How 25 Christmas Traditions Started-- Part 5: Saint Nicholas, Luminaras, Twelve Days, Poinsettias, Salvation Army

Again, for more information, go to the site (listed in Part 1.)

21.  A VISIT FROM SAINT NICHOLAS

Best known as "The Night Before Christmas."  The classic by poet Clement Moore was written on Christmas Eve 1822.  He was embarrassed by it and it wasn't released until the following year.

22.  LUMINARIAS

Simple, folded brown bags filled with sand and lit by votive candles.  One of my favorite things to see, but very rare.

23.  TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

This spans the 12 days between the birth of Jesus and the visit of the Magi, December 2 to January 6.  The cost to do this in 2019 would be $38, 993.59.

24.  POINSETTIAS

America's Christmas flower.  They were brought to America by our first ambassador to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinset.  (I have two big ones that are now 25 years old.)

25.  SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGERS

What would the holidays be without these folks.  This started in  San Francisco in 1891.  

--RoadMas

Time to Pay Up Those Salvation Army World War I Pledges

From the July 11, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"Those people of the city who promised to pay a certain amount to the Salvation Army war fund are asked, appealed to and even requested to call at the First National bank and pay the pledges.

"The Salvation Army needs money at this time and badly."

Pay Up!  --Cooter

America's "Doughboys"-- Part 3: A Mexican War Connection

The term "Doughboy" as applied to U.S. infantry first appears in military accounts during the Mexican War without any definite precedent that can be found.

One possibility is that it was a put-down by cavalrymen on foot soldiers because the brass buttons on their uniforms looked like flour dumplings or dough cakes called "doughboys," or because of the flour or pipe clay they used to polish their white belts.

Another possible reason was that U.S. infantry forces were constantly covered with chalky dust from marching through northern Mexico which gave them the appearance of unbaked dough.  Or, possibly the dust made them resemble the mud bricks used in the area called adobe which word somehow transformed into doughboy.

Also, American soldiers of the 1840s and 1850s cooked field rations into doughy flour-and-rice concoctions baked in the ashes of the camp fire.

Of course, as already mentioned, the reason it became a name for our servicemen in World War I was possibly the popularity of the million of doughnuts served by female Salvation Army members.

--CootNut

National Doughnut Day-- Part 3: A World War I Connection

From Wikipedia.

Soon after the United States entered World War I, the Salvation Army sent people to France to find out how the organization could best serve the troops.  This group determined it could best do this by opening canteens/social centers called "huts" that could provide baked goods, writing supplies, stamps and clothes-mending services.

Oh yes, and COFFEE.

Typically, "huts" consisted of six people, four of whom would be women to "mother" the soldiers.  Huts were set up near U.S. training bases.

About 250 volunteers went to France and found that providing baked goods was difficult and two female volunteers, Margaret Sheldon and Helen Purviance, came up with the idea of providing doughnuts for the baked goods.

The doughnuts were an instant hit, and soldiers began visiting the huts in large numbers.

--Cooter

National Doughnut Day-- Part 2: "Doughnut Lassies"

Doughnut Day was established by the Salvation Army in 1938 to honor its Doughnut Lassies who served treats to soldiers during World War I.  They are credited with popularizing the doughnut in the United States when the troops returned home after the war.

The Salvation Army celebrated its first Doughnut Day in Chicago to help raise funds during the Great Depression.

I believe in Illinois, this is also connected with Cop on a Roof Day where police get up on the roofs of Dunkin' Donut stores to get people to come in and donate.

--DaDonutter

You Missed National Doughnut Day, June 3rd-- Part 1

From the June 2, 2016, Goldsboro (NC) News-Argus "National Doughnut Day offers up chance to give."

On Friday, the Salvation Army and Krispy Kreme are celebrating National Doughnut Day.  This is celebrated every first Friday in June.

All day Friday, customers will receive a free doughnut of their choice and have the opportunity to donate to the Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army will have those familiar red kettles set up in Krispy Kremes to support the group's programs in Wayne and Sampson counties.

I am amazed that Krispy Kreme would be involved in this.

Mmmmm, Krispy Kreme.  --CootKreme