Bye bye Christmas tree!
Showing posts with label christmas tree. Show all posts
Showing posts with label christmas tree. Show all posts
Monday, 6 January 2014
Wednesday, 18 December 2013
Advent Post #18: Angel, Fairy, Star... what's on your tree?
The 'fairy' at the top of the Christmas tree was originally a figure of the baby Jesus. In the late 17th century, this became a shining angel.
In Victorian Britain, little girls would take the angel down after Christmas and dress him in doll's clothes. Eventually, the angel turned into a thoroughly female fairy., complete with a wand. The transformation was boosted by the emergence of pantomimes which became popular in the Victorian era and naturally included a good fairy in the cast (... oh yes they did!).
Cherubs were hung on trees to represent the angels who heralded the birth of Christ. The star, which forms one of the most important ornaments, indicates the guiding star which led the Shepherds and the Magi to the new born in the stable.
In recent years, stars have knocked angels off the top of the nation's trees - demand has reportedly fallen so much that some larger retailers have dropped angels altogether! A decade ago, angels were outselling stars but now stars outsell angels tenfold!
What do you have on top of your tree?
In Victorian Britain, little girls would take the angel down after Christmas and dress him in doll's clothes. Eventually, the angel turned into a thoroughly female fairy., complete with a wand. The transformation was boosted by the emergence of pantomimes which became popular in the Victorian era and naturally included a good fairy in the cast (... oh yes they did!).
Cherubs were hung on trees to represent the angels who heralded the birth of Christ. The star, which forms one of the most important ornaments, indicates the guiding star which led the Shepherds and the Magi to the new born in the stable.
In recent years, stars have knocked angels off the top of the nation's trees - demand has reportedly fallen so much that some larger retailers have dropped angels altogether! A decade ago, angels were outselling stars but now stars outsell angels tenfold!
What do you have on top of your tree?
Text from a local Parish Magazine, December 2013.
Sunday, 8 December 2013
Advent Post #8: Christmas Craft - O Christmas Tree!
You can spend a fortune at this time of year on the little extras which are sold to you promising to bring that 'Christmas Magic' into your home. But for me, my most treasured Christmas decorations and ornaments are the ones made by my kids! And I'm sure that's the same for many of you.
Many items are made at school and brought home on the last day of term, proudly passed over to Mum or Dad at the school gate (quite often, there's more than you can carry and it will probably be raining!). Don't forget the carrier bag!
To help with ideas to make some lovely decorations at home, have a look at the links below. There's plenty of ideas to fill a quiet Sunday afternoon while you get on with some Christmas present wrapping!
Printable Christmas tree craft
Christmas tree hanging decoration
Handprint Christmas Tree
Scrap ribbon Christmas tree
Toddler crafts - pom pom Christmas tree
You can also pick up 'colour your own decorations' kits from various shops - or even design your own if you're handy with programs such as Paint!
Many items are made at school and brought home on the last day of term, proudly passed over to Mum or Dad at the school gate (quite often, there's more than you can carry and it will probably be raining!). Don't forget the carrier bag!
To help with ideas to make some lovely decorations at home, have a look at the links below. There's plenty of ideas to fill a quiet Sunday afternoon while you get on with some Christmas present wrapping!
Printable Christmas tree craft
Christmas tree hanging decoration
Handprint Christmas Tree
Scrap ribbon Christmas tree
Toddler crafts - pom pom Christmas tree
You can also pick up 'colour your own decorations' kits from various shops - or even design your own if you're handy with programs such as Paint!
Happy crafting!
Sunday, 2 December 2012
Sunday, 16 September 2012
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