Santa Claus on old postcards
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Santa Claus
6th of December is coming soon, Hungarian children are waiting Santa Claus (or Father Christmas). The origin of the feast is connected to Saint Nicholas who gave presents to his neighbor’s children, as to the tale. Starting from this legend, Santa Claus was illustrated as an old man in coarse clothes with mitre, who lived in Heaven and watched children from there. His assistants were buffers, angels or elves.
This picture and the feast itself changed in the 20th century and became global – it is said that the Santa Claus illustration of Coca Cola became well known worldwide. The assistants disappeared beside him. His figure came to stay: white hair-moustache-beard, red clothes with belt, boots, big red sack, big tummy and smiling face. His person separated from the saint, although he is frequently called Nicholas in Hungary, the Father Christmas name is rather in use. (He is Santa Claus in Anglo-Saxon countries, Joulupukki in Finland, Nikolaus in German speech areas and Gyed Maroz in Russia). According to the new background story, he lives in the North Pole, his toy- and present making factory is also there, where elves are working. His sleigh is pulled by nine reindeers with which he can even fly. Children write letters to him before Christmas about the desired presents.
The date of presenting in Hungary is still 6th of December, day of Nicholas. He puts presents for good children and rods for bad children in the cleaned boots and shoes under the cover of night. He goes around the world during the night of Christmas and hands out the presents according to traditions of other countries which he puts under the Christmas tree or in the hung stockings after crawling in through the chimney. The bad gets coals instead of rods in Anglo-Saxon countries.
Decorate our home with Christmas ornaments even to this feast getting moody surprises by the presents in the morning. Ask for help of an interior designer for choosing the decoration fit for your home.
Thomas Kinkade 1.
Christmas
Christmas is the most beautiful holiday of the year. All homes are being decorated. If the nature does us a favor also, it covers the roads and gardens with snow that results a really sparkling spectacle.
Christmas decoration means a challenge for many of us every year. Fashion changes continuously, if someone tries to keep up, all decorations should be changed regularly. For classic interiors, there are eternal an elegant decorations that are independent on the fashion and still looking good.
The colors of Christmas depend on personal taste. What is important: to provide the emotions and shining of the occasion. Don’t save up decoration: it’s nice if there is a little surprise waiting for the guests in every hidden corner. Let’s start the decorating outdoor: place a wreath or other ornament. Put some evergreen branches and outdoor lights on the handrail of the stairs leading to the house. If it is solvable, emphasize the line of the roof, the contour of windows and doors also with some light strings. Buy a door mat with Christmas notes or figures for this month.
Since the hall decoration gives the first impression, this should not be neglected. Put garlands above the mirror and hang off glass spheres from the lamps. Another wreath can be hanged to the inner surface of the entrance door. Inside, poinsettias in decorative pots or lighting decoration should be placed on the window sills. We can also attach some snowflake shaped stickers on the glass of windows and internal doors. The stair handrails can be decorated with garlands and light strings also inside. Do the same with curtain cornices. Near the Advent wreath, further candles and candies can be placed to the table in glass dishes. If you have a fireplace, you can hang Santa Claus socks on it, even if the presents are not being put in them. Hang spherical ornaments or holly and mistletoe bouquets from the chandeliers. Branches, flowers and berries can be combined with shiny glass decorations and strings. Light will give the sense of the whole scene: candles, fire in the fireplace, light garlands and lighting decorations. From the last two, choose the ones having warm white light.
The crown of the home is the Christmas tree in the season. Although the synthetic pine tree saves a lot of work to us, the real one is much more beautiful and has a lovely scent also. Let’s purchase a pine tree in pottery or with soil ball, that will not die and can be returned after the holiday.
If you would like a classic-elegant Chritmas decoration at home, ask help from an interior designer before the holiday.