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A Christmas carol (also called a noël) is a carol (song or hymn) whose lyrics are on the theme of Christmas, or the winter season in general and which are traditionally sung in the period before Christmas.

History

The tradition of Christmas carols hails back as far as the thirteenth century, although carols were originally communal songs sung during celebrations like harvest tide as well as Christmas. It was only later that carols began to be sung in church, and to be specifically associated with Christmas.

Carols suffered a decline in popularity after the Reformation in the countries where Protestant churches gained prominence (although well-known Reformers like Martin Luther authored carols and encouraged their use in worship), but survived in rural communities until the revival of interest in carols in the 19th century. The first appearance in print of “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen”, “The First Noel”, “I Saw Three Ships” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” was in Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern (1833) by William B. Sandys. Composers like Arthur Sullivan helped to repopularize the carol, and it is this period that gave rise to such favorites as “Good King Wenceslas” and “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”, a New England carol written by Edmund H. Sears and Richard S. Willis.

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1. First things first. Set a plan or a theme for your Christmas decorating.

It doesn’t cost a thing to have a good plan, and when you are working with budget ideas, this is what pulls your ideas together, and makes everything you do look purposeful, and personal. Some theme ideas for Christmas? The rustic lodge Christmas, a Toyland Christmas, countries around the world, Victorian, country, Santa, snowmen, old fashioned, the list goes on and on!

2. Make garlands out of felt scraps. Cut Xmas shapes out of felt in miniature, mini stockings, holly leaves, mittens, and string together with needle and floss or strong fishing line to hang all over the house. Remember when you string each shape, tie a knot on both sides of the shape to hold it in its place. You can add more dimension to the shapes by cutting two of each, stuffing them lightly, them sewing the two together. Glue would work also if you aren’t a sewer. Saved used dryer sheets are perfect for this kind of stuffing, or even tiny fabric scraps that are too small for other uses.

3.Drop a tealight candle in your cleaned out glass mayonnaise jars, tie a holiday ribbon around the neck, and you have a beautiful candle with Christmas charm. You could nestle the candle in peppermints, nuts, or even sand if you wish. Try grouping several together for a dramatic evening effect. These also make great luminaries.

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Decorating Ideas For Christmas

Here are some Christmas decorating ideas you can use or think about when you start getting your home ready for the holiday season.

Remember to be creative and have fun with your decorations. You do not always have to use the same decor each year. Mixing things up a bit is fun. There are no rules when it comes to decorating for Christmas so don’t be afraid to go all out if you want.

Put up an all white tree this year instead of the traditional green one. Use white lights and glitz it up with gold, red, and silver, copper and metallic colored ornaments and bulbs.

Use over-sized stockings instead of the small ones. Hang them on the walls or around the fireplace or mantle. If you have lots of stockings to stuff and would rather use the small ones try hanging them in a new place this year like on the tree or around a window.

Deep blues with silver can also be used in place of red and green. Use all blue lights for the tree and decorate it with all sliver bulbs and beads.

Put bows and poinsettias on the tree along with small gingerbread men and little Santa figurines. You can use any ornament you like. It does not always have to be bulbs.

Go all vintage this year with decorations from the 1950’s.. Set out vintage Christmas cards and or tins with the rest of your vintage pieces.

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Why not dress up your iPhone or iPod Touch with some festive wallpaper? Feel free to use the wallpapers below to spruce up your holidays! - By Mr. Mayor

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The first cotton snow brings joy to young children but also cause difficulties for traffic traveling when they fell quite thick in central Germany and Russia. Photos on Reuters.

Tourists used in snow while standing at the Brandenburg gate, Berlin.

Two older women walking in the Square before the Winter Palace in St Petersburg, Russia.

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