Mar 01

Christmas Weddings: The Perfect Way to Save on Decorations

If you have decided to have a Christmas wedding, there is nothing lovelier and you are also making a wise choice in terms of decorations. First and foremost, you have plenty to choose from and there is no lovelier holiday than Christmas to get everyone in a great mood. After all, it is the time of giving and when there is nothing more important than spending time with your loved ones.

Christmas allows for great creativity when decorating but you do want to separate all the Christmas parties from your wedding. Therefore, don’t opt for a complete Christmas theme as mixing styles would probably get you a better result. After all, you want your wedding to be remembered as the best Christmas wedding reception not the best Christmas office party.

When decorating the first thing you want to do is make sure you aren't mixing any red and green or your wedding may start to resemble a Christmas party, which is exactly what you don't want. There are many other options such as red and gold or green and silver, while Christmas lights can come in so many shapes, sizes and colors that the sky is the limit. Instead of opting for regular centerpieces why not use poinsettia Christmas lights inside a wide glass bowl. It will make a stunning addition to any table and will be something more unique compared to the usual fake flower centerpieces present at most weddings.

With Christmas lights available in so many styles, it is relatively easy to create a stunning atmosphere, especially with nets of tiny, white rosebuds draped over table cloths. Instead of rosebuds you could always opt for doves, but in either case the effect will be ethereal.

If you are having a Christmas wedding, you must not forget that most venues will already have some Christmas decorations up. This includes the church, restaurant and/or club, as they usually put up some decorations for the season. This is a boon to you as you won't have to spend so much money on decorations and can incorporate what is already present. Therefore, you will want to visit the venue before you start buying up all the Christmas lights in every store to see what they already have up and how you can work their decorations into your ideas.

After all, the savings will probably be enough of an incentive to get you to be more creative with what is already there. In fact, it may make life easier for you because you already have a starting point. For example, your church may already have garlands and bows up on the pews, which is one less expense for you, even if the color wasn't exactly what you were looking for.

All you have to do is get a few strands of white Christmas lights to add a little flair to everything, and you will be set to go, in your winter wonderland wedding.

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Feb 12

Daft Punk Christmas Lights Show

I don't know if any of you have seen the people that deck their houses out in lights and then set them to music, but let me assure you that they are some of the most enticing light displays ever.  It all started, on the internet anyway, with this house belonging to Carson Williams and some Trans Siberian Orchestra. 

Now don't get me wrong, I loves me some TSO but for christmas lights, I found this house synchronized to Daft Punk's Da Funk and I find it to be a much more appropriate match.  Dirty French techno and light shows were made for each other and that fact is evident if you just check out this video.

 

Some Other Articles You Might Like:

Outdoor Christmas Lights for Companies (Wordpress)

How to Store Christmas Ornaments (LiveJournal)

Tree Trimming Party - How to Throw One (Gather)

Christmas Lights Gone Wild - City Style (Wordpress)

Animatronic Christmas Decorations to Accompany Your Light Display (Blurty)

Eleven Christmas Facts (Publr)

Using LED Christmas Lights to Decorate on the Fly (BlogStream)

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Feb 01

Indoor Installation Tips for Christmas Lights

Christmas seems to come faster every year even though the year is just as long as it has always been. It just seems that we are so much busier with each passing year struggling to make money to give our families the best life we can. That's why Christmas is such a great time of year, because we can forget about the gossiping coworker that always talks about us behind our backs, the continuously dissatisfied boss and the other million things that irritate us throughout the year.

 

Of course, as things are never perfect Christmas does require a little effort, at least in setting up the decorations and it seems that Christmas lights are often the bane of our existence. Especially if you are like most people on this planet and never bother to organize those Christmas lights at the end of the season. The result is that the following year you are struggling to straighten out the knotted, tangled mass of wires and bulbs that has the audacity to call itself a set of Christmas lights. We know, it's the lights' fault, they tangled themselves while you weren't looking.

 

As you can probably imagine, the first tip begins either very early or very late, depending on how you look at it, and that is to store the Christmas lights in a way that is nice and organized where you can just grab them next year, unwind, pop them on the tree and you are done in minutes. Yes, it's possible, we promise. We have become the society of ingenious organization and storage methods so there is little point of going through what you need to store your lights. Just walk into a store and you will find a gazillion ideas, after all storage and organization is a massive industry.

 

Next, you really have to check the lights before you even considering hanging them on your tree to make sure everything is working. This is even more valid for old Christmas lights because one bulb that is bust will stop the whole strand working. By the way, what exactly are you waiting for to move into the 21st century? Go and buy a set of LED Christmas lights now or do you enjoy torturing yourself every year when a bulb dies?

 

Have you got your tree up yet? No? Then put it up and make sure that it's close enough to a socket or at least have an extension cord handy. You wouldn't want to try to pull a fully loaded tree closer to an electricity source because your Christmas lights are 2 inches too short. Of course, the lights are too short, it has absolutely nothing to do with your master planning skills.

 

Great, now it's time to decorate the tree. Don't start hanging all the bits, baubles, tinsel and other decorations before you put the lights up. Yes, you have to put your Christmas lights up first because it will be easier to hide the plug as well as setting the lights up for the best effect. Remember that lights can sit farther back on the branches for great effect and trying to get them there while pushing through a ton of other ornaments can be classified as cruel and unusual punishment.

 

Once your Christmas lights are up you can go ahead and throw everything else on the tree to create a beautiful centerpiece. Remember that Christmas is all about having fun and enjoying yourself so do try and relax while you are putting up your tree. We guarantee you will still have a great Christmas even if you have two red glass balls one next to the other.

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  • LED Christmas lights
  • holidays
Dec 28

Christmas Lights and Puppies

It's that time of year again, when you dig through the attic to get out the dusty boxes that hold your Christmas decorations and you contemplate the horrendous thought of having to untangle last year's mess of Christmas lights. That is if you can find them.

However, to add to this year's Christmas excitement you have e new family member which you have to take into account when putting up your lights. Yes, the new puppy that is yapping and barking at your heels, eager to play and slobbering all over your freshly washed floors. Of course you love him, but you dread to thing what will happen when you start untangling the Christmas lights and he decides that they are his new favorite chew toy. You can only keep him away from the tree for a short amount of time and you won’t be able to follow him everywhere, certainly not for the duration of the holidays. Therefore, by taking some precautions you will be able to have a pleasant and happy Christmas devoid of any close encounters between your pup, your Christmas lights and your tree.

The first thing to remember is that puppies are curious by nature so anything that is dangling, flashing or just generally new and within reach, will get chewed on . Therefore when you hang your lights up make sure you don't run them to the bottom of the tree where your puppy can easily grab hold of them. Consider running them to about the next to last branch, depending on the size of your pup and how high he can reach. There are other decorations you will want to keep away from the lower portions of your tree such as tinsel and any glass ornaments which can easily break as this can lead to your puppy being injured as well.

When you have hung your lights up try to keep the cable running to the electrical socket either very high up, or tape it down, so that Rover can't start chewing on it. Not only will you end up with a busted set of Christmas lights but he may end up getting a nasty shock in the process. If the cable is left free you have a very big chance of finding your puppy sitting innocently on the disaster that used to once be your tree, with the Christmas lights twinkling as they are wrapped around him instead of the tree.

Puppies are wonderful creatures which we all love dearly but as with children they need to be controlled for their own safety therefore it is wise that you take these precautions.

Consider using a skirt for your tree, if you have a natural tree, to keep the puppy away from drinking the water, which may contain chemicals that are beneficial to the tree but will only harm your pup. Make sure that you also don't place any chocolate ornaments within easy reach, as chocolate is toxic and can be lethal to our four-legged friends.

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  • Xmas
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  • dogs
  • Puppies
Nov 19

Christmas Lights: A Twinkling History

 

The tradition of using Christmas lights to decorate Christmas trees dates back to if the early 16th century Landis said that Martin Luther decorated a small Christmas tree with candles so he could show his children how the stars twinkle at night. It however took some time, nearly over three centuries, for the tradition to become widespread starting fresh and Germany and soon spreading to the rest of Europe.

The candles were placed in the tree and attached with melted wax to the branches.  Candle holders began to be used around 1890 and subsequently starting in the 1900s small lanterns were used to hold the candles.

 

Electricity and Christmas Lights

 

In 1879 the first light bulb was invented by Thomas Edison, which had practical applications.  It was only three years later that the Christmas trees was lit with the use of electricity for the first time.  The results were amazing and everyone was incredibly impressed, so much so that the event was recorded in the Detroit Post and Tribune.  The main reason that people began to opt for electric Christmas lights was due to safety issues as there had been numerous fires caused by the candles which were so widely used.

 

Unfortunately, until 1903 electric Christmas lights were not practical because there was no network for the public distribution of electricity, and people had to use household generators as well as request the services of a wireman.  The wireman and was responsible for all the wiring and connections to light fixtures in the home, but there were very few who were willing to take on the task of wiring all the individual bulbs in a Christmas tree.  But, in 1903, the General Electric Company offered the first readymade set of Christmas lights which consisted of eight porcelain sockets which had been pre wired eight major colored glass lamps.  It also included a school and plug making it easy to attach to a light socket.

 

Christmas Lights: A huge industry

 

In 1917 the idea of safe Christmas lights first occurred to Albert Sadacca due to a tragic fire that took place in New York City caused by a Christmas tree and the candles it was decorated with.  The first year of sales were not impressive with only 100 sets of lights being sold but this was due to the fact that they were all white.  For the second year he used brightly colored lights and his family's ornamental novelty item company became a multi-million dollar success. He later founded the company with his two brothers under the name no mock electric company which became the largest producer of Christmas lights in the world.

 

Christmas lights are a vital symbol for this holiday and are no longer used solely to decorate Christmas trees.  They are used to adorn commercial centers, gardens and even the streets, bringing a twinkle of joy to everyone.

 

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Oct 20

Fire Hazards - Real Christmas Trees Vs Artificial Christmas Trees

The Christmas tree has become the central symbol of modern Christmas celebrations, even though it only gained widespread popularity after the 1850s. Christmas trees are adorned with ornaments, gifts are placed beneath them, and family and friends gather around them to enjoy the holiday season. Whether real or artificial Christmas trees, they have become a focal point and the image most often associated with Christmas holidays.

The Christmas tree as we know it today is a rather recent tradition that was made popular by Queen Victoria in 1846. At that time, she and her family were portrayed in the Illustrated London News standing around a Christmas tree. As Queen Victoria was very popular, anything she did was considered highly fashionable and British as well as American society followed suit. The tradition of decorated Christmas trees though began in Germany, where food and paper flowers were used to decorate the trees some time during the 17th century. Queen Victoria was most likely introduced to this tradition by her husband Prince Albert, who was a member of the German Royal Family.

Artificial Christmas trees are also of German descent, as they were originally invented in the 1880s as a solution to the damage being done to real trees. They were small tabletop trees made of goose feathers that had been dyed green.

Artificial Christmas trees have gained popularity for many reasons but mainly due to pure convenience, as well as their attractive decorations. They do not require maintenance, and will save on the cost of buying a new tree every year, because they are reusable.

There are many styles available from those that look completely natural to trees that are unique in shape as well as color. Some come fully decorated, while others are only pre-lit or completely bare. Artificial Christmas trees are also available in many sizes, from table top varieties to very large trees that are excellent for commercial use in large spaces.

There are many benefits to buying artificial Christmas trees versus real ones, including the fact that artificial trees don't shed their needles, making cleanup a breeze. The most important advantage though, would have to be safety. As real trees dry out, they become a fire hazard, especially since they are so close to heat sources. High-quality artificial Christmas trees are made from fire resistant materials, so even if the tree catches a spark it won't go up in flames.

 There is some debate as to whether or not purchasing artificial Christmas trees is a more environmentally friendly choice, but this is a purely personal decision. Some say that the process involved in manufacturing artificial trees, as well as their disposal, does more harm to the environment than cutting down real Christmas trees.

Irrespective of whether your preference leans to real or artificial Christmas trees, nothing can put you in the Christmas spirit like decorating the tree with your family, while singing carols.

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  • Winter
Sep 29

Cartoon Christmas Songs

Without fail, every Christmas we are treated to dozens of Christmas Cartoon television programs and movies.  Some of these movies become permanent classics while others are watched once or twice and are filed away with the other lousy half arsed attempts at making a buck off Christmas.

Even though there are many not so good Christmas cartoons, there are many that will forever be in our hearts.  Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and Disney's a Christmas Carol just to name a few.

Below are some awesome Cartoon songs that most of us will remember for the rest of our lives.

 

Alvin and the Chipmunks - Christmas Don't be Late

 

Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer

Frosty The Snowman

 

Charlie Brown Christmas Dance

The Grinch That Stole Christmas

There you have it! Some of the funnest Cartoon Christmas songs in existence! Happy holidays everyone!

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  • Cartoons
  • Songs
Sep 25

Eleven Christmas Facts

With Christmas having so many different traditions it is hard to stay educated on everything that is going on.  While there are many common known facts about Christmas there are also hundreds, if not thousands of little facts that very few people are aware of.

The following interesting Christmas facts will hopefully help you walk away knowing just a little bit more about one of the most wonderful holidays in the world.

1. Santa has nine reindeers, their names are Dasher, Dancer Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and finally Rudolph the red nose reindeer!  The names of the reindeer were taken from a book and a song.  A Visit From St. Nicholas, by Clement C. Moore and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is from the song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer".

2. Over the course of the twentieth century England has only received seven white Christmas'.  A White Christmas is defined by snow following on Christmas day itself.

3. In 1648 the first American written Christmas Carol is written by minister John de Brebeur.  The song was named "Jesus is Born"

4. Christmas day was not originally celebrated as the birth of Christ.  The tradition never began until the year AD 440

5. Christmas Lights were invented by Thomas Edison's assistant Edward Johnson just three years after Thomas Edison's mass public demonstration of electric lights in 1879.

6. In 1647 Christmas was banned in England and actually made illegal.  The idea was that feasting was considered immoral and wasn't right on a holy day.  If you were caught celebrating you were arrested!  The ban on Christmas was released in 1660.

7. 1856 Marks the first year a presidential Christmas Tree is decorated. President Franklin Pierce was the first president to start the tradition.

8. The Christmas card was first invented in 1843 by a man named Sir Henry Cole J.C. Horsley.  He commercialized the Christmas card by mass producing 1000 of them and selling them throughout London.

9. Canada released the first Christmas postage stamp in 1898.

10, The 26th of December is traditionally known as St Stephen's Day but to most of the world it is called Boxing day.  Most people go buck wild shopping for items due to door crashing sales but originally all the money collected at Church was handed out to the poor to spend on the 26th.

11. The abbreviation Xmas comes from the pronunciation of the Greek letter X. In Greek, X is pronounced Chi which is the beginning of the world Christmas.

After reading over these Christmas facts I hope that you will share a few of them with your friends, family and colleagues this holiday season.

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  • holidaysHolidays
  • holidays
Sep 22

Saving Money On Christmas Gifts - Home Made Fruit Cake Recipe

It is no secret that economic times are presently tough.  With that being said, everybody wants to keep their Christmas budgets tight this year.  What better way to save some money while still showing people you care than by making the your Christmas gifts this year?  The tool for our craft? Cooking!

Ok ok, before you go and call me names for sugesting you give fruit cake for Christmas, pretend for a second that fruit cake was delicious.  We are going to teach you how to create a fruit cake with a twist; one that people will actually enjoy!

The following recipe will teach you how to make a fruit cake that people will actually enjoy;  if you really don't want to give them fruit cake, try cooking it, and if you like it, just call it something different!

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  • christmas
  • Fruit cake
  • gift ideas
Sep 22

A Hilarious Tribute to Christmas Ale

The Holiday season brings out the best in everybody, including the beer companies!  Great Lakes Brewing Company releases an amazing Christmas Ale every year between November and December that is a monster hit.

These two random guys loved it so much they wrote a hilarious song to help promote it.  Sit back, grab a pint of Christmas Ale and enjoy this great parody.

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  • christmas
  • Beer
  • holidays
  • Drunks