Xmas trees (Charlotte, New Bern, Sparta: Home Depot, purchase, live in)

[SunnyKayak]

about after halloween lol Generally the week of Thanksgiving I understand why thanksgiving isnt celebrated but what is Sinterklass?

[ohioaninsc]

Last year, I got a beautiful 7' Douglas Fir for $60 at a tree lot in South Charlotte. I was the first customer from them, as I bought it the weekend before Thanksgiving. But, I kept it in my garage for a week before I brought it inside. I do all my Xmas shopping on the day after Thanksgiving, and then do all my decorating on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
This year, I'll have to get the tree the week after Thanksgiving, b/c I'll be going to see my family in Ohio for Thanksgiving, and so that next week, I'll have to do my decorating and shopping.

[darling876]

Originally Posted by SunnyKayak

about after halloween lol Generally the week of Thanksgiving I understand why thanksgiving isnt celebrated but what is Sinterklass?

Sunny, Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) is a celebration in the Netherlands and some other parts of Europe and is actually the figure that Santa Claus was derived from. it came from Sint Nicholaas, patron saint of children. who according to folklore/history instead of receiving gifts on his birthday, would go out and give gifts to the poor children.

I have added a link for you here Sinterklaas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia since it will be so much easier to read then my rambling on, however in short here is what happens now;

The arrival of Sinterklaas, he comes from Spain on a steamboat, most of the time mid-November-ish and this is a huge event, a different city is chosen every year, and people will come out to welcome him. This is broadcasted on tv, and all regular programming gets suspended..
Sinterklaas is celebrated on December 5th, with gifts lots of times wrapped up in many different ways, they are called suprises. Basically people build things around the gifts and lots of times it includes gags, when i was young my uncle actually build a wall hanging bookcase that was a book and in there was my gift hidden...the adults will most of time get a bit funnier..or nastier..hiding clues in a box filled with pudding or something like that...it gives for an evening of lots of fun
In addition the kids will put out a shoe by the front door on the evenings between his arrival and December 5th and will add a bowl of water and mostly a carrot for Sint's horse and if you are trying to impress a poem or drawing..and of course your wishlist...
Sinterklaas walks the roofs at night on his horse and his helpers will come down and pick up the items next to the shoe. When you wake up in the morning you will find either a chocolate letter or some other sweet in place...

Oh, and christmas is really more a time for families to get together for huge dinners, however there are no gifts involved like here. Mind you that I have not lived in Holland for about 15 years now, so this might have changed some...lol..

"Edit" I have added another link that will show pictures of the arrival event.. http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=483
This has brought up a lot of good memories, I do miss it.

[Hoagie58]

Sorry if this sounds rude, and also apologies if I am going off topic, but I must ask- Why "Xmas" instead of "Christmas"? The season is, afterall, about the birth of Christ. Just wondering...

[darling876]

Originally Posted by Hoagie58

Sorry if this sounds rude, and also apologies if I am going off topic, but I must ask- Why "Xmas" instead of "Christmas"? The season is, afterall, about the birth of Christ. Just wondering...

Honestly no other reason then laziness. my bad

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by Hoagie58

Sorry if this sounds rude, and also apologies if I am going off topic, but I must ask- Why "Xmas" instead of "Christmas"? The season is, afterall, about the birth of Christ. Just wondering...

THANK YOU - that was my first thought too - it's CHRISTmas folks - writing it any other way is offensive to christians.

[darling876]

Again, my bad, since I am not able to change the thread title anymore it will just have to stay... Even though, Even though I used Xmas and not Christmas, I am fully aware of what it stands for thank you. I do go to church, am actually superenvolved and will be the first to say I am glad I am saved.
Now that that is said, and I really should not have to defend myself, I am getting tired of some of the negativity on this board.
I posted a question on CHRISTmas trees this early since this is MY favorite time of the year, and not for gifts because we really don't do those. We do focus however and what it means and also to be together with our family and friends....A tree just symbolizes all the beauty of the season, it's not to put gifts under....

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by darling876

Again, my bad, since I am not able to change the thread title anymore it will just have to stay... Even though, Even though I used Xmas and not Christmas, I am fully aware of what it stands for thank you. I do go to church, am actually superenvolved and will be the first to say I am glad I am saved.
Now that that is said, and I really should not have to defend myself, I am getting tired of some of the negativity on this board.
I posted a question on CHRISTmas trees this early since this is MY favorite time of the year, and not for gifts because we really don't do those. We do focus however and what it means and also to be together with our family and friends....A tree just symbolizes all the beauty of the season, it's not to put gifts under....

Hey, apology accepted - don't get testy, and don't feel like you need to defend yourself - it was an observation and comment to all, not just you
It IS a great time of the year and the trees are one of my favorite parts too. If you ride up into Ashe county (near Sparta) you will just ooohhh and ahhhh over all the lovely Christmas tree farms along the road

[SunnyKayak]

[lovesMountains]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA - that's great Sunny! Hopefully none of us have our claws out any more