Santa Claus

Originating from Western culture, where the holiday is characterized by the exchange of gifts among friends and family members, some of the gifts are attributed to a character called Santa Claus (also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas or St. Nikolaus, Sinterklaas, Kris Kringle, Joulupukki, Weihnachtsmann, Saint Basil and Father Frost). The popular image of Santa Claus was created by the German-American cartoonist Thomas Nast (1840–1902), who drew a new image annually, beginning in 1863. By the 1880s, Nast's Santa had evolved into the form we now recognize. The image was standardized by advertisers in the 1920s. Father Christmas, who predates the Santa Claus character, was first recorded in the 15th century, but was associated with holiday merrymaking and drunkenness. In Victorian Britain, his image was remade to match that of Santa. The French Père Noël evolved along similar lines, eventually adopting the Santa image. In Italy, Babbo Natale acts as Santa Claus, while La Befana is the bringer of gifts and arrives on the eve of the Epiphany. It is said that La Befana set out to bring the baby Jesus gifts, but got lost along the way. Now, she brings gifts to all children. In some cultures Santa Claus is accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht, or Black Peter. In other versions, elves make the toys. His wife is referred to as Mrs. Claus. The current tradition in several Latin American countries (such as Venezuela) holds that while Santa makes the toys, he then gives them to the Baby Jesus, who is the one who actually delivers them to the children's homes. This story is meant to be a reconciliation between traditional religious beliefs and modern day globalization, most notably the iconography of Santa Claus imported from the United States.
In Southern Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Alto Adige/Südtirol (Italy) and Liechtenstein the Christkind brings the presents. The German St. Nikolaus is not identical with the Weihnachtsman (who is the German version of Santa Claus). St. Nikolaus wears a bishop's dress and still brings small gifts (usually candies, nuts and fruits) on December 6 and is accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht. Although many parents around the world routinely teach their children about Santa Claus and other gift bringers, some have come to reject this practice, considering it deceptive.

Christmas tree.

The Christmas tree is often explained as a Christianization of pagan tradition and ritual surrounding the Winter Solstice, which included the use of evergreen boughs, and an adaptation of pagan tree worship. The English language phrase "Christmas tree" is first recorded in 1835 and represents an importation from the German language. The modern Christmas tree tradition is believed to have begun in Germany in the 18th century though many argue that Martin Luther began the tradition in the 16th century. From Germany the custom was introduced to England, first via Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, and then more successfully by Prince Albert during the reign of Queen Victoria. Around the same time, German immigrants introduced the custom into the United States. Christmas trees may be decorated with lights and ornaments. The Slovenian version of Santa, Ded Moroz or Father Frost. Since the 19th century, the poinsettia has been associated with Christmas. Other popular holiday plants include holly, mistletoe, red amaryllis, and Christmas cactus. Along with a Christmas tree, the interior of a home may be decorated with these plants, along with garlands and evergreen foliage. In Australia, North and South America, and to a lesser extent Europe, it is traditional to decorate the outside of houses with lights and sometimes with illuminated sleighs, snowmen, and other Christmas figures. Municipalities often sponsor decorations as well. Christmas banners may be hung from street lights and Christmas trees placed in the town square.[44] In the Western world, rolls of brightly-colored paper with secular or religious Christmas motifs are manufactured for the purpose of wrapping gifts. The display of Christmas villages has also become a tradition in many homes during this season. Other traditional decorations include bells, candles, candy canes, stockings, wreaths, and angels.

Holiday cheer

So many people are so stressed out around the holidays and I tried to take a second to think about why this could be. I think I have come up with some main causes:

1. A lot of people in retail depend on sales during the holidays to make a good chunk of there income for the whole year.
2. A lot of people have to deal with relatives during the holidays that they normally do not see on a regular basis
3. A lot of people have relatives that are no longer with them that they miss most of all during the holidays
4. Some people get stressed out from shopping and worrying about who is going to get what and if they bought enough for there children, Friend, husband, wife etc. And if it is enough will like what they bought?
5. Some people have none of these concerns and have to deal with one of the people suffering from on of these concerns while in traffic, a store, or somewhere else. This causes stress upon stress resulting from stress.

The best way to deal with the holidays is just let yourself go. Ride the holiday wave and see where you end up. The more you fight it the better chance you have of getting swept away and possibly drowning.

Good luck.

The Hoodie

The history of the specific garment began in the 1930s, but historical precedent dates the style and form of the hoodie back to the Middle Ages. The formal wear for Catholic monks included a cowl, a long, decorative hood worn in addition to the standard tunic or robes.[1] The modern clothing style was first produced by Champion in the 1930s for laborers in the frozen warehouses of New York.[2] Its popularity spread as sportswear designers such as Claire McCardell developed entire collections based around the clothing.

The hoodie took off in the 1970s as several factors contributed to its success. Hip hop culture developed in New York City around this time, and the hoodie's element of instant anonymity, provided by the accessible hood, appealed to those with criminal intent.[2] High fashion also contributed during this era, as Norma Kamali and other high-profile designers embraced and glamorized the new clothing.[1] Most critical to the hoodie's popularity during this time was its iconic appearance in the blockbuster Rocky film. His attire embodied the persevering spirit of the American Dream at the time, and simultaneously appealed to workingmen, street thugs, and athletes. By the 1990s, the hoodie had evolved into a symbol of isolation, a statement of academic spirit, and several fashion collections. The association with Chavs in the UK developed around this time, as their popularity rose with that specific demographic. Young men, often skateboarders or surfers, sported the hoodie and spread the trend across the western United States, most significantly in California. The rise of hoodies with university logos began around this time. Tommy Hilfiger, Giorgio Armani, and Ralph Lauren, for example, used the hoodie as the primary component for many of their collections in the 1990s.[1][2]
The hoodie is a garment worn worldwide, although modern perception and use remains extremely variable depending on location. The hoodie is very common attire for young males, especially in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.[citation needed] In the western regions of Washington and Oregon (where there is a significant amount of rainfall during the winter months), hoodies are often worn by people who dislike carrying umbrellas. The UK continues to view hoodies negatively; they were the subject of debates involving former Prime Minister Tony Blair at one point. Although the design remains fairly consistent, variations in design, such as hoodies with or without zippers, differently styled pockets, and other structural differences contribute to the overall success of the style. Some hooded sweaters can be zipped to completely mask the face, with meshed holes for the eyes

Pop machines get with the times

Places that have pop machines that want to make money off of them need to have pop machines with credit card swipers. It is federal law that you do not have to sign for purchases under a certain amount. I dont know the amount but I know that 5 and under and you are good. You could charge more for your soda and snacks with a card too. Studies show credit card purchases ar genearlly higher becuase the customer never sees the money.

Bottom line is that I need soda and I can never use a machine becuase I never have cash. A lot of customers are lost this way.

Get with the times.

Salvation Army get with the times

When I was younger and had a cash allowance from my parents of 2 bucks a week I would give to the salvation army everytime I came out of the store. It really made me feel good even as a child. I make many times more that 2 bucks a week now as an adult, but I never give to the salvation army. It is not becuase I do not want to, it is becuase I never ever have cash. I have direct deposit into a checking account as a lot of people do now a days, and it costs money to withdraw cash at most ATM's. I use my Check\debit card for everything, even gum at the corner store. How hard would it be to have the stores where the Salvation army usually sits ask each customer when they cash out if they would like to donate to the salvation army. I bet that a good percentage would say, yeah throw and extra 5 bucks down for me. I know that other charities do that and it seems to work well, why not the salvation army. They really need to get with the times. The get less and less money each year per capita and wonder why. This is the reason. Cash is a thing of the past. Plastic is the way people pay. Standing outside all day with a pot and a bell is just a wast of time. You might as well go collect bottles, you would end up with more cash.

What do you think?

Where did Halloween Go?

What ever happened to hundreds of Kids walking up and down our streets on Halloween night. Thats right I said night, not the twilight that kids are allowed to Trick or Treat in now. That is if they are allowed at all. Some parents don't even think this is safe any longer. They take their children to the local supermarket or mall so they can trick or treat in a safe environment. There are hardly any documented cases of children getting attacked, hurt, kidnapped, poison, or otherwise harmed on a Halloween throughout the last century. I just turned on my light tonight for Halloween on a populated dead end street in suburbia. A Prime place a few years ago for trick or treaters. Not anymore. This is an off limits area and not safe for kids. That is bullshit. Lights and decorations lined my street as hopeful homes hoped that this year would be like old times again, but as it has gone for the last 5 years there were only a few trick or treaters brave enough to venture out onto a well lit street in a safe suburb. The other kids had already been done trick or treating since 4 when they went to the mall with their parents in a SAFE environment. I guess I am just bitter that my kids will not get to experience the joy of a real Halloween. I realize that holidays change but this is a change for the worse due to paranoia based in no real fact. It sickens me. No one has ever died of a razor blade in an apple. that is just ludicrous.