Newswise — 'Tis the season "¦for kissing. Stamped as holiday revelry, kissing under the mistletoe has been a "fun" Christmas ritual for many years. Yet, according to Texas A&M anthropologist Vaughn Bryant, no one really knows how kissing under the mistletoe began. Based on beliefs of the Celts, Romans and Christians, Bryant has developed a few ideas of how the tradition started.
"First, the mistletoe was considered more or less a sacred plant by the Celts, even those who converted to Christianity," Bryant said. Celts believed that mistletoe, a parasitic plant that grows on trees, had special powers that could heal diseases, make poisons harmless, protect against evil spells and bring fertility to childless women. "Second, remember that for hundreds of years the betrothal kiss was considered a promise for marriage," Bryant said. Roman couples used the kiss to seal a betrothal. Bryant also has collected all kinds of Christmas folklore and traditions that go beyond kissing under the mistletoe. Bryant also is an expert on Christmas folklore.
Prof. Demonstrates The Star of Bethlehem As The Wise Men Saw It
"The Star of Bethlehem" demonstration is a multimedia presentation by lawyer and law professor Rick Larson. In a presentation seen by tens of thousands in the U.S. and Europe, Larson leads you sleuthing through Biblical and many other historical clues. He then pilots a computer model of the universe across the skies of 2000 years ago as you watch. At these presentations, you will see the striking celestial events the ancients saw.
A DVD of the program is now available on Amazon.com or contact The STAR Project A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization at 111 University Drive East, Suite 220College Station, Texas 77840-1700 USA or call (979) 846-6078.
Story Ideas About Pets And The Holidays:
Holidays Can Be Doggone Scary Time for Pets
It may be the season to be jolly, but for your pet it's the season for curiosity and that can lead to trouble, says Dr. Alice Blue-McLendon, a veterinarian in the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M. Decorations make your house look festive, but they can be hazardous to your pet. She suggests that pet owners: "¢ Keep candles, potpourri pots and decorations out of reach"¢ Anchor the top of the Christmas tree to the ceiling so it will not fall on your pet."¢ Put away children's toys."¢ Make sure small objects, medications, chocolates, etc. are kept out of reach.
Holiday plants also pose a threat to your pets. "The most notable poisonous plants are holly, poinsettia, mistletoe, ivy and hibiscus," she says. "If your pet ingests a plant or decoration, you should immediately call your local veterinarian or the ASPCA emergency hotline at 1-888-4ANI-HELP."
Pets As Gifts? Not A Good Idea, Expert Says
If you're thinking about giving a pet as a Christmas gift this season, animal experts have two words of advice about the idea: Think twice. Giving pets as a gift can often be a present the recipient doesn't want, and both the animal and the owner end up unhappy, says Dr. Bonnie Beaver, an animal behavior expert at Texas A&M University in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. In a word, Beaver says, pets aren't like fruitcakes, something to be handed out that no one wants and is eventually discarded. "If you think you might want to give someone a pet, make very sure the recipient wants a pet," Beaver says. "A person getting a pet as a gift should know about it beforehand and should be in the decision-making process. He or she should have a say in the selection of an animal the person will have for the next 10 to 15 years."
Holiday Retailing Stories:
For all retailing related inquiries contact:
Holiday Sales Expected to be Lower
Cheryl Bridges with the Center for Retailing Studies says holiday sales are expected to be lower due to credit crunches and worry over a slumping housing market. This may cause consumers to use more discretion in their holiday spending. The National Retail Federation expects sales overall sales growth to be around 4%, rather than the 5% of the past decade.
More Promotions and Price Consciousness Expected
Promotions and price consciousness may be widespread as Wal-Mart leads the way with mid-October markdowns on over 1,000 items, other retailers will follow, Bridges says. Free or discounted shipping is a catchphrase for many online and catalog merchants, such as L.L. Bean, seeking to draw convenience minded customers away from malls.
Halloween Candy Shares Space With Holiday Decorations.
As retailers expect a slower season, Bridges says holiday merchandise is stealthily creeping in during October's Halloween promotions, despite consumer frustrations about ever-earlier start to the Christmas season.
Purchasing Power Of Tweens
As the buying power of the pre-teen segment grows, Bridges says this is a growth area to watch, both before and after Christmas as they shop for friends, family and themselves. And, they want designer goods. They might not be able to purchase the apparel but they crave the sunglasses and bags.
Why Retailers Love Gift Cards
Gift cards are high margin and low maintenance, Bridges says. They can be sold online or in small displays on selling floors. They stimulate sales into the post-holiday season. They ward off the hassle and time of returning unwanted gifts. And, customers usually spend more than the value of the card when they come into the store to redeem the card.
Convenience tops price for many consumers. Consumers are moving up to higher priced goods if they have features that make life more convenient. This is not limited to the wealthy. Like European consumers, more American shoppers are opting to buy better quality goods instead of trying to feed an insatiable desire for greater quantity of goods.
Back To Basics In Toys
With the recent controversy over lead paint in children's toys made from China, parents are looking for toys "made in the USA." Bridges says their toy selections may also reflect nostalgia for simpler times when they felt safe with toys. Today's children may see less technology and more traditional toys like Legos, Lincoln Logs, and board games.
RSS