Holiday 2008 Guide
Another year has come and gone and the holidays are here once more. With the family coming into town, presents to buy, feasts to cook and halls to deck, you may not be ready for it or even know where to start! We here at ShopWiki know that while the season may technically be about faith and family and togetherness, let's face it--who's got the time or the energy? Our gift guides aim to help you navigate this holiday season as smoothly as possible, so that you can enjoy them as they were meant to be enjoyed. Read on for useful tips on hosting a Christmas party, decorating the house, choosing the perfect menorah,  and keeping those pesky New Year's Resolutions.
Christmas
| Every December 25, millions of people celebrate Christmas, the annual holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, the central figure of the Christian faith. The date also ushers in the Christmastide season that ends on January 6 with the Feast of the Epiphany, which celebrates the visit of the Magi. At this time of the year, one traditionally sees Nativity scenes that recreate the event, festive Christmas trees, and colourful stockings. However, decorations nowadays have gotten a lot more complicated--inflatable Santas and LED reindeer mean that this isn't your granny's holiday any more.
The guides below will certainly help you show your holiday cheer, but if you need help with selecting the perfect gift and preparing a scrumptious holiday feast, we've also got you covered. If all this is still not enough, be sure to check out our extensive Christmas guide. Enjoy decking those halls and above all, have a very Merry Christmas! |
Hanukkah
From Sunday, December 21 to December 29, Jews around the world will celebrate Hanukkah--are you ready? This Jewish festival of lights is a reminder of the Maccabean revolt in the 2th centure BCE and the subsequent rededication of the temple in Jerusalem. At this rededication, the Maccabees discovered a container of oil that was used in this rededication. The oil was only supposed to last for one night, but ended up being used for eight; therefore, a eight-branched menorah is used to represent this miracle of the oil.
During the week of Hanukkah, certain religious rituals and festive traditions are followed: blessings are recited, prayers are said, hymns are sung, gifts are exchanged, and games of dreidel are played. In addition, there are several foods that are associated with the holiday. Fried foods in particular are a reminder of the miracle of the oil, so potato pancakes (latkes ) and doughnuts are often served. For more information, check out the guides below.
The New Year
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| Happy New Year!
Should auld acquaintance really be forgot and never brought to mind? Well, that all depends on the kind of year you've had! The first day of the year is a natural time for new beginnings, fresh starts and well-intentioned resolutions (even if they're soon broken--we won't tell), but that doesn't mean that you still can't put the old year to rest in style. This is an occasion calling for parties and friends, for noisemakers and kisses at midnight. Whether you're part of the masses trekking over to Edinburgh Castle or the London Eye, or staying at home and ringing it in with family, our guides will help you make the most of the holiday. Read on to find out more about decorating the house, choosing a fitting Champagne flute, losing that last stone, and more. |
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