How to Identify Trees By Their Needles and Twigs

Scotch Pine cones, needles, branches.

       It is not easy for the layman to tell one evergreen from another in normal Christmas tree sizes, because small trees often do not have cones (or "berries" in the case of junipers), which help to identify them. The bark also is not usually fully developed. However, the "needles" (leaves) and their arrangement on the twig, plus the buds, are often enough. Following are brief descriptions of 17 of the more common Christmas trees. Emphasis here is placed on needle identification. 

       If the leaves are scalelike, the tree could well be a red cedar or a white-cedar. If the leaves are needlelike and in clusters of two, three, or five, it is a pine. If the leaves are not in clusters, that is, if they are attached singly along the twig or branch, the tree could be either a fir or spruce. If the twigs are roughened by hard peglike leaf-bases, if the cones hang down, and if the leaves are stiff, are sharp pointed on their ends, and are not flat, it could well be a spruce. On the other hand, if the twigs are smooth and show oval scars where old leaves fell off, and if the leaves are flat, the tree probably is one of the firs. 

Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris), with enough open space, grows into a shapely tree (as do other evergreens grown under similar conditions) and so is very popular and brings a good price to growers. It Scotch pine. (About one-third natural size)responds nicely to pruning and shearing and thus can be made bushy, which is very desirable. Like nearly all pines, it is fast growing and has needles considerably longer than those of Balsam fir, Douglas-fir, and Spruce. Scotch pine needles are in clusters of two, blue green in color, usually twisted, and from 11/2 to 3 inches long. Cones are not common on trees of Christmas tree size. When found, they are yellow brown, 112 to 212 inches long, turned back on the branch, with minute prickles on the cone scales. 

Douglas Fir, cone, needles
 and branches.

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga men-ziesii, formerly Ps. taxifolia) has needles that are short stalked, soft and pliable, 34 to 114 inches long, dark yellow green or blue green. The needles are attached all around the twig instead of in the flat featherlike arrangement of balsam fir. The buds are reddish brown, narrowed at the tip and sharp-pointed, differing from the rounded blunt buds of true firs. If a Douglas-fir of Christmas tree size has cones, identification is easy, for they hang down, with long, 3-toothed, leaflike bracts sticking out conspicuously beyond the tips of the thin, rounded cone scales. The cones are light brown, from 2 to 4 inches long. The bark is dark or reddish brown. 

Balsam fir (Abies balsamea), has short needles-1/2 to 114 inches long-flat, dark green, and usually rounded at the tips. The needles are arranged feather-like on grayish, finely hairy twigs. The twigs resemble crosses; that is, the tiny twigs grow at approximate right angles to the branches. The bud tips are rounded and coated with a waxy pitch. Cones, when present, are attached up- right to the branch, and are 2 to 3 inches long, purple, often resinous. The bracts leaflike appendages between the cone scales are usually hidden. The balsam fir bark is gray or brown, thin, smoothish, often with many resin blisters. 

Balsam Fir, needles, cones and branches.

Most of the small (table-size) artificially colored Christmas trees seen on the markets at Christmas time are black spruce (Picea mariana), which have been painted. They come mostly from the swampy areas of northern Minnesota. The stiff, crowded, somewhat curved needles are 4- angled, short-1/4 to 5/8 inch long, and pale blue green. The twigs are hairy, and the cones small-34 to 114 inches long, dull gray brown, with rounded, stiff, slightly toothed scales. The bark is grayish brown and thin. are 

Immature cones of the Black Spruce, young needles.

Juniper or Eastern Red Cedar berries and branches.

Needle and cones of the Red Norway Pine

Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is easy to recognize. Like its western cousins, the junipers, it has scalelike leaves and the fruit is berrylike. The scalelike leaves are only 1/16 inch long, dark blue green, but the leading shoots bear needlelike leaves up to 3% inch long. The leafy twigs are rounded or 4-angled, and slender. "Berries," if present, are dark blue and 1/4 to 3/8 inch in diameter. The bark is reddish brown, thin, fibrous, and shreddy. 

Red or Norway pine (Pinus resinosa) has slender needles, dark green, 5 to 6 inches long, and two to the cluster. Cones are about 2 inches long, light brown, without prickles. The bark is red- dish brown. It is a native of the Lake States, New York, northern New England and northern Pennsylvania, and is widely cultivated. there in plantations. Older trees are valuable for wood products and ornamentals. 

White Spruce cones and branches.

White spruce (Picea glauca) has incurved, sharp-tipped, blue-green needles, 4-angled, 1/2 to 1 inch long. When crushed in the fingers, the needles produce a disagreeable odor. The twigs are hairless. The cones are slender-112 to 2 inches long, pale brown, and shiny. Cone scales are thin, flexible, and rounded, with a smooth margin. The bark is gray or reddish brown and thin. This tree's natural range is slightly north of that of red pine. 

White (or concolor) fir (Abies concolor) grows into a very desirable Christmas tree. Since it is native to the West and does not do well in eastern climates, its use is confined largely to the western  U.S. Its needles are flattened, ir- regularly arranged, mostly curv- ing or spreading upward and out- ward, 11½ to 21½ inches long, and pale blue green. Cones on small trees are not common. They grow upright on the branch, 3 to 5 inches long, greenish, purple, or yellow. The bark is gray and smoothish. (In the trade, the name white fir is often used also for grand fir.) 

The Eastern and western white pines (Pinus strobus and Pinus monticola, respectively) are very much alike and can be grown into very desirable Christmas trees with proper management. needles of both are soft to the touch, dark blue green in color, with five needles to the cluster. The needles of the eastern white pine are very slender and flexible, 212 to 5 inches long, and the cones are long stalked, 4 to 8 inches long, yellow brown, with thin rounded. scales. The needles of the western F-19409-A white pine are stout, 2 to 4 inches long, and the cones are much like eastern white pine except 5 to 10 inches in length. The bark of both species is grayish green to dark green, thin and smooth on young trees. 

White Fir Trees in the mountains.

Eastern White Pine cone and it's needles.

Norway spruce tree, branches, needles and cones.

Norway spruce (Picea abies) was introduced from Europe so long ago that it has had time to reproduce itself through several generations. Its needles are 4- angled, dark green, and about 3/% to 1 inch long. The cones are 4 to 6 inches long and light brown, with thin, slightly pointed, irregu- larly toothed scales. The bark is reddish brown. 

Virginia pine needles and cone.

Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana) is common in several eastern states, from New Jersey to northern Alabama. Usually it is inexpensive. Since the needles give off a pleasing odor, many people prefer it for indoor use. Its needles are two in a cluster, stout, twisted, 112 to 3 inches long, and grayish or yellowish green. The twigs are purplish. Cones are sometimes seen on young trees. They are about 2 inches long, red- dish brown, shiny, and very prickly. The bark is dark red- dish brown, thin, and scaly. 

Southern pines include five species-longleaf, slash, loblolly, pitch, and shortleaf. They grow in the Southeastern States and are largely local-trade Christmas trees. The needles are much longer than those of the firs and spruces, and mostly in clusters of three. 

Longleaf Southern Pine cones and needles.

Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) has needles that are slender and very long-10 to 15 inches, dark green, and three to the cluster. lts cones are large-5 to 8 inches long, dull brown, and prickly. Its bark is dark orange brown. 

Southern Slash Pine Cones.

The needles of slash pine (Pinus elliottii-formerly called P. caribaea) are stout, 8 to 12 inches long, dark green, mostly three in a cluster, though two in a cluster is not uncommon. Its cones are 3 to 6 inches long, shiny brown, with minute prickles. The bark is purplish brown. 

The loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) has slender needles that are long-6 to 9 inches-pale green, and three in a cluster. Its cones are 3 to 5 inches long, reddish brown with stiff, sharp prickles. The bark is reddish brown. 

The needles of pitch pine (Pinus rigida), are stiff, 3 to 6 inches long, dark yellow green, and three in a cluster. The cones are short and broad-12 to 3 inches long, light brown, shiny, with small prickles. The cones often remain on the branches several years after opening. 

The shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) has the largest natural growing range of all the southern pines. Its needles are two and three to the cluster, slender, dark blue green, 22 to 5 inches long. The cones are small, 112 to 21/2 inches long, dull brown, with small prickles. The bark is reddish brown. 

Loblolly Pine cones resting in a dry bed of their own needles.

Pitch Pine Cones and Needles.

Short leaf pine seedlings show branch and needle type.

Red spruce (Picea rubens) Christmas trees can be easily confused with black spruce and white spruce, both previously mentioned. All are northeastern species. Red spruce needles are 4- angled, dark green and shiny, and about 1/2 inch long. The twigs are rather stout and more or less hairy. Cones, if present, are 114 to 11½ inches long, light reddish brown, and shiny, the stiff scales with rounded edges smooth or slightly toothed. The bark is reddish brown, thin, and irregularly scaly.

Red Spruce branches and short needles with tiny cones.

Picture guide to needles and twigs of Christmas trees.

Six Desirable Features of a Live Christmas Tree

       Practically all species of evergreens are being used for Christmas trees, though some command better market prices than others. There is no one best all-around Christmas tree species for all areas. People in some areas of the country still show a preference for certain species, but regional preferences are less significant than formerly. Desirable characteristics of a live tree are: 

1. Retention of needles from the time of cutting through the Christmas holidays. 
2. Full, bushy symmetrical shape. 
3. Limb strength adequate to support ornaments and electric lights. 
4. Sufficient attractive non-prickly foliage with a healthy green color.
5. Fragrant odor. 
6. Springy branches that can be tied compactly for shipment without breaking, and regain their shape when released.

Advise for choosing a live Christmas tree by

 Wildwood Outdoor Living Centre.

The Favorite Living Fir Tree

Boy decorating a live Christmas tree. photo credit John Morgan

       The fir is most commonly mentioned in accounts of the evolution of the Christmas tree. One reason may be that the balsam fir twigs, more than any other evergreen twigs, resemble crosses. Also, fir trees were abundant in the forest areas of western Germany where the custom apparently originated, as well as in New England and New York State here in the U.S. Then too, the word "fir" was widely used to designate several different kinds of cone-bearing trees long before botanical classification became standardized and well known. Even today most people are unable to identify various evergreens, frequently calling all of them "firs" or "pines." 

       Extracts from the fir, especially balsam fir, were long used for medicinal purposes probably further reason for its early popularity. Certainly the perfume of the balsam fir is one of its out-standing features. 

       A number of legends, poems, songs, and stories are based on the fir tree. "The Fir Tree" is one of the tales of the famous Danish writer of children's stories, Hans Christian Andersen. And a popular old German folk festival song, "O Tannenbaum," offers a hymn of praise to the fir tree, still favored today 

       At any rate, if the fir tree, did actually predominate as the early Christmas tree, then our forefathers selected wisely, for the fir is still one of the favorites of today. In this country for many years firs, spruces, and cedars were the common Christmas trees, with balsam fir the unchallenged leader until 1955. The somewhat similar favorite from the West, Douglas-fir, overtook balsam fir in the U.S. about that time. 

       And since then, the public taste has been shifting more to artificial trees, real firs and pines together account for about 20 percent of the U.S. Christmas trees used in American homes. The artificial copies of these tree types make up about eighty percent of trees displayed.

       Scotch pines and Douglas firs and Fraser firs are the three favorite living trees sold in the United States. These three trees make up seventy percent of all living Christmas trees sold in this country today.

Pre-Christian Era Celebrations With Trees

       Some scholars trace the origin of Christmas trees to much earlier periods. Even before the Christian era, trees and boughs were widely used for religious ceremonials. Ancient Egyptians, in celebrating the winter solstice-shortest day of the year-brought green date palms into their homes. They were symbols of "life triumphant over death," just as the sun starts its annual "triumph over darkness" or "rebirth" at this time. 

Ancient temple of saturn, columns stand in the midst of
rubble in the forum Rumanum, Rome.

       When the Romans observed the feast of saturn, also at the winter solstice to celebrate the return or "rebirth" of the sun, part of the ceremony was the raising of an evergreen bough. This feast, and the New Year which followed a few days after, featured eating, drinking, merry-making, expressions of goodwill, exchange of gifts, and decorating houses with greenery and lights. Church leaders in Rome replaced the feast of saturn by Christmas on December 25 in A.D. 354 after Christianity became the accepted religion in the Roman Empire. (The name saturn survives in our Saturday.) 

       The early Scandinavians or Norsemen are said to have offered homage to the fir tree. When they became Christians, Christians, they made evergreen trees part of their Christian festivals. The burning of fir boughs and the Yule log in late fall were old folk customs in western Europe. 

       To the Druids or Celts of ancient Gaul (today's France) and Britain, sprigs of evergreens (particularly mistletoe and holly) in the house meant eternal life, while to the Norsemen such sprigs symbolized the revival of the sun god, balder. The superstitious of these lands long believed that branches of evergreens placed over the door of their homes would keep out witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and the like. 

       So we see that our Christmas tree custom has evolved from pre-Christian as well as Christian traditions, like the present-day use of greenery in various religious rituals. In America the decorated Christmas tree has become such an accepted tradition that Christmas would seem barren to most people without it. 

• How December 25th Became Christmas
• Christmas Isn't Pagan
• Why do we Celebrate Christmas on December 25th?

The Earliest Recorded Christmas Tree

Luther amidst his family at Wittenberg, on Christmas Eve.

        The decorated Christmas tree has been traced by several historians back to about the year 1500, in the province of Alsace along the upper Rhine River. Alsace was then a part of Germany. The earliest written record is dated 1521. Another reference is from Strasburg in 1605: "At Christmas, fir trees are set up in the rooms and hung with roses cut from paper of many colors, apples, wafers, spangle-gold, sugar, etc." 

       An early German legend tells how Winfrid (St. Boniface), an eighth century English missionary, got some tribes to set up fir trees at Christmas as a replacement for their traditional sacred oak. 

       Christmas trees have been decorated in some fashion since the custom began-starting apparently, as we have seen, with apples and wafers, paper or cloth roses, and sugar candy. Later, cookies in the shapes of flowers, bells, stars, angels, hearts, men and animals, replaced the wafers. Also added were candles, ribbons, a star for the tip, nuts and fruits gilded or covered with bright colored paper, toys, dolls, glittering strings of beads, and other ornaments. 

       One story credits the lighted Christmas tree to Martin Luther, the German Protestant reformer (1483-1546). It is said that he cut a small evergreen tree, brought it into his home, and attached lighted candles-to simulate the bright starlit sky of Christmas Eve. 

       Candles as a decoration on Christmas trees did not become accepted as part of the decorations in Germany until about 1700, when the Christmas tree custom spread from the Rhine River district to the rest of Germany and to Austria, particularly in the cities and towns. Candles on the cut trees, while beautiful, were also rather unsafe, so they were usually lighted only for a short time and carefully watched.

• German Christmas in 1916
• Lighting the Christmas Tree in England

How I Made 'La Befana' for The Tree and Epiphany!

La Befana is an Epiphany character and her name means Epiphany (The "Ah Ha" moment of
 revelation). My version of this folkloric Christmas gift giver carries a rose mallow seed pod
as a broom and a cotton batting 'cocoon-like' basket of coal. She was made in much the
 same way as a little Grecon Doll. Go here to read how I made Grandpa Eustace
who has the same wire armiture body type. 

       Christian legend had it that the Befana was approached by the Biblical Magi, also known as the Three Wise Men or the Three Kings, a few days before the birth of the Baby Jesus. They asked for directions to where the Son of God was, as they had seen his star in the sky, but she did not know. She provided them with shelter for a night as she was considered the best housekeeper in the village with the most pleasant home. The Magi invited her to join them on the journey to find the Baby Jesus, but she declined, stating she was too busy with her housework. Later, the Befana had a change of heart and tried to search out the Magi and Jesus. That night she was not able to find them, so to this day the Befana is still searching for the Baby Jesus. She leaves all the good children toys and candy (caramelle) or fruit while the bad children get coal or dark candy (carbone). 

• Read about the Befana Fair in Rome
• Read about even more legendary gift givers here

La Befana carries a basket of carbone for those children who have been naughty. She wears a black
lace head covering like so many old Italian grandmothers many years ago. Her hair is long and grey,
her dress a black and autumnal colored print. She wears a grey shawl and wears an "all-seeing-eye"
broach, remember she is a 'seeker' or Epiphany character which means she is still searching for God.

The Befana comes by night

With her shoes all broken

With a dress in Roman Style

Up, up with the Bafana!

She brings ashes and coal
To bad nasty children
To the nice good child
She brings candies and many gifts!

       Another commonly heard Christian legend of the Befana starts at the time of the birth of the Baby Jesus. In this telling, Befana spent her days cleaning and sweeping. One day the Magi came to her door in search of the Baby Jesus. However, she turned them away because she was too busy cleaning. Feeling guilty, she eventually decides to find Jesus on her own by following a bright light, also known as the big star in the sky which she believes points the way. She brings along a bag filled with baked goods and gifts for Jesus and a broom to help the new mother clean. Unfortunately despite her best efforts she never finds him. According to this telling, the Befana is still searching after all these centuries for the newborn Messiah. On the eve of the Epiphany, the Befana comes to every house where there is a child and leaves a gift. Although she has been unsuccessful in her search, she still leaves gifts for children everywhere because the Christ Child can be found in all children.

Little Books and Great Stories readaloud

 'Old Befana' by Tomie Depaola

• Who is La Befana? - her name means Epiphany!
• Italian Legends - Who is La Befana the Christmas Witch?
• Why Italy is reviving an Italian Christmas witch? 

Old-Fashioned Animated Snowmen!

 Animated snowmen for Christmas and winter fun.

Snowman waves candy cane, birds waves wing.

Very snowy weather we're having.

Snowman juggler and audience.

Snowman walk

snowman tips his hat.

"Happy Holidays Snowman

"Have a Holly Jolly Christmas"

Animated Train Gifs

        Animate your webpages with tiny toy trains for Christmas. I've included a selection here that is sure to please both the young and the young at heart!

Animated Christmas toy train carries teddy bear, tree, and gifts.

An itty bitty train to charge across your web pages.

Here is an animated train for those of you who have black web pages.

This blue toy train carries a full load of circus animals.

Santa as conductor, "All Aboard Children!"

Children play while Santa's elves lay tracks for this Christmas train.

Santa waves "Hello" while toys, elves, and dogs enjoy their Christmas fun.

"Merry Christmas To All" come and ride the Christmas train on candy cane tracks.

"For 69 years, the Santa Train has been handing out 

toys to children living in the Appalachia coal fields."

His Christmas Sled

 His Christmas Sled

by Whitcomb Riley

I Watch him, with his Christmas sled;

He hitches on behind

A passing sleigh, with glad hooray,

and whistles down the wind;

He hears the horses champ their bits,

And bells that jingle-jingle-

You Wooly Cap! you Scarlet Mitts!

You miniature "Kris Kringle!"

I almost catch you secret joy-

Your chucklings of delight,

The whole you whiz where glory is

Eternally in sight!

With you I catch my breath, as swift

Your jaunty sled goes gliding

O'er glassy track and shallow drift,

As I behind were riding!

He winks at twinklings of the frost,

And on his airy race,

Its tingles beat to redder heat 

The rapture of his face:-

The colder, keener is the air,

The less he cares a feather.

But, there! he's gone! and I gaze on 

The wintriest of weather!

Ah, Boy! still speeding o'er the track

Where none returns again,

To sigh for you, or cry for you,

Or die for you were vain.-

And so speed on! the while I pray

All nipping frosts forsake you-

Ride still ahead of grief, but may 

All glad things overtake you!

Cut and Paste a Christmas Bell Card

 "In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. Luke 2:1

Sample of how the card will look.

Description: This Christmas card is so easy to put together. All you really need is a printer, some scraps of red ribbon, white glue and a pair of scissors. I had some printed papers of fir branches already but for those of you who do not, I’ve also included an image below for this purpose.

Supplies

• scissors
• glue 
• red or green ribbon
• printed graphic of the antique glass bell by Kathy Grimm
• decorative paper (photo of pine branches)
• heavy white paper

Directions:

1. Cut a decorative paper of pine branches out to fit what ever envelopes you intend to mail for the holidays. If you don't have this type of paper and you can afford the printing, I have included a printable pine branch graphic below for this card.
2. Cut out my graphic of an antique, Christmas bell and hang it (glue it) to a branch on your card.
3. Then cut and tie a red ribbon to glue just above the bell for added dimension.
4. Cut, trim and mount the finished picture on top of a folded, heavier white paper to finish the final card. 

What kinds of written things might I include along with the card?
Quotes:

• "Christmas is the gentlest, loveliest festival of the revolving year - and yet, for all that, when it speaks, its voice has strong authority." by W. J. Cameron
• "Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!" by Hamilton Wright Mabie

Hand drawn illus. by kathy grimm

Pine branches photo for the card.

Make a Nutcracker Christmas Card

 "Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man ? and then he will spoil his house." Matthew 12:29

This Christmas card only requires a bit of printing,
 folding and pasting. I chose a traditional red and
 green plaid paper for the card, printed out the
 graphic below and pasted a few little corners
 onto the edges of the graphic to hold it onto the
 front of my card.

Description: Nutcrackers in the form of wooden carvings of a soldier, knight, king, or other profession have existed since at least the 15th century. These nutcrackers portray a person with a large mouth which the operator opens by lifting a lever in the back of the figurine. Originally one could insert a nut in the big-toothed mouth, press down and thereby crack the nut. Modern nutcrackers in this style serve mostly for decoration, mainly at Christmas time, a season of which they have long been a traditional symbol. The ballet The Nutcracker derives its name from this festive holiday decoration. The original nutcrackers were first seen in Germany and were thought to have guardian-like properties because of their strong appearance.

Supplies:

• decorative red and green plaid paper
• corner punch
• graphic of two nutcrackers by Kathy Grimm
• glue
• scissors 
• heavier white cardstock

Directions:

1.  Print the nutcracker graphic out to the size that you prefer.
2. Mount the graphic with glue on top of the decorative plaid paper.
3. Punch four embossed corners from either white, red, or green solid colored paper and then glue these at the four corners of your printed graphic.
4. Glue the picture on top of a folded sheet of heavier cardstock.
5. Below is one of many Christmas themed graphics I have produced in color pastel pencils, German nutcrackers are some of my favorite subjects to draw for holiday greetings. These two nutcrackers are very traditional, a soldier and a beer drinker dressed up in lederhosen.

Nutcrackers dressed as a soldier
and one in lederhosen.

What kinds of written things might I include along with the card? Quotes:

"Of all the toys available, none is better designed than the owner himself. A large multipurpose plaything, its parts can be made to move in almost any direction. It comes completely assembled, and it make a sound when you jump on it." by Stephen Baker

"The creative process is like music which takes root with extraordinary force and rapidity" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Illustration:  Playfulness is a more important consideration than play. The former is an attitude of mind; the latter is a passing outward manifestation if this attitude. When things are treated simply as vehicles of suggestion, what is suggested overrides the thing. Hence the playful attitude is one of freedom. The person is not bound to the physical traits of things, nor does he care whether a thing really means (as we say) what he takes it to represent. When the child plays horse with a broom and cars with chairs, the fact that the broom does not really represent a horse, or a chair a locomotive, is of no account. In order, then, that playfulness may not terminate in arbitrary fancifulness and in building up an imaginary world alongside the world of actual things, it is necessary that the play attitude should gradually pass into a work attitude. -- John Dewey, "How We Think."

More Nutcracker Links:

• The above nutcrackers in red or green monochrome graphics
• Three nutcrackers: smoker, baker and a drummer graphics here
• See hand painted wooden nutcracker ornaments here
• Nutcracker Dolls at our Doll Coloring and Crafts Blog
• Learn about the history of the Nutcracker Ballet

Poetry:

He begged me for the little toys at night,

That I had taken, lest he play too long,

The little broken toys-his sole delight.

I held him close in wiser arms and strong,

And sang with trembling voice the even-

song.

Reluctantly the drowsy lids drooped low,

The while he pleaded for the boon denied.

Then, when he slept, sweet dream, content

to know,

I mended then and laid them by his side

That he might find them in the early light,

And wake the gladder for this joyous sight.

So, Lord, like children, at the even fall

We weep for broken playthings, loath to

part,

While Thou, unmoved, because Thou know-

est all,

Dost fold us from the treasures of out

heart;

And we shall find them at the morning-tide

Awaiting us, unbroke and beautiful.

--Ainslee's Magazine.

Wow, that's a lot of nutcrackers! They are the 

Defenders of the home and hearth from 

mice, burglars and such . . .  at Christmas time.

"Star of Wonder" Christmas Card

 "I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, And batter the brow of Moab, and destroy all the sons of tumult." Numbers 24:17

An example card design for the 
clipart.

Description: Strange as though it may seem to some of you who live far away, stars and snowflakes are traditional decorations used by folks here, during Christmas in the Midwestern United States. This is because Christians celebrate the Savior's birth during the colder months, even though Christ was actually born sometime during our summer according to many bible scholars.

Supplies:

• snowflake themed paper
• snowflake paper punch
• graphic of a Mexican folk nativity
• pale blue, white and gold tissue papers
• glue
• scissors

Directions:

1. Cut the snowflake themed paper to match the size of any envelopes you may have on hand.
2. Then punch a selection of snowflakes from the white and gold tissue papers.
3. Print out the star graphic provided below.
4. Type and print inside of a WordDocument, "Star of Wonder" and then print this out in blue ink onto pale blue paper.
5. Glue the printed Mexican folk star on top of gold tissue paper and then cut a little fringe around the outside edge of the star.
6. Glue down these elements in a pleasing design on top of the fancy snowflake paper.
7. Glue this entire picture on top of an additional sheet of pale blue paper to make your finished Christmas card.

Printable Star of Bethlehem.

Quotes:

• "Christmas in Bethlehem. The ancient dream: a cold, clear night made brilliant by a star, the smell of incense, shepherds and wise men falling to their knees in adoration of the sweet baby, the incarnation of perfect love." by Lucinda Franks
• "Selfishness makes Christmas a burden, love makes it a delight." Unknown
• "Take Christ out of Christmas, and December becomes the bleakest and most colorless month of the year." by A. F. Wells

Illustration:   There once lived a family in the South whose rigid rule sent the children to bed at sundown and made them rise after daylight. One of the boys grew to the age of seven years before he ever saw the stars, and when he was carried out one dark night and caught a glimpse of the glorious constellations, he exclaimed rapturously to his mother: "Look! Look! Did you ever see anything so beautiful?"

       The return of Christmas brings into view the Star of Bethlehem. How many human eyes have never yet seen this Star!

Poetry:

Hymns of the Feast

Your birth, O Christ our God,

dawned the light of knowledge upon the earth.

For by Your birth those who adored stars

were taught by a star

to worship You, the Sun of Justice,

and to know You, Orient from on High.

O Lord, glory to You.

"Star of Wonder" by SarahZunigaMusic

Letter From Denmark

 A Letter from Denmark Christmas Eve in the Country Long Ago 
ERIK AND ELSE BY MARTHA C. MOLLER

"Oh, Christmas dear! thy starlight

 Can reach the poorest place,

 And the eyes of little children

 Reflect its gentle rays!"

       Mother was singing this verse behind that shut, mysterious door to the room where just now she had finished the decking of the Christmas tree; while the children were in the dining room in the twilight, listening and waiting. "Else, I say, it will really be Christmas Eve now, in a moment, won't it?" Erik said, and he added, "for-tu-nate-ly it will!" with a funny, emphatic stress on that long word, his byword at the time. Erik used it, differently accentuated, on all occasions, both when things were really all right as when he had got into some scrape or other and had barely managed to slink through. Boys are sure to get into a fix sometimes, are not they?

       Darkness came on still more. The children, leaning against the window sill, were intently watching "Hans Cowman," the old herdsman, who passed the yard with his swinging lantern that seemed to jerk along the barns, disappearing at last through the stable door.

       According to old customs all the cattle of the farm were to have an ample extra supply on Christmas Eve, so that every crib could be full on that holy night.

       At length Hans and his lantern vanished into the groom's chamber, through the pane of which the children could see him stand before a broken bit of looking-glass water combing his hair energetically, as the most festive preparation he could think of.

       The children's clear-sighted eyes could still discern the "bird's sheaf" on its high pole in the center of the yard. It was an old custom that the birdies should also have their feast during merry Christmas time; and the children were always eager to have that sheaf raised, so that they might run out in o the yard and sing a little verse they knew by heart, intending it to be a kind invitation to the birdies:

"Joy is a guest on earth to-day

With the new-born King from above!

Fly down from the roof, little Sparrow gray,

To a Christmas feast with the Dove!"

       But no pressing was needed, for all day long one heard a twitter and a rush of busy, flapping wings, birds flying gladly to and fro. Also the children had been very busy all day long. They had to help their mother in dealing out goods to some poor women who were accustomed to come with their baskets on Christmas Eve and fetch their portions of pork, grits, coffee and white bread. And to the old and sick ones, lying in their beds at home, Else and Erik had taken good parcels and had been recompensed by small bits of sugar candy or some spice nuts, as nobody was allowed to go fasting or empty handed out of any house, lest he should carry Christmas itself out of the house."

       Having come back from this round the children had found it most entertaining to stay for awhile in the kitchen, watching Ann, the cook, who was baking quantities of a sort of "apple dumplings," solid and roundish like little balls. Light brown and hot she piled them on earthenware dishes. Heaps of them were required, "for Christmas lasts long.' Besides, each of the servants was entitled to have plenty of his own, the more so as they used them as a sort of "play money," staking them when playing at cards. Nor were the men servants over-particular in the handling of these dear dumplings. For when they had "kept accounts," writing with a piece of chalk on the table top, they would simply wipe it out again with the dumplings, to put them gladly into their trousers' pockets at last.

       But the children thought that the servants' hall was a "funny" place, where they liked to go and have a jolly time.

       Then Ann began to prepare the festive supper. While the goose was roasting in the oven she cooked the rice pudding, and now came an exciting moment! For the children were allowed themselves to "plum the three almonds into the pudding," and the lucky one who found an almond in his portion while eating it would win the nicest of marcipan things, or even a real present! For last year Else had had a small cup and saucer.

       The pudding being done Ann filled an earthen dish from the big pot and made a large butter hole in the center. That was to be supper for "the brownie, "- -on Christmas Eve he must not be forgotten. "And last year he ate up every bit of it!" Ann was most positive about that. Erik ran after Ann to see her place the dish at the hayloft; but, oh, look! what's that? A pair of yellow eyes are shining out from that dark nook near the chaff bin! Erik felt just a bit creepy, but he was comforted by seeing a stiff, gray tail sticking out near the eyes. Aha! it was only Pussy!

        Indeed, there was no doubt about that porridge being eaten up, "every bit of it."

       There was still another thing which on Christmas Eve ought never to be forgotten, the placing of a burning candle on the window sill of the lobby. For nobody must be out of doors, poor and forsaken, on this holy night; nobody must walk his lonely way home- less and sorrowful! Therefore lights are burning behind clear panes in the scattered houses; starlike they are shining out brightly into the darkness, as a kind welcome to every wanderer.

       All these things came into the children's mind again, while waiting; but just when they were beginning to feel almost a little sad, a lamp was brought in and the maidservants entered, so nice and smart in their clean, white aprons. The coachman, Jens, and the water-combed Hans were following sedately.

        At this very moment the doors to the big room flew open and there it stood, that wonderful Christmas tree! It was illuminated with lights, hung with tiny red apples, and its branches were covered with sparkling silver threads!

       A joyful yet solemn feeling reigned in the room at first, while mother played the hymns and all the others sang them, walking around the tree.

       Father then made the children look at the golden star at the top of the tree, which was to remind us, he said, of the Bethlehem star leading people to find the sweet Christ-child. And then the children's exultant joy broke forth irresistibly, and each ran to find his own gifts. Erik's eyes grew bigger and bigger at the sight of a veritable rocking-horse.

       "Hurrah! fortunately I have got it!" he cried. Be sure he was in the saddle at once, and how glad he felt you will see from the picture! Little Else had the sweetest baby doll, with a cherry mouth, oh, such a dear! And so very convenient that the baby brought its own bottle and bag.

       Also Hans Andersen's fairy tales with their funny pictures were there, and heaps of other lovely things. They laughed and chatted and made such a noise!

       Baby sister only sat perfectly still, near mother; she stared incessantly at the tree, the lights of which were reflected in her big, blue eyes.

       At last the Christmas candles burned down and the happiest night of all the year had come to an end.

       The children were about to go to bed. The horse had been stabled for the night close to Erik's bed, so near that his hand could hold the rein. Else, on her bare feet, stole to the window once more to stare out into the darkness, a habit dear to her as to most true coun- try children. There was a star gleaming faintly above the big old lime tree, and Erik, from his bed, suggested it might even be "the Beth- lehem star itself." "No," Else said, "I think that one was greater and far more radiant, to guide the shepherds. Mind, father said one day that all children might come to see it!"

       Yes, for-tu-nate-ly," it came in a sleepy voice from the trellis bed; and shortly after- wards Erik was sound asleep, his brown little fist squeezing the rein of the rocking-horse.

       At daybreak on Christmas Day all the church bells were ringing, and the organ was playing while people sang the old hymn:

"All bells on Christmas morning blest

Are chiming for the Royal Guest,

Who would on men, so poor and low,

His gifts of peace and joy bestow!"

This is a DoJi Film: A Modern Christmas in Denmark.

Color all of the Christmas gifts beneath the tree . . .

Description of Coloring Page: Christmas tree, dolls, candles, baubles, barrel stand, star, ark, horse on wheels, top balloon, toy animals, toy cars

• Color a Christmas tree for your dolls now . . . 
• Here is another Christmas tree you can color too!

       Don't forget to drag the png. or jpg into a Word Document and enlarge the image as much as possible before printing it folks. If you have a question about this coloring page, just type into the comment box located directly below this post and I'll try to get back to you as soon as I can.

Make a fishy walnut ornament...

A walnut goldfish swimming between
the branches of a Christmas tree.

        This sweet little goldfish was made by using a half walnut shell. Goldfish come in all shapes and colors so, naturally you may wish to customize your own version. 

• Watch these goldfish to get ideas about how to paint them... and Frankie and French Fry here
• See our goldfish shaped Easter eggs with craft instructions here
• Read about how we made an entire school of "Rainbow Fish"

Supply List:

• one white bead for the fish eye
• scrap cardboard
• tacky white glue
• acrylic paints - black, white, orange, yellow
• wire hook for hanging on the tree

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. First you will need to break a walnut in half and this should be done in advance of making this ornament craft with little ones. Go here to read how it is done.
2. Trace around the half shell on top of a scrap piece of thin cardboard. 
3. Remove the shell and draw the fins and tail for the fish directly on the tracing of the walnut half.
4. Cut out the drawing with it's fins and tail.
5. Glue the half shell back on top of the cardboard cut-out using tacky white glue. Let dry.
6. Paint on the colors you wish for your fish to have.
7. Glue on the white bead for it's eye.
8. Glue a black pupil on top of the bead.
9. Coat the entire fish with Mod Podge to preserve the painted surface.
10. You may wish to glue a layer of decorative paper on the backside of the fish to finish it neatly.

Tear your own snowman picture . . .

        Children may tear a snowman, his broom, carrot nose and maybe even a few squirrel friends to play along with him from white paper. Then mount the snow scene on top of black paper with white school glue.

This torn snowman is having so much fun playing with his friends!

       Now your child can write a story or even dictate it to you while you write it down for him or her. Ask questions to get your little author in the mood to make up this story. They will enjoy reading it years later after the picture and this story exercise become another childhood Christmas memory.

Questions to Inspire A Story:

• Is this a funny picture or a sad one? Why?
• Who do you see?
• Think up a name for your snowman.
• What are the squirrels doing?
• Do you think the snowman can understand the squirrels talking?
• Where did the squirrels get their chestnuts?

"The Giving Snowman" 

readaloud by StoryTime Out Loud