Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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SECTION B — PAGE TWO THE NEWBERRY SUN, NEWBERRY, SOUTH CAROLINA THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1964 3 wish for you this Christmas: to experience as never before the fulfillment of the joyous Season. ODORLESS CLEANERS Phone 276-0605 Newberry, S. C. f ssi ^ o THE HR 1 1 —jg i * 1 < mtmm • i 1 1 i i ■ I i > 1 1 i i ■ 1 i * > i H i i Gold, frankincense, and myrrh, the first Christmas gifts, repre sented the most precious items of the day. Only the best tea considered a suitable gift for a king, and the Wise Men lieu, traveled far to pay their respect to the newborn infant. The Wise Men were kings themselves—and they could afford expensive gifts. In modern-day gift giving, we should not peace emphasis on the cost of the gifts we give. It is the spirit of giv ing that is important and that is appreciated. This can be readily understood when we note that the simple presents of the shepherds were appreciated as much as the valuable gifts of the three kings. A popular celebration with the French — “Fete des Rois” — the Feast of the Kings, takes place on Twelfth Night. Parisians cele brate with traditional family din ners or a visit to a restaurant. Customarily, a China bean is hidden in the meal-cake, the prin cipal food. The cake is then cut, one slice for each person present, and the finder of the bean shouts, “The King Drinks.” A toast is then proposed and the bean- finder proclaimed the king of the Twelfth Night celebration. Time goes on and on, yet red and green continue as the most popular colors of Christmas. One can find no legendary or historical reasofi, and many assume that it has something to do with the green holly with its red berries. On the other hand, it just may be that these bright colors are so popular because they are the brightest of shades. More and more other colors, particularly dark blue, white or silver and red gold are being used for holiday decorations, it’s true. Yet, they have a long way to go before they threaten the popularity of red and green. As you experience the joy that comes from the exchange of gifts with loved ones, may you also experience the joys of the true significance of Christmas. It is the season of good will and it is our hope and prayer that you will receive many blessings. Mlffu X- * J* I *■ m .v.v.\ m m '0. H w IS! iHpi!! wm&m- o •V.V. Spartan Grain & Mill 712 DRAYTON STREET "A GOOD PLACE TO WORK" NEWBERRY, SOUTH CAROLINA TELEPHONE 276-1110 MINIATURES . . . Realistic miniatures of outfits worn by jun gle fighters and soldiers are ex cellent. clothing for playtime. They’re Sanforized and guaran teed outgrown before outworn. HOLIDAY CLEAN-UP Don’t discard those holiday shopping bags. Keep at least two of them for Christmas morning—one to hold the pa per and ribbon you want to keep, one to hold the scraps to be thrown away. HOLIDAY HOLLY Most of the holly cuttings used in American homes today are of the English variety, grown for the most part in the northwest where climatic conditions are most favorable. Research has pro duced several strains of Ameri can holly said to be much hardier and superior in color, foliage and fruit. These bear such beguiling names as Merry Christmas, Santa Claus, Old Heavy Berry and Cro* nenberry. HOLLY BELIEFS The early Druids decorated their halls and homes with boughs of holly as a welcome to spirits threatened by frost and winter winds. Britons considered it un lucky to bring holly into a house before Christmas Eve and a vari ation on this belief held that the type of weather at the time the holly was brought into the home determined who would rule the house in the months ahead—if fair, the wife would rule, if bad, the husband would hold sway. the .4= HOLIDAY FIRESIDE The open fireplace so popu lar in today's modern homes is helping to renew the popularity of the Yule Log tradition. Few moderns are likely to venture into the woods to select their own Yule Log, yet there will be a glowing fire in thousands of homes this holiday eve. If you are going to sit by the fireside this holiday, you'll be in keeping with tradition if your Yule Log is oak, ash, olive, apple or pine. Ash is popular because it burns quickly, throws off ample heat and need not be seasoned. Beech has a pleasant aroma and gives off a steady glow. Oak is often preferred because it burns slowly. Less favorable woods are the elm, which is slow to get start ed, and poplar, which sparks badly if it is unseasoned. CAROLING Carol sings are traditional in many great American cities. The custom is so popular in St. Louis that there is a Christmas Carols Association which has thousands of members. Residents welcome the carolers with lighted candles in their windows and offer vol untary contributions which are turned over to 70 institutions for the handicapped and underprivi leged. In New Orleans, carol sings are traditionally held across the street from historic St. Louis Cathedral, in the French Quarter. Youthful carolers sing songs in both English and French. CENTERPIECE For a dramatic and timely holi day centerpiece, arrange several cut poinsettia blooms with greens in a shallow bowl. Another deco rative touch may be applied by ringing the bases of Christmas candles with holly and greens. If you are having a special holiday meal, place a wreath on the back of each chair with place cards at tached to the top of the wreaths. SUBSTITUTE Some researchers conclude that the custom of sending Christmas greetings developed from the old-time tradition of visiting friends on New Year’s Eve. When a well-wisher dis covered that the person he wanted to visit was not at home—most likely off visiting someone else—he would leave a note and a card as a remind er of the visit. EARLY CARD What some investigators be lieve to be the first card print ed specifically as a Christmas card was the one designed in 1843 by J. C. Horsley for Sir Henry Cole. The card had one center illustration and two side panels. The center panel de picted an English family rais ing wine glasses to toast a missing friend. Scenes on the side panels showed the feed ing of the hungry and clothing of the naked. It was the only card Sir Henry Cole ever had designed — reaction to the toasting scene from temper ance-minded friends was far from what he had expected. TALKING CLOWN . . . Bozo the Clown has joined the growing family of talking dolls and toys designed to brighten young hearts. Bozo is a stuffed replica of the famous TV, movie and re cording clown. TREES A’ PLENTY The popularity of the family Christmas tree is found in the fact that approximately 45 mil lion commercially-grown trees were sold in the United States last holiday season. This num ber does not include the small operator who cuts and sells trees locally, nor the hardy in dividuals who venture forth to chop down their own. HOLIDAY HOLDOVERS In the year A.D. 601, when Pope Gregory I sent missionaries to convert the pagans, he wisely instructed them to allow converts to transfer the harmless features of pagan winter celebrations into the spiritual fabric of the Christ mas observance. Mistletoe, the Yule log and the Wassail bowl are examples. In the 8th century, the missionary Boniface may have started the Christmas tree tradi tion when he persuaded the Teu tons to accept an evergreen deco rated in honor of the Christ Child and do away with worship of Odin’s sacred oak. CHRISTKIND Dear to the heart of Swiss chil dren is Christkind, personified by a girl in white, her face veiled and her head crowned in gold. Accompanied by other children dressed in white, Christkind car ries her basket of gifts from house to house, her coming an nounced by a silvery bell. When she enters a house, the Christ mas tree is lit and delighted chil dren receive their presents. HOME DECORATIONS Holiday decorations help em phasise the point that “There’s no place like home” at Christmas time. One good source of decorat ing ideas is a monthly magazine devoted to homemaking and fash ions. Department stores are stocked with a variety of decora tions and Mother Nature provides such materials as pine cones, green leaves, evergreens, berries, pods and nuts. EXTRA GIFT An “extra” and inexpensive gift certain to be appreciated by most youngsters is a supply of bat teries. Most children receive one or more battery-powered toys for Christmas. HAPPY GIRL . . . First choice for most any young lady is a doll all her own. Modern dolls are flexible, sturdy, long-lasting and nearly all of them can “talk.”