Christmas Tree Decorations

Christmas Tree Decorations

Macaroni Tree Ornaments

Pasta comes in all sorts of odd shapes and sizes. Buy a wide variety and use food colouring or spray paint to dye them all sorts of different shades.

Get your child involved by having them thread the pasta on string and they will become cherished personal tree decorations.

Older children can make more elaborate macaroni ornaments. Dip the pieces in hot water to soften and then shape them; they could experiment with making goblins and fairies, using elbow macaroni for arms and legs. Let the macaroni ornaments dry, then paint them with bright nail polish or use a gold or silver spray paint…

Mistletoe

Mistletoe

The mistletoe was a symbol of goodwill and love, an omen of long life, fertility and happiness for those who kissed beneath it. Named 'All-heal', mistletoe was accepted by the Church who proclaimed it a symbol of Christ, the divine healer.

The Druids called mistletoe 'omnia sanitatem' which means 'that which heals all'. They used it as a medicine. It was also believed to heal hearts and it was believed that if two enemies met under a tree bearing mistletoe, they were not allowed to fight. Anyone entering a home decorated with sprigs of mistletoe was entitled to receive shelter and protection. Some people thought that mistletoe possessed magical powers and others thought of in a negative vein.

Mistletoe, also known as viscum album, is an evergreen that bears berries and is thought of in association to Christmas. The custom of kissing under the mistletoe appears to be of English origin. It is not until the eighteenth century that some writers suggest that kissing under the mistletoe was common place. There were contradictory beliefs about the custom of kissing under the mistletoe.

Today, many people enhance their Christmas festivities with mischievous sprigs of mistletoe. The custom is found in Britain, France or countries where the British have settled, such as Commonwealth countries, including Canada and it is also found in the United States...