2024 Holiday Season

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Why Temu and Shein could give Western retailers a run for their money this holiday season

Welcome to the new online world of impulse buying, a place of guilty pleasures where the selection is vast, every day is Cyber Monday, and an instant dopamine hit that will have faded by the time your package arrives is always just a click away. Read more.

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The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lights up in New York City

NEW YORK (AP) — Fifty-thousand multi-colored lights were illuminated on Rockefeller Center’s iconic Christmas tree Wednesday evening to cheers from the crowds gathered to witness the annual New York City tradition.

https://apnews.com/article/rockefeller-center-christmas-tree-537614f873e118d525c4347a8bac301a?

ps:Used to love going downtown on the subway to see the lights and the whole Rockefeller area during this time of year!!

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? 1 tree thing

Data: USDA. Chart: Axios Visuals Oregon is far and away the top producer of Christmas trees in the U.S., according to USDA data. Domestic farms cut more than 14.5 million Christmas trees in 2022, the most recent year for which data is available. More than half came from Oregon and North Carolina. The U.S. imported another 3 million trees.

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Holiday weather

Early forecasts indicate temperatures could max out around 10 to 15 degrees above normal for much of the US on Christmas Day. It's a forecast reminiscent of last Christmas for many, which came amid the warmest winter on record in the country. Unseasonably warm conditions will dominate the western half of the US — including Alaska and Hawaii — while the eastern region will likely see some wet weather, according to the Climate Prediction Center. Even though it could be cold in the East, it's also expected to be much drier than normal from the weekend through the holiday, meaning potentially less snow. Meteorologists say at least 1 inch of snow needs to be on the ground on December 25 for it to count as a white Christmas.

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American chestnuts are part of Yuletide lore. But in the US, they’ve nearly been wiped out

It’s been a very long time since vendors sold the American chestnut on city sidewalks. It’s no longer the variety whose smell some people associate with Christmastime as it wafts from street carts. Because it’s virtually extinct.

https://apnews.com/article/american-chestnut-trees-roasting-blight-chinese-restoration-1c3e50ef33a67926c0800222f0e7e619?

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? Holiday procrastination

Data: NRF and Prosper Insights December Holiday Consumer Survey. Chart: Axios Visuals If you're feeling behind on your Christmas shopping, you're not alone. The big picture: A majority of holiday shoppers plan to finish buying gifts the week leading up to Christmas, Axios' Sareen Habeshian writes from a National Retail Federation survey. ? By the numbers: Each shopper is expected to spend an average of $902 across gifts, food and decorations.

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⭐ Double feature

Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios

Hanukkah begins this year on Christmas Day, which has only happened four times since 1900. Why it matters: For some rabbis, the intersection of the two religious holidays provides an auspicious occasion for interfaith engagement, AP reports. The last time Hanukkah began on Christmas Day was in 2005. But the term "Chrismukkah" — signifying the overlap of the two holidays — had become a popular term before then. The term gained currency in 2003, when the character Seth Cohen on the TV drama "The O.C." embraced the fusion holiday as a tribute to his Jewish father and Protestant mother.

[GayatfootofCross]

8 hours ago, phkrause said:

? Holiday procrastination

Data: NRF and Prosper Insights December Holiday Consumer Survey. Chart: Axios Visuals If you're feeling behind on your Christmas shopping, you're not alone. The big picture: A majority of holiday shoppers plan to finish buying gifts the week leading up to Christmas, Axios' Sareen Habeshian writes from a National Retail Federation survey. ? By the numbers: Each shopper is expected to spend an average of $902 across gifts, food and decorations.

when my mother died we had a Life celibration

and they were not religious people  at all

mom grew up catholic   and dad was a good lil luthern boy

and got married and god was basically a cuss word

and at our celebration we revisited mom greatest gifts  as children we   took for granted

and every year on our way to my aunts house

my mom in front  bench seat would perfectly neatly wrap  every gift for  the whole extended family  in a half hour from Redwood City CA to San Jose CA
Dad driving of course

the gift of christmas procrastination at its finest

Merry Christmas with Love

 Mommy !see ya soon enough at the AGAPE  FEAST TABLE

?

thanku for the reminder Friend 

 

 

[phkrause]

? 1 fun thing: Cookies we love

Data: Google Trends, based on searches from Dec. 10-17. Map: Google This year's most popular Christmas cookies are a mix of classic and festive varieties, Axios' Kelly Tyko writes from Google Trends data. Italian Christmas cookies ranked as top for seven states. Bûche de Noël, snowball, Christmas crack and pistachio were newcomers for searchers this year. More trends.

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AP PHOTOS: The iconic and unconventional sides of Christmas in New York

NEW YORK (AP) — The challenge of photographing Christmastime in New York is that there is so much of it.

https://apnews.com/article/christmas-new-york-photos-56ecf935afe921912019aec08721b3b7?

[GayatfootofCross]

10 hours ago, phkrause said:

? 1 fun thing: Cookies we love

Data: Google Trends, based on searches from Dec. 10-17. Map: Google This year's most popular Christmas cookies are a mix of classic and festive varieties, Axios' Kelly Tyko writes from Google Trends data. Italian Christmas cookies ranked as top for seven states. Bûche de Noël, snowball, Christmas crack and pistachio were newcomers for searchers this year. More trends.

well god told me to fast for two weeks 2 days ago  ..so here we go again

and the cookie post!

my god is like that

amen 

well im used to it cause my beloved unexpectedly the night before got our fav chinese  food on our mountain 

our faves enough for 6 meals!

waaaaa!!!

we both didnt know god  would declare yada yada over me again 

ans to boot i was gonna make my church famiy famous green bean cassarol galore for CHRISTMAS 

and 

we went shopping last week

we have a huge whipping tub and one u squirt

gravy ..fancy bread from safeway backery

he will eat all by himself

poor guy

fresh mashed potatoes pre made pumpkin pie

vanillia ice cream 

i cant think

im light headed

and now cookies

its only 2 weeks fast// wheeew

 March 4th 2021
MARCH FOURTH! ive fasted for 51 days straight no food and broke it on pickle juce and then seaweed soup then went ape

lost 70 pounds

o my

skin hang off much?

 

God was in full zone flowing love songs over me
play it long God meledic singing to your heart ❤️

how can you not love HIM  more!

❤️
fasting for days changes your soul

a few tears years  ago ..it was unspeakle 

i should have died

well maybe i did 

 

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❄️ Odds of white Christmas

Data: SNODAS. Map: Erin Davis/Axios Visuals If you're dreaming of a white Christmas, be jealous of those in the Mountain West, upper Midwest and northern New England, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick writes. Those are the regions that most often had at least an inch of snow on the ground or actively falling on Christmas Day between 2003 and 2022, according to historic satellite data. ? Kelly Tyko's guides to last-minute gifts ... groceries, drugstores.

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HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Veterans - Thank you for your service and we hope you have a Merry Christmas filled with pride, honor, remembrance & tradition. Throughout history, in times of both peace and war, yourself and millions of other selfless U.S. Military personnel have proudly served our nation. VetFriends.com salutes you. So many things are possible today because of You, our U.S. Veterans and Military.  We wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season!

Be on the lookout for a special Appreciation Gift Code in Your Inbox on Christmas Day.

A Soldier's Christmas 'Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone, In a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone. I had come down the chimney with presents to give, And had to see just who in this home did live. I looked all about, a strange sight I did see, No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stocking by the mantle, just boots full of sand. On the wall hung pictures, of a distant land. With medals and badges, awards of all kinds, A sober thought, came to mind. For this house was different, it was dark and dreary, I found the home of a Soldier, once I could see clearly. The Soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone, Curled up on the floor, in his one bedroom home. The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder, Not how I pictured, a United States Soldier. Was this the hero of whom I'd just read? Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed? I realized the families that I saw this night, Owed their lives to these Soldiers, who where willing to fight. Soon around the world, children would play, And grownups would celebrate, a bright Christmas day. They enjoyed Freedom, each month of the year, Because of these Soldiers, like the one lying here. I couldn't help wonder, how many lay alone, On a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home. The very thought, brought a tear to my eye. I dropped to my knees and started to cry. The Soldier awakened, and I heard a rough voice, "Santa don't cry, this life is my choice; I fight for Freedom, I don't ask for more, My life is my God, My Country, My Corps." The Soldier rolled over, and soon drifted to sleep. I couldn't control it, I continued to weep. I kept watch for hours, so silent and still, And we both shivered from the cold night's chill. I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark night, This Guardian of Honor, so willing to fight. Then the Soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure, Whispered, "Carry on Santa. It's Christmas Day, All is Secure." One look at my watch, and I knew he was right. Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night.

Veterans Christmas Photo Tribute

1956 - Navy- HG Jenkins, GW Jay Jacobs and "Sebo" Serbousic (of the USS Ozbourn DD846) at the EM Club, Subic Bay, Philippines

1958 - Christmas - Army 48th Ordnance Co.

1959 - Coast Guard - LST 1122 San Joaquin County - Christmas Dinner

1968 - Christmas Day - Marines - Battalion Rear

2006 - Christmas in Afghanistan - Air Force

Thank you for your Service to our Country!

[phkrause]

Joseph, Did You Know?

 

Step into a fresh perspective on the Christmas story with "Joseph, Did You Know?", a heartfelt original song five years in the making. Composed and performed by Christian Paul, this moving piece sheds light on the faith, sacrifice, and love of Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus. Inspired by the timeless classic "Mary, Did You Know?", it explores Joseph’s profound role in raising the Son of God and the salvation story.

https://adventistreview.tv/programs/joseph-did-you-know

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New Year's Eve

One of the biggest questions during the holidays is what stores will be open for those who need to run errands. This year, many grocery chains, pharmacies and restaurants nationwide will continue business as usual today and on New Year's Day. As always, check your local stores before going out as some may have modified hours. For example, Albertsons Companies will be open today and Wednesday on reduced hours. On New Year's Day, warehouse club Costco is closed but Walmart and Target stores will be open. Also on Wednesday, most banks services will be closed and USPS will not be sending or delivering mail.

[phkrause]

The world begins welcoming 2025 with light shows, embraces and ice plunges

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — From Sydney to Mumbai to Nairobi, communities around the world began welcoming 2025 with spectacular light shows, embraces and ice plunges.

https://apnews.com/article/new-years-eve-times-square-midnight-d272e3c02dd0a0c39be1ef06634ff3f3?

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? New Year's light show

The northern lights flare over a farmhouse in Brunswick, Maine, in May. Photo: Robert F. Bukaty/AP The northern lights may inject additional dazzle for some across the U.S. this New Year's Eve, Axios' Ivana Saric reports. ✨ The aurora borealis could be visible in Alaska, Washington, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. Parts of Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Iowa and New York may also get a look. ☄️ What's next: The Quadrantids — one of the best annual meteor showers — peak in a few days. Go deeper.