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25 Fun Christmas Carol facts ...

20/12/2016

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1. While we associate “Jingle Bells” with Christmas, the song was written by James Lord Pierpont to celebrate Thanksgiving.

2. “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” and “Holly Jolly Christmas” were
written by Jewish songwriter Johnny Marks.

3. The first Christmas song
to mention Santa Claus was Benjamin Hanby’s “Up On The Housetop.” Written in 1864, Hanby was inspired Clement Moore’s 1823 poem “A Visit from Saint Nicholas.”

6. “White Christmas” was written by Jewish songwriter Irving Berlin.
7. Irving Berlin hated Elvis Presley’s version of “White Christmas” so much that he
tried to prevent radio stations from playing Presley’s cover.
8. In April 1975, the American military played “White Christmas” over Armed Forces Radio as
a covert signal instructing soldiers in Vietnam to evacuate Saigon.

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4. “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” is one of the oldest Christmas hymns to still get airplay. Originally composed in Latin during the twelfth century, it was translated into English by John Mason Neale in 1851.

5. Thurl Ravenscroft, the singer responsible for How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ classic song “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” also
famously voiced Tony the Tiger, the mascot for Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes.

9. Irving Berlin originally wrote “White Christmas” for a Broadway musical that was never produced. It was then picked up by Hollywood producers who used it in Holiday Inn, a 1942 film starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire.
10. Bing Crosby’s version of “White Christmas” is the
highest-selling single of all time.
11. Written for the 1944 film Meet Me in St. Louis, the original lyrics to “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” were
deemed too sad by both the film’s director Vincente Minelli and its star Judy Garland. They asked songwriter Vincente Minelli to rewrite sections of the song.
12. In 1906, a violin solo of “O Holy Night” was the
second piece of music to be broadcast to ever be broadcast on radio.

13. “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “Joy to the World” are two of the oldest English language Christmas hymns, originating in the 1700s.
14. “Let It Snow” has made its way into the Christmas cannon despite the fact that it
never once mentions the holiday and was written by Jewish songwriters Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn.
15. Walter Afanasieff, Mariah Carey’s co-writer on “All I Want For Christmas Is You,”
also wrote Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On.”
16. Bing Crosby’s version of “Silent Night” is the
third highest-selling single of all time.

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17. “Jingle Bells” was the first song performed in space.
18. Songwriter Gloria Shayne Baker wrote “Do You Hear What I Hear?” as
a plea for peace during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.
19. Jay Livingston and Ray Evans’ holiday classic “Silver Bells” was originally titled “Tinkle Bells.” They changed it when
Livingston’s wife explained that “tinkle” was often a synonym for urination.
20. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer didn’t originate in Jonny Marks’ classic Christmas jingle. Instead, the character was
created by Robert L. May, a staff copywriter for the Montgomery Ward department store as part of a series of holiday-themed colouring books sold by the retail giant.
21. “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” is one of the
oldest secular Christmas songs, originating in 16th century England.
22. Mel Tormé’s “The Christmas Song” (more commonly known as “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire”) was
written during a summer heatwave in 1944.
23. For 28 years, Darlene Love sang her holiday hit “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” on
David Letterman’s late-night show.
24. Singer Brenda Lee recorded the original version of “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” when she was only 13 years old.
25. “Winter Wonderland” was
written by Jewish songwriters Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith.
www.buzzfeed.com

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Strange Christmas traditions..

19/12/2016

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If you find yourself overseas for Christmas, in a country that is new to you, be prepared to experience a few Christmas traditions that are a little bit different. Christmas is Christmas wherever you may be but these traditions may not be quite what you are used to.

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Christmas is supposed to be a time of laughter and happiness, but the tradition of Krampus in Austria, is quite the opposite. Krampus is a devil like beast that punishes bad children, and men roam the streets dressed in Krampus outfits, terrorising young children.  In Austria, Santa Claus is coming to town could well have an extra line in the lyrics:

“He's making a list, He's checking it twice, He's gonna find out who's naughty or nice. Santa Claus is coming to town. And Krampus is coming too”

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In Caracas, the Capital of Venezuela, you had better quite literally get your skates on for Christmas.  There is a strange but true tradition of travelling to church on roller-skates.  This strange tradition is taken so seriously, that roads are often cleared of traffic to keep Christmas skaters safe.  One wonders if Santa uses a sleigh in Caracas, or if he prefers roller-skates? If you are there perhaps it is worth watching out for!

Looking for a broom to sweep up?  Good Luck! This one of the most bizarre of Christmas traditions. Norwegians believe, that Christmas is the time of year where evil spirits and witches come out. Of course, witches fly on brooms, so it makes sense that all brooms are hidden – right?  Would Santa be seen riding a broom across the Norwegian sky if he found a broom lying by a fireplace and a Christmas tree?

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If you don’t like Turkey, this may change your mind. A Christmas delicacy in Greenland is perhaps one you don’t really want to have a translation for, and maybe, you just want to accept Mattak as Mattak. Sometimes, speaking the language just gives an outsider too much information. In Greenland, instead of turkey, the locals prefer to eat Mattak or raw whale skin and blubber.  But wait, there is a second item on the menu called Kiviak, which is made by wrapping an auk, a small bird found in the artic, in seal skin and then burying it for a few months. The decomposed bird in the skin is then dug up and eaten.

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Turkey anyone? These are just a handful of Christmas traditions, but to really get to appreciate Christmas in any foreign country, just partaking in the traditions is not quite enough. To really understand and enjoy a Christmas in a foreign country, speaking the language allows you to fit in. These traditions have some real meaning, but being able to speak about them or converse with the locals, allows you to really become part of their Christmas. Songs may be sung in a native language and you may well be able to hum along, or mumble something that sounds like the words, but again, knowing the language is a huge help. Christmas is a time of sharing and by speaking another language you can share Christmas better the next time you celebrate Christmas in a foreign country. 

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Christmas Trivia ...... Trees and Plants

14/12/2016

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The Poinsettia, a traditional Christmas flower, originally grew in Mexico, where it is also known as the ‘Flower of the Holy Night’. Joel Poinsett first brought it to America in 1829.
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Franklin Pierce was the first president to decorate an official White House Christmas tree.

Artificial Christmas trees have outsold real ones since 1991.

Electric Christmas lights were first used in 1854.
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Christmas Trivia - Carols ......

13/12/2016

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“Silent Night” was first sung as part of a church service in Austria. A guitar was used because the church organ was so badly rusted it couldn’t be played.

The popular Christmas song “Jingle Bells” was actually written for Thanksgiving. The song was composed in 1857 by James Pierpont, and was originally called “One Horse Open Sleigh”.

The Puritans forbade the singing of Christmas carols.

George Frederick Handel’s great Christmas oratorio, “The Messiah”, was first performed in 1742, in Dublin.

J.S.Bach inscribed most of his musical scores with the note ‘In dem Namen Jesus’, or in English ‘In the name of Jesus’.
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The best places to spend Christmas.....

6/12/2016

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Whether you want to escape tradition, experience a different climate, a White Christmas or just to do something different, Christmas away will hopefully reward you with an unforgettable experience.  Here are just a few ideas.

Quebec City is one of the favourite historic destinations for Christmas. The city has a romantic, "Christmassy" feel with its cobblestoned streets and spectacular architecture of the city surrounded by walls. This city was founded in 1608 by a French explorer named Samuel de Champlain.  When the snow falls and you experience the food, wine and Christmas atmosphere at the many fantastic restaurants, you may wonder why you have never done this before

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Spain is another popular destination as there are many special activities during the Christmas season. On of these amazing experiences is Las Posadas which is a procession re-enacting Mary and Josephs search for "room at the inn". The traditional story of Mary and Joseph, and their search for lodging is re-enacted in a 10 block processions of carollers, histories characters, the Drum Corps and hundreds of visitors participating in the Christmas music.

Traditionally a nine-day celebration started in Spain, Las Posadas is symbolic of Joseph’s and Mary’s journey to Bethlehem and their search for shelter prior to the birth of Christ. In English, Las Posadas translates to “the inns” or “the shelters.” Dating  to the 16th century, the symbolic re-enactment begins with a procession of village families, called pilgrims (led by children and followed by adults and musicians) seeking shelter for the night. The pilgrims travel to a different “host” home in the village each of the nine nights, looking for lodging and carrying small lit candles. They are turned away from many homes before finally finding refuge. Upon entering their destination, the families pray together and sing. Their prayers are followed by joyous celebration.

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Another alternative to your traditional Christmas is Kaikoura, New Zealand. An outdoor Christmas could be celebrated here as it would be the height of Summer and outdoor activities are in abundance. You could hike the rainforest in the Kaikoura Mountain range or enjoy the waters of Kaikoura Bay.

There is much to see here as it is one of the most bio diverse marine environments on the planet. There are bound to be sperm whales, fur seals, dolphins and pilot whales and you can see them from the comfort of a boat.

Wherever you end up for Christmas, amidst all the busy-ness, don't forget the true reason of Christmas. Make this Christmas one to remember....

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    Travelling is an exciting opportunity which can be enhanced by learning the language before you go. This blog contains some interesting articles about language and travel.

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