Christmas gift customs around the world
The piece surveys how cultures mark gift giving on Christmas and Epiphany. It notes Japan’s lucky fish presents, Spain’s January 6 exchanges for Epiphany, France’s New Year gifts, Germany’s stockings with candy or a potato, Italy’s Befana and urn of fate, Sweden’s St Lucia celebration, Boxing Day in Britain, and Canadian alignment with Amy’s view that Christmas centers on presents.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Spain
Bethlehem
France
Pete Noel
Santa
Santa Claus
LA Befana
Befana
Sweden
Lucia
Youngirl
Rome
England
Amy
Christmas Gifts and the Gift of God to Man
The piece reflects on Christmas as a time for giving and humility. It contrasts annual ego inflation with deflating ego to spread happiness, noting God’s gift through Christ’s birth. It urges generosity of kindness and friendship, and recalls the visit of the three Wise Men bearing gifts to Bethlehem.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bethlehem
Christ Child
The First Noel Author Unknown Pressed In 1883
The First Noel lacks a known author and first appeared in 1883 in Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern. The writer of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen is also unknown but predates Shakespeare.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Shakespeare
Nationals Win Day in Model Parliament Election
In Georgetown last week the National party swept the school Model Parliament contest with 64 percent of the vote, sending ten representatives to March sessions while the Dominion takes five. Halton Peel area students witnessed lively Q A periods and broad campaigning with posters and ads. National members elected include Doug Stephens Simon Perrott Nick Shorten Pete Francis Tim Perrott Colleen Cummins Heather MacDonald Mike Murdy Phil White Bill Adcock. Dominion delegates are John Riley Dave Warren Bob Barber Bob Howson and Ian McCormick.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
National
Dominion
Peel Secondary School
Halton
Peel
National Party
Doug Stephens
Simon Perrott
Nick Shorten
Pete Francis
Tim Perrott
Colleen Cummins
Heather MacDonald
Mike Murdy
Phil, White
Bill Adcock
John Riley
Dave Warren
Bob Barber
Bob Howson
Ian McCormick
San Francisco’s First Tree Origin Traced to 1850
A 19th century vignette notes San Francisco’s inaugural tree was crafted in 1850 using Douglas fir branches wired to a stick by a German wine proprietor. The brief item highlights early civic decorating and immigrant influence in the city.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
San Francisco
Choosing a Christmas tree by region and care tips
The guide notes regional favorites such as Balsem, Douglas fir, Scotch pine and white spruce in the East, long needle pine in the South, and firs with cypresses in the West. It advises selecting trees for beauty fragrance and needle longevity, explains indoor vs outdoor suitability, and provides handling tips like sap check, stump size, and a water-soaked trunk preparation.
Fire safety tips for decorating a Christmas tree
Decorate with flameproof ornaments and place water in a sand filled stand. Ensure the stump remains moist, check needles daily, and relocate lights if needles brown near them. If needles drop heavily, remove the tree immediately. Never position a dried out tree near heat or flames.
Herald Angels Sing origins and Wesley lineage noted
The hymn Hark the Herald Angels Sing credited to Charles Wesley, brother of John Wesley, who wrote its words in 1739. Early versions reportedly began with the line Hark how All the Welkin Rings, according to legend.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Charles Wesley
John Wesley
Herald Angels
Also Mentioned on This Page
Santa Kurosuy
Divine Babe
Ashgrove
Fred Barnes
R. BR
Georgetown
Bea
Incaucasia
McNamara
Jewellers
Florence Renahan
Irene Graff
THE
Georgetown Herald
Ann F
Don Houston
Barbara, Claudette and
Kay
Main Street
Abitibi Provincial Paper Ltd
Ontario
Howard Thurman
Herper & Brot
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!