Holiday Gifts & Gift Baskets Blog

Archive for August, 2007

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City. In 1884 the first Monday in September was chosen as the holiday, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingman's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.

Through the years the nation began to give more and more emphasis to Labor Day. The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. From them developed the movement to secure state legislation. The first state bill was introduced into the New York legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on February 2l, l887. By 1894, 23 other states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28 of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories. National Labor Day was born off the labor movement during the late 19th century.

Starting with nine tailors in Philadelphia on December 9, 1869, the Knights of Labor wanted to promote a unionism to embrace all workers, skilled and unskilled, in a single labor organization. They stressed organization, education, and political agitation as the best means to build a new society. Despite their progressive outlook their philosophy did not keep the powerful skilled workers and the militant labor leaders allegiant to the Order. And soon the rift surfaced. The members of the traditional trade unions became increasingly unwilling to link their fortunes with the weaker sections e.g. unskilled ones. The need for 'new unionism' evolved. And eventually the K of L ceased to exist. Not only did they initiate Labor Day as a civic event, it had proved itself to be the first labor association strong enough to challenge industry on its own ground. And it was with them the future of American labor in the 1880s appeared to lie.

"Labor Day differs in every essential way from the other holidays of the year in any country," said Samuel Gompers, founder and longtime president of the American Federation of Labor. "All other holidays are in a more or less degree connected with conflicts and battles of man's prowess over man, of strife and discord for greed and power, of glories achieved by one nation over another. Labor Day...is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation."

Today Labor Day symbolizes the end of summer and the fall back to school season, rather than a day for political organizing, but it is still a time to pay tribute to the American worker, the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership.

To celebrate this Labor Day, check out our fall gift baskets or patriotic cookies. Both would make fun centerpieces on your party buffet table!

The most special times in ones life are the moments we spend celebrating holidays with family, friends and loved ones. These moments in time are ones that we remember as the years pass by; these are the moments we treasure in our lifetime.

Holidays and special occasions are an important part of our lives. Can you imagine a life without holidays or without specials occasions to celebrate? It would be a life less joyful and a life less meaningful.

When I look back on my life, what I remember the most is the wonderful Christmas' I have had, the most romantic Valentine's Day, the most enjoyable Easter and all the traditions that were associated with these holidays. Not only do I remember the Holidays that were celebrated but I remember the special birthdays I have had and the most blessed of all occasions, the birth of my children.

What is more amazing and exciting is to instill these holidays and special occasion traditions into our children. What fun it is to teach our children about Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny and to see their excitement rise as these particular holidays approach, and the pure joy emanating from them as they wake on Christmas Day to open Christmas kids gifts or on Easter Day to see what Easter basket goodies were left for them. What fun it is to see their excitement level rise as the celebration of their birthday nears. Through each generation, these celebrations of life are instilled in our children.

As we age, it certainly won't be the bad day at work that we had in 2005, the rainy day we had in 1997, or any other minor daily events that will be remembered. It will be the holidays and special occasions that we remember most of all.

Life is too short and it goes by so quickly. Life is meant to be celebrated and with each holiday and special occasion we celebrate our lives, our family and our friends. Each holiday and special occasion we celebrate is a milestone in our lives and leaves an etch in each of our memories.

Why not make these holidays and life occasions even more memorable for someone special in your life? Holiday Gifts & Gift Baskets has something for every holiday and special occasion celebrated in life, from Christmas to birthdays to weddings and anniversaries to the birth of a new baby. Exquisite gifts and gift baskets that will WOW your gift recipient and that will earn you praises.

Celebrate your life and celebrate the special people in your life. Make each holiday and special occasion one that will be remembered throughout your life and your loved one's life. Be the one that others think of when they remember a special holiday or event.

Have you ever wondered how the rabbit was associated with Easter? Next to Santa Claus, the second most popular figure adored by children is the Easter Bunny, another of childhood's greatest pleasures. But why an "Easter Bunny?"

Although the Easter Bunny is a major symbol used in advertising Easter, the Easter Bunny is certainly not a modern invention of commercialization.

Historically, the rabbit, hare, and eggs in folklore have their basis as pagan fertility symbols, signifying spring and new life, and the worship of the goddess Oestre or Eastre.

Easter is named for a Saxon goddess who was known by the names of Oestre or Eastre, and in Germany by the name of Ostara. She was believed to be the goddess of the dawn and the spring, and a fertility goddess.

The Goddess Ostara, it is believed, saved the life of a bird whose wings had been frozen by the snow and she made him her pet. She had compassion for him since he could no longer fly and turned him into a snow hare and named him Lepus. Goddess Ostara gave him the ability to run with incredible speed to protect himself from hunters, and also gave him the ability to lay eggs one day out of each year.

Eventually Lepus managed to anger the goddess Ostara, and she cast him into the skies where he would remain as the constellation Lepus (The Hare). He was allowed to return to earth once a year to give away his eggs to the children attending the Ostara festivals that were held each spring.

The bunny as an Easter symbol also has its origins in Germany, where it was first mentioned in German writings in the 1500's. The Easter Bunny was introduced to America by the German settlers in 1700 when they brought with them the legend of "Oschter Haws", the white Easter Hare.

Believing that if they were good, children believed that Oschter Haws would lay colorful eggs for them in a nest the children had provided, usually their hat or bonnet placed in a barn.

By the 19th Century, the Easter Hare became the Easter Rabbit. American families would later adapt the nest tradition, using baskets, chocolate, and money. However Easter itself was not widely celebrated until after the Civil War.

"Here comes Peter Cottontail

Hoppin' down the bunny trail,

Hippity hoppity,

Easter's on its way."

Our little furry friend, the Easter Bunny, will soon be on it's way! Celebrate Easter on this year. And be sure to check out our cheerful and charming selection of Easter gift baskets! A perfect way to send Easter greetings across the miles to family, friends and loved ones.

Like interesting Easter Bunny Facts?  Check out this article about the Easter Bilby in Australia!

On December 26, 2004 the world's worst natural disaster hit Southern Asia. The spell and magic of the Holiday Season brought to an abrupt end. A perfect, bright sunny day turned into a day that many will never forget and many a tear will be shed over the course of lifetimes. An earthquake with a magnitude of 9 struck Indonesia, which they say is the worst in 40 years. This same earthquake generated a tsunami which soon became the tragedy that would take over 120,000 lives. The lives of everyone now destroyed babies and children, parents and grandparents, friends, tourists and the residents of the countries. Numerous of survivors, heartbroken, are left to deal with the loss of their loved ones.

Across the world many families hold on to hope searching for family members and friends that are missing. In Surrey where I live, a family is missing 71 relatives. Each day their hopes will lessen until soon most must deal with the emptiness and heartbreak. There will be a void in their lives until their final waking moments.

A call to action was heard in the wake of this tragic event. Military personnel are helping to assist the people of the devastated countries, giving food, medical supplies, support and assistance. Countries are offering large sums of money to assist in the aid of the people; individuals and companies are digging deep into their wallets and donating money to the cause.

In the midst of such tragedy, war is forgotten and love is shown all across the world. It is a world united and brought together, unfortunately, through a tragic event. However, just when you think the people in this world are horrible, goodness, kindness, caring and love comes out of almost everyone.

In the wake of such a terrible event that has gripped all of us across the world, we forget our selfishness and greed. And it reminds us that we must cherish what we do have, our families and our friends. It reminds us that material objects will never replace those that we love dearly. It reminds us that our problems are minor in comparison to what many others experience. It reminds us that we should strive to be better individuals.

A new year is upon us and why don't we take action and put our priorities in order. Tell your loved ones you care and that you are thinking of them on a regular basis. For those that live apart from friends and family, send a gift basket or a gift for no reason but "just because." Spend more time with your family and children and less time on unimportant matters.

Treat each day as if it is your last. Those people who have lost family and friends never had the opportunity to say one final time "I love you." They never had the opportunity to say goodbye. So many words were left unspoken.

As you head into the New Year, remember those that have lost their lives, those that have survived but have lost loved ones and say a prayer for them. The Holiday Season will never be the same for these individuals. The year ahead will be one of trial, of sorrow, and of trying to pick up the pieces of their lives and continue on in the road of life and survival.

If you can find it in your heart and wallet, donate some money to their cause. They need it now more than ever.

Thanksgiving Day in Canada is celebrated on the second Monday of October. Each year Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving Day with a bountiful feast but how many Canadians actually know the true history of Thanksgiving?After our most recent Thanksgiving celebration, I was asked by an individual in another country what was the reason why we celebrated the occasion and what the meaning was. Failing an answer and feeling like a complete idiot, I immediately looked to the Internet to look up why we celebrated this special occasion. How embarrassing it was that I could not answer such a simple question of the most celebrated holiday.

Thanksgiving traditions began hundreds of years ago, back when the explorers first came to our land and brought with them the tradition from Europe.

At harvest time, farmers in Europe celebrated and gave thanks for a bountiful harvest and would often fill a goat's horn with fruit and grains. This was known as a Thanksgiving cornucopia or horn of good plenty.

The first North American Thanksgiving is traced back to 1578. Martin Frobisher, an English Navigator, held a formal ceremony in what is now called Newfoundland. This ceremony was held to give thanks for surviving the long journey across the Atlantic.

After crossing the ocean and forty years later, French settlers led by Samuel de Champlain in Nova Scotia would hold huge feasts of thanks. They formed the "Order of Good Cheer."

In 1621 the American pilgrims gave thanks for the bounty that ended a year of hardship and death. It was at this time when the "turkey" made its first appearance at the feast.

Canadian Thanksgiving was first celebrated as a national holiday on November 6, 1879. However, there was no set date for this celebration and many dates were used after that. Finally in 1957, Parliament proclaimed the second Monday of October as "a day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed."

Families and friends across Canada celebrate the special occasion with a feast that includes turkey, gravy, vegetables and pumpkin pie.

On this day we should not forget all that we have to be thankful for. Not only should we be thankful for the food we have, but for the wonderful friends and family we are blessed with. Take this special day and say "thank you" to these wonderful people for blessing your life with their love, support and joy. Thank you gift baskets are a fabulous way to show your appreciation.

Since the first Thanksgiving was celebrated, we have so much more to give thanks for. Take a look around and you will see how truly blessed you are!