| How to Set Up a Guitar Posted: 25 Dec 2018 04:00 PM PST Sometimes a new guitar needs to be set up to achieve a smooth sound. If you notice that your strings are difficult to hold down or buzz while you play, you'll need to change the action and intonation of the guitar. To do this, you can adjust different parts of the guitar like the truss rod, bridge, and pickups to alter string height, length, and how much the neck bows. This should eliminate any unwanted buzzing or feedback and make the guitar easier to play. EditSetting the Truss Rod - Hold down the fret closest to the body on the top string. The frets are the square or rectangular spaces on the neck. Hold down the fret that's closest to where the neck and body of your guitar meet on the top string, otherwise known as the 6th string.[1]
- This fret is usually the 12th fret on your guitar.
- Hold down the first fret on the 6th string. Hold down the first fret with your other hand while continuing to hold down the fret closest to the body of the guitar. Doing this will allow you to see whether there is a gap between the strings and the neck of the guitar.[2]
- You can also hold down the first fret with a capo, which is a guitar tool used to hold down strings on the neck.
- Using a capo will make it easier to examine your guitar while holding down the strings.
- Look and feel for a gap between the string and neck. Look at the string and the neck of the guitar. There should be a gap about the width of a business card between the frets on the string that you're holding down. Use a free finger to push down one of the frets on the top string. If the strings move a lot and there is a large gap, your neck has too much relief and you should tighten the truss rod. If the string doesn't move at all and is tight against the neck with no gap, you'll need to loosen the truss rod.[3]
- The traditional setup is to have a very slight amount of curve in the neck, which is known as a concave bow.
- Remove the screws in the truss rod cover on the neck of the guitar. The truss rod cover is typically on the top of the neck of your guitar, near the tuning knobs, and looks almond shaped. You must remove this plastic or wood covering before you can make adjustments to the truss rod itself. Insert a Phillip's head screwdriver into the top of the cover and turn it counterclockwise to remove it. This will reveal the tip of the truss rod.[4]
- Once you remove the truss rod cover, you should see a hole with your truss rod in it.
- Tighten the truss rod nut if there is a large gap. Use the truss rod wrench that came with your guitar or purchase one at a guitar store or online. Fit the wrench around the end of the truss rod and turn it clockwise a quarter turn to tighten it. This will reduce the bend in the neck and bring the strings closer to the neck in between the frets you're holding down.[5]
- If the gap between the strings and neck is too high, it will make it harder to play the guitar.
- Loosen the truss rod nut if there is no gap in the neck. Fit the truss rod wrench around the end of the truss rod and turn it counterclockwise a quarter of a turn to loosen the tension in the neck. This should bring your strings off the neck of the guitar and will give them some space. Keep in mind that there should be just a small amount of space between the strings and neck.[6]
- If your truss rod is too tight, it will cause the neck of your guitar to bow. This may cause buzzing noises as you play.
- Screw the truss rod cover back on and wait a day. It may take some time for the neck to adjust to the new truss rod settings. Don't play the guitar for a day. Re-examine the guitar by holding down the fret closest to the body of the guitar and the first fret on the same string. The neck of the guitar should be slightly concave.[7]
- The strings should slightly come off the neck of the guitar.
EditRaising and Lowering the Bridge - Measure the strings to the neck on the 12th fret. The distance between the strings and the neck at the 12th fret should be about , or the width of a dime. Hold the flat end of a ruler against the neck and measure how high the strings are.[8]
- If the strings are further than , you need to lower the bridge.
- If the string has a high action, or the strings are more than from the neck at the 12th fret, you'll need to raise the bridge.
- Use an Allen wrench to raise or lower each string on the bridge. There should be small holes that can fit an Allen wrench on your bridge. Insert the wrench into the corresponding hole of the string you want to adjust and turn it 2-3 rotations to raise or lower the bridge. If the string is too high, turn the Allen wrench clockwise to lower the bridge. If the string is too low, turn the Allen wrench counterclockwise.[9]
- Adjust each string until there is a gap on the 12th fret. Continue raising or lowering the bridge on each string until they are around . Play each string while holding down the 12th fret. If the string buzzes when you strum it, it means that the string is too close to the frets. In this case, lower the bridge by turning the Allen wrench in the corresponding hole clockwise. If it's hard to push down the strings onto the neck, your strings may be too far from the frets.[10]
- The "action" or distance between the strings and the neck differs among guitar players, but is standard for most guitar players.
EditChanging String Length by Adjusting the Bridge - Tune your guitar with an electric tuner. The bridge elongates or shortens the length of your strings. If it's not adjusted correctly, notes down the neck of the guitar will be flat or sharp. Strum the top string next to the tuner and adjust the tuning knobs until it's an E. Put the rest of the guitar in standard E, A, D, G, B, E tuning.[11]
- Strum the 6th string while holding down the 12th fret with a tuner. Holding down the 12th fret of the guitar should play the same note when you play the string without holding down any frets, otherwise known as the open position. Press down on the 12th fret on the top, or 6th string, and strum it. The note should be an E. If it isn't an E, you have to adjust the bridge.[12]
- Turn the screw on the bridge clockwise if the note is sharp. If your note on the 12th fret is sharp, the string is too short and you need to lengthen it. Look at the bridge and find the screws on the bottom of the bridge. Locate the screw that corresponds with the string that you need to adjust. Use a Phillip's head screwdriver to turn the screw one full rotation clockwise.[13]
- Turn the screw on the bridge counterclockwise to shorten the string. If the note is flat, or lower than an E, you'll need to elongate the string. Rotate the screws on the back of the bridge counterclockwise one full rotation to shorten the string.[14]
- Check the note on the string when holding down the 12th fret. Turn on the tuner and hold down the 12th fret on the string that you just adjusted. Look at the note that is displayed on the tuner. If the note is still off when you hold down the 12th fret, you'll need to make additional adjustments to the bridge until the note is the same note as the string when played in the open position.[15]
- Repeat the process on the 5 remaining strings. Continue the same process on the rest of the strings, making sure that the 12th fret note and the open note are the same. Adjust all of the strings on the bridge so that the notes are the same.
- The second string from the top of the neck should be an A, the third string from the top should D, and so on.
EditSetting up the Pickups - Hold down the fret closest to the pickups on the top string. The frets are the square spaces on your neck and the pickups are the rectangular studded pieces where you strum. Hold down the fret that's closest to the pickups on the top string, or 6th string, so that you can determine whether your strings are the correct distance from your pickups.[16]
- If your strings are too close to your pickups, it could create feedback or unwanted gain.
- If the strings are too far from the pickups, you may not get the full sound from your guitar.
- Measure the distance between the pickup and the string. Hold the end of a ruler flat against the top of the pickups while continuing to hold down the fret. Measure the gap between the pickups and the strings.[17]
- This distance should be around .
- If the distance is already , you don't have to adjust the height of your pickups.
- Turn the top screw in the pickup so there's a gap. The screws that adjust the height are typically on the sides of the pickups. Turn the top screw clockwise with a Phillip's head screwdriver to raise the pickup near the top string. Turn the screw counterclockwise to lower it. Adjust the pickup height until it's from the string.[18]
- Repeat the process on the bottom string. Hold down the bottom string on the fret closest to the pickup and measure the distance. This time, adjust the bottom screw to raise or lower the lower portion of the fret. Adjust it until this string is also away from the pickups.[19]
EditThings You'll Need - Phillip's head screwdriver
- Truss rod wrench
- Allen wrench
- Ruler
- Phillip's head screwdriver
- Electric guitar tuner
EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Celebrate Christmas Posted: 25 Dec 2018 08:00 AM PST Christmas is one of those holidays that just seems to be filled with cheer and wonder. Whether you are celebrating a secular or religious Christmas, it is a day for fun, love, and happiness With a little help from wikihow, you will learn how to celebrate a secular, religious, kid-friendly, or consumer-free Christmas after the jump. Happy Holidays! EditCelebrating a Secular Christmas - Spread cheer. When you hear Christmas songs, instead of acting grumpy, smile and whistle along. Being cheerful during the Christmas season really will help in spreading Christmas spirit to those around you, plus it helps you enjoy it more too.
- Wish others a Merry Christmas if you know they celebrate Christmas. If you're not sure, just say "Happy Holidays"! Either way, you are spreading the holiday cheer.
- Enjoy your country's Christmas traditions. Let yourself be a kid again and enjoy the holiday spirit. Whether it's leaving cookies out for Santa Claus, watching for Papa Noel out the window or leaving your clogs by the fire for Santa, indulge in a little holiday tradition and give into the magic.
 - Do some research about Christmas customs around the world. There are some great books that describe these traditions and give additional recipes and craft projects. The web is also a great resource for seeking out new and exciting traditions and new recipes.
- Go to a local cultural center to learn about different Christmas customs. Many museums and libraries hold special holiday events and exhibits for the family to attend. Some Christmas tree festivals feature the usual tree decked out in ethnic ornaments and decor.
- Do a little holiday time travel! You can also research holiday customs of American past. Christmas customs of years gone by are pretty much different than those of today. Popcorn and/or cranberry garland threading is a custom that is old as Victorian times. Before the glass balls in American holiday displays, came the ornaments made of paper and corn husks. Many moms fashioned granny dolls or yarn dolls for their daughters. Pick up any of these customs to put a twist on your modern celebrations.
- Some customs, however are not practical or safe. Never put candles on a tree! You can use safer electric candles instead. Using real fruit or other edible items can be expensive and viewed by others as a waste of food. Select artificial or inedible ones instead.
- Decorate your house for Christmas. The possibilities for decorating are nearly endless. Put Christmas lights on your house. Hang mistletoe in the doorways (particularly if you know that special someone is coming over,) hang a homemade wreath on your door, or put Christmas figurines like Santa or Rudolph out on your counters.
- Buy and decorate a Christmas tree. Go with your family to your local Christmas tree farm to cut your own or head to a lot selling pre-cut Christmas trees. Pick out a Christmas tree that fits your house. After you've gotten your tree situated, wrap it in lights and begin hanging the ornaments. Don't forget to water it occasionally and safeguard it from pets!
- You can decorate your tree with family heirloom ornaments or try something new by decorating a tree with Star Trek or superhero themed ornaments, or with little trains, or with Disney characters for example. It's really up to you--be as creative or traditional as you like.
- Join up with friends and family. For many people, Christmas is about gathering with friends and family to enjoy each other's company and celebrate the holiday. The day is a national holiday and most folks get a day off work. Take advantage of this time to reconnect with friends and family. Create your own traditions or celebrate with the traditions that have been passed down in your family.
- Invite your friends or family over for Christmas dinner. Make it a potluck if you want to keep expenses (and the workload) manageable. The important thing is just to get together with people you love and make the winter a little warmer by sharing the warmth of caring with them. Consider making a traditional Christmas dinner complete with roast turkey, or create your own traditions by branching out and making whatever you want!
- Go Christmas caroling. Either have it at your home, go door to door, or go to an old folks' home and do it. Learn some Christmas or seasonal songs, and sing! It's fun, and even if your voice isn't great, hopefully, you won't be singing alone––you'll get some cover from your more talented friends! If you can't go caroling for some reason, blast Christmas music throughout your house, while you're wrapping presents, or during your Christmas party.
- For song ideas, try songs like "Frosty the Snowman," "Holly Jolly Christmas," "Silver Bells," "Walking in a Winter Wonderland," "Jingle Bells," "The Little Drummer Boy," "Let it Snow," or "It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas."
- Watch Christmas movies. Have a movie night during which you invite friends or family over and serve hot apple cider and popcorn or cocoa and cookies. Play Christmas movies like "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," "It's a Wonderful Life," "A Christmas Story", "Santa's Apprentice" or any number of other seasonal movies.
- Do a generous act. This is in the spirit of spreading joy, kindness, beauty and love during the Christmas season. You can volunteer at a homeless shelter, buy some vintage decorations at or donate some of your unwanted decorations to a thrift shop, drop spare change into the local charity drive bucket, help out someone with decorating like doing the tree for them and putting up outdoor lights, or help with a local toy or food drive for those who have less than you do.
- Consider giving gifts wrapped in lovely wrapping paper. You don't have to spend big bucks on gifts––small tokens are fine. Some families enjoy giving gifts to one another to show their appreciation for one another. You can buy gifts or make them yourself. Learn how to become an expert gift wrapper here.
- Gather around the Christmas tree with your family on Christmas morning and exchange gifts. Or, sit by the fire with your loved one and enjoy Christmas together.
- Do something fun with your family outdoors. There's nothing as fun to do on a Christmas night than to walk or drive around town and neighborhood looking at local decorations. Head down to the beach or the local park. In areas where it snows, go sledding or build a snowman! If there's no snow, bundle up and go on a long walk or hike with your loved ones. It's always great to get out of the house and breath in the fresh air.
- If you live in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa or other countries in the Southern Hemisphere, your Christmas is likely to be a warm one. This gives you the opportunity to get outdoors and appreciate the beauty of nature and enjoy some of your Christmas Day swimming, walking, resting on the grass or playing a game outside together. Be sure to wear sunscreen and a hat!
- Deal with "Scrooges" gracefully. If someone says "Let's cancel Christmas celebrations" or something else negative, simply say something disarming, like, "Sorry you don't enjoy this holiday. You're still welcome to come and join us for the day if you haven't got anyplace else to go." No matter how they react, just blow them off as kindly as possible and continue your celebration, showing compassion to the poor Scrooge. Also, try and see things from their point of view. Ask them if they're going through a tough time or whether they have a specific problem. Don't be quick to judge,as that will only make the problem worse!
 - Any one can get the holiday blues and become a Scrooge. Remember unfortunate things don't take a holiday even during the holiday season. Anyone can still experience problems with relationships at home or work/school. Teens and kids can too be very emotional time bombs. Sometimes it's a death in the family or to a loved one. Hefty bills can cause many people on holidays to feel anxious. Any person can have a burnout or mental meltdown from having to do all the extra chores, shopping and decorating without help. If a certain element of Christmas sets off angry, sad, or emotional reaction try to eliminate that factor from the Scrooge's life if possible. Put yourself in the Scrooge's shoes how would you feel in his/her situation.
- If a tradition starts upsetting you or anyone in your life feel free to adjust them or to omit them. Compromise, discuss and negotiate. Entire families or individuals within may grow out or be bored of family traditions, decor and customs.
- Try or suggest some of other ways to celebrate Christmas in this article for a Scrooge.
EditCelebrating a Religious Christmas - Reflect on the reason for Christmas. If you're not sure about it or you're rusty on the background, do some research. In the Bible, you can find the Christmas story in the Gospel according to Luke, Chapters 1 and 2, as well as the Gospel according to Matthew Chapters 1 and 2. Consider reading these chapters aloud as part of your family's holiday. Ask members of the family for their own impressions of the stories given, to personalize their understanding.
 - Talk to children about the meaning of Christmas and tell them the stories about Christmas. Find beautiful illustrations to accompany the Bible stories to capture their interest. Also, keep in mind that doing this for too long might become tedious. Try to keep these sessions short, something they can cherish.
- There are also many great children books and coloring books that illustrate the Christmas Story in an easy to read format. Some books take the Christmas story verses directly from the Bible others tell the story in the way that's different.
- In many cultures it's a custom to have the youngest (able) child place the baby in the cradle or the cradle in the stable of the Nativity Scene. A religious store can supply also Tree of Jesse symbol activities and you can cut Christmas cookies into camels, angels, Nativity figures, stars, crosses using cookie cutters. If you look around in some old Christmas books there are easy and fun crafts for religious ornaments for the whole family.
- Decorate a small 1 to 4 foot tree with angels, Nativity Scene figure ornaments, Nativity charms from a bracelet and jewel tone or metallic ornaments. A star, angel or crown can be placed on top of such a tree.
- You can easily incorporate religious ornaments into the main Christmas tree, use religion as a theme or use suggestions from the previous paragraph. Don't be afraid to add actual everyday Christmas items and scenery to your tree that doesn't have commercial in it. Animals, flowers, fruits, bells, candles, houses are good examples. Poinsettias and holly don't have to be commercial icons or any flower or creature that's seen on Christmas. Not even a snowflake or the snowman. Choose a plain teddy bear, not the Santa Bear. Queen's Lace flowers or something that closely resembles Frankincense and Myrrh can also be included in flower arrangements.
- Frankincense and Myrrh oils can be purchased in many herb, candle or floral shops and used as fragrance instead of traditional holiday scents.
- Invite God to come and celebrate the day with you. Some people choose to do this by attending a Christmas Eve service. Some do it by sitting before the Christmas tree and silently inviting God to just be with them. Prayer is also helpful. However you decide to do it, for the Christian, making God a part of your day is vital.
- Choose some activities that you and your friends or family will enjoy and which fit with the meaning of Christmas. Consider preparing some special foods for the poor and needy, visiting people who live alone or have no family close or dropping in to see the sick in the hospital. You might even give handmade gifts to people who aren't likely to get much this season.
- Spend time with others to celebrate. Gather together at the homes of friends and family, and spend some time in fellowship with others who believe as you do during this special time.
- Give to others. Whether to your family and friends, or to others less fortunate, spend some time this Christmas in giving. We give in remembrance of the gifts of the Magi to the Savior, but at the very heart of it all, recall that we are to give because He first gave to us.
- Spend time quietly being thankful for the gift of Jesus to the world that we celebrate on Christmas. This is the day that Christians have set aside to celebrate the beginning of the greatest gift mankind has ever received. Coming into the Christmas season with a grateful heart is essential if you really want to make the extension from Jesus's giving of His amazing gift to your giving and receiving.
- Create your own nativity scene. A beautiful way to celebrate Christmas is to create a nativity scene within your house or on your front yard. If you have children, ask them to help you. They will (or might not, it depends) love making the little angels and other figures.
- If you can't create your own nativity scene, consider attending a Nativity play at your local school or church. If you are a child or teen, many churches need actors and set designers for the play, so ask a pastor if you are interested.
EditCelebrating a Secular Christmas with Children - Involve your children in your family's traditions. Wherever you live in the world, teach your kids your family's traditions at a young age. There is something about Christmas time that is absolutely magical to children.
- Tell your kids Christmas stories. You can do this by reading to them, telling them stories before bedtime, or watching Christmas movies with them. A great idea is to buy a book about all the Christmas traditions around the world. This will give your children an opportunity to learn about other cultures' traditions.
- Help your children believe in Santa unless they are over eleven years old (By that time, they usually stop believing in Santa). Explain who Santa is and how he is going to come visit your house. To really help your children's belief in Santa, help them leave cookies out for Santa on Christmas Eve. When they are asleep, eat the cookies, leaving some crumbs as evidence and drink the milk (if any was left out.) If your child leaves Santa a note, create a note from 'Santa' thanking your child or answering questions that he or she may have asked. Make sure you write the letter in a different handwriting than your normal one.
- You can also leave carrots out for the flying reindeer. Have your kids leave carrots out for the reindeer and when they're asleep, nibble on the carrots, leaving some gnawed pieces behind as evidence.
- Decorate Christmas cookies. Whip up a batch of sugar cookies or gingerbread cookies and have your children decorate them (heck, you can decorate them too!) Your kids will love making their cookies into colorful, delicious creations.
- Have your children help decorate the tree. Once you have put up the Christmas tree and wrapped it in lights, gather your family together to decorate it. If your children are very little, help them along by lifting them up. Assign them special ornaments that they get to put up on the tree.
- Show your children how to hang stockings by the hearth. If this is part of your Christmas tradition, your children will love the anticipation of hanging their stockings by the fire and waiting for Santa. A cute idea is, when your children are asleep, to fill their stockings and then take them off the hearth and leave them at the foot of their bed. In the morning, ask them to bring their stockings into your room and you can all open your stocking gifts on your bed.
EditTaking the Commercial out of Christmas - Choose ritual and tradition over gift giving. Establish family rituals and traditions that honor the spirit of Christmas and involve all family members. It might be attending church as a whole family, it might be giving a meal preparation task to each member of the family, however young or old, or it might be writing heartfelt letters to one another describing how their acts of kindness have helped you through the year. Whatever your ritual (or set of rituals), place more emphasis on caring and sharing than trying to outdo one another with gift giving.
- Avoid spending money you don't have. Don't go into debt for the sake of one holiday. You don't have to give expensive purchased gifts; instead, you can make a gift. Many people feel a homemade gift is better because it shows thought and consideration for the recipient. Give within your means, people will understand and you set an excellent example that liberates others from the consumer treadmill.
- Gift ideas include: bookmarks, framed family photos you have taken over the year, holiday cookies or breads, or "cookie kits" (the flour, sugar, baking powder, chocolate chips and other spices are layered in a plain Mason jar, and instructions attached to a piece of raffia or a ribbon letting them know what to add, whether it's water, oil, egg, or whatever). See How to make your own Christmas gifts for more ideas.
- Learn some of the non-commercialized Christmas songs. There are some beautiful carols that you can sing together––maybe someone in your family or circle of friends can play the piano or guitar; if so, encourage them to play, and have a sing-along. Consider carols like "O Come All Ye Faithful," "Joy to the World," and "The First Noel." You can find the lyrics online if you don't know them.
 - Other songs with scenery like "Winter Wonderland", "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year""It's Beginning to Look Lot Like Christmas" " Sleigh Ride", " No Place like Home for the Holidays". Also consider the Antarctica movie theme song . These can be great non commercial additions to any playlist.
- "Ring Christmas Bells" "Give Love on Christmas Day" "Jingle Bells"," O Christmas Tree""Where Are U Christmas" "This Christmas" "Baby It's Cold" "Let it Snow" "Alone on Christmas" "Somewhere in My Memories""Holly Jolly Christmas" "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" don't have a strong commercial message in them even though they are often played in Christmas commercials or accompany promotions during the holiday season. Even though some songs may mention "Santa" once or twice. He's not the main focus of the song. Also the Nutcracker Ballet Suite and "Feliz Navidad" have nothing to do with commercialism. "12 Days of Christmas" is not a going shopping song but the "gifts" are really religious symbols.
- Also you can play philanthropic songs that also are about goodwill toward others and that inspire a good feeling "Stuff That Dreams are Made Of" "Heal the World" "Earth Song" "Seeds of Love" "I Hope You Dance" for example. "We are the World" makes a great holiday song as well!
- Mute the ads. Try to stop the "buy this for Christmas" ads from invading your home life. The consumer economy has its place but it shouldn't really be in your living room during a sacred season. Teach kids to mute the ads and do it yourself. Or, record your favorite shows and fast forward your way through them. Everyone will feel more peaceful, and there is less incitement to go shop till you drop.
- Avoid blindly obeying the encouragement of retailers to make Christmas all about consumerism, as that is far from the true meaning, regardless of whether you're religious or not.
- Choose your decorations more carefully. Some decorations, such as flashing lights or inflatable snowmen, should be avoided if you want a commercial-free Christmas . And decking the halls with fake presents just adds to the commercial affect. Instead, setting up a small manager depicting the first Christmas. Consider replacing bright, colorful lights with silver or white ones. Keep your house looking cheery and natural with some poinsettia's, holly, or mistletoe. If possible, use a real tree instead of an artificial one.
- Also try to keep the light displays tasteful and not have your house looking like the Vegas Strip. Thousands of lights, an over flashy or overly bright display can for some people symbolize the "more is more" commercial message. If you have an outrageous outdoor display try to limit the time it's on or how long it's up to avoid neighbor disputes and high energy bills. Humble Decor may make the local Grinch or Scrooge smile and give you a compliment. It can also help avoid neighborhood light competitions that can get out of hand easily.
- Your color scheme doesn't have to be the traditional red, white, and green thing. Any color theme can work for any holiday. Freddy Krueger's sweater is well red and green stripes!
- Keep Christmas in December or at least after Thanksgiving! Another disturbing trend that retailers and some people are doing is called pre-Christmas decorating. Some know how to do this slowly and gracefully by taking it few items of Christmas Decor at a time per weeks. This sounds fun and great at first but it will cause much more stress and headaches than an outrageous light display because people full forced into "have to be the Christmas spirit" rather it's Thanksgiving, Halloween, 4th of July. You won't be spreading joy but instead spreading discomfort or stress for you, the community, and your family. Considerate decorating can also cure the Scrooge or Grinch syndrome.
- Also make note how some seasonal decor and new marketing schemes are becoming too much like Christmas. Some toy stores are starting to turn the Easter Bunny into Santa Claus! What idiot came up with Christmas in July? Do we really need an entire Halloween tree complete with a "black evergreen"? Lights and other small decor is not so obvious. Tinsel Jack-o-Lantern and Tinsel Snowman is not a big deal.
- Don't let commercialism steal the beauty out of things that occur around the holidays. A pristine snowflake, the flaming red poinsettia, the festive shiny leaves of holly or the beautiful evergreen tree. Reindeer are actual real creatures. The nutcracker actually is tool used to crack nuts instead of guarding presents. Toy soldiers, trains, villages, bears, doggies, the sweet sound of jingle bells, or the sweet taste of candy canes don't always have to be associated with Santa or commercial logos. Every snowman doesn't have to be named Frosty.
EditwikiHow Holiday Cookbook - Be aware that some people can find Christmas a hard time, especially if a loved one is ill, there are family problems, or a loved one has died. Do your best to comfort them and to include them in your good wishes.
- Remember your Christmas may not have white snow-topped trees, or a huge pile of presents, or a wonderful choir singing Christmas carols, but your Christmas celebration and thankfulness is all that is required to properly celebrate. Anything more is a bonus.
- Some families, particularly those in Germany or with German heritage, like to put a glass pickle on the Christmas tree. The first one to find it either gets a special gift for being the most eager or gets to open presents first. Traditionally, this ornament goes on last.
- The white dove to many cultures is a symbol of peace and harmony. It's always a good decoration for the holidays.
- Always enjoy Christmas with your friends by calling them to your home and do fun with them by creating some Christmas cookies and if you in some of different part of the world use your computer devices or tablets to get connected with your friends and celebrate by sharing pics and sometimes on a group video call.
- If you ever encounter people who say you cannot celebrate the holiday if you are not Christian, avoid them or advise them that they are free to do what they want in the privacy of their own home.
- To stay organized with stocking stuffers, try getting as many large plastic bags as there are stockings/people, label each one with a persons name. You can use cardboard boxes, or even plastic grocery bags. A reader of this article suggests plastic bins. They have three children plus them and their husband fill each other's stockings, so they have five plastic bins, plus one for their dog, who also receives presents in his stocking. Put the bins high up, preferably in the tree area. After stockings are open, presents can go in bins so they won't get lost in the piles of wrapping paper.
- Gifts don't have to be wrapped, as long as it is special and heartfelt. You can also use gift bags or put small gifts together in a basket.
- Avoid proselytism. Although your beliefs are respected, you should also appreciate the beliefs of others. In the spirit of spreading goodwill to all beings, look forward to the fundamentally jolly spirit of the season.
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
EditQuick Summary |
No comments:
Post a Comment