The sun. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1937-1972, December 21, 1967, Image 5
The Newberry Sun, Newberry, S. C., Thursday, December 20, 1967—SEC. A — PAGE 5
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New Year Gifts
Custom of Old .
The givings of presents on
New Year’s Day is an old habit.
Some say it started first to
propitiate the gods, then the
rulers, later the lawmakers. Fi
nally, it was {Jracticed for self
ish reasons only, in many
cases. 'Some sources claim this
started in southern Asia, before
the time of Christ, while others,
attribute the idea to the Ro
mans. The practice was men
tioned by such writers as Taci
tus and Suetonius. Julius
Ceasar once declared he had
dreamed that Roman senators
were presenting him gifts on
the first dav of the new vear.
The notorius Caligula used
to stand in the hall of his pal
ace on New Year’s Day to col
lect offerings from his subjects.
This became such a "racket”
in Italy, that, in 458, Pope Leo
the Great abolished the custom,
declaring it a "relic of heathen
superstition”.
Ancient Egyptians had a
special New Year’s gift,
an earthenware flask (with a
neck shaped like a lily), called
a "pilgrim’s bottle.” On it was
an inscription — a wish that
the receiver would have only
good fortune in the New Year.
The New Year's greeting
card is really a form of gift;
this custom is credited to the
Chinese, who have sent such
cards for over a thousand
years.
MINT TREE ... A small,
mint-laden Christmas tree will do
double duty by providing a fes
tive centerpiece for the Christ
mas dinner table and a novel way
of serving that finishing touch
for the special dining occasion—
after-dinner mints. Mints may be
attached to the tree easily with
cellophane tape, thread or regular
ornament hangers.
TREE HISTORY
Today the Christmas tree is
a symbol of Yuletide gaiety. In
early Finland, the Votjak tribe
regarded the fir tree as sacred
and individual branches were con
sidered family gods to which sac
rifices must be made. Offerings
of bread, meat and drink were
given to a tree placed on the
mantle; and it was believed a
new house should not be built
until a fir was placed under the
roof, a cloth spread before the
tree, and sacrifices placed on the
cloth.
Tree Tip
If you’re buying living
Christmas trees in large 12 to
14 inch clay pots, prepare a
place for planting the n out
doors after the holidays. Dig
the hole where you plan to
install each evergreen at a
time when the ground is not
frozen. Cover with board and
you’ll find the soil relatively
easy to loosen when you’re
ready to plant the tree after
the holidays.
Old Carols
Many of our favorite Christ
mas carols are centuries old
“The First Noel” was origin
ally a medieval shepherd song
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentle
men” dates to the 16th century
and “Joy To The World” was
published in 1719.
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Yours
AS WE ENTER THE S4th YEAR OF SERVICE TO OUR fine customers,
we pledge to you that we shall make every effort to continue to merit
the confidence and support which you have given us in the past.
IT GIVES US GREAT PLEASURE TO DO THIS, because we fully
realize your friendship, goodwill, and patronage have made it possilbe
for us to serve successfully the people of this area ever since the first
"horseless carriages" began to appear on our streets.
AS WE APPROACH THIS GLAD HOLIDAY SEASON, we pause
to wish you and your family the happiest Christmas and the most pros
perous New Year you have ever experienced. Again—we wish You
and Yours . . .
A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!
ALL THE FOLKS AT
Smith Motor Co.
DODGE — CHRYSLER — PLYMOUTH — DODGE TRUCKS
1309 COLLEGE STREET—NEWBERRY, S. C. Phones: Sales: 276-3622—Service 276-3621