What do you get when you rub a balloon in your hair? Static electricity! Can you use a balloon to make tinsel jump?
We're old-fashioned when it comes to holidays.
Even if there’s no tinsel bedecking the trees on our annual Christmas party circuit, there’s more to the tinsel tradition than meets the eye. Dig into some tinsel history with us and celebrate everyone's favorite tree trimming option.
For our first Christmas in the country we’ve decided to trade the tabletop trees of years past for a towering conifer freshly cut from a local grower. This grower doesn’t shape his trees, as most do today, making for a naturally shaped tree with more space between the boughs like those seen in old movies from the 40’s and 50’s. This gave us the idea to go for a full out vintage theme complete with loads of blown glass ornaments, icicle tinsel, and even a charming snow village spread out beneath. To really get the look of a true retro Christmas tree we made sure to have the big old-fashioned multicolored lights that cast such a wonderfully warm glow, and of course yards of traditional popcorn and cranberry garlands to lend that final homey touch. Nearby an elaborate Italian nativity finished with moss, straw, and greens is displayed below a three-tier wooden German Christmas pyramid surrounded by a squat pair of nutcrackers and a cheerful collection of Santa figures. A bowl of clove-studded oranges is a simple and inexpensive project that not only makes an elegant display but also has a wonderful aroma that adds much to the holiday ambiance. Outside greeting guests an old cast iron grotesque mask is transformed into the Ghost of Christmas Past with a sumptuous halo of holly and pine. The old carriage house door gets into the spirit with a simple country display of a weathered copper barn star generously decked out with pine and holly. Decor and photos by KS&D.
Uncover the details in the first of Nell Hill's 2023 Christmas looks. This bright and kitschy design is sure to leave you feeling nostalgic.
The tree itself dates back to the late 16th century when the custom was first developed in Germany; but the way in which it has been trimmed has changed dramatically from year to year.
What was the festive season like before turkeys and trees? Caroline McGhie visits the Dennis Severs house in Spitalfields to find out
Tinsel Toss is a fantastic classic STEM challenge with a holiday twist. Kids engineer a catapult, then use it to decorate a tree with tinsel.
KERA radio story: Expanded online story: Fine art museums don't usually put up Christmas trees or decorations. But when there's a holiday exhibition created by some of the leading Italian sculptors of the late 18th century, the Kimbell Art Museum of Fort Worth will make an exception. Besides, the display fits the Kimbell's new program of small-scale, free-admission, seasonal exhibitions -- the better to let its permanent collection stay on view. The Kimbell's holiday treat is a nativity scene that should outdo just about any twinkling yard display - even though the exhibition is only four and a half feet tall. It's called a presepio - an Italian word derived from the Latin for 'manger.' This nativity scene from Naples is like a Mediterranean marketplace crowd of more than 70 figures: magi, shepherds, Muslims, servants, horses, camels. And free-range parrots. The biggest of the figures is only 15 inches tall, yet even the smallest have miniature necklaces made with real pearls and
The tradition was largely popularised by Queen Victoria when, in 1848, she was depicted in an engraving posing with her husband and children around their own decorated tree.
The Legend of the Christmas Spider and Tinsel has fairly witchy beginnings Needless to say, I've created a graphic for it.
These meaningful Christmas Eve traditions for family, couples, and toddlers involve festive activities that will lead to cherished memories for years to come.
In the chaos of the holiday seasons, we often lose sight of what we are celebrating. In order to combat the chaos and keep Christ in Christmas, we have some intentional Christmas activities that we’ve added to our everyday life to keep our focus on the true Reason for the season. hide Truth in the… Read More »Intentional Christmas Activities
Artist Norman Rockwell New York City, February 3, 1894
Continuing our seasonal trip through time to Vintage Christmas past with found photos of women in the festive season. The styles, the tinsel and the glamour
