Except for a few rumblings, the ‘war on Christmas’ seems strangely silent this year
I’m amazed that I've seen or heard very little this year from those well-meaning folks who sound the alarm against those who say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." Have we reached a new level of maturity and sense over this?
Nah. I don’t believe that for a minute. I can recall when I was but a tiny lad there were people in our town -- and the population was only about 1,900! -- who constantly railed against ungodly folks who would "take Christ out of Christmas," i.e., those who would use the word "Xmas." And the whole silly bit has continued every Christmas I can remember.
I made reference to the "war on Christmas" in the title of this blog because prominent "Christians" and "Christian leaders" in recent years have treated the "Xmas/Holidays/Christmas" silliness as only part of a broader war or conspiracy they see to destroy Christianity and mistreat Christians in America. According to these folks, anything which might be "politically correct" or in anyway "tolerant" of other religions, or those with no religion at all, is a direct attack on the Christian faith and the American way.
To such folks I would say this: Grow up. You know nothing about real opposition or persecution for your faith. Quit being so silly. Think about what you’re saying. You are really saying the God you believe in is weak or powerless to take care of Himself. That’s not the God I’m acquainted with in my Christian faith. And it certainly isn’t the God of the martyrs and those who truly were/are being persecuted over their faith.
Ah, well, what do I know? I’m just a guy who reads the papers — but I do wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
[tags]Christmas war, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, faith and persecution, just a guy who reads the papers[/tags]
Last-minute holiday plans? Check out Holiday Hypermarket for some real deals
If you've got a yearning for travel for the holidays, obviously your trip planning "window of opportunity" for traditional "year's end/new year's" timing is growing small. That's a good reason for you to take a look at Holiday Hypermarket. Just one example from their website is this information and special offer page on flights to Goa India, a former Portuguese colony on India's west coast which is rapidly gaining a reputation as a great holiday travel destination.
As one of Europe's largest travel agencies, Holiday Hypermarket offers a huge selection of last-minute holiday bargains and travel arrangements to destinations worldwide. You can use their services to create your own holiday timeframe and destination(s). Their website is well-organized and easy to use. In addition to specials and packaged deals to virtually any destination you might have in mind, their site has an excellent "Build Your Own" section to help you select and design just the holiday package you're looking for -- from air travel accommodations to custom made cruises.
Holiday Hypermarket may be just what you're looking for to design your holiday vacation. Go take a look.
[tags]Holiday Hypermarket, last-minute holiday travel plans, just a guy who reads the papers[/tags]
‘Great White Way’ may be dark for the holidays
Shed a tear, I guess, for alas, Broadway may be dim and dark for the holidays. Due to ongoing union strikes involving the stagehands, which apparently have broken down again, all those folks who come to New York City to see a Broadway show for the holidays may have to pass this year.
But here’s a thought: Outside of New York City, just how many of us are interested in Broadway shows these days anyway? Seriously.
I recall a recent Broadway category on “Jeopardy” and the three contestants knew less than a third of the questions/answers among them. They repeatedly stood there making no attempt to buzz in and respond as the clues were read.
Oh, well, don’t look at ME — I didn’t have the slightest clue about the, uh, clues, either.
Which brings me to the point: With the widespread variety in today’s entertainment market, from websites to podcasts, to “old fashioned” CDs and DVDs, who in the world takes Broadway seriously anymore? I have no idea how many people care about or watch broadcasts of the annual Tony Awards (Broadway’s Emmys and Oscars). But I’d bet good money there are radically fewer people watching than there were a decade ago.
Sure, I’m sorry about anyone suffering economic hardships because the strike on Broadway has left them unemployed — especially at the holiday season — but don’t expect me to take the whole Broadway scene seriously. Remarkably, I live outside New York City along with most of the world, and I have little interest in obscure plays starring obscure actors.
Ah, well, what do I know? I’m just a guy who reads the papers.
[tags]Broadway strike, entertainment, live theater, actors, live acting, just a guy who reads the papers[/tags]
Best laid holiday travel plans go astray when weather turns sour
Earlier this week our President gained a round of quick applause when he announced the opening of East Coast military flight zones to commercial air travel in the interest of helping this year’s traditional Thanksgiving weekend travel crunch. Those who were paying attention pointed out that his move wasn’t something all that new, and probably would have little impact beyond another Bush effort to garner good PR.
The real villain for holiday travelers is that old nemesis which dogs everything from manned space launches to summer picnics — The Weather.
As I write these words, I’ve been flipping between cable news channels and network news programs. Without exception, all agree that this year’s Thanksgiving weekend travel is not starting out well and will probably not improve much — because everything from fog to rain to snow showers is socking in the nation, with little sign of weather improvement for Sunday’s return travelers.
Good effort, though, Mr. President. At least you’re trying. Now if we could just get you to rethink that Iraq business …
Ah, well, what do I know? I’m just a guy who reads the papers.
[tags]Thanksgiving travel, air travel, travel congestion, holiday air traffic, just a guy who reads the papers[/tags]
The Gallery Collection puts beauty back in holiday greetings, sends gift to troops
The Christmas Cards business has become beautiful again, thanks to The Gallery Collection and a good thing they are doing for the holidays in connection with Soldiers Angels.
The Gallery Collection, the leading mail order publisher of premium quality personalized greetings cards, just announced they have donated a holiday greeting card to Soldiers Angels to be sent to each soldier, wishing them Happy Holidays, Happy New Year, and providing a blank card and envelop for them to write home.
The Gallery Collection specializes in fine quality, truly beautiful business and personal greeting cards. They have eliminated the common, not-so-pretty commercialized holiday cars of recent years and truly have put beauty back in holiday greetings with their exceptionally lovely cards — and through their special gesture to honor our troops for the holidays.
Soldiers Angels is a nonprofit organization founded by a soldier’s mother which provides aide and comfort to the men and women of the U.S. military and their families worldwide.
[tags]The Gallery Collection, Christmas cards, business holiday cards, Soldier Angels, just a guy who reads the papers[/tags]
Realistic ‘fake’ boulders will get your address plaque noticed
This may be the coolest idea I’ve ever heard of for an address plaque for your home -- a realistic-looking "fake" boulder to decorate the curb where you live.
These realistic looking boulders with attached, custom bronze address plaques or welcome plaques come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes, and are the perfect answer if you want a big rock without the big weight. They are made from construction-grade cast stone -- not fiberglass or polyurethane. As a result, though they are "fake" rocks, they have the look and feel of the real things.
According to the manufacturer, Artificial Rocks Factory, real boulders similar to theirs would weigh 800-1,000 pounds each. Their rocks, with welcome sign or address plaque attached, weigh in around 50-60 pounds, heavy enough to withstand the weather but light enough to place them and maneuver them into position. They certainly would highlight your home’s outdoor decor, as well as catch the attention of emergency responders, delivery drivers, first-time visitors, and out-of-town relatives trying to track you down.
The Artificial Rocks Factory folks point out that using a nice bronze address plaque or welcome plaque on a boulder has long been popular with property owners who could afford it, or those who were blessed with natural boulders on their property with a way to maneuver one into the right location. Now the Artificial Rocks Factory has made it not only easier but practical for just about every homeowner. Their selection of realistic boulders include 20 different models, which are all hollow, approximately one-inch thick, and open at the bottom.
Four of the models with the best front angles are available for address plaques and welcome plaques. Customers can pick any of these four models with a custom rustproof cast aluminum ivy oval address plaque or address sign for up to five 3″ characters (numbers or capitalized letters) or up to seven 2″ characters (numbers or capitalized letters) in gold on a black background.
Each fake rock come with “anti-theft metal eyebolt” which is embedded in it. Their website offers no real explanation about this except to say that “easy-to-follow instructions” for how this anti-theft feature works are shipped with each boulder.
Check out their website and see these remarkable address plaque and welcome plaque “fake” boulders for yourself. They offer three-dimensional, rotating pictures of representative boulders and plaques so you can get a good idea of just what you’ll be getting if you choose to order one. They also have a catalog you can download in PDF format.
Their prices seem reasonable to me, they deliver promptly, and according to the website you can order your address boulders in time to arrive by Christmas if go to their website and place your order no later than November 29.
[tags]fake boulders, home address plaques, welcome plaque boulders, just a guy who reads the papers[/tags]
Don’t waste gift cards — put ‘em in the Salvation Army kettle
If you’ve lived long in America, you’ve come to expect the holiday season’s red kettles manned (personed?) by hearty bell ringers outside malls and retail shops all over the land. Most of us have dropped some coins in the kettles from time to time. Now, with an interesting new twist, the Salvation Army is accepting gift cards.
Oh, I don’t mean they are asking you to buy retailers’ gift cards to give to the Salvation Army. I suppose they would never refuse such purchases. But they are encouraging anyone who has a gift card they won’t use, or one that’s only partly used and they don’t care to use remaining the remaining funds, to drop those cards in their kettles. They will cash in the cards and use the funds for their many worthwhile community outreaches.
So if you can’t spare some change for the red kettle, clean out those dresser drawers and drop in your unused/partly used/unwanted gift cards.
Go ahead. You’ll feel good about it and thank me.
[tags]Salvation Army, gift cards, Salvation Army gifts, red kettles, bell ringers, just a guy who reads the papers[/tags]
Get a fresh-cut tree for the holidays from Christmas Farms
Remember hiking deep into the snowy woods with your dad or granddad to cut down the family Christmas tree? Then sitting around a campfire singing carols before trekking back to the warmth and cheer of your mountain cabin?
Me neither — but the folks at Christmas Farms can just about take you there, and better yet they can give you that Christmas tree shopping experience online from the comfort of your home, apartment, or, uh, even cabin in the woods.
Whether you’re looking for a tree or perhaps just some Christmas garland to spread holiday cheer around the house and neighborhood, Christmas Farms is taking orders now. They are a family owned business located in Michigan not far from Lake Michigan. Their holiday inventory includes fir, pine, and spruce Christmas trees, as well as a wide selection of holiday wreaths and greenery (including Christmas swags) — and tree stands, too.
Take it from a long-time artificial Christmas tree guy: Nothing beats the smell and presence of a fresh-cut live tree in your home. I don’t mean the tree lot relics that have needles struggling to hang on for weeks before you even get them. I mean a real, freshly cut and quickly shipped tree from Christmas Farms.
Do yourself a favor: Cut down on the shopping hassles and let Christmas Farms deliver your holiday decor right to your door.
And did I mention, they do FREE SHIPPING! Order today and pick your delivery date.
[tags]Christmas Farms, fresh-cut tree, Christmas celebration, holiday trees, just a guy who reads the papers[/tags]
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