SANTA is waiting to buy you gifts

This is darling daughter (dd) 1st Christmas where is aware of decorations and trees. She's 3 but didn't really "get it" before. This year, though, her awareness of her surroundings has jumped to a higher level. So, this year is the 1st year we've put up a Xmas tree since I left home 12 years ago.

In 1885, Louis Prang, established the presently clad Santa Claus with black boots and belt, a bright red non-flannel white fur-lined suit and a white tufted tassel hat, in Christmas card illustrations. By the 1920's the red suit becomes standardized.

About 1890 Santa Claus' modern Christmas role becomes established. The first store Santa Claus was James Edgar, Brockton, Mass., 1890. Mrs. Claus created by Katherine Lee Bates, Sunshine and other Verses for Children, 1890 (ref?), violating sainthood celibacy restrictions. Letter to Virginia (O'Hanlan), Francis P. Church, New York Sun, 1897--"Yes Virginia. There is a Santa Claus."

The image of Santa Claus now becomes varied and often elfin, rejecting Nast's robust figure. The Oz illustrator W. W. Denslow drew Santas of Munchkin-size. Arthur Rackham, an artist and illustrator of children's books drew Santa as an elf. Norman Rockwell drew full-sized Santas for the Saturday Evening Post.

Archie Lee of the D'Arcy Advertising Agency proposed a realistic, modern appearing Santa Claus with red cheeks and wrinkled face, but appearing vital and young, for Coca Cola. This image was painted in oil by a commercial illustrator Hadden H.Sundblom, starting with the 1931 holiday promotion. The original model was Lou Prentice, a retired salesman who died shortly thereafter. This is the Santa Claus we know today.

Straw and carrots are left for the reindeer. Hay was left for St. Nicholas's horse before 1821. These items were, at one time, left for the Magi's camels. Americans leave milk and cookies for Santa Claus. In England sherry and mince pie are left.

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was created Robert L. May, promotion pamphlet, Montgomery Ward, Chicago, 1939. The song composed by John Marks, October, 1948. The song becomes a hit with Gene Autry's 1949 rendition. Rollo and Reginald were names also considered by May.

[img_assist|nid=14395|title=Smile, life is too short!!!!!!!!!!!!!!|desc=|link=none|align=center|width=180|height=97]

Did you know what is the origin of your Santa?

Some religious historians and experts in folklore believe that there is no valid evidence to indicate that St. Nicholas ever existed as a human. In fact, there are quite a few indicators that his life story was simply recycled from those of Pagan gods. Many other ancient Pagan gods and goddesses were similarly Christianized in the early centuries of the Church. His legends seems to have been mainly created out of myths attributed to the Greek God Poseidon, the Roman God Neptune, and the Teutonic God Hold Nickar. "In the popular imagination [of many Russians] he became the heir of Mikoula, the god of harvest, 'who will replace God, when God becomes too old.' " 8

When the church created the persona of St. Nicholas, they adopted Poseidon's title "the Sailor." They seem to have picked up his last name from Nickar. Various temples of Poseidon became shrines of St. Nicholas. 1 "In medieval England... in tiny sea ports we find the typical little chapel built on an eminence and looking out to sea." 8 St. Nicholas also adopted some of the qualities of "The Grandmother" or Befana from Italy. She was said to have filled children's stockings with gifts. Her shrine at Bari was also converted into a shrine to St. Nicholas.

The Christian church created a fictional life history for St. Nicholas. He was given the name Hagios Nikolaos (a.k.a. St. Nicholas of Myra).

No matter if you can't find the street name, I will follow your directions, bound to find it. I'm usually good at giving directions when my Hubby is driving, or so he tells me. lol

[img_assist|nid=14395|title=Smile, life is too short!!!!!!!!!!!!!!|desc=|link=none|align=center|width=180|height=97]

we have been through the trials and tribulations and what seems important when you have been married only a few years, isn't when you have been married a lot of years...you settle in and relax...and know what's important in life....

hmm let me think how to describe it cause I don't know the names of the streets!! its the street that runs in front of the airport...just head past the airport(away from Toyota building) and its on your right. Its rather large...If I remember correctly its a few lights down from there. I do so apologize for not knowing the street names!! Tell you what..I'll go look up the streets and let you know asap...

It will be soooooooooo strange without the rest of the Family here :( Luckily going home for the New Year for 2 weeks :)

By the way Scarlett, where is the Dream store?. We foun The One has a great selection but could do with something else different.

[img_assist|nid=14395|title=Smile, life is too short!!!!!!!!!!!!!!|desc=|link=none|align=center|width=180|height=97]

yesterday, was with some of my friends...buying christmas tree and decors...was in the edge of crying...and today, we just finished setting it up....and whooooshh..you just don't know how hard the feeling was...sigh...call me selfish or what, wish that christmas would come sooner to pass (like a blink of an eye)...

Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.

'tis the season of joy. I feel nostalgic.

Thantz what you call experience.. Older one gets in marriage the more creative we have to become... Dont ask me the reason WHY ??

..**.. ""They walk among us. They vote & they even reproduce"" ..**..

just realized I forgot lunch..lol...see y'all later!!

Friday morning...If I think of any more good ideas I'll let you know too...I'm full of it...ideas, that is...

Thanks again for the info.

But they will not last for next 6 - 7 days. will have to book them now for thursday..

..**.. ""They walk among us. They vote & they even reproduce"" ..**..

ohh well never saw transformers except when the boys were little and they were the original ones that drove moms nuts because there were little car parts all in the carpet and you either stepped on them or vacuumed them up.

ohh and the store i told you about..getting shipment of lilies in this evening..tried to send you a pm but it was off again..lmao...computers...love 'em oh yeah..either north or west gate..never can remember which..

But terminator is back as Transformer... LOL.. I am scared. I deal with transformers.

I mean next week internationally, As per Qatar week.. it has to be this week... else the skinning starts

..**.. ""They walk among us. They vote & they even reproduce"" ..**..

and it will be here faster than you think

reminds me of the Terminator...I'll be back...

I suppose Matrix and transformers are approaching ??????

I am MAD MAD MAD MAD today..

..**.. ""They walk among us. They vote & they even reproduce"" ..**..

blocks medical sites...go figure..

My PM is on.

My PC is of last millennium. It changes things without my knowledge...

It could even be a smart one?? tries to be safe.

..**.. ""They walk among us. They vote & they even reproduce"" ..**..

be glad to help!! I love spending someone else's money...lmao..

Scar.. u know why.

..**.. ""They walk among us. They vote & they even reproduce"" ..**..

things will be fine...You know...you can get christmas stuff at the Dream Store ...i just bought a tree and ornaments, wrapping paper and all sorts of stuff..that might help...

my first christmas here in doha...just wishing to overcome homesickness..:(

Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.

can be shorted out by drool that fascinates them...

Keys...cell phones....and the universal remote control....other things too but those 3 seem to be at the top pf her list...go figure lol

Stay safe all.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

they find interesting...but one thing that always works is mom's keys...for whatever reason...

When we buy her a cool toy (at least we think so)...we almost fall off the couch laughing when the package amuses her as much as the toy =).

We could always sing:

I'm dearming....of a yellow christmas...LOL

Stay safe all.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

lol You guys are going to enjoy her first Christmas so much...just get ready for her to love the ribbon and wrapping more than the presents tho!

My baby daughter's first Christmas...though it'll be awhile before she learns of "White Christmases" LOL!

Stay safe all.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

..**.. ""They walk among us. They vote & they even reproduce"" ..**..

Christmas...I get to be with my sons...yippee!!!