Christmas Games and Party Ideas

Every season we celebrate Christmas by hosting lavish holiday parties and having close-knit get-togethers with friends and family. It is a joyous time of year for all involved and should be celebrated and enjoyed with love in your hearts and good cheer all around. Unique, fun games and creative party ideas will create lasting impressions for many years to come. One thing that should be kept at the forefront by Christians celebrating the joyous season is the truth behind many of our age-old traditions. Christians also need to be diligent in remembering who we are celebrating and why.

The blessed opportunity to teach about Christ the Savior, his remarkable birth, amazing life and sorrowful death comes easily at this time of year. There are a plethora of Christmas party ideas and Christmas party games on the internet. You many ask your local church for ideas as well. While planning these celebrations and/or gatherings, this may be the opportune time to discuss with family and friends the truth about why we celebrate in the fashion that we do. A simple examination of our existing Christmas traditions will reveal that our current customs have their origins in ancient pagan rites and rituals. This may come as a shock to many who have just accepted our customs for what they are.

What may surprise many who are not history or religion buffs is the well-known tradition of putting up the Christmas tree. Most people, most Christians for that matter, decorate a tree during the Christmas season with out knowing that this is actually a representation of the resurrection of a Pagan god. The Yule log is yet another Pagan symbol. It represents the Pagan god once again and it is placed on the fire to symbolize his death. His resurrection comes when they [the pagans] would cut down an evergreen tree and bring it into their homes. The tree is still green and alive in winter’s bleakness and therefore symbolizes life. They would decorate the tree with little round, red berries and such. This is most likely a representation of their sun god as the pagans were sun worshippers. All of this took place in the winter time when the days were shorter and plant foods were scarce. The Pagans also performed this ritual to ensure that their god was pleased so that spring may come again.

There are many other Christmas customs, party games and traditions that actually have origins from before the birth of Christ. In fact, you may find other Christian celebrations with the same Pagan backgrounds and origins. What Christians need to do is to find ways to keep Christ at the center of all of these activities. By learning about our customs and traditions, we can then find ways to maintain the Savior’s part in these celebrations and keep him at the forefront. Discussing this information with family and friends may be the perfect way to develop new family traditions, bring families and friends closer, strengthen bonds and all the while make sure that Christ is the emphasis of our time-honored traditions.

Ever Wondered about what’s on the Menu for Christmas Dinner Around our World?

Christmas dinner is one the most renowned meals of the year. An eminent feast for all involved. Roast turkey, Yorkshire pudding, Brussels sprouts, Stuffing, Kilted sausages, Roasted potatoes and on the side; seasonal vegetables, more than enough gravy and plenty of cranberry sauce. We are all accustomed to this menu, but what about people around the world? Have you ever wondered what our global community eats on this festive occasion, how each country’s tables are adorned?

As Christmas is celebrated in a different way around the globe, the Dutch are probably the most diverse of anyone. Most likely having roots in Indonesia, it is definitely an epicurean affair. The host or hostess of the party will arrange a choice of fish, shellfish, meats and vegetables. The visitors will then prepare their preferences themselves, using their own cooking utensils and spices the have brought with them from home. Holland also has more time-honored Christmas celebrations as well, with pheasant, duck, rabbit, ham or beef as the main course.

While in Spain you will witness them beginning their festivities on Christmas Eve. Turkey stuffed with chestnuts, pork, other meats and lots of vegetable and potato dishes are on the menu for the Spaniards. They will attend Midnight Mass but not before singing Christmas carols around the beautifully decorated Christmas tree.

In Greece, they will enjoy a large banquet of pork with special homemade bread portraying a representation of the vocation of the family of who made it. This occurs after forty days of fasting though, so they are sure to appreciate the meal. The Czech Republic dines on carp and potato salad while the French, gastronomical masters that they are, have different meals in different provinces. All will enjoy a Yule log cake for sure.

Our Christmas cooking traditions seem to have been taken on by the United States as they employ the turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce as we do. The Americans already use turkey for Thanksgiving so they sometimes will substitute ham or a goose for their Christmas feast. South of the border in Mexico you will find that the seasonal celebrations vary from state to state. Beef or pork stews called Pozole, Hominy made with red chili sauce or fruits, nuts and vegetables are what you will find on the Mexicans tables.

Australia and Brazil may offer a different flair on the Christmas Feast due to the Yuletide season being at the height of summer. Aussies are known for their barbeques, their Christmas dinner may be more like a Christmas picnic. Seafood, cold meats, pastas, salads and ice cream are on the menu down under while in Brazil they maintain the traditional Christmas dinner of turkey, sometimes ham, adding multi-colored rice, vegetables and fruits.

No matter where in this wide world you reside, hopefully you are one of the fortunate who will enjoy a feast on this holy day. Maybe you indulge in the traditional affair. Maybe you are apt to try something new and exciting, possibly starting new traditions. Either way, it is sure to be an enjoyable spread with friends and family. Give thanks, celebrate and enjoy your Christmast.

Finding the Best Christmas Cruise Deals

When considering a vacation during the Christmas holiday season, cruising should be on your short list. There are affordable cruises heading to almost every destination. If you have always wanted to see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights), cruises are available that will take you there. While it will be colder the further north you sail, the trip will be through warm weather and provide beautiful vistas.

If you have dreamed of luxury travel to distant locations like Asia or Australia, or if you have always wanted to travel to South America or the Caribbean, then winter is the time to search for bargains. The weather will be warmer than most of North America and Northern Europe, and the prices will be lower than it is during the summer months.

There are package options that will include the airfare to the port that your cruise liner will sail from. Some package rates provide deeply discounted flights that will save you even more money. Both the cruise lines and some airlines work together to match arriving and departing flights with the cruise ship’s schedule. Also, by lowering the per person rates, cruise lines are encouraging whole-family vacations. Some have package deals designed specifically with families in mind.

The planning for a Christmas cruise is critical. Holiday travel is gaining popularity, as more people discover the benefits of cruising in the winter. Because of this, some of the best prices may not be over Christmas itself, but before and after the peak holiday season.
Cruise lines may also have special 2-for-1 cruise fares on certain dates. Usually, these dates are in November and through the second week of December. While this timing is a bit before the actual Christmas holiday, you may find bargains that are difficult to pass up. Some families have found that this time is perfect, because it allows them to enjoy a family cruise and still be at home to celebrate Christmas.

Some families like the idea of taking the getaway cruise after Christmas, since rates drop rapidly after Christmas. This opens up the option for giving a cruise as a Christmas present to that special person or family. In addition, because the prices are lower, families have more options to choose from, especially if they are on a budget.

If your dream is to celebrate Christmas on the open sea while cruising to your dream location, then consider using a bundled deal from a cruise line. The possibilities are as many as there are cruise lines. By utilizing discounts found on some travel websites and using bundled packages, you should still be able to find an excellent holiday bargain.

Planning

Some travel websites have partnered with cruise lines to offer online coupons as well as online booking. Look for these options as you plan your Christmas cruise.
If you want to do something completely different with your family, or if you are looking for the perfect vacation option, consider the Christmas cruise. You will be taking a holiday vacation that will give a lifetime of unforgettable memories.