Surprising Christmas Traditions From Around The World

Christmas is only 2 months away! Part of what makes Christmas so special are the traditions that are passed down from generation to generation. Have you ever thought about what people from other countries do for Christmas? It can be very interesting. Ornaments for Keeps is here to tell you about some fascinating Christmas traditions from around the around the world. 

Surprising Christmas Traditions From Around The World

India

In India, instead of handing out presents, they distribute Christmas candies, referred to as kuswar to their neighbors. They will also prepare a Christmas meal of traditional curry and newrio, which is sweet dumplings stuffed with palm sugar, sweet grated coconut, and sesame seeds.

Philipines

In the Philippines, on Christmas Eve, they will attend mass and then eat a traditional Nochebuena Feast. They don't serve dinner until 11:30 p.m. The foods typically consist of ham, bread, noodles, and rice.

Spain

In Spain, the employers gift their employees with baskets of delicious food and booze around Christmas time. 

Ethiopia

It is a tradition in Ethiopia to fast for a full 40 days leading up to Christmas, just eating 1 meal a day. That meal can only be vegan too. Also, Christmas comes on January 7 there. On Christmas, they will only eat rooster carved into 12 pieces, which can symbolize the 12 disciples and 12 hard boiled eggs, which can symbolize eternity.

Iceland

In Iceland, Santa Claus takes on a whole new meaning. Instead of Santa, they have Yule Lads. Yule Lads are mischievous guys who climb through kids windows for 13 nights wither leaving a treat or rotting potato in the shoes of children, depending on whether they were naughty or nice. 

Italy

Italians who are Catholic will typically eat seafood on Christmas Eve. In America, this tradition is referred to as the Feast of the Seven Dishes. 

A Traditional Christmas Dinner in America 

A traditional Christmas dinner in America may include some of the following fabulous dishes:

• glazed spiral sliced ham
• green bean casserole
• mashed potatoes and gravy
• sweet potato casserole
• corn casserole
• stuffing
• cranberry sauce

We can't forget about the deserts!

• pumpkin pie
• sugar cookies
• gingerbread cookies
• banana cream pie
• apple pie

"Christmas - when eating a cookie or chocolate for breakfast is perfectly acceptable." - Author Unknown

Commemorate Your Christmas Dinner Memories!

There's nothing like eating a home-cooked meal on Christmas with all of your loved ones. Even cooking those meals with your family can make for quite the fond memories to cherish as well. Whether you are baking Christmas cookies with your grandma or helping with the different side dishes that will be part of the magnificent Christmas feast, you can commemorate these memories with an ornament to hang on the tree. From one family to another, we'd like to invite you to start your very own collection of personalized Christmas ornaments. Grab a cup of hot cocoa, your favorite type of Christmas cookie, and browse through our VERY, MERRY Christmas tree ornaments simply by visiting our website. Happy browsing!

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5 Ways to Give Back as a Family This Holiday Season

Christmas is a time for giving. There are people out there, less fortunate than we are that could use a little extra help and kindness around this time of year. It's also nice to be able to teach your kids the importance of giving back around the holidays. Ornaments for Keeps is here to give you 5 ways to give back around the holiday season with your family and an example of how we have enjoyed giving back as a family ourselves.

5 Ways to Give Back as a Family This Holiday Season 

1. Bake goodies for our heroes.

As a family, bake some cookies or casseroles for those law enforcement officers or firefighters that have to work around the holidays and deliver them to the police department or fire station. How special would that be? Your local heroes would probably very much appreciate it.

2. Pack stockings for the homeless.

Purchase some cheap stockings and fill them up with different items with your kids. Stocking stuffer ideas for the homeless may include:

• granola bars
• water bottles
• toothpaste
• warm gloves
• socks

3. Donate toys.

Go through your kid's old toys that they don't play with anymore or have just outgrown and donate them to the less fortunate. That could MAKE a child's Christmas to receive an awesome toy!

4. Adopt a family.

There are many organizations that help you sponsor a family in your area over the holiday season. They may need some extra food around the holidays and this could be a great way to donate to the less fortunate as a family.

5. Donate to a food bank.

Your kids may enjoy picking out food items at the grocery store to donate. Allow them to help pick out items to donate to a local food bank.


"It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving." - Mother Teresa

We Have Enjoyed Giving Back as a Family

"We do a couple of fundraisers a year for different organizations. We are currently doing one for Bishop Guertin High School in New Hampshire. It's the fourth year we have done this. They order 200 ornaments and I design a new one for each year. They bake for 5 hours and then the detail is painted on. They are then dipped in epoxy twice to get that shine. It is a four-day process. We can't take any more fundraisers this year but if anyone is interested next year, check with us early. " -  owner of Ornaments for Keeps

Ornaments for Keeps is Here for Your Tree Decoration Needs!

Personalized Christmas ornaments can brighten up your tree and allow you to reflect on the memories your ornaments may represent. We encourage you to start your own family traditions at Christmas. It can bring a smile to your family's faces and make your Christmas all the more special. We invite you to begin your very own collection of personalized Christmas ornaments. Check out our website at OrnamentsforKeeps.com.

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Phone: (573) 893-3272
www.ornamentsforkeeps.com

5 Christmas Gift Ideas for Your Favorite Teacher!

Christmas is right around the corner and you know what that means... PRESENTS, PRESENTS, PRESENTS! There's a pleasure you can get when finding the perfect Christmas present for your friends, family, co-workers, even your TEACHERS! Ornaments for Keeps understands how difficult it can be to find the PERFECT present for your favorite teacher. Perhaps you haven't spoken with them on a personal level and you're just not sure what they like. Don't fret, we have prepared a list of Christmas present ideas that could be PERFECT for your favorite teacher.

5 Christmas Gift Ideas for Your Favorite Teacher!

1. Coffee Mug

What teacher doesn't like coffee, hot chocolate, or even tea? All of these delightful beverages can go great in a brand new coffee mug for Christmas!

2. Gift Cards

The great thing about getting your teacher a gift card, whether it be to Amazon, Target, or Wal-Mart, is it allows them to purchase what they really want for Christmas. Teachers have busy enough lives, treating themselves to a little shopping spree can be just the thing they need!

3. A Planner for the New Year

Teachers plan so much for their students throughout the year, that a new planner for the new year can go a long way.

4. A Hand-Written Letter of Reasons Why Your Teacher is Your Favorite

Showing your teacher what makes them your favorite teacher through a hand-written letter can mean the world to them. Teachers work hard so something like this can be really touching.

5. Last but not Least, a New Christmas Ornament for Your Teacher's Tree

A personalized Christmas ornament can allow your favorite teacher to remember each year how good it made them feel to receive such a thoughtful gift from their student. Christmas ornaments are the gifts that keep on giving because each year the ornaments commemorate some touching memories to reflect on.

Looking for Personalized Christmas Ornaments for Your Favorite Teacher?

Personalized Christmas ornaments can make your teacher feel special. No matter who you may be buying a personalized ornament for, whether it's for a new baby, sporting event, special friend, or wedding, Christmas ornaments can become a very special keepsake.

Each year as our family decorates our Christmas tree, the personalized family ornaments we hang bring smiles and reflection. When our children grew up and left home, we gave them their personalized ornaments to start their own family Christmas tree tradition!

I invite you to begin or continue your tradition and collection of personalized Christmas ornaments. Grab a cup of coffee, sit and browse our wonderful selection!

Connect with us for the latest inspired, creative ideas!

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Phone: (573) 893-3272
www.ornamentsforkeeps.com

5 Cute Things You Can Do With Your Dogs for Christmas

Christmas is such a magical time of the year! The entire family should get together and spend this time together, INCLUDING your dogs. Our dogs are family too, right? Ornaments for Keeps is here to let you know there are many cute and fun things you can do with your pets around Christmas time. It's their Christmas too. Here are a few things you can do with your dogs around Christmas time.

5 Cute Things You Can Do With Your Dogs for Christmas

1. Wear your BEST Christmas pajamas and dress your dog in Christmas pajamas too. 

There is such a cute selection of Christmas themed pajamas out there, not only for you, but for your fur babies too. This could be you and your fur baby's new Christmas tradition. What a great memory to make!

2. Make homemade Christmas themed dog treats.

What dog wouldn't love some homemade dog treats around Christmas time? There are an abundance of recipes online you can try. Make your dog some homemade candy cane shaped dog treats this year. This smells like a new, fantastic Christmas tradition to us!

"The best of all Christmas gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other." - Burton Hills

3. Show your dog some Christmas love and hang an ornament to represent them.

Ornaments for Keeps has a GREAT selection of personalized dog themed Christmas ornaments to choose from. Honor your dog this Christmas and commemorate the memory of getting to share Christmas with them.

4. Include your dog in your family Christmas card.

There are so many adorable Christmas cards out there where families included their fur babies in the photo. Try including your dog in the Christmas card. Dress them up in a cute dog Christmas sweater or drape some pretty garland around your dog. This can make for a Christmas card you will never forget!

5. Get your dog a present to "unwrap" at Christmas too.

Last but not least, your fur baby deserves a present to open to right? Whether it be a NEW dog toy or some new dog treats, include your dog in the excitement of opening presents at Christmas.

In Need of the Perfect Ornament to Represent Your Fur Baby on the Christmas Tree?

Ornaments for Keeps specializes in creating unique, personalized Christmas ornaments. No matter if your ornament is for a new baby, sporting event, special friend, or wedding, Christmas ornaments can become a very special keepsake. Each year as our family decorates our Christmas tree, the personalized family ornaments we hang bring smiles and reflection. When our children grew up and left home, we gave them their personalized ornaments to start their own family Christmas tree tradition! We invite you to begin or continue your tradition and collection of personalized Christmas ornaments. Grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, sit and browse our wonderful selection of personalized Christmas ornaments!

Connect with us for the latest inspired, creative ideas!

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Pinterest

Follow us on Google+

Phone: (573) 893-3272
www.ornamentsforkeeps.com