How 25 Christmas Traditions Started-- Part 1: Trees, Rockettes, Charlie, Pickles & Elves

From the History site.

1.  CHRISTMAS TREES

Started in Germany  It is believed the first Christmas tree lot in the U.S. opened in 1851.

2.  ROCKETTES

First called the  Missouri Rockets back in 1925.  Officially became the  Radio City Music Hall Rockettes in 1934.  Give me one of those great line kicks!!!!!!!!!!!

3.  A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS

First aired December 9, 1965

4.  CHRISTMAS PICKLES

Hide one and te first child to find it gets something.  As a shareholder with the Mount Olive Pickle Cp. I like this one.  But growing up, I never had this.  Bah!! Humbug!!

5.  ELF ON THE SHELF

Since 2005.  We didn't have them growing up, but that was quite a ways before us.  My brother and sister are quite old.

Twenty to Go.  --CootChris

10 Christmas Themes from the Roaring 20s Compared to Today-- Part 2

Remember, if you want to fond out more about any of these items, go to the site.  A whole lot more information there.

5.  Caroling   

4.  Fruitcake humor   Prohibition took away a key ingredient --  whiskey.  I don't care what folks say, I really like fruitcakes.

3.  The on-going Jesus vs.  Santa arm wrestling  match.  Politically correct, you know.

2.  The Christmas  Tree.    Trees much nicer today

1.  Putting up decorations   Mist homes back in the 20s didn't even put up the tree until right before Christmas.  Very little decorations, especially lighted ones.  But, today we have the Great Christmas Wars to see who can outdo their neighbors.

--DaCoot

Quiz: Just How Well Do You Know 'Christmas Vacation'?-- Part 1: What Team's Hat Did Clark Wear?

From the Dec. 15, 2019, Chicago Tribune from the Austin American-Statesman.

This is my second all-time favorite Christmas movie which I have seen twice so far this season.

Let's see how well you do.  I didn't get them all correct, however.  (But, I did get most of them, though.)   Answers are below.  I will also indicate the ones that I missed.

1.  What Christmas carol are Clark and Ellen singing at the beginning of the movie as they head out into the woods to cut down the Griswold family Christmas tree?

2.  Which sports team hat does Clark wear at various times in the film?

3.  What item does Clark forget to bring on the tree-hunting expedition?

4.  What does Clark plan to do with his Christmas bonus?

5.  What does Clark receive instead of his bonus?

Answers below.

*******************************************************

1.  "Deck the Halls"


2.  Chicago Bears


3.  axe or saw


4.  Buy a family swimming pool.


5.  Yearlong subscription to Jelly of the Month Club.   I missed this one.  Thought it was wine of the month..

"Cheap, Lying, No-Good, Rotten."   --CootWold

DID YOU KNOW:   There is a seven letter word in the English language that contains  ten words without rearranging any of its letters.  That word is "therein."  See if you can list the words.

Stealing Christmas Trees in 1942: But, the Scrooge Get Scrooged

From the December 27, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1942, 75 Years Ago.

"Someone who wanted a larger than ordinary Christmas tree and didn't care about paying for it, invaded the farm of Carl Johnson, south of DeKalb and cut down an evergreen out of the windbreak that has been planted near the farmhouse.

"The person or persons cutting the tree evidently were not well acquainted with evergreens as they cut a Norwegian spruce that will probably shed its needles within three or four days after being taken into a warm room."

Serves the Scrooge Right.  Cleanup in the Living Room.  --Cooter