Extra special New Year 2011

New Year 2011 is approaching. Your plans and resolutions must be ready just like they are, every year. Aren’t they? The year’s come finally after 365 days of year 2010. Greeting cards, cakes and New Year parties are already on your list; though making it a little extra special is always fun. We just wait eagerly whole year round for the special day to arrive. When it does, we love to get a little crazy.

2011 Resolutions again:

Here comes the New Year 2011, tickling you for a resolution. You are too determined to make a New Year resolution, which you have full intentions to follow. Don’t you? Well, unlike every year, this is something new to do. You can make a practical resolution and fulfill it within a particular time span. If there is a little doubt about the resolution, bring in another person to join you in your noble endeavor.

Plans for New Year 2011:

The time is right for you to make a quick plan for the upcoming year. Now tat resolutions are in place, all you need to think about is the New Year Eve party or the New Year night party. Making reservations at hotels, restaurants or holiday inns is a ‘must’ thing to do as you certainly don’t want to end up waiting in a long queue for having the best food or be a part of the thrilling party. Do you? What to wear or what gifts to pick, is yet another cause of worry, for most of us. Planning takes the front seat in terms of choosing the party dress, the picnic attire or the dress for the new day of the New Year.

With all these and lot more, you can welcome the New Year 2011 into your life and have a splendid start to it too.

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Ideas for New Year 2011

People celebrate New Year with lots of excitement. New Year marks a fresh beginning of life. On New Year 2011, you can spend some outstanding moments with your loved ones. New Year resolutions make you move towards the ride of life. Everyone wants to do something special on New Year. You can take pleasure in fabulous moments. To enjoy to the fullest, you should begin setting various thrilling schedules together with your friends. Ideas for New Year 2011 are harmonized in the page below. They speak about celebrations, gifts and all the fun that is associated to New Year.
Ideas for New Year 2011 Party

Theme Party: Decide the theme of New Year party. Pick a model theme which should cheer every age-group.

Dress Code: Decide a dress code that compliments the theme of the party.

Games: Games at party will enhance the excitement of the party. See that these games are enjoyed by every age group. Don’t forget to give away the prizes to winners and consolation prizes should be there for others. The prizes need not be expensive. They can be small ones. What matters here is fun, not the cost of prize.

Refreshment: Arrange tasty refreshment at the party. Select the items that are liked by a majority. Eating food of their choice will make people remember the party with an added flavor.

Music and Dance: No party is complete without music and dance. Spend the entire night dancing to your favorite tunes.

An addition of lights and crackers will boost the merriment of the party.

Ideas for New Year 2011 Gifts

You must be looking for some memorable gifts for your loved ones to give at New Year. You can select from the following gift ideas-

• New Year planner, monogrammed T-shirts, coffee mugs and coasters, a printed calendar having all your pictures of the past year, gift baskets etc. are great gifts.

• You can also gift some Chinese items to your family and friends. As 2011 will be the year of rabbit, you can choose gifts that have rabbit on them along with other Chinese good luck charms. You can select from good fortune charm bracelet, personalized Chinese symbol wooden picture album, Chinese coin money tree, red Chinese lantern etc.

• Drapers, tassels, curtains, bowls, dishes, cutleries, bed sheets, cushion covers, pillows, decorative items etc.

Do not forget to give a personal touch to gifts. By showering your dear ones with gifts, you will make the celebrations more meaningful.

New Year Family Ideas

Spend the whole day with your family. Go to a museum nearby, a picnic or make a home movie. Instead of following the usual trend, try new things for your family. Try to create memories that you will look back on affectionately. Make this New Year celebration with your family different from all of the previous ones.

Be determined to leave all bad habits and fulfill resolutions this year. Ideas for New Year 2011 are all about sharing love and making it the best New Year in your life.

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New Year Greeting Cards

When the Christmas season starts folding its robe and people are again filled with ‘let’s party tonight’ spirit after Christmas, we know that the New Year is knocking the door. New Year brings in times to make new resolutions, new hopes, new beginnings and new dreams. As New Year approaches after a week of Christmas, the shade of our excitement becomes deep. New Year greeting cards are available for you so that you can greet your loved ones. At dgreetings, a vast variety of New Year cards are available. You can select from the category you like and greet your dear ones. In the following page, you will find a rich account on New Year cards on our website.
New Year Card Categories

There are cards for almost all people whom you want to greet on New Year on our website. The card categories that are available for you at dgreetings are mentioned below-

• Happy New Year-You will find cards that are general and you can send to anyone irrespective of your relationship with him/her.
• New Years Eve-these cards are especially for eve of New Year. They express the fun and joy of this eve.
• New Year Interactive Cards-These are wonderful cards that create an interaction with the viewer.
• New Year Flower Cards-In these cards the fresh feeling of the upcoming fresh year is expressed.
• New Year Miss You Cards-These cards are meant for those you are missing on New Year and want to be with them.
• New Year Love Cards-These cards are meant for the love birds who desire to love each other for the rest of life.
• New Year Thanks Cards-With these cards, you can send your gratitude to those who sent their warm wishes on New Year.
• New Year Inspirational Wishes Cards-These cards inspire you for the coming year and infuses optimism.
• New Year Business Greetings-These cards can be sent to your business acquaintances for greeting New Year.
• New Year Humor Cards-These cards wish New Year on a hilarious note.
• New Year Friends Cards-They are especially for your friends.
• New Year Party Cards-With these cards you can spread the enthusiasm of New Year party.
• New Year Resolution-The determination and importance of New Year is enhanced with these cards.
• New Year Gifts Cards-These cards are about New Year gifts as already clear from the name.

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Other Card Categories-

• New Year Family Cards
• New Year Teddy
• Grand Cards
• Around the World Cards
• New Year Blessings Cards
• New Year Fun Cards
• New Year Games Cards
• New Year Formal Cards
• Funny New Year Celebrations Cards
• New Year Fireworks
• New Year Photo Cards
• Belated New Year Cards
• New Year Celebrations Cards
• New Year Wishes Cards
• New Year Gifts Cards
• New Year Songs Cards
• New Year Eve Party Cards

Sending these cards from our website is easy and free. They are made with utmost sincerity to provide you just what you want. This enormously wide array of variety among New Year cards & New year Messages gives you a chance to peep into the versatility of dgreetings. So, just select the category from which you want to send cards all around and send your best wishes for the upcoming year.

The Greeting Merry Christmas

When markets glow with electric lights, bright colors adorn the white ground, the crisp breeze rings the bells, kids count days for Santa’s visit, and carols constantly and rhythmically echo at a distance, we know that Christmas is around the corner. Christmas is a festival of Christians and is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. On this day and throughout the season people wish each other by saying ‘Merry Christmas’. Have you ever thought why we wish each other with this greeting? Your curiosity will be satisfied after you go through the account below as the reason about the greeting ‘Merry Christmas’ is harmonized here.

Origin of ‘Merry Christmas’
These days people greet each other around the day of Christmas with ‘Merry Christmas’. Peeping into the origin of this practice you will find it a little ambiguous.
It is believed that the term ‘Merry Christmas’ was first used by an English admiral in an informal letter in 1699. Charles Dickens used the same phrase in his creation "A Christmas Carol” in 1843. However, despite the reality of its origin, "Merry Christmas" has become a type of universal term to communicate happiness and good wishes.

Is Merry Christmas a Religious Term?
The term ‘Merry Christmas’ is not associated with religion. People of all religious backgrounds and races use it during Christmas time. It echoes the messages of love, joyfulness and good wishes that are communicated irrespective of belief systems. This greeting makes strangers have immediate connection. It acts as a message that fades out misunderstanding between people. Amazingly, these two simple words "Merry Christmas" have a profound effect.

Variation of Merry Christmas
A slight variation of the term "Merry Christmas" is used in some places on the planet. Some people prefer wishing "Happy Christmas" instead of ‘Merry Christmas’ in Ireland and Great Britain. Though, the power and connotation of the phrase is not lessened at all just because of a difference in choice of words. The reason is the intention of love and well being remains the same, irrespective of the phrase used.

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain used the phrase "Happy Christmas". Then it continued to gain recognition in that part of the world. It is also noteworthy that Clement Moore used "Happy Christmas in his famous creation "A visit from St. Nicholas".

Popularity of Merry Christmas
Throughout the globe, there are several terms for holiday greeting that are used. ‘Merry Christmas’ remains an extremely famous term where Christian populace is ample like United States, Canada, Great Britain and Australia. Other terms used about the same time of the year as greetings are "Happy holidays", "Season's Greetings" and "Happy Christmas."
Many people don’t like the use of "Merry Christmas". They prefer a more common term such as “Happy Christmas”. It is interesting to note that a survey discovered in 2005 that principally for greeting cards more consumers used "Merry Christmas" than "Happy Christmas".

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As a matter of fact, irrespective of the term that is used, what matters is the intent. Using words is just a way of sending your greetings. Though the origin of the greeting ‘Merry Christmas’ is not clear but its popularity knows no bounds. And when we greet people with these words ‘Merry Christmas’, there is no doubt about the goodness of our intentions.

Also check - Christmas Messages & New Year Messages

Dgreetings and Christmas - Part2

Christmas Party
The most important ingredients for a party are good friends and good cheer. But if you feel you’ve fallen into a holiday rut, we’ve got a different spin on themes, menus, games, and more. And even better: none of this is going to break your budget. So put on your Santa hat and browse through our Christmas Ideas section for inspiration!

Christmas Gifts
We all know them. And for the other 364 days of the year, we love them to death. But when it comes to Christmas, we never know what to do for That Person. You know. The one that’s impossible to shop for. Whether it’s the wrong size, the wrong color, they already have one or weren’t that interested in the first place, no gift is ever really right. Well fret no more, as we’ve got tons of ideas, from mouth-watering baked goods to crazy gift baskets and more. You’re sure to find something to please That Person, and everyone else on your list.

Christmas Decorations
Deck the halls, and the living room, and the foyer, and the den, and the stairs, and your car, and your office and the Christmas tree, and even the dog (provided he doesn’t just chew up the stuffed antlers). Decorating is a great way to get into the holiday spirit, and you can make some great ornaments and trinkets on just about any budget. Invite friends or family over, whip up some eggnog, and make it a crafting party! Plus, each year you bring that ornament back out, it will bring back wonderful memories – truly a gift that keeps on giving.

Of course, the best part about Dgreetings is that all of our content is absolutely free. So come on over, and browse through our cards, articles, computer wallpapers, and much more. And Merry Christmas!

Also check : Christmas Messages & Christmas & New Year Greetings

DGreetings and Christmas - Part1

“It’s time to dress Christmas tree and eat lots of cake,
It’s time to write to Santa about wishes we make,
Let’s fill our hearts with Christmas spirit and
Thank the Lord as He sent His Son for our sake.”

Christmas is approaching quickly, and every heart and home is filled with enthusiasm. Everyone wants to make the holiday memorable and special, and if you’re looking for unique ideas about how to do so, then you’re in the right place. At Dgreetings, Christmas cheer is in full swing. We not only have a wide selection of Christmas ecards for everyone on your list, we also have plenty of gift ideas, party ideas, invitations, and more.

Christmas Cards
Our cards cover every Christmas category imaginable, from the traditional and religious, to a dance party with Santa and his reindeer. We have cards for your parents, your kids, and even your dog – any theme, any reason, any sentiment, you can find it here.







Christmas Carols
Of course it’s not Christmas without singing! We’ve got several of the classic favorites available in our carols section, for you to sing along with and share with your friends.

Also check : Christmas Messages and Christmas & New year Greetings

How Santa Found His Home in the North Pole

“You better watch out!
Better not cry!
Better not pout!
I'm telling you why,
Santa Claus is coming to town.”

-J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie

Every year when Christmas comes around, kids eagerly wait for Santa Claus. They look forward to the gifts he brings each Christmas Eve. Of course, everyone knows he lives in the North Pole, and he’s always busy, busy, busy. Sometimes he’s busy making toys in his workshop, assisted by hundreds of little elves. Other times, he’s busy getting his reindeer ready for their big Christmas Eve flight. Yes, Santa’s home is a busy, magical place for kids and parents alike. But do you know where Santa came from? And how he came to live in the North Pole in the first place? Well then, read on for the amazing story behind Santa and his home!

Santa’s Early Years
Did you know Santa Claus wasn’t always named “Santa Claus”? Nope. Way back in the 4^th Century (more than 1,700 years ago!), a Greek Christian bishop named Saint Nicholas of Myra started giving generously to the less fortunate – especially during the hard winter months. After his death, people that he had helped started telling tales of a Sinterklaas – a good saint – who would leave gifts for those in need. Like Santa, no one ever saw him do it. And like Santa, Sinterklaas could fly and visit all the houses in the world in one night. But no one knew where he went after Christmas, or what he did for the rest of the year.

Santa Moves to the North Pole

In the early 1800s, America was a new, exciting country, and boats and boats of immigrants sailed over, to start new lives and new families. But come Christmas, who would give presents to the children? Who would spread Christmas cheer with a merry, “Ho-ho-ho!”? Well, Sinterklass would! But a new start in a new country also meant a new name – Santa Claus. It was also in America that Santa first got his famous sleigh and reindeer.

But people were still curious about the jolly old elf, and so in 1866, a cartoonist named Thomas Nast set out to answer their questions. He drew pictures about Santa’s life, including his home. Thomas said that Santa lived in the North Pole – a cold and snowy place – but that he had a big workshop and lots of elves to help him out.

Santa as We Know Him Today

Over the years, more artists and writers have added their stories of Santa Claus to the mix. Santa got married to Mrs. Claus in 1889. And Rudolph joined the reindeer team, to help out Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, and Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen, in 1939.

But no matter how many changes Santa has gone through over the years, one thing has always remained the same. Every year, after all the little children have gone to bed, Santa visits them one-by-one. He’s made his list, he’s checked it twice, and he knows if you’ve been naughty or nice. Santa Claus is coming to town!

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Spread Happiness on Christmas Through Ecards

When the year rushes to touch its finishing line, just seven days before it, Christmas arrives in full majesty. The festival sets our spirits high. Decked up homes, adorned Christmas trees and waiting for Santa Claus give a warm welcome to Christmas. The rhythmic chiming of bells and soulful carols add to the festive color. Augment your Christmas delight by sending Christmas Ecards to your kith and kin. These ecards at our website will convey your greetings to the receiver in the best way.

Christmas Cards
Say it with Christmas cards when you want to convey your greetings to your loved ones. At our website, you will find superb Christmas cards. These cards are beautiful, blissful and bright. The variety of Christmas cards available at our website is incomparable. Accompanied by melodious music and great graphics, the beautiful words are sure to cast a cute charm on you and the receiver who gets your warm wishes with these cards. They are available as animated cards, flash cards and postcards. The real message of Christmas is conveyed through our Christmas cards.

Christmas Greetings
At DGreetings.com, you will find a great variety of Christmas ecards and greetings; more than you can imagine. At the same time it is very easy to send these cards. They are absolutely free and to add icing to the cake, you can add a personal message to these cards to express your wishes. Just visit our website and you will see the wide range of Christmas cards splashed there. Just select those you find the best and send your heartiest greetings to your near and dear ones for free.

Christmas Ecards Categories
The categories of Christmas ecards at our website include Christmas photo cards, Christmas invitation, Christmas tree, snowman, kids Christmas, interactive, Christmas gifts, Christmas angel, Christmas Carol, Santa Claus, Christmas family, Christmas thanks, Christmas and New Year, Christmas Advent, Merry Christmas, religious blessings Christmas eve, Jesus birthday, Bible quotes, Catholic Christmas, Christmas blessings, Christmas romance, miss you, Christmas games, Christmas party, Christmas birthday, Christmas friends, African-American, Christmas business and much more.








To these Christmas Ecards you can add a personal touch by writing your personal message to them. Christmas wallpapers are also available. Send your Christmas greetings to all your near and dear ones with our versatile Christmas cards and add a joyful color to this holy festival. When the air is chilling, our Christmas Ecards spread the warmth of Christmas wishes everywhere.

Christmas Tree Lights

Christmas tree lights are sometimes also known as twinkle lights or fairy lights. They are wisps of electric lights that are used to beautify Christmas trees during the season of Christmas. Christmas tree lights are available in a vast range of shapes, styles and scintillating colors. These lights not only adorn your Christmas tree but also add a gleaming beauty to your home. The beautiful color of joy and brightness enhances in your home with these lights. In the following page, you will find a good deal of information about these lights for Christmas tree. Read and be beneficent.

History of Christmas Tree Lights
The use of Christmas tree lights started in the middle of the 17th century. At that time little candles were attached to the ends of tree branches with pins and wax. In 1882 the American custom of using electric lights commenced. It came into vogue when an associate of Thomas Edison, Edward Johnson hand-wired 80 white, blue and red bulbs and wound them around a gyratory evergreen tree. Then, President Grover Cleveland in 1895 set up a lighted Christmas tree in the White House and the common public started noticing it. So the tradition began. At the beginning of the past century, stores began putting up huge illuminated trees to magnetize customers. On this trend, parties of high society also followed. The credit of popularizing Christmas tree lighting is given to Albert Sadacca.

Kinds of Christmas Tree Lights

Net Lights - These lights are spread in a net like structure. You can hang them anywhere and they are very fine-looking. A starlit effect is created by these lights.

LED Lights - Approximately 60% less energy is used by these lights and they are equally beautiful. They are available in a vast variety of shapes and colors.

Rope lights - These lights are the most common and most famous of all types of lights. These lights are attached with a rope and are arranged in a particular pattern. On a tall Christmas Tree they look very beautiful. Strings and Bulbs-Strings and bulbs are another kind of lights. They are attached with a string of wires. You can select the same color strings or can opt for different colors of strings, which looks eye-catching.

Theme Lights - These lights are based on particular themes and colors, if you want to beautify your home with a specific theme then these theme lights are perfect for you.

Mini Lights - The beautiful Mini Lights belong to other variety of Christmas lights. They look very attractive. With the Christmas tree lights mentioned in the account above, decorate your home with the kind of lights you want. With these lights for Christmas tree you can add more glitter to your life. May be the fairy magic stick is your fantasy but the authentic fairy lights will be shining in your home in form of Christmas tree lights to glisten your life for the whole year.

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Unique Christmas Gifts

Christmas is the season of loving and giving. As it is a family oriented festival; gifts have now occupied a prime place during the merriment of Christmas. Christmas gives you chance to show your loved ones how much you care for them. It will be wise to go for gifts that are truly heartening and according to the choice and interest of the receiver. In the following page, there are nice ideas about unique Christmas gifts.

Unique Christmas Gifts for Kids
Christmas gift is not less than a treasure for the kids. They are extremely excited about getting gifts from Father Christmas. They will cherish the gifts if you give them computer games, candies and cookies, dolls to girls, gadgets to boys (according to their age), or a visit to an amusement park. If your kids are teenagers; tickets to fashion shows can be given to girls and tickets for sports events can be given to both boys and girls if they are interested in sports. It is necessary to keep their age in mind, then the gifts you buy according to their choice and interest will make you enjoy their bright smiles and joyful cheers echoing your home.

Unique Christmas Gifts for Men
Buying gifts for men is not an easy task. You have to keep their hobby and interest in mind while you shop for them. Think what is that which can make him happy. Men love gadgets, so giving a gadget he needs, will add to his festive cheer. A mobile with advanced functions, iPod, a portable DVD player, an electric shaver, 3D video camcorder, a set of headphones, earphones or earplugs etc. gift baskets are also a good idea. You can fill a basket with things of his choice like coffee, a coffee mug, perfume or a shaving kit and the like. If he is a sportsperson, you can go for a Sports kit of his favorite sport, sporty T-shirts etc. will bring that joyful glow on his face, you love.

Unique Christmas Gifts for Women
Sentimental gifts are sure to make women happy. Something beautiful and personal will just melt her heart. Gift baskets are always a wonderful option, if you can’t decide upon a gift. Prepare a basket filled with perfumes and deo's of her choice, a collection of aromatherapy, chocolates with flowers and a card will make her more than happy. Artwork, jewelry, perfume, kitchen gear, handbags, soft toys, beaded bags, make-up kit, chocolates, a latest designer dress, dry arrangements, cosmetics and the like will make you see that sparkle in her eyes, you have always loved.

Unique Christmas gifts make the receiver happy and you feel good to see the joy on his/her face because of your gift. Giving gifts is a nice way of adding to the delight and excitement of Christmas. An addition of a personal touch to the gift will make it all the more special.

New Year Eve

New Year Eve falls on the 31st December. It is the final day of the Gregorian calendar and the day prior to the New Year’s Day. People celebrate this eve with gaiety and gusto. The reason to celebrate the eve of New Year is to bid farewell to the past year and give a warm welcome to the year ahead. Partying until the moment of the alteration of the year at midnight is the most well-liked way of celebrating New Year's Eve.

Customs of celebrating New Year’s Eve vary in various parts of the world. It is because of traditional variations. In maximum countries people cut cake as the clock strikes 12 midnight on New Year's Eve. Their express their joy with flow of the foam of champagne. With parties and social gatherings, people wait for the transition of the year at midnight. Manifestation of Father Time (the old year represented by an old bearded man with a sash across his chest having the previous year printed on it) is a common image of New Year's Eve celebration. This Father Time gives his responsibilities to the Baby New Year (epitome of New Year represented by a baby wearing a sash with the New Year printed on it).

As soon as the clock strikes at midnight on New Year's Eve, people start wishing Happy New Year to each other. Many places have the custom to kiss one’s beloved at this time. It is believed that kissing strengthens the bond of affections and ties will be maintained all through the year. Greetings are sent over phone or through SMS and New Year greeting cards to dear ones staying in distant cities.

In each and every part of the planet, New Year's Eve is the time for merrymaking and dig into the last minute fun. People throng throughout the night at discotheques, clubs, amusement parks and even the cinema halls. People dress in their best attire. Sometimes there is a theme for the New Year’s Eve party. Movie stars, professional dancers and singers cheer up people by their music, dance and performances. People go sky-high in these celebrations with music, dance, lavish dinner and by lighting bonfires and burning crackers.

Some people organize their private parties in order to avoid partying at over crowded places. On the eve of New Year everyone enjoys to the fullest. You can browse our website-Dgreetings to enhance the celebrations with our ecards. Eve prior to the New Year Day is a wonderful chance to forget all your tensions and indulge in merry making and welcome the New Year with hopes and dreams. It is also the time to prepare yourself for the challenges and opportunities and to gather happiness that the coming year has for you in its fold.

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Christmas Eve - Enjoy at Fullest

Christmas Eve is the evening of the day before Christmas. It commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. There is a celebratory air to this evening. Christmas Eve is not a national holiday. Still, schools and other educational establishments are usually closed. People decorate their homes with seasonal decorations. Just before bedtime, many families, mostly those with children hang up stockings on the fireplace or at the end of their bed. Christmas Eve is the time to celebrate, rejoice, honor the birth of Jesus and realize the depth of the Christmas message which is love, modesty, peace and hope.

The beginning of the holiday season at the end of the year is marked with Christmas Eve. Many Christians remember the events around the birth of Jesus on this eve. As a tradition, as soon as the Christmas Eve ends and Christmas arrives, a midnight mass at church is especially attended by the Roman Catholics. Now-a-days, there are several churches that hold a church service in the early part of the Christmas Eve. Special services on Christmas Eve are also held by numerous Protestant churches. No matter whether the church is Roman Catholic or Protestant, each and every church is beautifully decorated on Christmas Eve. These decorations include presentation of a crib scene depicting the holy family, with statues representing Mother Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, the shepherds and various animals that were present in the stable where Jesus was born.

Church services on Christmas Eve hold many programs that are related to Christmas. People go to each other’s home singing carols. During the church service, the priest delivers a meaningful sermon and Christmas carols are delightfully sung. Many people donate their time to charity. Traditionally, Christmas Eve meals in America are ham or fowl. Some families like to have light meal and serve soup and crackers. Mostly people have nice sausage and cheese for delicious snacks and appetizers. People visit their friends and relatives and exchange gifts and cards.

You can browse our website-Dgreetings for ideas regarding, celebrations, gifts and the like for Christmas season. This year, grab an opportunity to take comfort in Jesus and the special gift He has given to all mankind on the Christmas Eve.

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Hanukkah - The Jeweish Festival of Lights

Hanukkah is a holiday which is observed by the Jews. It is also Romanized as ‘Chanukah’. This festival is also known as the ‘Festival of Lights’. It is celebrated for eight days and nights. It commences on 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev, which coincides with late November-late December on the Gregorian calendar. Main attractions of Hanukkah are lighting the Menorah, spinning the driedel and feasting and saying grace with your friends and family.

The Hebrew word ‘Hanaukkah’ means ‘dedication’. By this name, we are reminded about the re-dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem. This festival honors the re-dedication of the holy Temple by the great Judas McCabe in 165 BC.

Origin of this festival is traced from the time when the king Antiochus expelled Jewish rituals and decreed all Jews to worship Greek Gods. The holy Temple of Menorah (candelabra) in Jerusalem was in devastating state under the Greeks. There was constant insurgence by Jews against the antagonism of Greek King and his atrocities.

When a Jewish Head Priest called Mattathias killed a General, revolt burst in Median village. Mattathias’ sons with villagers killed the General’s soldiers. Mattathias with his family and other Jews hid in mountains. Later, they conquered the Greeks and decided to sanctify the Temple which was defiled by worshipping foreign gods and sacrificing swine. When they moved to purify the Temple by burning ritual oil in the Temple’s menorah for eight days, they discovered that only one day's worth of oil was left there to fuel the flame. But the oil miraculously burned for eight days till fresh olive oil was sanctified. Thus, the festival commemorates the ‘miracle of the container of oil’.

Martyrdom of Hanna and her seven sons is also associated to Hanukkah. They were executed for not eating pork which would have violated the Jewish law.

Unique Hanukkah traditions are observed by every community but some traditions are practiced almost universally. These traditions are lighting the Menorah, spinning the dreidel and eating fried foods. These days Hanukkah has gained immense popularity because of being closed to the season of Christmas.

Menorah is a nine branched candelabrum, which is kindled every night of the occasion, progressing to eight on the final night. Shamash is an extra light which is also lit each night to light other candles.

Spinning the dreidel is a famous Hanukkah game. Dreidel is a four-sided top with Hebrew letters written on each side. Flavorful part of this game are ‘Gelt’, which are chocolate coins wrapped in tin foil. Jewish children get gifts for Hanukkah. Often they enjoy receiving one gift for each of the eight nights of the holiday.

It is an age old tradition to eat fried foods such as latkes and sufganiyot during the Hanukkah holiday. Latkes are pancakes made with potatoes and onions. They are fried in oil and then served with delicious applesauce. Sufganiyot (its singular is sufganiyah) are jelly-filled donuts. The reason for eating fried foods during this holiday is that Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of oil.

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Thanksgiving Invitations

Thanksgiving Day is an annual American holiday that commemorates prosperity with which we are blessed by the grace of God. Families across the country gather on the Thursday of cold November to enjoy with each other, rejoice in the beauty of the season and relish a sumptuous feast. This cheerful time is here again and you must be busy preparing for the merriment and parties. Send warm invitation to your guests on this Thanksgiving with Thanksgiving invitations and personalized cards.

Make preparations in advance whether it is Thanksgiving Eve or Thanksgiving Day. Thoroughly plan and prepare the celebrations of your Thanksgiving party and with invitations for Thanksgiving, properly organize your event of Thanksgiving. These invitations for Thanksgiving will lend you a helping hand in setting the correct mood for carousing and festivity.

It is necessary to consider certain things before you plan about your Thanksgiving invitations. First of all, think about the type of party that you will organize. Different types of parties need different types of party invitations. Invitations also depend on the fact whether your party will be a theme based one or not. Another significant side is the finances that will echo the type of Thanksgiving invitation you have selected.

Various kinds of Thanksgiving invitations include a bubbly Thanksgiving party card, gold and silver invitation card, toasting invitations or vibrant star in translucent orange as background or gold ribbon on black background. On the invitation cards as a background, there can also be martini toast, football, bowling feet, party hearty invitation, masquerade madness and the like. You can also go for theme-based cards if you are organizing a theme-based party.

Marvelous ideas for Thanksgiving invitations along with the planning for this occasion are offered to you by Dgreetings.com. To know more about Thanksgiving party invitations, party and joyous celebrations for Thanksgiving, browse through our website. Your family loves to celebrate and you can enhance your celebrations by inviting your near and dear ones for a Thanksgiving feast with our appealing ecards.

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