Boy is not certain whether to sing of decking the halls with or of ducking the falls of boughs of Holly but he sure does enjoy its festive colors. Traditionally, those red berries and green leaves are that of the English Holly, just one of over three hundred species of Holly bushes and trees. The evergreen of the Holly leaves, a trait not common to all species, represented the hope of winter survival in pre-Christian celebrations of the winter solstice throughout the Old World. It was inevitable that the cheery colored plant would become a Christmas favorite.

Mistletoe whose name means All Heal was a celebrated plant long before the first Christmas. A curious if not mystical means of flourishing from out of the bark of trees and medicinal properties are characteristics of Mistletoe aiding in its notoriety since ancient times. It was believed in Celtic religion that it had powers to bring protection, happiness and good fortune, particularly those sprigs cut from sacred oak trees. Other ancient convictions held that Mistletoe represented peace and a chance meeting of enemies under its branches was cause for a brief truce. Whether called Mistletoe or Golden Bough, Boy finds that none of its history or qualities is reason enough for him to be embearrassed by being kissed under it in keeping with the old English tradition.

Most say that the first Christmas Card was designed 157 years ago in England by a John C. Horsle. The British Penny Post most likely helped spread the popularity of sending a special holiday message off to family and friends. Today, Boy and folks all over find it to be a chore of cheer getting those warm wishes off to loved ones every where. Even if it means licking more gummy backing, Boy believes it doubles the rewards of his efforts when he uses those stamps that help support worthy causes.

Despite the usual bout of tangle-o-lights Boy's favorite Yule time activity is decorating the Christmas tree. It is widely held that this grand tradition is of German origin dating back to around the 16th century. Prior pagan practices aside, the true Christmas Tree is likely to be an blend of the Paradise Tree used in the December 24th feast of Adam and Eve, and the Lichstock, a pyramid of shelves used to display nativity figurines. Early Christmas tree decorations included apples, candies, candles, paper roses and wafers.

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Revised: 11-19-00