Santa Claus suit

Santa Claus suit

Christmas is associated with dining and dancing with a religious fervor. There is another important aspect to the festival. That is the ever-loved Santa Claus in his Santa Claus suit. The silver bearded man from the North Pole, who not only grants wishes of the people, but also delivers gifts to them. The concept of Santa Claus is as old as the religion itself. Santa Claus is supposed to shower gifts and wishes for the New Year. Santa Claus is originally believed to be from the North Pole and comes in a sledge driven by the silvery reindeer. The Santa Claus suit worn by him is unique and fits the harsh environment of the North Pole.

No Christmas event is complete without the presence of Santa Claus. It is popularly believed that Santa Claus leaves behind gifts for everyone at the base of the Christmas tree after the day of the festival. It is an eagerly awaited occasion as kids look for their gifts with great anxiety. In certain families, one elder person doubles as a Santa Claus and distributes gifts to the family members. Normally, the identity of the person in Santa Claus's attire is not revealed. It is maintained as a secret and many kids believe that the person is a real Santa Claus. To give such an impression, the Santa Claus suit has to be perfect.

Santa Claus clothing:

1. Hat (red/white)
2. Beard (white/silver)
3. Trousers (red)
4. Boots (black)
5. Belt (black)
6. Eyebrows (white)
7. Gift Sack

An ideal Santa Claus suit consists of red and red attire. Shirt, trousers, coat and hat are all colored bright red. Even the bag containing gifts is colored red. Some of the borders are shared in white. The tip of the hat should display a silvery tuft of hair. There is the presence of fur in many places in the attire. The suit is designed in such a manner because Santa Claus is from the North Pole and has to be protected against the extreme cold weather.

The concept of Santa Claus is so popular that in schools the character is used to distribute gifts to the students. Every school necessarily has a Santa Claus suit and is worn by the senior most students in the class. Santa Claus is a funny but loveable character. Children are encouraged to write letters to Santa Claus to bring their favorite gifts for Christmas. Also, students are pampered to appear in Santa Claus suit. This is common during fancy dress competition in schools. Santa Claus suit is available in all toy stores and neighborhood retail stores. They are supplied by some of the leading toy brands.

Source: allthingschristmas

Outdoor Christmas Lights

Outdoor Christmas Lights

LED Christmas lights save approximately 80% in electricity reducing your holiday energy costs over C7 or C9 lights. The cost savings are just one reason for the growing popularity of LED lights. Its long bulb life is another; on average LED lights last up to 50,000 hours! Also, if one of the bulbs on the string burns out, the others will remain lit - yet another bonus of LED lights. Finally LED lights come in a wide array of colors and textures and illuminate with a unique, vivid glow.

Mini Christmas lights are inexpensive to buy and power, thanks to 1.5 or 2.5 volt bulbs. Xmas Mini lights are available in 50, 100, 150 and 200 light strings. The maximum recommended number of lights in a continual connected string is 350 to 400 lights. Mini lights are better suited to deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves) and smaller shrubbery.

Christmas Rope lights are small lights enclosed within a rope of transparent plastic tubing. Christmas Rope lights are generally sold by the foot; with the average being a 150 foot roll. Homeowners can choose between steady ropes or chasing ropes. With a steady rope the Christmas lights glow at a constant rate; chasing ropes feature Christmas lights that 'chase' each other along the rope and lights that blink to pre-set patterns. Xmas Rope lights are ideal for trimming windows, doors and railings or outlining an entire building.

Christmas Net lights are great for blanketing bushes and trees with hundreds of mini lights at once. Simply lay the net over bushes or wrap it around tree trunks. Most Xmas net lights come with 150 lights, for a net 24 feet in size. Christmas net lights make it easy to create uniform illumination in those hard-to-light areas.

Outdoor Christmas Lights

Christmas Icicle lights are meant to replicate the look of icicles hanging from the eaves troughs. These lights come in a strand of 100 or 150 lights, usually in clear, white or pale blue bulbs. Most Christmas icicle lights have blinking capabilities to create the illusion that the icicles are melting. Hang icicle lights from the eaves trough gutters, railings or fences.

Christmas Spotlights are used to highlight trees, wreaths, decorations, windows or doors. Spotlight bulbs can be white, clear or colored, with the most popular colors being red, green and blue. Strategically placed spotlights can provide dramatic contrast against the night landscape.

Outdoor Christmas Lights

Outdoor Christmas Lights

Outdoor Christmas Lights

Outdoor Christmas Lights

Source: westseattleblog, allthingschristmas, dreamstime, meredith

German Christmas Pictures

German Christmas Pictures

According to legend, on Christmas Eve in Germany rivers turn to wine, animals speak to each other, tree blossoms bear fruit, mountains open up to reveal precious gems, and church bells can be heard ringing from the bottom of the sea. Of course, only the pure in heart can witness this Christmas magic. All others must content themselves with traditional German celebrating, of which there is plenty. As a matter of fact, there is so much celebrating that is has to begin on December 6th, St. Nicholas Day.

As in many other European countries, on the eve of Dec. 6th children place a shoe or boot by the fireplace. During the night, St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children, hops from house to house carrying a book of sins in which all of the misdeeds of the children are written. If they have been good, he fills the shoe or boot with delicious holiday edibles. If they have not been good, their shoe is filled with twigs.

December 21st, supposedly the shortest day (longest night) of the year, is dubbed St. Thomas Day. In parts of the Sauerland, whoever wakes up late or arrives late to work on that day is issued the title "Thomas Donkey." They are given a cardboard donkey and are the subject of numerous jokes throughout the day. But this gentle abuse ends deliciously with round, iced currant buns called "Thomasplitzchen."

This is all preliminary to the excitement of Christmas Eve. Prior to the evening feast, is the presentation of the tree. The Christmas tree, as we know it, originated in Germany. It has a mysterious magic for the young because they are not allowed to see it until Christmas Eve. While the children are occupied with another room (usually by Father) Mother brings out the Christmas tree and decorates it with apples, candy, nuts, cookies, cars, trains, angels, tinsel, family treasures and candles or lights. The presents are placed under the tree. Somewhere, close to the bright display are laid brilliantly decorated plates for each family member, loaded with fruits, nuts, marzipan, chocolate and biscuits. When all is ready a bell is rung as a signal for the children to enter this Christmas fantasy room. Carols are sung, sometimes sparklers are lit, the Christmas story is read and gifts are opened.

"Dickbauch" means "fat stomach" and is a name given to the Christmas Eve because of the tradition that those who do not eat well on Christmas Eve will be haunted by demons during the night. So the opportunity is given to enjoy dishes such as suckling pig, "reisbrei" (a sweet cinnamon), white sausage, macaroni salad, and many regional dishes.

Christmas Day brings with it a banquet of plump roast goose, "Christstollen" (long loaves of bread bursting with nuts, raisins, citron and dried fruit), "Lebkuchen" (spice bars), marzipan, and "Dresden Stollen" ( a moist, heavy bread filled with fruit).

German Christmas Pictures
German Christmas Pictures
German Christmas Pictures
German Christmas Pictures
German Christmas Pictures
German Christmas Pictures
German Christmas Pictures
German Christmas Pictures

Source: z.about, german-way, devoncam, welcome.city.sapporo, hickerphoto, cometogermany, europeforvisitors, travelblog