Why do we kiss under mistletoe at Christmas? The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe started way back in 16th century England. The custom traveled to early America, where kissing under the mistletoe was mentioned in a Washington Irving short story, “The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.” In Irving’s day, whenever a couple kissed under a mistletoe sprig, they took off one of the white berries. When all of the berries were gone from the sprig, the kissing power stopped. How’s that for good luck? Mistletoe Once Symbolized Romance, Fertility, and Vitality At Christmastime, we think of kissing under a sprig of mistletoe. In the 21st century, that mistletoe sprig might be artificial. Yet, most folks (like me!) prefer the real thing and order fresh or dried mistletoe to carry on the "kiss under the mistletoe" tradition. Some scholars believe that the ancient Greeks started the kissing tradition when they celebrated Kronia. The Kronia celebration was in the winter, … [Read more...] about Why We Kiss Under Mistletoe–and Other Mistletoe Facts
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How to Choose and Care for a Living Christmas Tree
A living Christmas tree can make this year's holiday season special for many, many years. Selecting the family Christmas tree is an exciting holiday tradition. But instead of buying a cut tree this year, why not choose a living Christmas tree? A decorated living Christmas tree celebrates the holiday season—and then becomes a growing part of your landscape for years to come. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, the average retail price of a farm-grown holiday tree is approaching $100. Sure, a freshly cut holiday brings the delightful scent of a pine forest into your home. But for a few dollars more, you can buy a living Christmas tree. A living, container-grown tree can be purchased at local garden centers and some “big box” stores. If strong north winds are a problem in your yard, now is a good time to start planting the first of that hedgerow of evergreens to break the wind. This is the fun way to get the job done. Each living Christmas tree will have its … [Read more...] about How to Choose and Care for a Living Christmas Tree
8 Easy Rustic Holiday Decor Ideas
Want to make some awesome rustic holiday decor? It's easy to make, and it will give your home an old-fashioned feel for the holidays. Whether you are planning a big holiday get-together or are enjoying a quieter holiday season, there is just nothing quite like rustic holiday decor to get you in the spirit! If you need some nice decor ideas that you can set up in a hurry, the 8 rustic holiday decor ideas below will do the trick. Many of these timeless winter decor ideas are fitting all winter long, not just during the holidays. Just for Fun: Click here to see What’s Trending on Amazon.com Click on the photo to see the awesome Photo Hanging LED String Lights. Favorite Rustic Holiday Decor Materials One of the great things about rustic decor is how simple and cost-effective the materials are. Many can be foraged for free, or easily reused. Tree trimmings are often found for free at tree farms - all you have to do is ask. Most of the ideas here … [Read more...] about 8 Easy Rustic Holiday Decor Ideas
Halloween Decorating Ideas for Home and Garden
Halloween decorating ideas such as black cats, ghosts, and witches pop up all over front lawns and porches as Halloween approaches. “Boo!” is the refrain heard across the land as leaves turn color and drop. Halloween decorations are suddenly popular as the temperatures drop for the scariest of holidays. In October, it's time to switch out your summer porch decor for the autumn season. Halloween decorating ideas can start with bundled corn stalks, a straw bale, some pots of flowering mums, and a few small gourds grouped together. These quick fixes are a great way to welcome fall and set up a base for more ambitious Halloween decorating ideas. Of course, if you don't have easy access to traditional fall decorations, you can always get Halloween Decorating Ideas from Amazon. A scary carved pumpkin is a must! Adding fabric ghosts hanging from the porch lights is always a nice touch. At the very least, switch out your front door wreath seasonally. For Halloween, try a grapevine base … [Read more...] about Halloween Decorating Ideas for Home and Garden
5 Ways to Bring the Outdoors Indoors
How can you bring the outdoors indoors? How can you make nature a bigger part of your indoor decor? It’s not as difficult as you think. If you’re a big fan of nature, then you already know there’s something soothing about being outside. But being outdoors all the time just isn’t practical, such as when the weather is bad or you have a list of chores to do inside the house. That’s when being able to bring the outdoors indoors is wonderful. If you want to feel at one with nature without leaving your house, here’s how to get started. Tip 1 to Bring the Outdoors Indoors: Put Some Plants Inside the House Some people buy artificial plants for around the house but keep the real plants outside. But clearly, that’s old-school decorating. Houseplants are a booming trend. (Photos courtesy of Pexels) So, it’s time to bring some real plants inside. After all, plants are not only beautiful to look at, they can also purify the air, increase oxygen within the … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Bring the Outdoors Indoors
