Send a Free Call or Video from Santa

Well, we're getting really close to Christmas 2011 and undoubtedly, the big guy in red is on every child's mind. I thought that sending a free call or video from Santa would be a great way to get your little one even more excited about a visit from Santa Claus. As if they need it. Still, it's a wonderful, magical touch that kids will remember for years to come.

This Gmail product is free of charge from Google. You are able to send personalized, talking messages or YouTube videos to anyone you like. It is not perfect but like I said, it's free.

When you fill in the information (name of sender and recipient, birthdate), you are then taken to a screen that wants you to select how the names will be said. In my case, my name was not one of the options, although you can choose a generic slang, or opt not to have a name mentioned at all.

Once you fill in all of the details, you have the choice of viewing a video of Santa that's quite cute and incorporates your details, or you can listen to the audio version of the video. After that, merely click the next screen arrow on the right and send it to whomever you want.

The audio messages you create are sent to the recipient's phone number, while the videos can be shared via email or Google +.

Regardless of the name limitations, I believe any child would be wildly happy with receiving something from the Send a Call from Santa site. Here's the link again:  http://www.sendacallfromsanta.com/

Ho-ho-ho!
____________________________________________________________________

The History of Christmas Tree Lights

I love pretty Christmas tree lights!

I love Christmas tree lights! Sometimes, I go for walks after it gets dark, just to admire the pretty colours and decorations that people put up on the outside of their homes. It really puts me in the Christmas spirit, especially if there is a light snow falling. Never have I stopped to think about the history of those pretty lights but they, like all things, do have one.

It's easy to imagine that everyone the world over puts up Christmas lights but that is not the case. Although other cultures have adopted the practice, it is primarily rooted in Christianity and has a past traced back to at least the 17th century, before the invention of electricity, extension cords, and those multi-socketed plugs that let you power up enough lights to put Chevy Chase to shame. Back then, people stuck little candles to tree branches, using melted wax or pins. That method of illuminating Christmas trees took a couple of centuries to catch on as a tradition but all good things are worth waiting for, right?

According to Wikipedia, it was 1890 before folks started putting their tree candles into candleholders. I suppose the primary purpose of doing so would have been to safeguard against fire as a result of putting open flames on wood.

Outdoor Christmas tree lights are beautiful, too!

The world continued to evolve, of course, so at the early part of the twentieth century, even safer methods of giving the tree that special glow were used. Candles were inserted into glass balls or small lanterns. Still effective, and with greater stability and peace of mind. And while die-hard candle users continued the tradition, modern advances were being made, including the birth of electric Christmas tree lights. So, for a while, there was an overlap in the use of candles and incandescent bulbs.

Wish I could say that it was a Canadian who invented the Christmas lights we know today but it wasn't. They are the product of American ingenuity, created by Edward H. Johnson, an associate of Thomas Edison, and the vice present of the Edison Electric Light Company.

Can you imagine the public fervor when a Christmas tree lit up with coloured electric lights for the very first time? Would you think it remarkable? Beautiful? An oddity? Well, if you'd been in New York City on December 22, 1882, you'd know. Otherwise, let your imagination take you there.

Christmas lights are pretty, even when they're not on a tree

Obviously, the electric light craze caught on and has been a sustainable product. Businesses started putting up Christmas lights around 1900. They were only the only ones who could afford to purchase strings of lights, as a rule. Like items today, back then the first few releases were too far out of reach of most households, financially speaking. It took until about 1930 before electric Christmas tree lights became commonplace. I don't know about you but I'm so happy that they did.
________________________________________________________________________________

Little Drummer Boy, Canadian Style

A sixteen year old Canadian has been creating quite a buzz this week on YouTube. Sean Quigley has released a video that incorporates views of his hometown of Winnipeg with that Christmas music classic, Little Drummer Boy.

You've likely never heard the carol sung like this before but even if it isn't your preferred music style, you have to agree that Sean is enthusiastic and infectiously positive. Not many teenagers would pay homage to a centuries old tune and I love how happy Sean is in this video. You can just tell that he really likes what he's doing in making this short film and singing his version of the song. Sean reminds me that I'm proud to be a Canadian.

Here is the YouTube of Sean Quigley singing his original version of Little Drummer Boy:




Throughout his video, Sean has (presumably) friends holding up Merry Christmas signs, written in different languages. If nothing else, this is a shining example of the type of passion we older people can learn to appreciate in teenagers. I applaud them.

I hope you enjoy Sean's version of this Christmas music as much as I did.
_________________________________________________________

Operation Christmas Child

Helping others is also a gift for the giver

Each year I like to dedicate at least one post to a worthy cause. Last year, I highlighted Operation Christmas Child Canada. This year, I'm doing it again. Why? Look at that face in the picture and tell me you don't want her to have a better life.

This project is one from Samaritan's Purse Canada, an international relief site that helps raise funds and awareness in 70 countries around the world.

How this project works is explained in last year's posted videos but basically, you fill a shoe box with items that these children might need. We're talking basic necessities, as well as toys. There are certain items that you should not include and those are mentioned in last year's videos, also.

There is a religious element to this charity. I'm not at all in any way religious but helping these kids is important. As it says in this year's video, for some of these youngsters, it's the very first gift they've ever received in their whole life.

I'm including a couple of different videos this year, simply to avoid redundancy.

If you are able to send these kids something, please do, even if it is only one shoebox of items.

Of course, there are some folks who simply are unable to extend charity in this manner, due to immobility or lack of funds. If you are one of those, Operation Christmas Child may not be the place for you to give but it doesn't mean that you can't reach out to others who need you. Helping others at Chrismas doesn't have to cost you any money. There are things you can do for other people that only require a bit of time and effort. Those may be the very things that offer both the giver and the receiver the greatest gift.
____________________________________________________________________

Free Christmas eCards

Looking for a way to send greetings for free this Christmas? Did you wait too long to send out your Christmas cards and now you don't have time to send them by snail mail? Well, no worries, you can send free digital ecards to everyone with an email address.

A quick Google search will turn up a ton of results but here are a few to save you the time and trouble. I have no affiliation with any of them.

Trail Canada - As the name implies, this is a Canadian site. Here, you can access free Canadian winter and snow scene e-cards. There is no mention, nor is there a category for Christmas in Canada but folks in foreign lands might enjoy a glimpse of the True North Strong and Free. You can also express specific holiday wishes in your text message that goes along with the card.

Hallmark Christmas and Holiday E-Cards - There are only a few freebies here but everyone knows the quality that Hallmark offers. I'm sure all of your recipients would enjoy these.

My Fun Cards - Lots of free digital greetings here. The downside is that when you click on the big green button, it wants to install on your hard drive. Please note that I have NOT used this site and cannot vouch for any part of it. You probably want to do a little checking around before downloading this, do some due diligence to determine whether or not it is safe.

HP Creative Studio - This one is a little different but I trust the HP brand and site, so figured it was worth mentioning. There's lots of selection, all free, however they are for printing via your printer. The site gives you the option of just using their Christmas designs, or importing your own personal photos. Add a message and print. Simple as that. I suppose you could do that then scan and email the results to the people on your Christmas card list.

eGreetings - There appears to be a pretty good variety on this site. You're sure to find something for everyone, and at no charge.

123 Greetings - Another site offering good variety. The cards that I peeked at were animated with music, quite nice for freebies, I have to say.

Well, there's half a dozen sites to get you started. Have fun finding the perfect one. Heck, if you're strapped for time, you can even send your cards on Christmas Eve. That's the beautiful thing about digital cards. The fact that they're free Christmas ecards is a wonderful bonus, too.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Preparing Your Child for the Santa Claus Parade

Is there anything more epically magical to a very young child than a Santa Claus parade? Larger than life characters that they’ve seen on TV or in their Golden Books walk past, close and real. And of course, the parade organizers save the best for last – Santa! For little ones, this is the equivalent of a teenager seeing their favourite rock star. It fills them with awe and wonder.

Naturally, your child is excited about getting to see the big guy in the red suit, which is all the more reason to carefully prepare before attending the parade. The following tips may be helpful to you.

Prepare for Hours of Cold

This one may sound like a no-brainer but please consider the fact that you and your youngster may be standing out in the cold for hours. This is Canada and Santa comes in winter, so take measures to stay warm.

If your child is young enough to sit in a stroller, than he or she is not moving around to help them stay warm, either. Taking a blanket is a good idea, as is a thermos of something warm to drink. The downside of that is, of course, leaving the crowd to find a bathroom.

If possible, take your little one into a warm place occasionally, such as a store or restaurant. Letting them move around to get their blood flowing helps some, too. Not only that but if the wait is long, kids can become bored and need an activity to keep them from getting restless.

Most people line up on the sidewalk early to get a good spot, so you could show up at 11:00 for a parade that doesn’t start until 1:00. Then there’s the parade to watch, followed by getting through a throng of people to get home. Which leads us to point number two.

Have a Plan

If you live in a big city like Toronto, you may be one of half a million people who stand along the parade route. Now, imagine your small child wandering even a mere few feet away. How would you find him or her in that crowd?

Never take your eyes off a toddler or baby and have a plan in place that older kids can follow, if they get lost. Maybe they go directly to a specified store and you look there first when trying to find them.

Also, make sure that they know their last name, address and phone number, if at all possible. Otherwise, write pertinent information on a slip of paper and put it inside their coat pocket. You may even consider giving a child a whistle to blow if they find themselves in surroundings they don’t recognize. This only works if the child is old enough to understand that it is the only time they should blow the whistle.

Miscellaneous Tips

Don’t forget to check the weather forecast before leaving home, in case you need rain gear or an extra blanket.

Warm apple cider makes a great thermos filler for kids and adults, alike. Apple juice warmed up works just as well.

A bag or backpack with snacks, extra hats, mittens and scarves, and maybe a favourite teddy bear, is a good idea. Oh, and don’t forget the tissues, you will need to wipe running noses – yours and your child’s. :-)

Above all, have fun at the Santa Claus parade and enjoy the fact that you are putting a little magic in your child’s life.

Fiber Optic Christmas Tree

The fiber optic Christmas tree is actually a topic I was going to try and at least touch on last year but well, you know me, I didn't get to it in time. However, as the saying goes, better late than never and here it is.

First of all, just in case it isn't apparent, I'll tell you upfront that NASA isn't scrambling to hire me as one of their rocket scientists. Still, I'll take a stab at a fast and dirty explanation of fiber optics, at least as they apply for our subject matter.

Fiber optics are plastic or glass strands, about the thickness of a human hair. If they're made of other materials, I don't know what they are. Anyway, these strands are far more efficient carriers of light than metal and can be used in a variety of ways, including to pretty up your Christmas tree. I know, that doesn't tell you a whole lot but I'll confess that I just shared with you everything I know about them. I did say fast and dirty.

Consumers like fiber optic Christmas trees. They're pretty, convenient and offer a different display from what most of us have lived with all our lives. You know what they say about a change being as good as a rest. It can perk you up to see something new.

I don't own one of these beauties but as I understand it, they come in a ton of sizes yet most people lean towards the smaller ones, or tabletop trees. Not sure why that is but they'll shed a pretty glow, no matter what. Best of all, you won't have to string the lights yourself, which makes them A-okay in my book.

As you can see below in the YouTube video, the actual tree 'needles' light up. I believe that's the fiber optic part of an artificial Christmas tree (yup, NASA should be calling any day now). The owners of this tree have also optioned for a tree that is pre-lit, to add that traditional holiday feel that we all want for the festive season. I mean, really, is it even possible to have too many lights on a Christmas tree? Okay, the Christmas Vacation movie just popped into my head, which could make a case against too much illumination.

If you are thinking about going with a fiber optic Christmas tree this year, I do know that Nextag is selling them. The ones I saw started at around $40 and went up from there to around a couple of hundred dollars for full sized trees.

Where to Buy Santa Suits in Canada

Where to Buy Santa Suits in Canada

Don't ask me what made me think of it but this morning it occurred to me that I had no idea at all where to buy Santa suits in Canada. I'm pretty sure this thought originated from the deep, dark recesses of my mind, where strange ponderings and the never-ending searches for Canadian based Christmas topics live. Anyway, it popped into my head, so figured it would make a good post. Could be that I'll be the only one interested in knowing the answer, we'll see.

First off, those of us who are adults may note the absence of the types of Santa suits that are typically used in...*ahem*...role playing. This is a family-friendly site, so we won't be going there, don't even ask.

All of the potential locations and vendors deal in the usual and much-loved costume that kids and parents expect to see Santa in, whether at the mall or sliding down the chimney. So, here goes.

eBay has, at least they do at the time I'm typing this, several different Santa costumes. You can get the whole kit and kaboodle, or just purchase the facial and head hair that St. Nick is famous for. The amount you'll spend will depend on the quality of fabric and how convincing you want to be for the kiddies. I saw one at under twenty bucks and a deluxe suit that's selling for $122.62. I didn't look at very many since I'm not actually in the market for a Santa suit but did notice a little dog suit, very reasonably priced at $3.99. The ones I viewed were all listed in Canadian dollars.

Costume Chik I had never heard of before researching for this post but they're located in Calgary and offer speedy shipping with free ground shipping on orders over $75.00. I only checked the first search page that I've linked to here. Their suits are more money than the eBay listings, ranging from $82 to $400 (rounded off) but you can also buy a slew of individual Santa costume accessories and yes, even some for women that are slightly naughty. I don't know this company, so this is not an endorsement, just information.

Nextag has a pretty full collection of Santa suits, including a bunch for the Mrs. Poor Mrs. Claus, she's so far out of the limelight, it's no wonder she's pale. Probably does all the work, too.

Sears Canada doesn't have a ton of Santa suit variety but the prices are very reasonable and Sears is a trusted Canadian company.

Please note that I am not recommending or endorsing any of these merchants, just helping you get a start in your costume shopping. Hopefully, it'll be easier now that you know where to buy Santa suits in Canada. You won't have to cross the border or even leave home unless you want to. Find one you like, click, arrange for it to be shipped to you. Kinda sounds easy, too bad I don't need one.
___________________________________________________________________________________

All I Want For Christmas...

Okay, a little something to kick off Christmas 2012 and get you in the mood for the festive holiday season - All I Want For Christmas is You by Mariah Carey. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

I love this song, it definitely helps me like Yuletide more when I hear it. It just puts me in a good holiday mood and makes me want to wrap gifts. Of course, first I have to buy them. But before I do that, I need to make some more money, and that won't happen unless I get back to work.

Think I'd better listen and watch the video a few more times...

Here We Go Again - Christmas is Coming

It's Christmas 2012!

Yup, it's that time again, kids. Christmas.Santa's got the elves working overtime, Mrs. Claus is pressing the red suit and shining up the sleigh. They aren't ready for it for it yet and neither am I.

I'm late to start posting here this year. A more organized person, like my youngest sister for example, would've had the gifts bought and wrapped, the menu written up and a year's worth of posts done by February. I'm not her, hence I've accomplished none of those things yet. But I've started thinking about them. Baby steps.

It may be my imagination but I'd swear that Christmas 2012 came around in half the time that Christmas 2011 did. Could be I've just been too busy to notice the passage of time. Yeah, that's it - I'm not disorganized, I'm busy. That's sounds far more productive. Besides, Christmas is always coming, so if I miss one, I'll catch the next.

I can tell you that I do have an idea about the topics this year, which will mention something about tree lights, fiber optic trees, economical gift giving, charity and perhaps some homemade ideas. I've been toying with the idea of dreaming a little and doing a post on expensive gifts, too. Just to see how the other half lives, here in Canada.

As always, you requests and suggestions are welcome, just shoot me an email at iamannea @ yahoo.ca if there's something special you'd like to see on Christmas Canada, or if you're sitting there rolling your eyes and thinking, "Oh, geez! I can write wayyyyy better than that!" I'll give you a shot at guest posting. Yes, yes, you can put one link in your copy. Happy now?

Okay, I'm going to run along and let you get back to your cocoa. Lots to do before Jolly Old Saint Nick comes down the chimney.

Until next time, keep your toque on and remember - never put your tongue on flagpoles in the winter.