Celebrating The Twelve Days of Christmas

By Kerry Beck

The Twelve Days of Christmas is actually one of the most incorrectly identified holiday traditions and time periods on the calendar today. Most people assume that the 12 days of Christmas, like the advent calendar comes before and leads up to Christmas day. However, it actually begins on or after Christmas.

Another name for this time period is Christmastide. Depending on the type of church that is attended, how this period is celebrated varies based on religious denomination. In addition, where you are in the world also has an impact on when and how these days are celebrated as well.

Some denominations celebrate the twelve days of Christmas starting on December 25th and continue until January 5th. Others believe it starts on Christmas evening, which means that it continues until January 6th.

The 12 days of Christmas reflects a major component of the Christmas history. As we know Christmas day represents the birth date of Jesus Christ. The 12 days of Christmas represents the time period in which the 3 Kings from the region of Arabia decided to visit the baby Jesus. Traveling from their homeland they traveled to Bethlehem to see the infant. When they arrived, they presented gifts of great value, gold, frankincense and myrrh to Jesus.

There are various philosophies of when the appropriate time to give gifts is during this time period. Many people identify Christmas day as the appropriate time to give gifts. Others save their gifts until the 12th day of Christmas. There are also many cultures and denominations that believe that a gift should be given each day of the 12 days.

This holiday period has a number of different ways that you can celebrate it. Many people celebrate it by lighting candles for the 12 days. For example, on each day of the 12 days, they light a candle to represent the progression of the Christmastide season.

Christmas dinner is also a significant part of the 12 days. The way dinner is treated varies as well. Some groups of people have their major Christmas dinner on Christmas day itself. Others have their major dinner on the 12th day of Christmas. Still others have a feast every day of the 12 days.

Another important aspect of the holiday is the 12 days of Christmas song that enjoys worldwide popularity. This song talks about the different gifts that the recipient receives during this time period from his or her "true love." It has been hotly debated as to whether there is any hidden meaning behind this song. There are some people who believe that this song actually makes hidden references to different aspects of the Christian faith. They believe the song was created to help believers remember the key aspects of their faith. Others believe that this is simply an urban myth.

The twelve days of Christmas is a joyous time period regardless of how you choose to celebrate it. There are many ways it is celebrated. However you choose to celebrate it is completely up to you.

About the Author:

Kerry Beck gives free advent calendars with daily Christmas projects to prepare your family for Christmas. Your family will discover more about holiday traditions with many of the daily projects.

A Short History Of Coffee

By Karl

It is hard to verify the true origins of coffee.

Legend has it that a sheepherder was the first to realize the effects of coffee while tending his sheep.

His sheep became very active when they ate a certain type of berry off a plant.

The sheephearder decided to eat the berry and he experienced the same sensation.

There is a rumor that a religious monk told the sheephearder not to eat the berry as it was fruit from the devil.

However, there is also a rumor that monks did eat the berry to help them stay awake and pray.

Another story is that an Arabian man was given a sentence of banishment to the desert.

He boiled and ate an unknown plant.

He could survive in the harsh desert just by eating the plant.

Residents of a town near the desert believed that the mans survival was a message from the gods.

The mysterious plans was named Mocha, after the town.

The fact that the coffee plant originated in Ethiopia is known by few people.

They wrapped it in animal fat to eat while on raids.

Coffee migrated to Arabia, and the Arabians began to market coffee in the middle east.

The Turks then were the first to drink it.

They added cinnamon and clove for a sweeter taste.

Venetian trade merchants were responsible for coffee finding its way to Europe.

Soon after, coffee houses started to pop up all over Europe as the beverage gained popularity.

Today, millions of people enjoy their coffee throughout the day.

There are many brands and flavors of coffee for everyone to enjoy, so try some?

About the Author:

Discover more about the Bunn MCP My Cafe Pourover Pod Coffee Brewer by visiting Reviews By Karl.

Starting Your Own Interior Design Company

By Chad Dethelo

After some consideration, you may have begun to understand the potential in the interior design business. Yes, you may have always dreamed of starting your own interior design company. You should though, consider a few things prior to beginning your venture. Are you already a creative artist, or do you at present only try to redesign the interior of homes for friends and family? One of those items will be the beginning of your search for the right interior design school. There are several different types of schools for this training. You have to decide which one is going to offer you the best training in order to work in the design field. Essentially, do you have the drive to succeed or do you just want a paycheck?

If you're already employed fulltime in another field , you will want to find a choice of schools to select from that offer flexible class schedules. Are you going to be able to work around your job? Consider your coming homework assignments carefully and how it will affect your day job. Then there is your employment schedule and your possibly rusty study habits. Considering all of this, you will want to find the right design school that is close to you. You may have difficulty finding a balance for everything, so look for a design school which is closeby.

Considering everything, you might want to be a little innovative. What about the various design schools online? Just make sure you can locate their certification on the Internet. Attending an online school is good if potential employers will look favorably upon your educational experience. When you find a brick and mortar location, and a class schedule that suits you, you still might feel that you won't be able to accommodate everything. Attending and online school may be an excellent way to obtain your certificate or degree and start your new life. As was said earlier, just to be certain the online school is a certified institution. One of the downside's to online learning is that numerous prospective employers will not be happy with your educational experience because as yet many have difficulty trusting the education from an online institution. Another consideration is the various pros and cons to attending either a school structure or a virtual school.

With the brick and mortar school of design, you are stuck with their schedule. Your lesson time is as scheduled and you can't change it or do make-ups. Think about what transportation you'll be using. If you drive a car, is your car in good shape? Will there be adequate alternate transport for you if your car is put into the shop? Maybe there is a bus route to the school. You should know that you'll always be able to get to class no matter what.

Most online design schools, offer you greater flexibility. You're able to login at a suitable time. You can work on your assignments fundamentally at your convenience. The only restriction is that you participate as many times as required to get your assignments in on schedule. These arrangements are terrific for those who have commitments to family and employment.

Your decision to start your interior design business involves your family. Thoroughly discuss your intentions with your family and yes, even your acquaintances. Any decision you make will affect more people than you think. You might wish to consider those closest to you, and speak with them separately. Many times, they will cause you to think about circumstances you hadn't yet thought of.

About the Author:

Chad Dethelo pens largely for http://www.curtains-drapes-coverings.com , an online publication with information about discount window coverings and motorised window covering. On his site one can see his publications on discount window coverings and custom window covering.

This Season's Favorite Things from Oprah

By Tasha Miller

If you have heard of Oprah you know that the most popular show Oprah does each year is her "Season's Favorite Things" show which is usually around Thanksgiving each year. Fans will do just about anything to get the sacred golden ticket be on this special show. The audience can find out first hand what the season's favorite things are while Oprah shares with the studio and television audience several of her favorite things, no matter what they are or what the cost.

The lucky people that are in the audience literally have gifts thrown at them and are showered with gifts each holiday episode. There have been shows where the audience members have received over $10,000 worth of gifts. People love this show for obvious reasons.

Having your product featured on Oprah's "Season's Favorite Things" can be a real eye opener for a company. Oprah's staff does warn them that they will get slammed, but most really don't understand what that means until the show airs. One companies sales rose to $450,000 the year it aired and the following year their sales went to $840,000.

Members of the audience receive extravagant gifts each year, totaling in price from $4000 to $15000 and they all have something in common. No sooner than they appear on Oprah's show the demand for these products goes crazy and with being so close to the holiday's people want to know...Where they can find them?

Last fall Oprah's favorite things included of a list of 20 products as it usually does. Of the 20 times in last year's show, one in particular has been on two other favorite things shows. Can you remember what the product was? What will be on this year's show?

Even though all the gifts are donated by the manufacturers, they will certainly reap the benefits from doing so and this year will be no different. The fall show is within days of airing and her loyal viewers are anxiously anticipating this year's show.

What will be on this years show? Can you guess what item it was that has been featured on three of the favorite things shows? And because people still buy this item by the droves, is it possible that a different style will be on this year's show?

About the Author:

The greatly anticipated airing of "Oprah's Favorite Things for 2008" is just around the corner. To see what's made it to the list including other hot items, come visit us at Season's Favorite Things.

Popular Coffee Makers From Braun

By Cliff Eppalton

Braun coffee makers are durable; appearances attractive are typically easy to clean. Braun products in the 1970s began to show design, inspired by pop-art; modern Braun enterprises of that period began to encourage the manufacture of many everyday consumer appliances and products to change their look. This design inspiration incorporated the company's new approach in brilliant colors and emphasized a subtleness of touch, while still presenting clean-lines in keeping with functionalist philosophy.

Braun continued to manufacture a variety of quality simple to use coffee makers that brew an excellent cup of coffee. Let's take a look at two of the well-designed and more popular coffee makers from Braun.

Braun KF510 - BK Aroma Deluxe
Designed with a built in Brita water filter, this Braun coffee maker makes ten cups. The Brita water filter improves the taste of your coffee by eliminating pollutants over and above whatever the town or city is using as water purification, disinfectant. The filter will also stop calcification from occurring. This unit is provided with a mark located at the top of the water tank giving you an indicator when it's time to change the filter. This Braun was manufactured with a fast brewing process that captures the flavor from a specially designed filter basket and the ground coffee.

The model with a planned filter basket, which moves back and forth for simple detachment and pouring the coffee into, also has a convenient pause lever that allows you to dispense a mug of coffee all through the brewing process. There is a very large size power button for easy location. The model has a good-looking decanter, which is has solid handle. This model is available with a full year guarantee.

Braun KF590 Impressions Programmable Braun Coffee Maker
The model KF590 provides ten cups of coffee. It has the expediency of being scheduled. If you want, you can awake in the morning to the fragrance of the coffee making. This Braun brewer is designed with a twenty-four hour timer allowing you to set the automatic brewing cycle in advance. You'll be delighted with the schedulable automatic shut down feature for 20 minutes to 4 hours following the brewing cycle. With the convenient pause feature, you have the chance to take out the carafe and pour yourself a mug of coffee during the brewing process.

The model KF590 provides ten cups of coffee. It has the expediency of being scheduled. If you want, you can awake in the morning to the fragrance of the coffee making. This Braun brewer is designed with a twenty-four hour timer allowing you to set the automatic brewing cycle in advance. You'll be delighted with the schedulable automatic shut down feature for 20 minutes to 4 hours following the brewing cycle. With the convenient pause feature, you have the chance to take out the carafe and pour yourself a mug of coffee during the brewing process.

The model is also made available with a Brita water filter, which eliminates materials that may harm the flavor of the water for your coffee.

About the Author:

Cliff Eppalton wrote first and foremost for http://www.coffee-espresso-maker-tips.com , a web publication on one cup coffee maker . On his site one can see his work on one cup coffee maker and single cup coffee maker.

Interior Design of Office Space Can Have Important Impact

By Chris Dohlander

The interior design element of an office space is an often overlooked part of running a business, but the idea that the productivity of an office's staff can be influenced by the design of the workplace is gaining credence. There are many different kinds of offices, and the primary function of a particular business will naturally direct the design decisions to be made. Banks necessitate a different design scheme than a doctor's office, a home office or a sales office. But whatever the setting, there are design challenges that can be met with increased employee and customer satisfaction as well as increased and improved employee productivity.

If you need help with the implementation of your office's interior design, there are designers and design companies that specialize office design. The best help will be provided by companies or designers that have experience designing for your specific type of business, and will know what methods make the work experience the most efficient and pleasant one available to your employees, and if applicable, any clients or customers that will interact within your business space.

These designers will also be able to provide access to the most cutting edge office furniture and dcor available. There are also many companies and designers with websites and software packages available online to the business owner that would like help decorating their office space.

There are many aspects of design to consider when developing your office's interior design plan. Acoustics, or noise maintenance is one important design element and there are several companies that specialize in office equipment dedicated to keeping noise levels in offices at their best for productivity. The colors used in an office space should also be chosen carefully and considered with care. People are stimulated and subdued by colors and the appropriate color scheme can do just that to a staff and customer base.

Offices are also heavily trending toward "green" design, or environmentally sound design and building procedures. These include not only interior designs including materials for recycling programs, but also actual building materials used to create the office. It is important to incorporate environmentally friendly concepts in an office space that allow for the possible use of recycled furniture and low impact resources.

There are also websites dedicated to the use of feng shui design for increased productivity. This theory uses placement techniques to aid in increased positive energy. Plants and windows or other sources of natural light are also considered to be invigorating and important design tools for an office space to have. A little lovely greenery not only looks nice, but also increases the oxygen levels of their surroundings. Windows are good because sunlight naturally brings up energy levels.

About the Author:

Chris Dohlander continually produces detailed articles on problems related to curtains and making drapes. His contributions on ready made drapes are published on his site .

Satellite TV on Your PC or Laptop

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About the Author:

Don't miss this fantastic offer. Click Here! Start enjoying Sattelite TV on your PC TODAY! You are welcome to reprint this article - but get your own unique content version here.

No Tricks Fluff or Gimmicks with Golf Beginners Guide

By Golf Fan

Want to learn the game of golf? How about a 272 Page Golfing Guide for Beginner Golfers. Get started with Golf the Right Way. Golf Beginners Guide

Several qualified golf teaching professionals have put together the most comprehensive Golfing Guide available today for Beginner Golfers. This learning guide will help Beginner Golfers play their best Golf - with no fluff or hype but all the needed facts and knowledge - for less than a lesson from a reputable golf teacher.

This publication walks you through everything you ever need to know about Golf. From the total basics to the advanced tips and techniques that will give you the confidence to play Golf as it should be.

It doesn't matter if you are a senior golfer playing more now that you have retired or a brand new enthusiast looking to establish a strong golf foundation, the 'Golf Beginner Guide' will help you improve. There are no tricks, fluff or gimmicks, only solid information that will improve your physical and mental golfing skills as well as your general knowledge about golf.

There are a million products out there promising to make you a better golfer. Reality is, you can buy all the special clubs and fancy balls you can afford (or even ones that you can't) and still never actually improve as a golfer. The focus of the 'Golf Beginner Guide' is making you a better golfer by teaching you about all aspects of the game.

In fact, almost every Beginner Golfer I meet tells me that they yearn for a golfing resource that covers all aspects of golf, not just specialized areas such as the golf swing. Here it is! Golf Beginners Guide

There is solid information here to take you to the next level whether you are a senior golfer or brand new to the game.

About the Author:

This is the perfect opportunity for you to learn the game of golf. It has helped my game and I know it can do the same thing for you. By the way, think how amazing it would be to give the Golf Beginners Guide to a spouse or friend. You can get a unique content version of this article from the Uber Article Directory.