介绍:
Americans love Christmas trees. The National Christmas Tree Association says more than 35 million of them were bought last year in the United States.
In large American cities, many people buy trees that have already been cut. But many people drive to a tree farm and cut their own tree. Some buy one from a catalog or online. The tree is then delivered to their home.
The National Christmas Tree Association represents growers and sellers of most of the farm-grown Christmas trees in the United States. It estimates that 10.9 million artificial trees were sold in 2012, compared to 24.5 million natural trees.
The group says the average cost of a natural tree was $40, and about $70 for an artificial one.
Most Christmas trees are now grown on farms. The trees take six to ten years to grow. In some states, fewer than half of the planted trees survived the weather conditions to become Christmas trees.
To make sure there is always a supply, farmers usually plant one to three new seedlings for every tree they cut down.
The Christmas Tree Association says 14% of people who bought natural trees last year chose them at a farm and cut the tree themselves. The Association says real trees are better for the environment. That is because as Christmas trees grow, they collect carbon dioxide and other gases while supplying fresh oxygen. The trees also protect water supplies.
Christmas trees are grown on soil that does not support other crops. Some people throw away their natural tree when the holiday season ends. But many people recycle them. There are many ways to do this.
Christmas trees can be cut up to be used as fertilizer. They can also be cut and used to prevent the wearing down of soil. Christmas trees helped many communities near the ocean following tropical Storm Sandy on the east coast of the United States. They were placed near large hills of sand to prevent the sand from blowing away.
Artificial trees which come mostly from China can be reused for years. Families use them for an average of six to nine years before throwing them away. These trees can remain in a landfill for hundreds of years.
KISSING is a very popular university student activity but usually it involves a lot of courting, flirting and a couple of dates to score a sloppy one (sloppy kiss that is). Yet Christmas delivers a culturally acceptable way to steal a kiss this festive season. And it all comes down to a plant called mistletoe.
Mistletoe is the name of a plant often used for decorating at Christmas time. It is actually a parasitic plant that attaches to trees and shrubs and lives off their nutrients…awkward. But culturally mistletoe is used to steal a lover’s kiss at Christmas.
The basic idea: When you and another person are caught standing beneath the mistletoe you have to kiss. No argument, these are the rules so be careful what you walk under until December 25. Of course the tradition has now gone mobile with many men carrying mistletoe with them only to hold it above themselves when in close proximity to a good looking lady, or lad. This takes stealing a kiss to another level.
But why do people kiss under the mistletoe? It all dates back to pre-Christian Europe where mistletoe was used to symbolise masculinity, including romance, vitality and fertility. This symbolism led to a belief that the mistletoe had mystical powers such as the power to start romance and eventually this started the custom of kissing beneath the magical mistletoe plant. The earliest documented kiss beneath the mistletoe is from 16th Century England…another great invention from the Brits. You are very welcome!
So with Christmas approaching it is time to put the lip balm on and pucker up just in case you get caught beneath the mistletoe for a sneaky kiss.
Great gifts are awesome.
Terrible gifts are not.
Want to avoid the drama this year? Here are ten most hated gifts you should avoid.
1. Ugly Sweaters
Some sweaters are so ugly they are incredible, like when your aunt thinks she knows what is really "trendy" these days and the department store was having a sale.
2. Surprise Pets
Unwanted responsibility? Check. Destroyed furniture? Check. Emotionally scarring pet funeral after finally coming around to loving the little furball? CHECK CHECK CHECK.
3. Anything 'Made With Love'... But Unwearable
I mean, thanks for the effort?
4. A Heartfelt Ballad
You are not Elton John, and your gift is NOT your song.
5. Gifts You've Clearly Grown Out Of
Or maybe this is THE perfect way to carry books between classes at law school.
6. Tech Accessories For A Device You Don't Own
Know what would be even cooler than a case for a smartphone? An actual smartphone.
7. Tech Accessories That Are Completely Outdated
1998 called, they want their CD case back.
8. Regifts
Box from a different store? Scotch-taped? WE KNOW WHAT YOU DID THERE.
9. Anything Christmas Themed
Really pointless the rest of the year.
10.Skip the drama. Just send cash. Happy holidays!
Boxing Day is traditionally the day following Christmas Day, when servants and tradesmen would receive gifts, known as a "Christmas box", from their bosses or employers. Today, Boxing Day is the bank holiday that generally takes place on 26 December. It is observed in the United Kingdom, Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and some other Commonwealth nations.
BGM: Gift Wrapped Kiss-YLC
Dear Chritmas-许哲佩
Away in the Manger-黄雅诗
Angels We Have Heard on High
Ending Music: Forever Chritmas-David Lanz
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