd of 20,000 looked on while the President’s Marine Band performed and was accompanied by a chorus of one thousand singers.  Woodrow Wilson and the Vice President, Thomas Marshal, organized this event, which was later named “a Civic Christmas.”

A decade later, in 1923, President Calvin Coolidge lit the Community Christmas Tree on the Ellipse, just south of the White House.  The tree was donated by Middlebury College in the President’s home state of Vermont.  Though Calvin Coolidge declined to speak at the event, he did turn the switch to light the tree.  The Greater Washington Board of Trade was one of several civic organizations to lead the event, and organizers declared the tree to be the “National Christmas Tree.”

In 1973 a living 42 foot Colorado blue spruce was moved from Pennsylvania and transplanted to serve as a permanent National Christmas tree.  This tree was donated by the National Arborist Association.  Unfortunately, the tree was short lived and 1976 was the last year this tree was decorated and then lighted.

A new 30 foot Colorado blue spruce was transplanted in 1976 to again serve as a permanent tree.  This tree was donated anonymously by a family from Maryland.  In another strike of bad luck, this tree was destroyed by a gusty windstorm in 1978.  It was only used for one year.

The next tree was donated by the Myers family and was transplanted from their farm in York, Pennsylvania in 1978.  The tree was 15 years old at the time it was moved, and it was originally a Mother’s Day gift to Mrs. Myers.  This tree still stands today and is cared for by the National Park Service horticulturalist.

In 1979 and 1980, the new tree remained un-lit except for one small ornament at the top of the tree.  President Carter made this decision in honor of the Americans being held hostage in Iran.  In 1980, the National Broadcasters Association did sponsor a short lighting ceremony for 417 seconds, commemorating each day the hostages had been held in captivity.  The American hostages were finally released on January 20, 1981, only minutes after Ronald Reagan’s inauguration.  The National Christmas Tree was quickly decorated and lighted as the plane carrying the former hostages cleared Iran’s airspace.

Ever since then, the National Christmas tree has been decorated and lighted each year.  It is tradition for the President to flip the switch to light the tree during an official ceremony that is nationally televised.  The National Tree Lighting Ceremony kicks off a month of events and festivities called the Pageant of Peace.  It is also tradition for the Vice President’s wife to place the star at the top of the tree with the help of the Chairman of the pageant.

Some other changes have been made in recent years.  With the trend toward environmental awareness and increased energy consciousness, in 1995 the lights for the National Christmas Tree were powered by solar energy for the first time.  Since 2007, the lights have been switched over to energy-saving LED lights.  The tree’s top star has since been refurbished with LED lights, as well.

Ellen Bell

I’m an Army Soldier deployed to Iraq that had a little extra time on my hands. I created this christmas video using glowsticks and flashlights. My camera was a Nikon D300 using a 30sec exposer @ ISO 200 & F11. It is hard to get Christmas Lights out here in the desert that work on 220volts so I made my own kind of holiday lighting outside of my CHU / housing unit. The rest of the pictures were pulled from DVIDS from last years Christmas in Iraq. I felt that America needed some Christmas cheer, and a brief reality check, that their are still troops overseas fighting for their freedom.

Duration : 0:3:33

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Technorati Tags: airmen, america, baghdad, barrieau, Bells, caleb, candles, CAROL, christmas, freedom, God, holiday, iraq, lights, marines, metalica, of, Orchestra, sailors, santa, siberian, soldier, stockings, support, The, trans, troops

During the Christmas season, you may not be thinking about your parent’s 50th anniversary next April or that big birthday party you’re planning next summer.  But the holidays are the perfect time to find an assortment of great party supplies you can use at occasions all year round.  That is, if you know what to look for.  Here’s the top seven:

1. Christmas Lights.  They’re not just for putting on your Christmas tree.  A box of little white lights you can find everywhere during the holidays will make any party shine. White lights in a centerpiece, around a table or an archway, even in the potted plants, can make any occasion festive (twinkling optional).  Pick up strands of solid color lights, too.  Red is great for Valentine’s Day, green for St. Patrick’s Day, etc.  You can also find novelty strings of Christmas lights that feature everything from cartoon characters (great for a kid’s birthday) to chili pepper lights for your next fiesta themed party.

2. Silver and Gold. If you’re even contemplating the possibility of planning a 25th or 50th anniversary party, this is the best time of year to find everything silver and gold.  Candles, plates, baskets, ribbons, big bows and everything else imaginable is shiny, metallic and begging to be scooped up by the savvy shopper.  But you don’t have to be shopping for just a golden wedding anniversary.  For a touch of elegance to any party, silver or gold can’t be beat.

3. Stars. You can’t go to a place that sells Christmas Decorations without finding lots of stars in every shape, size and product.  Star shaped ornaments look great hanging everywhere at a graduation celebration of someone who’s “reaching for the stars”.  Or maybe there’s a birthday party on the agenda for someone else in your life who’s a star.  The holidays are the right time to pick up these versatile items

4. Snowflakes and fake spray “snow”.  If you’re planning any winter party or winter wonderland themed event, Christmas is the time to buy these.  You can find an abundance of decorations from icicles to snowmen.  By January, all these items are gone from the stores, so they won’t be easy to find.

5. Solid color anything.  Of course, there’s tons of red and green items.  But there’s also a lot of blue (for Hanukkah).  So, if your upcoming party can take advantage of those colors, this is the time to find a large supply.

6. Foil wrapping paper.  This is available in just about every color and sometimes with patterns that don’t look too much like Christmas (like stripes, swirls or stars).  But you can use this to cover tables, make a centerpiece and all kinds of other crafty things.  If you think you might be able to use this colorful foil for an upcoming event, pick up some rolls at the dollar store during the holiday season.

7. Party clothes.  The best time of year to buy a fancy dress and evening bag is not two weeks before your big party next May.  It’s during the Christmas season.  That’s when the stores have the biggest selection of glittery and glamorous attire.  They’re catering to all those people that are attending Christmas parties and New Year’s Eve celebrations.  So, if you know you’re going to need to wear something pretty special to an upcoming event, take advantage of the large variety of choices on the store racks during the holidays.

Right before Christmas you can find great party supplies for all year long.  But if you’re willing to wait until the week after Christmas, you can get them at deep discounts from 50% to even 75% off.  Of course, you run the risk that the store shelves will be picked over and you won’t find exactly what you want.  But it’s definitely worth it for the budget-minded party planner.  And guess what?  When your guests see the great party supplies you picked up during the holidays, they’ll never suspect you bought them while Christmas shopping!

Linda Kling

Directed and Produced by Rufus Stone at Sister TV for the Regent Street TV Channel.

British stars from the Hollywood blockbuster THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER – BEN BARNES, GEORGIE HENLEY and WILL POULTER joined forces with X-Factor winner JOE MCELDERRY to light up the skies at this year’s world famous Regent Street Christmas Lights event.

This year’s Narnian-themed Regent Street Christmas lights had a blockbuster beginning as the stars from the 3-D family movie THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER came to London’s West End to start the festive season.

At 5:15pm, Heart 106.2′s Jamie Theakston & Harriet Scott introduced musical performances from stars of stage and screen who entertained the crowds building up the excitement to the switch on moment at 6.15pm. When Ben Barnes, Georgie Henley, Will Poulter the young stars of THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER and X-Factor winner Joe McElderry flicked the switch.

As part of the evening’s entertainment, X Factor winner Joe McElderry exclusively performed for the thousands of fans who came to Regent Street to hear his new single ‘Someone Wake me up’ and ‘There’s a place for us,’ a title song from the film.

Rounding off the entertainment on the stage was singer Alexis Jordan and the cast of Jersey Boys and the West End Gospel Choir.

After the event shoppers took time to experience the recently opened flagship shops along Regent Street; Gant, National Geographic, Ferrari, Banana Republic, Armani Exchange and Anthropologie next to British heritage brands, Jaeger, Aquascutum, Liberty, Burberry and Penhaligon’s.

Released on 9 December 2010 and for the first time in digital 3D, the magic and adventure of Narnia returns to the big screen with THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER.

Directed by Michael Apted, this exciting new chapter in the Narnia saga reunites Georgie Henley and Skandar Keynes with Ben Barnes (Dorian Gray). Joining them on their fantastical journey is Will Poulter (Son of Rambo). Liam Neeson (The A-Team) plays the voice of Aslan, while Simon Pegg (Star Trek) voices the valiant ‘warrior mouse’ Reepicheep.

Duration : 0:2:50

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Technorati Tags: BEN BARNES, Christmas Lights, GEORGIE HENLEY, Regent Street, WILL POULTER

Capture the elusive Christmas Spirit and bring it home for the holidays! Remember what it was like when you were a kid at Christmas time? When you were filled with that warm fuzzy Christmas feeling that seemed to penetrate the whole house? How did our parents do it? Was it the innocence of childhood or is there something more to it? Get started today and your home will be bursting at the seams with that old time Christmas feeling.

Practice acts of shopping kindness. Smile at people. Smile and say hello to the busy clerk behind the counter. Let them know you’re not just another impatient customer waiting in line. Smile at the harried mother with fussy young children. Let her know your not judging her parenting skills. Let that person with only one item go ahead of you at the cash register. It feels so good when they flash an appreciative thank you your way. Open doors for people. Smile at them. Let that car merge into your busy traffic lane. Wave a friendly hello. In a single shopping trip you will have given the gifts of patience, kindness, acceptance and courtesy. It’s free, it’s fun and the more you give the more you’ll get!

Get sentimental. Snuggle on the couch and watch the classics; ‘Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer’, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ and ‘A Christmas Story’. Share childhood stories of holidays’ past with your children. Tell them how scared you were of the Abominable Snowman when you were little. How you would squirm in your seat when he had Rudolph trapped in the cave! Listen to Bing Crosby sing ‘I’ll be home for Christmas’. Sing ‘Frosty the Snowman’ when you’re stuck in traffic and laugh at yourself. Surprise an old relative or friend with a phone call. Hang mistletoe. Stop and take notice of children all happy and excited in their holiday dresses.

Engage the senses. Make Christmas warm and fuzzy again. Sautee onions in a frying pan and then run out onto the front porch for a few moments. Step back in and enjoy the smell of home cooking! Play Christmas carols while you’re making dinner. Dance in the kitchen to ‘Little Drummer Boy’. Laugh. Flirt with your husband. Hug your kids. Hug the dog! Light those cinnamon scented candles you’ve been saving forever. Sit in the dark and stare at the Christmas tree lights. Make hot chocolate, spiced cider or eggnog.

Appreciate! Take the time to really appreciate all that you do have. Be thankful that you have a home to come home to, a warm bed to sleep in and food in the cupboard. Say a silent thank you for the loved ones in your life. Say thank you for good health, transportation, indoor plumbing, garbage service, family pets and your house plants that keep on living. Remind yourself that even the poorest people in America live better than many around the world. Take the time to acknowledge what a luxury your hot shower really is. Appreciate; really, really appreciate what you have right now, today! Give something, anything, big or small to charity. Be thankful you have it to give.

Take a lesson from the Grinch. He learned that the Christmas Spirit can’t be purchased, wrapped up and put in a box. It’s something that comes from within. It isn’t created with pretty decorations; it makes the decorations prettier. It isn’t created with ham and turkey dinner; it makes the ham and turkey taste better. It isn’t created by putting up the Christmas Lights; it makes the lights shine brighter. Christmas Spirit is created in your heart. And it grows every time you express it with your love and appreciation. Practice giving it and you’ll discover what Dorothy from the ‘Wizard of Oz’ learned. What you were looking for was in your own backyard all along! Now you’re home is ready for the holidays. Merry Christmas!

Cathy Robertson

I decided to do something for Taylor since it’s Christmas and everything, and synchronized my Christmas Lights to “Love Story.” Hope you guys like it!

Duration : 0:3:4

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Technorati Tags: christmas, cover, fearless, lights, love, music, Now, speak, story, swift, synced, taylor, to

Capture the elusive Christmas Spirit and bring it home for the holidays! Remember what it was like when you were a kid at Christmas time? When you were filled with that warm fuzzy Christmas feeling that seemed to penetrate the whole house? How did our parents do it? Was it the innocence of childhood or is there something more to it? Get started today and your home will be bursting at the seams with that old time Christmas feeling.

Practice acts of shopping kindness. Smile at people. Smile and say hello to the busy clerk behind the counter. Let them know you’re not just another impatient customer waiting in line. Smile at the harried mother with fussy young children. Let her know your not judging her parenting skills. Let that person with only one item go ahead of you at the cash register. It feels so good when they flash an appreciative thank you your way. Open doors for people. Smile at them. Let that car merge into your busy traffic lane. Wave a friendly hello. In a single shopping trip you will have given the gifts of patience, kindness, acceptance and courtesy. It’s free, it’s fun and the more you give the more you’ll get!

Get sentimental. Snuggle on the couch and watch the classics; ‘Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer’, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ and ‘A Christmas Story’. Share childhood stories of holidays’ past with your children. Tell them how scared you were of the Abominable Snowman when you were little. How you would squirm in your seat when he had Rudolph trapped in the cave! Listen to Bing Crosby sing ‘I’ll be home for Christmas’. Sing ‘Frosty the Snowman’ when you’re stuck in traffic and laugh at yourself. Surprise an old relative or friend with a phone call. Hang mistletoe. Stop and take notice of children all happy and excited in their holiday dresses.

Engage the senses. Make Christmas warm and fuzzy again. Sautee onions in a frying pan and then run out onto the front porch for a few moments. Step back in and enjoy the smell of home cooking! Play Christmas carols while you’re making dinner. Dance in the kitchen to ‘Little Drummer Boy’. Laugh. Flirt with your husband. Hug your kids. Hug the dog! Light those cinnamon scented candles you’ve been saving forever. Sit in the dark and stare at the Christmas tree lights. Make hot chocolate, spiced cider or eggnog.

Appreciate! Take the time to really appreciate all that you do have. Be thankful that you have a home to come home to, a warm bed to sleep in and food in the cupboard. Say a silent thank you for the loved ones in your life. Say thank you for good health, transportation, indoor plumbing, garbage service, family pets and your house plants that keep on living. Remind yourself that even the poorest people in America live better than many around the world. Take the time to acknowledge what a luxury your hot shower really is. Appreciate; really, really appreciate what you have right now, today! Give something, anything, big or small to charity. Be thankful you have it to give.

Take a lesson from the Grinch. He learned that the Christmas Spirit can’t be purchased, wrapped up and put in a box. It’s something that comes from within. It isn’t created with pretty decorations; it makes the decorations prettier. It isn’t created with ham and turkey dinner; it makes the ham and turkey taste better. It isn’t created by putting up the Christmas Lights; it makes the lights shine brighter. Christmas Spirit is created in your heart. And it grows every time you express it with your love and appreciation. Practice giving it and you’ll discover what Dorothy from the ‘Wizard of Oz’ learned. What you were looking for was in your own backyard all along! Now you’re home is ready for the holidays. Merry Christmas!

Cathy Robertson