Christmas Features Traditions Folklore Stories

Christmas Tree Story 

The Christmas tree is said to have made its debut in Germany, when decorative lights and ornaments were placed on fir trees. Before today’s contemporary decorations, though, a Christmas tree was embellished not with artificial trinkets but with candles, flowers and intricately carved fruits and vegetables in various countries.

Christmas in Greece: In Greece, the trend of lighting up boats has taken over the traditional lighting of Christmas trees. In many Greek homes you may see a lit-up boat model, with the bow facing the inside.

Find out more about the Christmas Pickle

Story of Santa Claus

That cheery rotund jolly fellow who leaves gifts beneath the Christmas tree is said to have popped up on the roof during the 4^th Century. A bishop named Saint Nicholas did not want the poor to know he was helping them, so he would perch on the roof and just throw down little bags of coins through the chimney. As legend goes, the coins dropped directly into stockings kept to dry at the fireside. That is why, to this day, stockings are kept strategically placed near fireplaces.

How Christmas Gifts-giving started

As for the Christmas gifts, you can thank the Romans for starting it! The officials had to present gifts to the Emperor during the festive season of Christmas. Flowers and olive wreaths gave way to cupcakes, small trinkets, and, over time, to the lavish gifts which are happily given to all and sundry.

Code words in Christmas Carol 12 Days of Christmas 

It is said that the birds, maids, lords, drummers and objects in the 12 Days of Christmas are actually referring to various aspects of the Christian religion.

* 1 partridge in a pear tree

* 2 turtle doves

* 3 French hens

* 4 calling birds

* 5 golden rings

* 6 geese a-laying

* 7 swans a-swimming

* 8 maids a-milking

* 9 ladies dancing

* 10 lords a-leaping

* 11 pipers piping

* 12 drummers drumming

 Know the code words hidden in the above carol

Read all blog posts on Christmas

Christmas Midnight Mass in Mumbai

Midnight Mass is an annual program hosted by churches across the world. In Mumbai, due to the official law in recent years that no loudspeakers should be on late night, the Midnight Mass is begun at around 8.30p.m. and generally winds up an hour before midnight.

Where is Midnight Mass held in Mumbai?
The main place where thousands of people (and not just Christians) flock to attend the Midnight Mass in Mumbai is the Don Bosco School grounds. In fact, there are many people who will go out of their way and travel long distances just to attend the Don Bosco Midnight Mass. Their choir-singing is legendary and the Christmas is ushered in with a great lively ambience.

Don Bosco Midnight Mass Venue
Matunga East, Mumbai (Ph: 022 24145233)

Addresses and Phone Numbers of Churches and Parishes in Mumbai:
Archdiocese of Mumbai

Christmas Origami Patterns and Designs

Paper-folded designs are a fascinating sight, more so when used as decorations for a festive occasion. With Christmas just a few days away, it's time to decorate the Christmas tree - in fact, you can even make a Christmas tree with paper! That's right. You can learn how to make Origami Christmas trees, Origami Christmas tree decorations, Origami candy sticks, Origami Christmas stars....an endless number of lovely origami designs, including a Santa Claus from an Origami design!

The above designs appeared in a supplement of the Better Interiors magazine. If you would like to learn origami designs or would like to join a group of origami fans, Join Origami Mitra

There are many good websites where you can learn online origami designs.
Click on the links below:

1. Origami Christmas Designs
(The two images below are from this site)

2. Origami Instructions

Shri Dattatreya Aarti

Christmas Poems

Now thrice welcome Christmas

Which brings us good cheer,

Minced pies and plum porridge,

Good ale and strong beer;

With pig, goose and capon,

The best that may be,

So well doth the weather

And our stomachs agree.

With holly and ivy,

So green and so gay,

We deck up our houses

As fresh as the day;

With bay and rosemary

And laurel complete;

And everyone now

 Is a king in conceit.

- anonymous, 17^th century

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Christmas catchword

If santa needs a slogan,

I know the one most suited,

Not "Deck the halls" or

"Ho, ho, ho!" but

"Batteries not included!"

-         Sally Palmer

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Light plight

Some are large and red and green,

Some small and crystal clear,

Some flash and others twinkle,

Styles change from year to year.

But when it comes to tree lights,

Old-fashioned or newfangled,

My favourite lights will always be

The ones that are untangled!

-    Jill H.Walker

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Card tricks

My Christmas cards upon the mantel

Call dominoes to mind:

Those I’m placing in the foreground

Knock down the ones behind!

-   Rosemarie Williamson

How to make Quick and Easy Christmas Foods at home

The month of December means it is time for Christmas – and some yummy Christmas foods! Here are quick and easy simple Christmas Recipes to make at home:

Easy Cinnamon Rolls

1. Cinnamon rolls

Ingredients

1 loaf - frozen bread dough , thawed

2/3^rd cups - brown sugar

4 tablespoons melted butter

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/3^rd cup heavy cream

2/3^rd  cup powdered sugar(sifted)

1 tablespoon milk

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup chopped walnut or pecans

How to Make

1. The dough has to be rolled into a rectangle shape. Then brush it with the melted butter.

2. Mix cinnamon, chopped nuts and sugar in a bowl and add the dough over it.

3. Roll the dough into the shape of a log. Seal the edges of the log with a little water.

4. Cut the rolled-up log into slices.

5. Take a cake pan, lightly butter it, and place the slices on it. Keep aside for about 1 ½ hours at room temperature, so that the dough rises to double its size.

6. Pour the heavy cream over the rolls and bake at 350F (180C) for about 25-30mins.

7. Mix the powdered sugar, vanilla extract and the milk and drizzle over the rolls during the final 5 minutes of baking.

Recipe Courtesy: http://www.christmasiscoming.co.uk/Easy_Cinnamon_Rolls.html

2. Crisp Cookies

Ingredients

½ cup sugar

½ cup brown sugar

1 cup shortening

1 egg

1tsp. vanilla

2 cups flour

½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cream of tartar

Water for dipping

How to Make

1. Mix the cream shortening, both the sugars, vanilla and egg in a bowl.

2. Add all the dry ingredients and roll into small balls.

3. Dip the tops first in water, then in sugar.

4. Place in baking pan, with sugar side up. Slightly dent the top of each with a finger.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

6. Keep aside for a while on a cooling rack until cool.

7. If not eating right away, store in an air tight container.

 See more Recipes of Cookies

  

3. Apple Bread

Ingredients

1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
2 cups sugar
3 cups flour
1 cup chopped walnuts
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups of apples (cut coarsely) or applesauce  

How to Make

1. First mix eggs, sugar and vegetable oil in a bowl.

2. Add remaining ingredients and mix.

3. Slightly grease and flour 2 small loaf pans.

4. Pour the prepared mixture into the pans.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for about 90 minutes.

Bread Recipes for Christmas 

Where to buy sports bikes and accessories in Mumbai Maharashtra

Cycling enthusiasts will be happy to know that there is a great new biking studio in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Buy bicycle parts and accessories for your snazzy bikes from Pro 9 Bicycle Studio - Da Bike Zone. What's more, you can get a customised bicycle as per your specifications! There are also 2 types of bikes available at Pro 9 Bicycle Studio: the US Rock Machine and the Audi bicycle from Spain. Both these come with a lifetime warranty.

Bicycle Products and Accessories at Pro 9 Bicycle Studio Mumbai
* Bicycle frames
* Bicycle tyres
* Bicycle brakes
* Bicycle gears
* Bicycle lights for night riding
* Bicycle bags
* Bicycle accessories, such as navigators

Services offered at Pro 9 Bicycle Studio Mumbai
* Customisation of your bicycle (even one bought from another store), such as a new frame in a colour option of your liking. Price range for customisation of bicyles: Rs.5,000/- to Rs.50,000/- depending on specifications required.
* You can rent a bicycle from the Pro 9 Bicycle Studio for a week and test-ride it. This rental scheme is a collaboration with Kohinoor cycle rentals. Customers can rent a bike of their choice to check it out before buying it. Price range of bicycles: Rs.15,000/- to Rs.7 lakh.

Address of Pro 9 Bicycle Studio Mumbai: Off Carter Road, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
Phone Number of Pro 9 Bicycle Studio Mumbai: 097 69712311
Timings: Mon-Thu, Sat-Sun 10am-9pm; Fri 2pm-9pm

Thunder 70 Rock Machine

Typhoon 70 Rock Machine

Click here for more Photos and Features of US Rock Machine bikes