Don't Forget the Real Meaning of Christmas

Our society seems to be so much more commercial these days when it comes to Christmas. You can walk in any store days before Halloween and already the Christmas decorations are coming out and pre-packaged gifts are on sale.

However, we need to remember the real meaning of Christmas as adults so that our children will not end up so caught up in Christmas being about getting presents and Santa coming that that's all they will be looking forward to.

The real meaning of Christmas of course is the birth of Christ. Without any of that there wouldn't even be a Christmas. Even if you don't do it now, you can start a new tradition of reading the Christmas story from the bible each Christmas Eve so that children begin to understand the real meaning of Christmas.

We all think our children are special when they are born and each and every one of them are, however, when Christ was born in Bethlehem there was no baby more special that him. He was not created the way other children are created. He was created by a Heavenly being and that is what made him so special.

Jesus lived among us just like every other human being does and he did good and miraculous things while he was here. However, he would be the one who would die on a cross, like no other man before him and save all of the mortals from sin for eternity.

We all put up our Christmas tree, decorative ornaments, decorate our doors and our yard, and even put up the nativity scene in our living room for all to see. But do we really live in the spirit of Christmas or merely put on the front and still rush around trying to buy presents for everyone and make sure that everyone is happy on Christmas morning?

Sit down with your children and let them know exactly what Christmas really means. Explain to them that a special child named Jesus was born on this day and that the wise men came to bring him gifts because he was so special. Every child should know the real meaning of Christmas and take pride in being able to share that story and that experience with those who are closest to them; special family and friends.

Don't continue to let them believe that Christmas is all about how many gifts you get under the tree on Christmas morning or that the gifts that cost the most are what are most important. You have to show them by example and let them know what Christmas really is all about. Plain and simple, it is about the birth of Jesus.

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A Guide to Ugly Christmas Sweaters and Parties

The Ugly Christmas Sweater trend has reached epidemic proportions and has no sign of stopping. Similar to Facebook, "old people" are jumping on the bandwagon... that is, old people who can distinguish between a serious and satirical Ugly Christmas Sweater-wearer. So how exactly do you throw an unforgettable ugly Christmas sweater party? I will guide you though the steps:

Invitations

Be sure everyone knows about your holiday bash by inviting them weeks in advance. This can be done in a multitude of ways, but I recommend inviting them, reminding them and getting them extremely pumped for the big day - which means communicate across multiple platforms! My favorites: Facebook Event Invites, Facebook Messages, CoCoDot Digital Invitations, RedStamp app reminders and sometimes even cute little printed postcards.

Party Planning

Get the typical Christmas tune-age going. Mix the classy classics with the tacky tunes and don't forget to include "Baby, It's Cold Outside" at least twice. The later in the playlist the higher the chance of an impromptu duet; it's a statistically-proven direct correlation.

Party Decor

When you are decking the halls, it is important to mix the traditional holiday season swag with some obnoxious random decorations, helping create a not-too-serious vibe. You might consider a "Pin the nose on the reindeer" wall hanging and a booty-shaking battery-operated Santa doll. If you have too much time on your hands: line your walkway with candy canes on both sides to make your very own Candy Cane Lane. OMG can you say "cuteness?!"

Party Prizes

As we've mentioned time and again, the whole point of these parties is "winning." Charlie Sheen may be #winning with the most Twitter followers, but believe it or not, there are more important things in life! Like taking the title of owning the UGLIEST Christmas sweater. Not everyone is aware that these parties are not just fun and games. But after your first sweater shindig, you will know what to expect and you'll make a point to step up your sweater game.

Why don a dumb one if you can have the most tantalizingly tacky, conversation-starting, ridiculously rowdy, over-the-top UGLY sweater?

Stroke your sweater-sporting guests egos by awarding a series of awards, prizes, badges, buttons or makeshift trophies.

And there you have it, the most important components when it comes to throwing best themed party of them all - The Ugly Christmas Sweater Party! Have a holly jolly, very merry, unbelievably ugly Christmas this year!

Martha McCarthy is an entrepreneur and digital marketing expert. She is the founder and president of The Social Lights, a digital marketing agency based in Minneapolis, MN. She is also the co-founder and CEO of http://www.uglyxmasparty.com/, a site she founded with her brother in 2008.

Martha enjoys bringing brands to life online through storytelling. She uses multimedia platforms and infuses audio, video, graphics and highly compelling content. To see her work visit: http://about.me/MarthaMcCarthy

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Ugly Christmas Sweater Shopping - On the Hunt

If you are wondering how to, "Dress like it's 1994 AND party in THE PRESENT" then you have come to the right place. More specifically, we will show you how to dress like a present, or at least how to pull off an Ugly Christmas Sweater while remaining that suave guy/girl that you act like at parties. As with any daring fashion decision, confidence is key! But first, you must find that fantastic sweater!To secure the perfect party sweater is no small feat. Where are the gems hiding you ask? In closets, in thrift stores, online and, possibly, in your own closet...
Guide to Snagging
Well, mom or grandma's closet is one place to look. The trick here is to flatter and not offend. If your mother and/or grandmother is not particularly fashion-forward, be sure not to ask for an "ugly sweater" to borrow. Ask for something cute and Christmasy and you will likely find exactly what you need!
Guide to Online Shopping
Sometimes the easiest, quickest, most fun way to shop is online in the comfort of your own home! You can surf in your snuggie and find some of the MOST HILARIOUS sweaters in the whole wide world right on the worldwide web.
Guide to Secondhand Shopping
If you are not a seasoned professional bargin-hunter, prepare for an adventure into a whole new realm of retail. A crazy concoction of the good, the bad, the ugly and a whole lotta WTF? Thrift stores are notoriously riddled with old junk, but amid the jam-packed junk racks you might just find a diamond in the rough. The thrill of the chase is exciting for seasoned professionals, but can be overwhelming for newbies.
Helpful Hints: Go to the Christmas/Seasonal/Holiday Section. Every thrift store will have one at least a month prior to Xmas. This is where everything festive they've saved up for the past 12 months is proudly displayed. It often saves you a lot of digging around!
If you are concerned about money, honey, just go where the deals are! Often, thrift stores have sales, coups to clip, dealios, half-price days, and, on occasion, "all the crap you can stuff in a paper bag" sales. So be on the lookout for the supa-sales.
Sometimes these shops can get picked over. So go early, go often and try to hit up a few dingier hole-in-the-wall shops. That's where the treasure hides! Trust me, I'm a seasoned professional.
Martha McCarthy is an entrepreneur and digital marketing expert. She is the founder and president of The Social Lights, a digital marketing agency based in Minneapolis, MN. She is also the co-founder and CEO of http://www.uglyxmasparty.com/ a site she founded with her brother in 2008.
Martha enjoys bringing brands to life online through storytelling. She uses multimedia platforms and infuses audio, video, graphics and highly compelling content. To see her work visit: http://about.me/MarthaMcCarthy

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Three Odd Christmas Characters

As far as old Santa goes, he isn't all that bad. He might be a little bit portly, stuck in his ways when it comes to what colour is the new black this year and far too eager when it comes to chimney burrowing, but so what? Behind his fluffy white beard is a jolly face, something you just can't knock. He also has an outlandish form of transport, and most importantly, delivers all our pressies on time like the gift-giving robo-trooper he is! And besides, some of the alternative Christmas characters are just plain unsavoury...1. Austria - Krampus
Think of Krampus as sort of a Father Christmas antithesis, a kind of festive devil if you will. Unofficially he's Santa's evil twin, charged with the unpleasant task of beating and punishing all the children who have misbehaved. This reprimanding may also stretch to the stuffing of 'bad' kids into a sack and fleeing into the black forest to eat them. Charming.
He has a night dedicated to him appropriately named Krampus Night, on which guys dress up in truly terrifying and fiendish outfits to drunkenly roam and rush around towns hitting people with sticks, surely that sounds worse than it is?! Although popular in Austria this Germanic tradition from the alpine regions is practiced throughout Hungary, Slovenia and Bavaria.
2. Iceland - The Christmas Cat
On the surface the Christmas Cat sounds like something positive and enjoyable and in keeping with the seasonal hi-jinks we all revel in every December. Unfortunately, especially if you happen to be an Icelandic kid, this isn't the case. Tradition in Iceland states that everyone at Christmas should receive a new item of clothing. If you did receive a new bit of kit, then you're fine, the Christmas Cat is not your concern.
However if you were unfortunate enough only to receive toys and videogames, trouble is coming... the Christmas Cat is going to eat you. How mean is this guy? It's not even your fault that you didn't receive a new hoody and yet you're the one going to be eaten! This Christmas Cat is pretty formidable too; large, vicious and owned by a family descended from trolls. The prospects don't look good...
3. Spain - El Caganer
You're not going to believe this entry courtesy of the Spanish. His name is El Caganer and he is generally found represented as a figure in nativity scenes. Originally he took the form of a peasant, on occasion a monk, though nowadays is represented by just about anyone.
What's so special about him you're thinking? Well, how can you put this delicately, forget it; I'm just going to say it. El Caganer is having a poo. Yup, in the nativity scene. If there is one saving grace he tends to be placed, discretely in most nativity set-ups, away from the manager, which is kind of reassuring. The name actually translates as 'The Great Defecator' and unbelievably isn't sacrilegious, apparently having him present is a sort of blessing for the coming harvest. Fertilizer I guess.
Who knew that Christmas had such a diverse range of colourful characters hidden in its festive spectrum? And this is only three!
David Games researches and writes about weird, quirky and novelty Christmas gifts for the online retailer Find Me A Gift.

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