The holiday season is a time of joy, togetherness, and reflection. However, it's not always a joyous time for some, so anything we can do to help lessen someone's burden is ultimately the truest gift (in my humble opinion).
As we immerse ourselves in the festivities, it's essential to remember the true spirit of Christmas, which extends far beyond glittering decorations and festive feasts.
At its core, Christmas embodies the values of compassion, generosity, and kindness. Amid the hustle and bustle, let us pause to rediscover the essence of this magical season.
The True Spirit of Christmas
Amidst the exchanging of gifts and the twinkling lights, the true spirit of Christmas is really about our acts of kindness, no matter how small.
It's about selflessness and a genuine desire to bring joy to others. Embracing this spirit can transform the holiday season into a meaningful and fulfilling experience. As we navigate the celebrations, let us prioritize the well-being and happiness of those around us.
Acts of Kindness
Random Acts of Kindness: Surprise someone with a small, unexpected act of kindness, whether paying for a stranger's coffee or leaving an uplifting note for a neighbor.
Volunteer Opportunities: Consider spending some time volunteering at local charities or shelters. Your presence and assistance can make a significant impact on those less fortunate.
Donate to a Cause: Donate to a charity or cause that aligns with your values instead of focusing solely on material gifts. This supports important initiatives and instills a sense of purpose in your celebrations. Donating that extra two dollars at the store is also a kind gesture.
Helping Hand: Offer assistance to friends or family members who may be struggling during the holiday season. Whether running errands or providing emotional support, your help can be a lifeline. Sometimes, listening to a friend and conversing with family while you spend time together is a helping hand.
Personal Reflection
As we engage in acts of kindness, we reflect on our blessings and privileges.
Christmas is an opportune time to acknowledge and appreciate what we have while actively working towards making a positive difference in the lives of others. By fostering a culture of kindness, we contribute to a world that reflects the season's true spirit.
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Let's maintain sight of the genuine warmth of acts of kindness. This Christmas, let's collectively embrace the season's true spirit by spreading joy, practicing compassion, and fostering a sense of community.
In doing so, we not only enrich the lives of others but also create lasting memories that truly capture the essence of Christmas.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Christmas on historic Main Street in St. Charles Missouri is always a wonderful way to spend some time. The shops are all decorated for the holidays, and it is very festive looking. On this post I will tell you about the festival that is the highlight of the holiday on Main Street and give you a photographic tour of the area with photos I took on a beautiful December morning.
Main Street Decked out for the Holidays.
Storefront with Merchandise Displayed on Sidewalk
The photo above shows one of the creative ways the storeowner uses his merchandise to add to the festive decorations.
Windows and Doorways
The decorating of store windows and entrances adds to the festival atmosphere.
Christmas Traditions
Christmas Traditions is an annual festival held each year from Thanksgiving until Christmas. It is a very exciting time for young and old alike. Each Friday evening through Sunday evening you will find a host of storybook characters walking around Main Street. Characters like the Sugar Plum Fairy, Jack Frost and Santa's from many lands are all handing out trading cards. My granddaughters loved to try to collect all the cards when they were younger and came to visit.
At noon on Saturdays and Sundays all of the characters follow Santa and Mrs. Claus on a parade down Main Street, while children both young and old line the streets to watch. When not in the parade Santa can be found in the railroad station where you can get your photo taken with Santa.
Other traditions include carolers walking the streets and singing carols and vendors selling things like roasted chestnuts and hot Wassil.
Children can send a letter to Santa and drop it in the special mailbox.
Decorations Galore
Wreaths are found everywhere on buildings, windows and doorways.
This big tree and the red sleigh in front of it is a favorite place to stop and have take a photo of your group.
I hoped you enjoyed seeing one of the ways we celebrate the holidays in my area.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
One of my favorite gifts to give or receive is genuine wax flameless candles
with a lovely, flickering "flame," a timer, and a remote control that lets me
"light" them or "blow them out" from across the room at the touch of a button.
When flameless wax candles first came out, the quality of the "flame" from
most manufacturers was pretty poor. Fortunately, the technology has improved
and prices have come down a bit over the years. Now you can buy nice ones that
are suitable for both gift-giving and home decor at moderate as well as
premium prices.
Whether you buy a single flameless pillar candle, a pair of tapers, or a set
of votives, they're sure to add beauty and timeless elegance to your home and
be a gift that keeps on giving.
Flameless wax candles are elegant and safe to leave unattended. My
favorites also include a timer and remote control that let you "light"
and "blow them out" from across the room.
Why Choose Flameless Candles?
Here are some of the qualities that make flameless candles appealing for both
gifts and home decor, during the holidays and year-round.
Long-Lasting Beauty
These flameless candles let you enjoy the timeless beauty of genuine wax
candles that never burn down. We have used ours frequently for many years with
no end to our enjoyment in sight (unless we run out of batteries).
Flickering LED "Flame"
The flame on these LED flameless candles moves randomly to simulate the
flicker of an open flame on a traditional wax candle. Close-up, of course, no
one will mistake it for a real flame. However, from farther away, the "dancing
flame" effect can be quite realistic.
No Drips
Unlike traditional candles with wicks, the wax body of these flameless candles
remains at room temperature and won't melt or drip (unless you subject them to
excessive heat). A grouping of pillars or some tapers make a lovely
centerpiece that can't set your tablecloth on fire if they're accidentally
knocked over while passing a serving dish. You could even use them on a finely
finished antique wood table without fear of marring the surface.
No Smoke
Another advantage is that flameless candles are smoke-free. You can "burn" as
many of these beautiful candles as your heart desires without worrying about
setting off the smoke alarm! I love the look of candles everywhere, especially
during the holidays.
Candlelight That's Safe for the Whole Family
Since there isn't an open flame, these flameless candles can be left
unattended, unlike traditional wax candles. They're safe to leave on in your
windows during the holidays. They provide a romantic glow in the bedroom, with
no worries if you happen to fall asleep before turning them off.
They're also safe to use around children and pets.
Perfect for the Dark Winter Months
Here in New England, the winter months can be brutally cold and the sun sets quite early. We have flameless LED candles in nearly every room of our house, and during the winter we set them to turn on at dusk, so we never have to walk into a completely dark room. The LEDs draw very little power, so a set of batteries usually lasts us the whole winter and beyond.
Two of our Luminara flameless pillar candles with our set of three
color-changing flameless pillars
Luminara Flameless Candles: Perfect for Gifting
There are many brands of flameless candles, and the quality can vary
significantly. We've tried a few inexpensive brands and have mostly been
disappointed. The brand we count on for consistently high quality is Luminara.
Luminara makes top-of-the-line flameless candles made of hand-poured paraffin
wax. Most styles have a timer and a remote, and all are boxed for easy
gift-giving.
The company offers a wide range of styles, from everyday essentials to
specialty items like real birch flameless candles filled with paraffin wax
(gorgeous for country or rustic home decor) and Christmas-themed styles.
Here are some of my favorites.
This set of three Luminara melted edge wax pillar candles is one of the company's best
sellers. The graduated-height, 3-inch wide pillars are 4.5", 5.5" and 6.5"
tall, respectively.
The included remote control operates all three candles. Even if you split them up and place them in three different locations, you can control each one with the same remote, which is very convenient.
These are unscented (although Luminara does make some scented styles), so they're ideal for someone who is sensitive to scents, has allergies, or prefers to use other home fragrance products such as potpourri or sprays.
These also come in a choice of colors. I think the burgundy is very festive for the holidays and would be great as an accent color in a mostly neutral decor palette, while ivory or white are more subtle and very elegant any time of year.
We own this set of three pillars in ivory as well as a tall pillar in a
discontinued color (blue sage) that coordinates with our living room color
scheme.
Another choice that will grace your or your gift recipient's dining table for
years to come is this set of Luminara ivory flameless wax tapers.
Elegant wax tapers are a classic, timeless style for good reason. Classic elegance with the safety and convenience of a flameless "flame" is a win-win!
Measuring 1" wide by 9.75" high, these flameless tapers can be used in any standard taper candle holder. Even reheated leftovers can become a festive meal with these flickering beauties on the dining table.
Although these do not come with a remote control, they do have a timer function that allows them to turn on for 5 hours and then shut off automatically for 19 hours.
These
flameless taper candles come in classic ivory as well as a variety of colors
for a more contemporary style.
As with all Luminara candles, they come nicely boxed for easy gift-giving.
Another of my favorite flameless candle styles is this hand-poured Luminara wax pillar wrapped in genuine birch bark.
Every time I see one in a store I am tempted to add one to our collection. We bought one as a gift for my mother-in-law this Christmas and she loves it!
This is available in a selection of sizes including 3.5" x 4.5", 3.5" x 6.5", 4" x 5" and 4" x 7".
Just one of these is striking enough to make a statement in any room. Investing in a group of them in different sizes would make a real conversation-piece display!
The on/off switch on the bottom also has a timer setting.
Although this beautiful birch pillar doesn't come with a remote, it is compatible with Luminara's on/off remote, sold separately, which is well worth the extra money, in my opinion. We use our Luminara remotes all the time.
Color-Changing Flameless Candles
One of the best gifts I ever gave my husband was a set of three color-changing
wax flameless candles. I prefer white Christmas lights and he prefers colored
ones, and it was a big concession for him to go with white icicle lights along
our roof and on our Christmas tree. So, one year I decided to give him a form
of colored lights we both could enjoy: color-changing flameless candles.
These turned out to be an even bigger hit than I had hoped. I took a video of
ours to show the color-changing effect, which was hard to capture on video and
is MUCH prettier in person. (If you can't see the YouTube video below, you can
access it via this link to my
color-changing flameless candles video.)
In real life, the color changes are smooth and seamless, and the unsightly
flickering of the image caused by the low-resolution video doesn't exist. I
wish I could show just how beautiful these are in person!
The candles have an on/off switch and a remote control that allows you not
only to turn the candles on and off but also to choose from a wide range of
different colors or rotate through the colors, as shown in the video.
There is also a timer feature, which we use to automatically turn on the
candles in our bedroom at dusk and turn off either 4 or 8 hours later,
depending on the time of year (and how late dusk arrives).
The brand I purchased a couple of years ago is no longer available. However, I
found a similar set with a subtle, elegant, tone-on-tone damask pattern in
the wax shell that makes them even prettier, in my opinion.
If you want to splurge, Luminara also makes lovely color-changing pillars.
Don't Forget Batteries!
Whether you're buying these for yourself or as a gift, make sure to also buy the appropriate batteries for your candles and, if applicable, the remote control.
The set of three Luminara pillar candles, the smaller Luminara birch pillars, and the Luminara tapers take AA batteries. The larger Luminara birch pillars take D batteries. The remote takes a CR2025 button battery.
The three candles in the set of color-changing pillars I featured all run on AA batteries.
Beauty, long life, safety, and convenience — just some of the reasons to treat yourself and those on your gift list to some genuine wax flameless candles!
Genuine Wax Flameless Candles — An Elegant Gift Everyone Will Love by Margaret Schindel
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Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Making white bean (Great Northern Beans) soup is a holiday tradition in our
home. I don't just make white bean soup during the holidays, but it is
a part of the holiday week menu of recipes that I look forward to making and
eating.
Every holiday, whether it is Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter, I bake a
big ham for the family. I can hardly wait for the ham to be devoured
so I can use the bone in a big pot of white bean soup. The ham,
itself, is usually served at least twice over the course of a few
days. I admit, sometimes (like this past Thanksgiving) I don't wait
for all of the ham to be gone before I claim the ham bone for soup.
I love the holidays and
cooking for the holidays, but after several days of heavy feasting, I am always ready for a lighter
fare of soup for a few days. For some, white beans are exclusively a
side dish. For me, they make a fabulous soup! And, just so your
know, I do make white beans as a side throughout the year. I make the
side dish exactly the same way as I make the soup, but with less
water.
I use a package of dried white beans. I do have a preferred
brand, but I have been known to use different brands if I can't
find the
Camellia Great Northern Beans
in the store. I have found that the Camellia brand has less
beans that I need to throw away before cooking.
I use the entire package of beans in one pot of soup. I start
by inspecting the beans as I rinse them in small batches in my
colander. I toss any shriveled, dark or broken beans, as
well as any bean loose or floating "skin".
All whole, white beans that pass inspection are placed in a large
dutch oven size cooking pot, covered with water, and left sitting out
on the kitchen counter to soak for 8 hours, or overnight.
Directions for White Bean Soup
Rinse the Beans & Soak for 8 hrs. or overnight (water should be
2/3 up the pan since the beans absorb water while soaking)
After 8 hours, Rinse the Beans again and put them in a dutch oven
pot with Ham (Ham Bone Preferred) OR (2 T Bacon Grease if a ham bone
is not available)
Bring to a Boil, then turn the heat down to a low boil (on my stove top that is 3½)
Add a generous amount of salt and pepper and stir the seasoning
into the beans
Cook covered (tilted lid or Pampered Chef Boil Over No More cover)
on low simmer for 1½ - 2 hours
*Note: I normally check the cooking beans a few times to add water as
needed to keep the water from boiling down too low
I mentioned bacon grease in the recipe above because I season white
beans with bacon grease if a ham bone is not available. Bacon
grease is exactly what it sounds like. It is the grease that is
rendered when cooking bacon. I cook bacon in the microwave on a
bacon tray or rack that allows the grease to settle below the
bacon. I literally pour the bacon grease from the tray into a
bacon grease jar to use as needed, whenever needed. You will
find a partly filled jar of bacon grease in my kitchen at all
times.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Candle Day is held each year on the first Saturday in December. For 2023, that day is December 2.
Candle Day
The retail company “Bath and Body Works” started 'Candle Day' to promote their annual candle sale. The sale gives candle lovers time to stock up on world-famous candles at special low prices. Since candles are great for gifting, especially during the holiday season, this annual 'sale' day in early December is perfectly timed.
Brief History of Candles
Candles have been around for more than 5,000 years. Early civilizations used wax made from available plants and beeswax. They were used to provide light in the many years before electricity was invented.
Today, candles are mainly a symbol of celebration and for religious ceremonies. They come in many shapes, sizes and scents.
In addition to the Bath and Body Works sales day on December 2, we also celebrate World Candle Day on March 1. That International candle day was begun by two associations, the Latin American Candle Manufacturers Association and the European Candle Manufacturers Association.
Let's look at a few sources of candles.
Champagne Candle
Bath and Body Works is famous for their 3-wick candles. This Champagne Candle is perfect for a New Year's Eve celebration. It is a 14.5 oz jar candle with an amazing scent.
Ocean Air
Another well-known candle brand is Yankee Candles. This Ocean Air candle will allow you to enjoy memories of your beach vacation or those of a fresh breeze off the ocean anytime you want, even in the middle of winter.
Handmade Candles
Shopping on a handmade site like Etsy, you can choose any scent you want, from favorite kitchen odors like apple pie baking in the oven to holiday and seasonal scents. These candles come in standard jars or pretty glassware, in pretty tins and wood, in fancy & novelty shapes and sizes, and with delightful scents, including aromatherapy.
Being a yarn crafter, I fell in love with this Knot Candle, as it reminded me of the Knot Knit Stitch. The twisted knot shape would look so pretty in my craft room.
It's a homemade soy wax candle handmade by Urban Craft Style on Etsy.
Round or square candles, stand-alone or in a glass jar, often appear to be the standard type of candles. But a novelty type candle in a cute shape is also popular.
Cat lovers like me would love this adorable chubby cat candle. It comes in a variety of colors and scents from the Etsy Store of Melou Candles of Toronto, Canada. Lara also makes her candles in the shape of owls, elephants and teddy bears, among many others. I think they would make darling gifts.
Summary
Candles can give you magical mood moments. Depending upon the scent, they can transport you to a garden of roses or a sunny day on a tropical beach. Light the wick, take a deep breath, and let a favorite scent transport you where you want to be for a few quiet moments.
So choose your favorite brand, or a fun handmade candle, and enjoy.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
