Christmas 2009

In many households across North America, the December holidays are multicultural and interfaith. Certainly, the majority of neighborhoods around us are multicultural exhibits and true reflections of the diversity of our communities. Festive multicultural displays adorn shopping malls and town squares.

Whether you dine, shop, ride or relax, chances are holiday music will be playing in the background. And don't be surprised if you start humming a favorite Christmas tune or break into song as you drive to work, tap on your keyboard, or cook dinner.

It's time to break out holiday decorations, plan parties and find gifts. But have you thought about why you're making lists for Christmas cards every year? Have you ever stopped yourself while hanging mistletoe and wondered what the mistletoe had to do with Christmas?

Feeling a bit bah-humbug with the typical Christmas traditions? Are you lacking any incentive or excitement to get into the holiday spirit, even as every store plays tired holiday songs? A look into the way other countries and cultures celebrate the holiday season may give some inspiration for new ways to celebrate Christmas with friends, significant others and families. From party ideas and rituals to decorations, even something small can go a long way to create holiday cheer.

It's hard to imagine a Christmas without the vibrant colors of poinsettias or that first kiss under the mistletoe. For many of us, the traditional Christmas plants -- namely poinsettia, mistletoe and holly - are constants in our holiday d⁄cor. We look forward to placing those red or white poinsettias by the fireplace, and we cut sprigs of holly to accent our holiday table centerpieces. But do you know how these plants and flowers came to be iconic Christmastime elements?

Charles Dickens depicted a Christmas of family togetherness, generosity and "good will among men," yet the observance of Christmas always has been controversial. Puritans arriving in North America as far back as the 1600s disagreed with the religious observance of Christmas as promoted by the Church of England; they felt there was no absolute biblical reference to a festival celebrating the Nativity, and the observance was even outlawed in Boston for a number of years. But it became an American tradition to celebrate this holiday, and it was declared a federal holiday in 1870.

1. Which U.S. president inaugurated the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House? A. Abraham Lincoln, B. Theodore Roosevelt, C. Calvin Coolidge. 2. How many gifts would you receive if you received all the gifts in "The Twelve Days of Christmas"? A. 478, B. 12, C. 364.

Chances are when Christmas Eve rolls around this year, a good number of 88-year-old Margaret Taylor's descendents will be enjoying the classic book "A Visit From St. Nicholas." That's because Taylor has gifted different editions of the book to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren -- more than 60 people altogether -- for the past 50 years.

If you're dedicated to living a more eco-friendly lifestyle and have incorporated some green practices into your household successfully, you certainly will be interested in adjusting some of your holiday traditions and practices to reduce waste. Think about the mountains of wrapping paper left on your floor after the present-unwrapping session. In the past, all of that paper was thrown in the trash, along with the foam peanuts that encased the hot new toy your child received.

Almost as soon as the holiday season arrives, it seems one topic is sure to come up in conversation. In fact, the decades-old debate goes on in homes all across the country. No, the question is not what to buy for Christmas; it's whether the tree under which those gifts are placed should be real or artificial.

Everyone's talking about Christmas weddings -- and not just because the song calls it "the most wonderful time of the year." In 2009, Christmas falls on a Friday -- a very popular weeknight for weddings and the weekend celebrations that visiting guests get to enjoy -- and in 2010, Christmas falls on a Saturday, the prime day for weddings. The favorable positioning on the calendar means that a greater number of family members plan to travel to their hometowns to celebrate with their relatives, which makes it perfect timing for weddings. Travel expenses deliver double the fun.

If this thought haunts your dreams and plagues your thoughts, fear not. Flush those dreams, not dollars, down the drain. All you have to do is plan ahead. "Arm yourself with information ahead of time -- do your research -- not just on prices but on product quality, as well," says Edgar Dworsky, founder of Consumer World and renowned consumer advocate. "After all, getting a deal on a lousy product is no bargain."

Boxing Day is Dec. 26. No, it doesn't have anything to do with muscled combatants sparring on pay-per-view. It's an English tradition rooted in charity, a day for those more fortunate to give to those in need -- and observing the tradition is the perfect way to beat the post-holiday blues.

Skip the boxed cards. This year, put a personal spin on the holidays with handcrafted holiday sentiments that trump any ready-made greeting. It's the perfect activity for keeping kids busy during unexpected snow days and a surefire boredom buster during the long holiday vacation.

Dear Bell, I love when Christmas Time Is Here. I've been dreaming of a White Christmas since July, and now that it's December, It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas ... finally. Fortunately, I'll Be Home for Christmas. I hope this year will be better than last, when, as you may recall, Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer. She's almost recovered and wants to help us Deck the Halls with boughs of holly. Thank goodness our nephew is a dentist. Grandma keeps reminding us that "All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth."

Every Christmas, we produce a lot of waste and plenty of energy. But you can make this a cheery season for Mother Nature by following these simple tips.

As Christmas draws nearer, Americans look forward to family gatherings and expressing good cheer. To commemorate this time of year, let's take a look at some holiday stats.

Poinsettias have always been a holiday icon, but modern breeders added a new spin to this traditional plant. Below are some varieties that are sure to draw attention.