We may send fewer cards today, but those who do send them embrace it as part of the holiday experience and something that connects them more closely to those they care about.
(Unsplash)
With the rise of digital communication, large greeting card companies have seen revenue declines. However, a smaller, vibrant craft industry in cards has emerged with a new younger customer.
Signs reading “Defend Democracy” and a call-to-action for a text shortcode related to impeachment rest in a Christmas tree during an “Impeach and Remove” rally, Dec. 17, 2019, at the Pedestrian Mall in Iowa City, Iowa.
(Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen via AP)
Leigh Hunt is a 19th-century writer who grappled with the still relevant question: How can we celebrate and enjoy ourselves at this time of the year when there is so much misery in the world?
Don’t fret if your kids are starting to doubt Santa’s magic. Coming to disbelieve is not particularly distressing for them and most come to their own conclusions.
Months of low advertising spending has been blown out of the water by a Christmas splurge.
If your child is staying home or allowed to go out without supervision while on school holidays, it’s a good idea to set some ground rules for their safety.
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Here’s some advice for concerned working parents with kids at home during school holidays, based on our research on home security, burglaries and young offenders.
Christmas is hectic, and it can be easy just to go with the flow and vow to cut your plastic use in the new year. But here are some easy steps you can take now to make your Christmas plastic-free.
The Grinch as depicted in the recently released movie ‘The Grinch.’
Illumination Entertainment
From going out dancing to choosing smaller plates, two nutrition researchers offer some tips for reaping the fun of the holidays without destroying your health.
Hide the credit cards and instead build traditions with your kids. Supporting a child through gift disappointment is important to their emotional, cognitive and social development.
Research shows that a parent’s level of generosity and charitable behaviour is linked with their child’s display of the same behaviours.
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Children start developing empathy and compassion as toddlers and should have a good understanding of generosity by age nine. Parents can help foster these behaviours.
The Blackfeet always faced their tipis towards the rising sun, including on winter solstice.
Beinecke Library via Wikimedia Commons
For indigenous peoples, winter solstice has been a time to honor their ancient sun deity. Their rituals reveal a deep understanding of the natural world.
Can I get away with this amount of presents?
Voyagerix/Shutterstock
Lisa Bitel, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Behind today’s mythical Santa Claus from the North Pole, is a real saint – St. Nicholas. How he came to be today’s gift-giving jolly figure from the North Pole is a fascinating story by itself.
Scotch pines on a Christmas tree farm in northern Michigan.
Bert Cregg
Both natural and artificial Christmas trees have environmental impacts, but they’re not major. What matters most is what happens to the trees after the holidays.
If they ask, tell them the truth.
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Despite the primacy of Christmas in American culture, the visibility of Hanukkah in pop culture reminds Jews that they have their own holiday in which they can take pride.
The Salvation Army is among the top few U.S. charities.
CityOfFortWorth
Diane Winston, USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
Around this time of the year, the Salvation Army’s red kettles become visible as part of holiday giving. How this British evangelical organization came to the US is interesting history.
Senior Lecturer in Social Sciences, BA (Hons), MSc, PhD, CPsychol, HE Cert (Couns.), PG Dip (Couns.), FHEA, FRGS, MBACP (Accred), University of Bristol
Director of the Wesley Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Policy & Associate Professor, New Testament, Pilgrim Theological College, University of Divinity