Holiday Gift Ideas & Traditions Blog

Dear Grandma,

We made some Christmas cards to send to our relatives and friends in
Ontario. We peeled and dried some birch bark off some of the wood pieces from the river bank. We selected our best pressed and dried flowers that had retained their coloring pasting them with egg white in a pleasing arrangement or design, sometimes stitching them. The spring flowers and autumn made the best showing but we are anxious to display the variety that grow on the wild prairies, so each family got different flowers and colorings. It was a problem to get white paper to wrap the finished cards for mailing so we wrapped them in yellow-brown building paper for security, and note paper for addressing. We were complimented on the results, so we are making some for our walls.

For Christmas gifts we had not any (like Simple Simon) but we exchanged some of our treasures and put them on a bare poplar tree, decorated some Chautauqua books Uncle Alex or A.K. had sent us with his usual Christmas letter. “May the Lord bless you and keep you and make his face to shine upon you and do you good.”

For dinner we had a cherished wild goose stuffed with potato dressing seasoned with wild sage, vegetables, of course, suet pudding of grated carrots, flour and dried
Saskatoon berries boiled in a cloth.

Mother allowed us some hoarded sugar for taffy, flavored with wild mint. Some of our pop-corn popped but not much pop in it. We danced on the threshing floor and in the evening played hide-and-seek and did some story reading by lamp for a treat as coal-oil is five dollars a gallon at
Saskatoon.

At midnight Christmas Eve we girls went to the stable to see if the oxen would kneel as father said they would or did on Christmas Eve. We had never had the opportunity until now. When mother followed us out to the stable the oxen knelt for a second, as they got up they were disturbed. See?

We missed you and our old friends, Grandma. Everyone sends love.

Maryanne

I wind, I wind, my true love to find, The color of his hair, the clothes he will wear, The day he is married to me.

Throw a ball of yam into barn, old house, or cellar, and wind, repeating the above lines, and the true love will appear, and wind with you. To be tried at twelve o’clock at night, October 31.

An old lady of eighty told me that in her youth this was tested by a girl. Some one knowing she was going to make the test hid himself in the barn, and when the proper time came called out, “Timothy B.” - the name of a man very much disliked by the girl, who was in love with her. She, thinking he had really appeared, and believing from the sign or project that she would have to marry him, became very ill, and only began to recover when they assured her he was not really there.

Cut up two alphabets, put them face down in water at night; then those that are turned over in the morning are the initials of the one you will marry. [try at midnight] October 31.

To Foil a Witch

If a witch should be witch you, she will probably appear to you next time as an animal. Shoot the animal with a silver bullet if you desire to injure the witch.

Lumbermen wrap themselves in fresh deerskin to keep off witches.

Any witch or ghost may be destroyed by merely asking them what they want of you.

To frighten witches away, sprinkle salt around the house.

Your milk will be hard to chum if witches are in it. To get rid of them set the chum in a chimney corner and whip the milk with a switch or drop a dime in the chum.

Will-o’-the-wisp

Some people are very much afraid of the will-o’-the-wisp, or ignis fatuus. They believe that on a dark night it leads its victim, who is obliged to follow, either in the river, where they drown, or in bushes of thorns, which tear them to pieces, the jack-o’-lantern exclaiming all the time, “Aïe, aïe, mo gagnin tot” - “Aïe, aïe, I have you.”

The old person who was speaking to me of the ignis fatuus told me that he was born with a caul, and that he saw ghosts on All Saints’ Day. He also added he often saw a woman without a head, and he had the gift of prophecy.

The principal feature of a Christmas dinner is usually the turkey. I have seen young housewives as ignorant about the preparation of a fowl for the table as if she had never eaten one. Hence we will give in detail the different processes through which the Christmas turkey goes before he finds himself under the carver’s knife.

To Prepare a Live Turkey

There is a right and wrong way to kill a turkey. The proper way is to tie the turkey up by the feet to a nail in the wall. Hang a weight, a small flat iron will do, around the head of the fowl, and just before the weight is let down, pierce the artery in the neck with a small sharp knife. This allows the fowl to bleed without getting the blood over the feathers and body. When the turkey is dressed and cleaned immediately for family use this, of course, is not so particular.

To Dress a
Turkey

Pluck the feathers. When the turkey is very young, the skin is often so tender that it is severely broken during the plucking process. This detracts from the appearance of the fowl, so it usually is better to scald the fowl in boiling water. Then the feathers can be easily plucked. The fowl must be merely dipped in the water and removed almost immediately.

The hair and down are removed by singeing. This is done by holding the turkey over a flame (burning paper does nicely), and constantly changing its position until all parts have been exposed to the flame. Cut off the head and pull out the pin feathers by means of a small pointed knife. Cut through the skin around the leg one and one-half inches below the leg joint, care being taken to not cut the tendons; place the leg at this cut over the edge of the table, press downward to snap the bone, then take foot in right hand, holding bird firmly in left hand and pull off the foot, and with it the tendons.

In old birds, the tendons must be drawn separately, which is best accomplished by using a steel skewer. This may not be very easy but the tendons are very tough and sinewy and make the drumstick not so pleasant eating as when they are removed.

Next make an incision through the skin below the breast bone at one side of the vent. Cut around the vent and if care has been taken, the hand can be inserted and the whole contents, entrails, gizzard, heart and liver, can be withdrawn without breaking the sack which contains them. The gizzard, heart and liver constitute the giblets.

The gall bladder lies under the liver and great care must be taken that it be not broken, as a small quantity of the bile which it contains would impart a bitter taste to the parts with which it comes in contact.

Enclosed by the ribs on either side of the backbone may be found the lungs of soft consistency and red color. Every part of them must be removed. The kidneys lie in the hollows near the end of the backbone, and must also be removed. Place two fingers under the skin at the neck and pull out the windpipe. Also, the crop (which should be empty) will be found adhering to the skin close to the breast.

Drawn down the skin and cut off the neck close to the body, leaving the skin much longer to turn back under the body. Remove the oil bag on the top of the tail, and wash the fowl but do not allow it to soak in water. Wipe inside and out, looking carefully to see that everything has been withdrawn.

Separate the gall bladder from the liver, cutting off all parts that have a greenish tinge. Remove the arteries, veins, and clotted blood from the heart. Cut the fat and membranes from the gizzard. Make a gash through the thickest part of the gizzard and cut as far as the inner lining, being careful not to pierce it. Remove and discard the inner sack. Wash giblets and cook until tender with the neck and tips of wings, putting them in cold water and bringing water to a boil that some of the flavor may be drawn out into the stock which is to be used for making gravy.

To Stuff a
Turkey

Put stuffing by spoonfuls in neck end, using enough to make the bird look plump when served. Allowance must be made for the swelling of crackers; otherwise the skin may burst during the cooking. Stuff the body and sew up the skin.

To Truss a
Turkey

Draw thighs close to body and hold by inserting a steel skewer under middle joint, running it through the body, coming out under middle joint on the other side. Fasten the legs together at the ends and tie securely with a long string to the tail. Place wings close to the body and hold them by inserting a second skewer through the wing, body and the wing on the other side. Draw the skin under the back and fasten with a small wood skewer.

This trussing makes a bird look plump and fat.

To Roast a Turkey

Place on its back on a rack in a dripping pan. Rub entire surface with salt, and spread breast and legs with three tablespoons of butter mixed with two tablespoons of flour. Dredge the bottom of the pan with flour. Place in a hot oven, and when the flour is browned reduce the heat, and baste. Add two cups hot water. Baste every ten minutes until the fowl is done, which will be about three hours.

During the cooking, turn the turkey often that it may brown evenly. Before serving, remove strings and skewers. Garnish with parsley or celery tips. Do not neglect this last as it greatly increases the appearance of the bird and appearance goes a long way toward enticing the appetite.

Giblet Gravy

Pour off the liquid in the roasting pan. Return six tablespoons of fat to the pan and brown with six tablespoons of flour. Pour on very gradually three cups of liquor in which the giblets, etc., were cooked. Cook five minutes, season with salt and pepper; strain and add the finely chopped giblets.

Stuffing

Remove the crust from a loaf of stale bread, crumb it thoroughly, add powdered sage or poultry dressing, salt and pepper. Pour over a half a cup of boiling water in which one half cup of butter has been melted.

To Carve a
Turkey

The bird should be placed on its back, with legs at right of platter for carving. Introduce carving fork across breastbone, hold firmly in left hand. With the carving knife, cut through skin between leg and body, close to body. With the knife pull back the leg and disjoint from the body. Then cut off the wings. Remove the leg and wing from the other side. Slice the meat from the breast in thin crosswise slices. Remove the fork and disjoint the legs and wings. Serve a slice of white meat with each piece of dark meat.

While living in one of their various log cabin residences along the Pennsylvania-West Virginia border, the Bayles family discovered that certain hardships which they were experiencing were due to the witchcraft of a neighbor. She troubled them at first by causing their rest to be disturbed by a number of cats, who would suddenly appear in the room, frolic over the beds, and then disappear just as mysteriously as they had come, since the house was shut up for the night and there was no opening through which animals of their size could enter or leave. Following this, the Bayleses were visited by a sudden shaking of the whole house, which was repeated night after night, sometimes throwing them out of their beds. To his wife’s questions about these doings, Bayles would make no reply except that “the Devil was about; but he knew who was doing it; he’d fix them.” His opportunity apparently came when the witch paid them a visit, during which Bayles kept a close watch on her, and finally thought he had detected her in an effort to burn the house down by inserting a live coal between the log wall and the inner board wall of the cabin. He immediately accused her. She, of course, appeared shocked by the charge, but he persisted in it; told her that he knew of her evil doings: that she had come at first “with cats,” then “with trying to shake the house down”; and finally, heaping invectives on her, he ordered her to go and never return. She fled hastily, and they neither saw her nor were troubled by her magic again.

At one time Bayles was called to
Bellaire, Ohio (about forty miles away from where he was then living), to help a girl who had fallen into a witch’s power and was wasting away, no local practitioner being able to free her from the enchantment. Upon arriving at the victim’s home, he straightway set about his spells, and took up his quarters in another house near at hand-apparently in order to practice his magic in greater seclusion. However, he gave the girl certain explicit directions: not to give anything to the witch or to any outsider; not to admit the witch, or any other person outside the family, into the house; and if she saw the witch coming, to close and fasten the doors and windows, and try to find a place in the house where she could not be seen. But if the witch spoke to her, then she should reply by cursing the intruder and ordering her away.

The girl promised to fulfill her instructions, of course; but three times after that she let the sorceress enter the house, and each time excused herself to Bayles by saying that she had been deceived: she had thought the visitor was her sweetheart. On the last of these occasions, Bayles himself met the witch as he was approaching the house and she was leaving it. She stopped and looked steadfastly at him, and he suddenly realized that a strange feeling was coming over him. If he “hadn’t thought what he was about,” she would have cast a spell over him also. But he stopped in his tracks and “throwed the spell away from off’n him”; whereupon the witch departed, and he went on to the house. This time he told the girl that if she did not follow his orders in every detail, he could do nothing for her-he was wasting his time, and might better go home. This threat frightened her into strict obedience, and the next time her enemy came, every door and window was fastened and the girl was nowhere in sight. Round the house went the witch, trying each door and window; and finally, looking through a small aperture, she spied her victim. Immediately she called to the girl, asking why she was shut out, and if this were the way to treat a friend.

The girl answered that the witch was no friend of hers, but had done her much harm, and would do more if she could. Then, cursing her enemy, the girl commanded her to depart. When the witch heard this, she took to Hight, screaming “so that you could have heard her a mile away,” and shortly afterward died.

Mrs. Rogers, who believes as firmly as Mrs. Sayre in the efficacy of flyting, told me this anecdote: As she was going by the house of an old woman who was reputed a witch (and whose dwelling she never passed without muttering a few precautionary curses), the woman suddenly ran out of doors and came straight toward her, crying “Chicken guts, chicken feathers, chicken guts, chicken feathers!” This scared Mrs. Rogers so badly that she: Bed at full speed, screaming out oaths and invectives as she ran. She attributed her safety then and afterward to the curses she had leveled at the old woman; for she was sure that the above words carried a malign spell.

In school we are all taught about the importance of the Fourth of July and why we celebrate it.  America celebrates July 4 as Independence Day because it was on July 4, 1776, that members of the Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, adopted the final draft of the Declaration of Independence.  Following its adoption, the Declaration was read to the public in various American cities. Whenever they heard it, patriots erupted in cheers and celebrations.  Today Americans celebrate that freedom and independence with barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings.  Here are some other interesting facts about Fourth of July celebrations and things surrounding this important day in history.

• The first American Flag was sewn by Betsy Ross in its traditional red, white and blue colors.
• In 1846 the Liberty Bell could not be rung anymore because of the famous crack.
•  The American Bald Eagle has been a national symbol of the USA since 1782.
•  Geographically, the United States is the world’s third largest country after Russia and Canada.
• The 13 stripes on the US flag represent the original colonies - the 50 stars represent the 50 states.
• The National Anthem of the United States is The Star-Spangled Banner
• Calvin Coolidge was the only president to be born on the Fourth Of July
• John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe all died on the Fourth of July,
• The parades, music and fireworks so closely linked with the America’s Fourth of July observances are actually common ways to celebrate independence. During the month of July, America, Canada, France and the Bahamas all observe their independence holidays with lively parades and music.

Many people hang flags in honor of this celebration, but did you know that the United States Flag Code stipulates that as the symbol of a living country, the flag is considered in itself a living thing and should be properly displayed and cared for. The code outlines the proper ways to display the American flag.  There are actually more than thirty rules and regulations as to where, how and when the flag should be displayed.  Here are just a few:

• Raise the flag briskly. Lower it ceremoniously.
• Never allow the flag to touch the ground or floor.
• Do not fly the flag in bad weather, unless it is an all-weather flag.
• The flag should always be allowed to fall free.
• The flag should never be used to carry, store, or deliver anything.
• Never fly the flag upside down except to signal an emergency.
• The flag can only be flown at night if properly illuminated. Otherwise, it should only be flown from sunrise to sunset.

John Adams wrote that the Fourth of July “…ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other…” And that’s what we do each year on the Fourth of July.

The Eleusinian Mysteries were open to all persons who spoke Greek and had not committed murder. The goddesses welcomed men and women, slave or free. The one requirement that may have prohibited participation was the fee of 15 drachmas, equivalent to about ten days’ workman’s wages by the fourth century B.C.E. The Greater Eleusinian Rites began in the last half of September and lasted about ten days.

• Day 1: Young men selected for their physical dexterity and athleticism left Athens for the town of Eleusis to escort the sacred objects back to Athens on the following day.
• Day 3: Thousands of men and women gathered in the grand Agora of Athens to declare themselves participants and hear the high priest state the rules.
• Day 4: The initiates marched to the sea to purify themselves in the briny water.

Each initiate also washed a piglet that he or she would sacrifice later that day.

• Day 5: A sacrifice was offered to the two goddesses.
• Day 7: The initiates walked along the Sacred Way to Heusis, following behind the sacred objects. As they walked, they swung branches of myrtle tied with wool in rhythm to a beat and shouted the sacred name “lakchos.” They carried torches, as the goddess Ceres did in her search. A ritual bath in the river ended the day’s journey.

The initiates were welcomed into Eleusis and, at the sight of the first star, broke their two-day fast just as the goddess had done. Special round pottery dishes and tiny cups of grain, peas, and beans were displayed for all to see. That night, the women apparently danced suggestively and sang obscene songs, although celibacy was mandatory.

• Day 8: The final phase of initiation occurred in a building built solely for this purpose. The Telesterion was a large flat-roofed, windowless square hall capable of holding thousands of people on rows of seats lining the sides. In the center was the Anaktoron, a sacred stone construction, closed to view, containing the throne of the high priest. This must have been a very dark and mysterious place. The initiates drank the sacred drink, kykeon, and attended the mystery rites.
• Day 9: There was dancing, feasting, and singing after the rites were completed. As a closure ceremony, a libation was made with all participants facing the east, looking to the sky, and shouting “Rain,” then turning to the west, facing down at the earth, and shouting “Conceive” (or “Hye.” then “Kye” in Greek). The clothes the initiates wore were later used as swaddling clothes for newborn infants.

How can a story from thousands of years ago, a myth involving the gods and goddesses probably originating in the Neolithic times, hold any meaning for us today? We all experience loss of some degree, yet coming to terms with a separation or ending takes time and can be a very slow, painful, and personal process. At some point in our lives, a ritual for loss may be appropriate and bring comfort and healing.

The doldrums of winter are almost behind us, the days are growing longer and spring is in the air. Spring, a renewal and rebirth of life, is showing signs of being close at hand. It is such a lovely time of year! The days are growing longer, nature is in full bloom, and spring fever is in the air.

With spring arrives a special Holiday and a special friend, the Easter Bunny. Children everywhere are not only looking forward to spring vacation and a long-awaited break from school schedules, but to the arrival of the Easter Bunny and the treats that are left for them on Easter morning.

My daughter, who is 3, has grasped the concept of Santa Claus, however, she hasn’t learned about the Easter Bunny yet. But it won’t be long! My almost 2-year old son doesn’t know either but I presume it will not be long for him either.

Looking back on my childhood, Easter was special and an occasion that stays in my heart and mind. And it is with these memories that I want my children to remember their holidays with love and happiness.

With less than three weeks away, it is time to plan traditions and fun activities for the children. So what can we as parents, teachers and guardians do to make Easter a memorable occasion for our children?

• 1) Take a visit to the Easter Bunny. Seeing the well-known icon of Easter is an exciting time for most young children.
• 2) Have your child write a letter to the Easter Bunny.
• 3) Build creativity and family time with Easter craft ideas, from printing coloring pages off of the internet to making Easter cards to dyeing eggs for Easter. Children love to be creative and this will surely bring much joy.
• 4) Read the story of Easter to the children. This will introduce them to the true story of Easter and will help them learn about the meaning of this special holiday.
• 5) Plan a Easter party for the little ones.
• 6) Start a tradition and plan an Easter egg hunt. Children love surprises and will have so much fun, and I guarantee that they will always remember the Easter egg hunt.

Are you out of Easter ideas or need fresh new ideas? The internet is a wonderful place to search and there are hundreds of ideas, crafts, recipes and coloring pages all themed around Easter.

Looking for a gift to send to a loved one or family member? On the internet is a wonderful store called Holiday Gifts & Gift Baskets featuring gift baskets for any reason and season. Send Easter greetings across the miles!

Build fond Easter memories for your children and family and make the holiday one to remember. Happy Easter and Happy Spring!

The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each others’ burdens, easing other’s loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of Christmas. — W. C. Jones

It is fun, exciting and so incredibly magical! Christmas is approaching, Santa is coming to town and a New Year is upon us. What a wonderful time of year!

Like a child, I eagerly wait with excitement for the Holiday Season. My anticipation increases from the time the stores begin promoting Christmas decorations and gifts, houses and streets start glowing with festive lights, Santa arrives in the malls and the tree is decorated for the wonderful season ahead. The Holiday Season is my favorite time of year and the world is made more beautiful!

Hundreds of millions of people all around the world celebrate Christmas. Each country and individual has its own set of beliefs and traditions yet it is an occasion that unites people all across the world.

Christmas is one special day, one joyous event celebrated without selfishness and unkindness, bringing families and friends closer together and uniting the world as one. For one day out of the year problems, stress and work are put to the back of our minds, peace encompasses us and other important matters such as family and friends are celebrated and cherished.

For me, the Holiday Season is a time of reflection of the years gone by and the year that is so close to nearing an end. During the holidays I reflect on memories of Christmas past, of people who have come and gone throughout my life, of family I see less often who are near to my heart, and of those who have made a difference in my life. Without these special people I would not be who I am today.

It is the Season to be jolly and to be thankful for all that we have. It is a time when we appreciate the people who make up our lives.

People everywhere search for the perfect gifts for loved ones, friends and business associates that have become a part of their lives. Giving a special gift, sending a holiday gift basket or thank you gift basket is a way of conveying your appreciation to the special people who give meaning to your life.

Throughout the Holiday Season love, joy and goodwill come over us like magic and the spirit of giving is all around us. Oh, the sights and sounds of Christmas bring back feelings and memories that envelope the season in a wonderful kind of magic. If only it could be Christmas all year round!

Aristotle once said “Without friends no one would choose to live, though he had all other goods.” August celebrates International Friendship Day, a day to appreciate your friends for their contribution to your life. Too often we forget to tell our friends how much they mean to us, so take advantage of International Friendships Day and let them know that you appreciate them. Having trouble thinking of ways to celebrate International Friendship Day? Have no fear; here are ten great ways to let your friends know just how much they mean to you.

1. Make a mix tape for your friend of all the songs that characterize your friendship. This is especially good for friends with many miles between them; songs are a great way to help bring wonderful memories flowing back.
2. Girls! When was the last time you had a sleepover? Can’t remember? Start friendship day early and have a good old fashioned sleepover! Go ahead give each other manicures, tell secrets and act like a kid again, you will be amazed at how good it feels.
3. Make a special friendship scrapbook, include photos, old concert tickets, quotes on friendship or anything that will make your friend feel special.
4. If you can plan on spending the whole day with your best friend, try doing something big like a theme park or hiking trip.
5. Make a point to call all of your friends and let them know that its International Friendship day and that you are thinking about them. You will make their day and you get to feel great about it. “Make new friends and keep the old, one is silver and the other gold”!
6. Make some new friends and perform some random acts of kindness. Pay for the strangers drink in front of you at Starbucks or buy a few toys for the children’s hospital.
7. Flowers are a great way to make someone feel special. Yellow flowers symbolize friendship, so send your buddy a bouquet of yellow roses.
8. Dedicate a song on the radio to a friend or to a few friends. Anytime You Need A Friend by Mariah Carey, Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion, Best Friend by Brandy, Ben by Michael Jackson, Count On Me by Whitney Houston and Cece Winans are all great friendship songs.
9. Grab a camera or visit a photo machine and take some photos of you and your friends enjoying yourselves!
10. Or you could for the old fashioned way and get to them through their stomachs, bake a cake or decorate some sugar cookies.

However you decide to celebrate International Friendship Day you can be certain that your friends will be pleasantly surprised by your display of kindness. So have fun and remember what “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” - Bible: Ecclesiastes

A swift journey into the world ahead

The first breath of life is taken, the first cry is heard.

Their eyes meet, the bonds of love are created,

And from that moment on, she is safe and sound in the arms of love.

As each day passes, the first steps of life are taken,

And the first words are spoken.

Each success and milestone, each trial and error

Her Mother stands beside her; she is safe and sound in the arms of love.

Along the path of life, a mother guides her child.

A teacher of right from wrong, a praiser of the successes,

A shoulder to cry on, a listener and most of all a best friend.

And always she knows that she is safe and sound in the arms of love.

A baby becomes a child, a child becomes a teenager

And in the blink of an eye, the teenager becomes an adult.

The years pass on and it is time to spread her wings and fly

But near or far, she will always be safe and sound in the arms of love.

Bright-eyed, she looks at the world before her

So full of hope and dreams, wonder and awe.

Deep in her heart and soul, her Mother still stands beside her.

She is safe and sound in the arms of love.

It is her secret promise, and one that will not be tainted.

She will make her proud, her dear sweet Mother,

Who took her by the hand and taught her about life and strength.

She is safe and sound in the arms of love.

One blessed day, a baby arrives into the world.

She has now become a Mother and for the first time

She feels the unconditional love that a Mother feels for a child.

Her baby is safe and sound in the arms of love.

She only hopes that she becomes the wise, beautiful and strong Mother

That she was so fortunate to have been blessed with.

She has many dreams for her child,

And she hopes her child will always feel safe and sound in the arms of love.

Nothing endures like a Mother’s love.

A Mother’s love is never forgotten and is always felt

Through the journey of life and each road taken.

Safe and sound in the arms of love.

Mother’s Day is fast approaching and Holiday Gifts & Gift Baskets has elegant gift baskets to wish your special mom a wonderful day.  Send her love and hugs this Mother’s Day with a gift that will make a lasting impression.

Happy Mother’s Day!