In many cultures throughout the globe, Christmas is an occasion to indulge. Civilizations across the world celebrate Christmas as an occasion for lavish indulgence. As the primary commercial holiday of the year, stores begin distributing Christmas merchandise and playing the Jingle Bell music as soon as Thanksgiving is over and sometimes earlier! Grand department stores such as Sachs Fifth Avenue and Macy’s put up impressive window displays portraying symbols of Christmas in a glitz and glam display of glitter, snow, and red and green striped candy canes. Even countries like Japan, which is not considered a Christian country, take on the holiday spirit and load up on gifts for the Christmas season. I guess the spirit of giving is irresistible even when split from its religious roots. The spirit of indulgence which Christmas brings upon us is not only extended to the gifts we give, but it branches out to encompass the decorations we see all through town and most of all, the food we eat! Have you ever wandered through neighborhoods at night just to gaze at all of the Christmas lights on front lawns and roof tops? And how many times have you given yourself a tummy ache with all the Christmas treats you devoured at the Christmas cookie exchange? These are all elements of Christmas which have become a tradition and they are all about adding enjoyment to our lives in the gloomiest part of the year. Christmas is a time to celebrate life. In a religious context, Christmas is a celebration of the birth of God’s son on Earth, Jesus Christ. Even individuals who are not Christian have taken on Christmas for the feeling of togetherness it brings to friends and families. Christmas is a time for gourmet living as I have said before. Everything from the dishes you eat to the decorations you put up to the gifts you give displays the spirit of the holiday, but they are not free of cost. In difficult economic times, we find individuals limiting their Christmas spending and making necessary sacrifices to save money. Some people decide to get a fake tree to save themselves the price of purchasing a new one each year. Other people select energy efficient Christmas lights so they will have a smaller energy bill at the end of the month. And some individuals decide to forgo buying the store bought honey baked ham and to roast a ham at home instead. No matter how your family chooses to save money this holiday season, there is no reason why you should have to cut down on your gift giving just to make ends meet. 
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Have a Gourmet Christmas Gift
Friday, September 10, 2010
A Gift From Colorado This Christmas
A Colorado Christmas As a Colorado Native, I have had my share of snowy Christmases. I sometimes feel bad for people who have never witnessed the natural splendor of snow flurries outside a lit up window with twinkling lights glistening off the snowy ground. Christmas decorations always seem more suitable when set before a snowy white backdrop. Although snow is not essential to have a happy Christmas, great food is a necessity! A few of my favorite Christmas delicacies are hot cocoa, toffee and chocolates, Christmas cookies, chocolate covered pretzels, caramel corn, peppermint candies, cheese and sausage, peppermint coffee, and baked goods. The best thing about all of these treats is that even if I don’t have the ability to make them myself, there are a multitude of excellent Colorado businesses which make all these Christmas favorites not far from where I reside. When I need a pick me up to get me in the Christmas mood or a quick gift to bring with me to a Christmas party, give to my friends and family out of state, or need a jolly center piece for my Christmas table, I visit www.basketsbyrita.com and order their Colorado Christmas Basket. It comprises all my favorite Colorado Christmas treats, bringing Christmas tidings to my friends and family without the hours of toiling in the kitchen to make all your favorite holiday snacks.
