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Newspaper
Port Isabel Press
Location
Port Isabel, Texas, United States of America
Date
Dec 26, 1963
Page
8
The custom of exchanging gifts dates to Rome around 27 BC to AD 1, initially sent to the Emperor as a New Year gesture with simple items. It evolved into elaborate offerings, spreading through Europe while Christmas remained a religious day in many parts. The Romans also influenced gift wrapping and paper honeycomb through contact with the ancient Chinese.
The piece notes Chinese symbolism in wrapped gifts such as red and gold seals with Fu protection long life and virtue symbols. It cites Christmas as the peak gift occasion in the United States and gives 41 percent of gifts, 30 items at $4.90 totaling $147, with 1.5 billion gifts exchanged. It adds gift wrapping originated in the US 69 years ago from surplus envelope lining papers after a New York stationer’s late Christmas stock.
British legend explains the origin of stockings. Santa Claus descended a chimney leaving toys, and gold coins reportedly fell into a hanging stocking. The tale claims this accident started the custom of filling stockings for every child.
In Japan Christmas is celebrated widely with Tokyo streets lit for the season. The holiday is popular nationwide and the song White Christmas resonates similarly to the United States despite Christians making up under one percent of the population.
Nonbreakable Christmas tree ornaments are described using ReaLemon plastic lemons. The method involves spraying a liquid adhesive, applying glitter, or painting the lemons in gold, silver, or bright colors for festive decoration.
In December 1963 Port Isabel reports that communist nations, after attempts to rename Father Christmas, relax restrictions on Christmas as a Christian holiday. Father Christmas remains popular along with Babuska or grandmother, the female gift giver. Babuska once led the Magi astray and now travels the world on Christmas Eve giving gifts to children while seeking the Christ Child.
The text notes that Druids revered mistletoe as a high growing plant immune to evil spirits. It traces Druids from Gaul to Brittany in northwest France and explains mistletoe’s continued popularity there under the name gui.
Novel ideas for present ideas from novelty shops. Small apothecary jars enamelled in gay colors can become spice sets that decorate the kitchen. After enamel dries, label jars in large contrasting letters for a practical attractive gift for culinary experts.
The largest Christmas tree ever lit is believed to stand 364 feet tall in California's redwood forest. It was first decorated in December 1945, drawing visitors and marking a historic seasonal display.
In 1875 the volume of Christmas cards was discussed as a limited resource. The piece notes Americans spent about 150 million dollars on Christmas cards and another 50 million to mail them, highlighting the era's card culture.
Playskool Research offers guidance for choosing preschool toys that fit growth and interests. Focus on durability age appropriate play value safety and lasting appeal to prevent post holiday disappointment and ease family budgets.
The article traces the development of BC and AD designations. It notes Charles III of Germany popularized the AD label in 879, the monk who coined the Christian era around 532 AD, and the Julian period by Joseph Scaliger in 1583. It also mentions Roman and Egyptian calendrical concepts linked to era counts.
The U S Postal Guide notes towns with Christmas themed names handling large seasonal mail. Santa Claus Indiana and Bethlehem locations in several states, plus Christmas Florida and Christmas Cove Maine, are highlighted. Seven Bethlehems span Connecticut to Pennsylvania, with Noel in Virginia and Missouri.
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