1. Decorating Christmas Trees.
Long before the advent of Christianity, plants and trees that remained green all winter had a special meaning for people. In ancient times, people hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows to keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness. The Christmas tree as we know it is actually credited to 16th century Germany, when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. The first record of a Christmas tree on display in the United States was in the 1830s by the German settlers of Pennsylvania. However, they were seen as pagan symbols and not accepted by most Americans, as late as the 1840s. By the 1890s, Christmas ornaments were being imported from Germany and Christmas tree popularity was on the rise around the United States. With the creation of Christmas lights, Christmas trees began to appear in town squares across the country and having a Christmas tree in the home became an American tradition.
2. Sending Out Christmas Cards.
The tradition of sending out Christmas cards was started in the United Kingdom by Sir Henry Cole. He was a civil servant who had helped setup the new Public Record Office (what we now call the Post Office). He wondered how it could be used more by ordinary people. His friend John Horsley, an artist, designed and sold the first Christmas card. Less than 1,000 of his cards were printed and sold. In 1840, Sir Henry Cole helped establish the first Penny Post, which allowed the public to send mail. In the 1860s, after printing processes had improved, Christmas cards became much more popular and were produced in large numbers. By the early 1900s, the custom had spread over Europe and had become especially popular in Germany. While Christmas cards appeared in the United States in the late 1840s, they too expensive for most people to afford. In 1915, John C. Hall and two of his brothers created Hallmark Cards, one of the biggest card makers still today!
3. Believing in Santa Claus.
The original St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus, was a bishop in 4th century Turkey. He was a very rich and kind man, helping the poor and giving secret gifts to those in need. In Northern Europe during the 16th century, the stories and traditions of St. Nicholas became unpopular. However, someone needed to deliver presents to the children. Therefore, in the UK, he became known as Father Christmas or Old Man Christmas. In some countries the present giver became known as "Christkind," a golden-haired baby with wings, symbolizing the new born baby Jesus. In the early United States, "Christkind" became Kris Kringle. Eventually, Dutch settlers brought the stories of St. Nichols and combined, St. Nick and Kris Kringle became "Sinterklaas," now known as Santa Claus. Over the years, the United Kingdowm's Father Christmas and the American Santa Claus became more and more alike, and are now one and the same.
Merry Christmas from the best vacation rental company at the Lake of the Ozarks! As we gear up for a great 2017, it's time to start thinking about your vacation plans for next year. Many of our larger properties are so popular that they book up for the the entire season in just the first few months of the new year! Make sure you get the property you want, for the dates you want by giving us a call at 877-284-0267 soon!
For more information please call us toll free at 1-877-284-0267!!
4571 Osage Beach Pkwy, Suite A
Osage Beach, MO 65065
Local - 573-365-3367
Fax - 573-365-5076
Osage Beach, MO 65065
Local - 573-365-3367
Fax - 573-365-5076
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