The History of Christmas Cards

In the late 1830s and Englishman named Joshn Calcott Horsley helped to popularize the holiday tradition of sending Christmas greeting cards. Horsley would produce small cars featuring festive scenes of the season with a pre-written holiday greeting on them that he would then send out. Due to the recent efficiency of the newly established post offices in the United States and England, they cards because popular overnight. While Horsley was the first to come up with the idea to send Christmas cads, an American card maker, R.H. Pease began following suit in New York shortly after.

How to Make Delicious Eggnog

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs, lightly beaten  
• 1/3 cup white sugar 
• salt to taste  
• 2 1/2 cups milk 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract  
• 1 cup heavy cream 
• 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar  
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 2 drops yellow food coloring (optional) 
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg 

Directions: 

1. In a large saucepan, over medium heat, combine eggs, white sugar, and salt while gradually stirring in milk. Be sure to consistently stir the ingredients while the eggnog cooks for about 10-15 minutes. 
2. When the mixture can thickly coat a metal spoon, remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. 
3. Place saucepan over ice water until custard cools, and then refrigerate until chilled.
4. Now, in a chilled bowl, combine heavy cream, confectioners' sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat together until stiff peaks form. 
5. Stir in yellow food coloring and fold in whipped cream mixture into the cooled custard. Pour into serving bowl, and sprinkle with nutmeg. Serve immediately.

Recipe Courtesy of Allrecipes.com
 

Christmas Treats: What's Your Favorite to Eat?

Long before the first snow of the season begins to fall, sugary confections decorated and cut into the shapes of your favorite Christmas figures start making their rounds. From gingerbread men to brightly decorated sugar cookies, these holiday treats are just as beloved by children as presents.  These iced treats, usually made from sugar cookie dough, can come in the shapes of stockings, reindeer, snowman, candy canes, Santa's, Christmas trees. While all different types of sweet delights are consumed on Christmas including Candy Canes, Hot Chocolate, and gingerbread, every person has their own personal favorite. So tell us fans, what's your favorite Christmas time treat?

What's your favorite Christmas time treat?
	Candy Canes
	Sugar Cookies
	Ginger Bread House
	Hot Chocolate
	Chocolate
pollcode.com free polls

The Birth of Mistletoe

Mistletoe didn't get it's start as the "kissing" plant we all know it to be today. Back in the olden times, the Celtic and Teutonic Peoples considered mistletoe to have magical powers that could heal wounds and increase fertility. The Celts would also hang the mistletoe in their homes to ward off evil spirits and ring themselves good luck. In England, during the holidays, they would hang up sprigs of mistletoe from their doorways and ceilings and if someone was found standing under it they would have to be kissed by someone else in the room.