Hi friends and welcome to the penultimate blog post for our Christmas Countdown! With only TWO days left until Christmas Day I hope that all your presents are gift-wrapped, and the feast is about to get lit up!
I adore everything about Christmas, and the quality time spent with family is the absolute best! For my post today I have a lovely card but before that, let's share 10 awesome facts about Christmas.
1. 'kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!' or 'Kentucky for Christmas!'
KFC has been the ultimate Japanese Christmas food since December 1974, just four years after the first KFC store arrived in Japan. So how did it all begin? Okawara went to a Christmas party dressed as Santa Claus, and when the kids loved it, he was inspired to create the KFC Christmas specials. Today, millions of people in Japan visit KFC on Christmas Day.
2. 'Jingle Bells' was the first song played in space
On the 16 December 1965, the song 'Jingle Bells' made history by becoming the first song to be played in space during NASA’s Gemini 6A space flight.
3. The Christmas Tree Tradition started in Germany
It is believed Germany began the tradition of the Christmas tree. Additionally, tinsel, which was once made of actual silver, is traced to 1610 in Germany.
4. Thomas Nast is responsible for the modern Santa Clause
The Coca-Cola company is often credited with creating the red coated modern image of Santa Claus we know and love today but this isn’t true. Most of his modern image was put together by Thomas Nast in the 1870s.
5. Yule Lads
In Iceland, Yule Lads visit children on the 13 lights leading up to Christmas Day. The children will leave shoes under the window for 13 these mischievous trolls. If the child has been good, they’ll find sweets in their shoe but if they’ve been bad, the Yule lads will leave them a rotten potato!
6. The Christmas Wreath
The Christmas wreath is representative of the crown of thorns that Jesus wore. Eventually, the colours of Christmas – red, green, and gold were added. Red is said to represent the blood of Jesus, green is supposed to symbolise life, and gold stands for royalty and light. And the evergreen foliage used to make Christmas wreaths symbolises the continuity of life and nature even in the darkest days of winters.
7. The term 'Xmas' simply means Christmas
The use of the term ‘Xmas’ dates back to the 16th century. The ‘X’ in the word Xmas comes from the ancient Greek language. In Greek, Christ begins with the letter X. So, Xmas simply means Christmas.
8. Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated after Christmas Day, occurring on the second day of Christmastide (26 December), and originated as a holiday to give gifts to the poor.
9. Midnight Mass
The practice of Midnight Mass has been a tradition followed for a long time by the Roman Catholic Church.Significance of this custom lies in the ‘personal importance of forgiving’. The Midnight Mass is a vigil mass that involves waiting joyfully for the arrival of the Savior, Jesus. Families get together to celebrate this joyous occasion every year.
10. Christmas Stockings
Hanging stockings out comes from the Dutch custom of leaving shoes packed with food for St Nicholas’s donkeys. He would leave small gifts in return. Did you enjoy those fun facts? I love books, and acquiring knowledge in general but who doesn't want to learn cool things about one of the biggest holiday of the year.
A2 Card - Welcome Winter
Today, I have a card, which is a beautifully traditional wreath. The wreath is my favorite Christmas image and I hope that I've done it justice for you today.
- First, I stamped out the wreath onto an A2 piece of smooth white alcohol friendly card and colored with Copic Markers.
- Next, I stamped out two Cardinals and colored them with Copic Markers. Either fussy cut or die cut the Cardinals, and set aside.
- Stamp 'welcome winter' using gold embossing powder.
- Stamp out the second sentiment onto navy card, and gold heat emboss. Trim to size. Trim the card panel 5.25" x 4" and mount onto a nay card base.
- Assemble the Cardinals and sentiment, then add sequins to the front of the card to finish.
Thank you so much for joining me today on the PFS Blog and I hope to see you soon.
Have a wonderful Christmas, and a very happy New Year!
Lots of love and hugs,
Jen
Jen
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Love the beautiful wreath!