| Pondering on gifts for her with a unique twist and | | | | everyone under the berries. Her declaration, that |
| laden with special meanings this holiday season? | | | | "all who stand beneath the mistletoe must kiss in |
| Women, for their part, may likewise be | | | | friendship and peace" is upheld even by people in |
| contemplating on which to give from an | | | | the contemporary age. |
| assortment of possible gifts for him that may | | | | The yuletide season, of course, is not complete |
| knock him off his pants. How about slipping some | | | | without the animated chatter and excitement of |
| interesting trivia or Christmas legend along with | | | | kids who look forward not just to sharing a grand |
| your gift or sharing some while marking the | | | | feast with family members but also to receiving |
| Christmas countdown? | | | | their much-awaited gifts at Christmas. How about |
| All you have to do is turn back to the glorious | | | | awakening the child in you and engaging in small |
| past for some inspiration. Gifts for him will acquire | | | | talk with the kids, while letting them in on the |
| new dimension when bundled up with a nice | | | | legend of Santa Claus? The story goes that |
| message, a warm hug and kiss, and presented | | | | during the fourth century, a bishop who went by |
| with symbolic holiday emblems like the Christmas | | | | the name of St. Nicholas of Myra who would |
| tree as backdrop. | | | | saddle up to his horse would give gifts |
| As far as that charming presence in every home | | | | anonymously at night. Soon enough, kids regarded |
| - the Christmas tree - is concerned, legend has it | | | | him as the giver of all nice & good things |
| that the fir is the Tree of Life whose leaves | | | | they may set their hearts on. |
| shriveled to tiny needles when Eve plucked the | | | | As you partake of the traditional Christmas Eve |
| forbidden fruit, and the Tree of Life did not grow | | | | dinner, you may want to share with the kids and |
| again until Jesus was born. | | | | with your family or guests who have gathered to |
| Thinking of buying a mistletoe as part of your | | | | bask in the warm spirit of the holidays in your |
| pre-holiday shopping list of gifts? At Christmas, | | | | home and share their presence as their way of |
| nothing makes the occasion even more special | | | | giving gifts at Christmas, the legend of the |
| than kisses made under the mistletoe, or photos | | | | poinsettia. The story goes that in a village in |
| taken beside the Christmas tree, with both | | | | Mexico, an angel instructed a tyke to bring to |
| tangible and intangible gifts at Christmas warming | | | | church as gift for the baby Jesus on Christmas |
| the occasion in the most special way. The | | | | eve, some dried up weeds which blossomed into |
| mistletoe traces its legend to Greek mythology. | | | | the first poinsettia. It therefore acquired the name |
| You and your hubby may find it interesting that | | | | "Flor de la Noche Buena." |
| the pearl-like berries of the mistletoe, as legend | | | | There are many other Christmas symbols with |
| has it, were the embittered tears of the Norse | | | | interesting legends that may inspire you as you |
| goddess of love and marriage. Frigga, who | | | | prowl around for the right ornaments and |
| thought she had permanently lost her son, Baldur, | | | | presents. Indeed, a little bit of trivia and nice |
| who was hit by an enemy with a mistletoe arrow. | | | | anecdotes to accompany your gifts at Christmas |
| In answer to her pleas, Frigga's son was brought | | | | will make them even more special and |
| back to life and in her utter delight, she kissed | | | | memorable. |