Adopt-A-Holiday

July 2

In 1836 Alabama was the first state to officially recognize and celebrate Christmas as a holiday. It took 71 years for the rest of the continental states to adopt legislation making Christmas the only religious holiday so recognized. Oklahoma was the last, passing legislation in 1907.

The Ultimate Christmas Tradeshow

May 14

One of the largest trade shows for holiday items occurs in Frankfurt, Germany, every winter. Christmasworld Internationale Frankfurter Messe includes over 1000 international exhibitors for all holiday celebrations. Fifty-seven percent of visitors come to Frankfurt from abroad. The exhibitors represent 739 foreign and 326 German companies, presenting new products for retail buyers.

Lenox Holiday China

April 13

Even though Congress had decreed that all furnishings for the White House be manufactured in the United States, it was not until the Theodore Roosevelt administration that any china was deemed worthy for the State Dining Room. Walter Scott Lenox changed that. In his determination to devise the perfect porcelain, the ambitious potter created wares that were indeed fit for Presidents, and Lenox became the first American china to be used in the White House.

Between 1918 and the present, five Presidents have commissioned Lenox to issue new State services, each reflecting both period tastes and the timeless beauty of Lenox's renowned ivory china. The most cherished seasonal pattern, Holiday™, has become one of the most familiar and beloved family traditions of the holiday season. “Holiday” is distinguished by its graceful holly- and-berries motif.

April 12

Sand Tarts

1 c. butter
5 tbsp. confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 c. finely chopped pecans
2 c. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. vanilla

Cream sugar and butter. Blend in flour, vanilla, and nuts. Flour hands well and roll out 1/2-1 teaspoons each into balls. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet 12 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool.

ICING:
1 stick butter
1/2 box confectioners' sugar, sifted
1-2 tbsp. water, more if needed

Combine in double boiler. Remove from heat. Dip top half of sand tarts in icing. Icing may be tinted pink or green or may be left white.

April 11

Little worlds of winter scenes are common themes in snow globes, which first appeared at the Paris Universal Expo in 1878. It is believed that they are an offshoot of the interest in glass paperweights, which were popular in France in preceding years. They grew in popularity in England around the turn of the 19th to 20th century, when decorative items depicting nature and small scenes were considered chic. They became popular advertising items in the 1940s, and those with religious themes, such as Christmas, were popular gifts to children. In 1941, their influence on pop culture obtained cinematic status as a key ingredient to the visual imagery in Orson Welles’ famous picture, "Citizen Kane." Fiona on "Burn Notice" collected them, but lost them all when her house exploded. And Desmond, one of the captive survivors in the cult TV phenomenon, "Lost," believes no one can ever escape because their island is inside a snow globe.