Presepe: Christmas decorations Italy

Decorative items such as Christmas trees, LED lights, angels, mistletoe, evergreen wreaths, hollies, candles, candy canes, baubles and stars are common Christmas decorations, used across the world. But traditional Christmas decorations in Italy can never be complete without the ‘presepe’. It is the most important item of decoration in all Italian homes. A Presepe basically is a model crib, a complete representation of a Nativity scene, replete with baby Jesus, Joseph and Mother Mary.

Whether it’s Rome, Naples or the Vatican, every Church, home and community competes to make the most beautiful crib. Most people use hay, tissue, candles, and figurines to decorate these nativity models. Elaborate cribs have shepherds, the 3 wise men carrying gifts, baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Some go out of the way to keep clay models of sheep, other farm animals, stars and trees.

Modern glass decorations are a great favourite with Italians.  These delicate articles look classy and add an elegant touch to the entire set up. Natives are known for their love of food and they exercise creativity when ornamenting trees; they use deep red apples, candies and chocolates to add an extra zing to Christmas tree decorations.

Most Italian homes begin to put together their Christmas decorations by 8^th of December, the day celebrated as the ‘Feast of Immaculate Conception’.

Ways To Celebrate Independence Day

Independence Day is a major event all across the United States. This day is usually a day of festivity and celebration that involves elaborate parades, fairs, fireworks, carnivals, concerts, basket ball games and family reunions. One can celebrate American Independence Day in a number of ways however here are a few suggestions on what to do on this festive day.

Parades and Carnivals

Independence celebration in United States is known for its parades and carnivals. If you do not have the inclination of doing much in terms of celebrating this event personally one can easily be a part of the general celebration by joining a crowd of onlookers at parades and carnivals. Enjoy the marching band and the colorful floats that are a fixture on this day anywhere in America.

Speeches

If you are looking for some inspiration on this day, you can easily attend any number of Independence Day speeches and public meeting that are bound to take place. Many politicians and leaders are known to make patriotic public speeches on this day.

Fourth of July Fire Works

Independence Day is incomplete without the Fourth of July Fireworks that is a tradition all over United States. Step out of your home any time after sunset to witness the firework spectaculars up in the night sky. 

Some Little Known Facts About America’s Independence Day

Independence Day is around the corner and even as we gear up to take part in the parades, enjoy the family picnics and barbeques and be amazed at the beautiful spectacle of the Fourth of July fireworks, it surely is worth our time to read in to a few little known facts of this important event. Read further to know more.

Date Debate

There has been a continuing debate on the authentic date for Independence Day. While many believe that the vent should be celebrated on the 2^nd of July which is the date on which the Declaration of Independence was approved by a closed session of Congress, however  4^th of July is more widely accepted. John Adams who was a part of the Committee of Five that drafted the declaration truly believed that the 2^{nd of} July had more national importance and the correct day for celebrations.

Other Important Events that Took Place on this Day

Three presidents of whom two were founding fathers died on the 4^th. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both presidents and founding fathers died on July 4^th. President James Monroe also passed away on the 4^th. President Calvin Coolidge was born on the fourth.  

Banks & Post Offices will remain closed on Memorial Day 2014

The government offices, banks, credit unions and post offices will remain closed on May 26th Monday 2014, the Memorial Day. This is one of the US federal holidays and is very special for the US armband the civilians. On this auspicious day the war heroes are remembered and honoured cross the United States.

May the banks will remain closed on the day but it will not affect people to collect the money from ATMs or access the net banking. Besides, shoppers can access the credit cards. But those who have plans to complete their pending tasks in the banks on May 26^th 2014, they should stop planning as the banks, post offices and the credit unions will remain closed for the day.

Therefore, those who have urgency should reach the banks on Friday so that they don’t have to wait for the weekend to reach the doors of the banks. Otherwise, they should visit the banks and post offices on Tuesday 27^th, because form that day onwards, the banks will remain open.

In the mean time, enjoy the weekend with your family and friends and a very happy memorial day to all of you. Hope you will have a great time!

Clackamas County’s Memorial Day 2014 Observance

The Memorial Day is observed in the memory of the brave heroes who laid down their lives for their country, the United States of America. This year, like other places, it is reported that Clackamas County is about to host a special Memorial Day 2014 program.

Korean War veteran, James McDonald, Retired U.S. Navy will give a speech on the 93rd annual Memorial Day Commemoration about to be arranged at the Mountain View Cemetery. The Key person of the ceremony; David Bone will announce the start of the program on Monday 26^th May 2014 at 10.00 a.m. The venue is 500 Hilda Street, Oregon City.

Kids from the Oregon City High School will feature a colourful presentation and the national anthem will be performed by Anna-Marie Wood. Gardiner Middle School Band along with Clackamas Fire District No. 1 bagpipers will present the much awaited performance-The Legacy of Heroes.

Among the traditional military honours, Randy Leisure will perform the taps and gun salute for the Heroes of the Foreign Wars.

On the Memorial Day 2014, Docent Dennis Evan sky will be the guide for the redesigned Civil War zone and notable cemeteries where the war heroes are resting in peace. 

Memorial Day: Interesting Trivia

Memorial Day is not simply federal holiday in the USA. The occasion is for paying tribute and remembering the American war heroes. A number of parades and memorial services are organized in honour of the soldiers. Different Memorial Day events are organized in the city.

Interesting Trivia for Memorial Day Events in Boston

Garden of Flags

The area in front of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument is turned into a ‘Garden of Flags’ as the Massachusetts Military Heroes organization plants 37,000 flags in honour of soldiers died protecting freedom and interest of the country.

May 30, the original Memorial Day

Initially Memorial Day (earlier known as Decoration Day) was observed on May 30 as flowersfor decorating graves of the soldiers are easily available during this time. In 1971, May 30 was shifted to the last Monday of Mayformaking the weekend a three day holiday;this is the case with other federal holidays as well.

National Moment of Remembrance

National Moment of Remembrance is a law that encourages all Americans to observe a minute of silence at 3 PM on the Memorial Day for the American war heroes.

Memorial Day activities are organized throughout the country in honor of the soldiers died in all American wars.

Top 5 Things To See At The Memorial Day’s Weekend Fiesta

The Patriot-News ArtsFest will be held at Riverfront Park During the Memorial Day 2014 weekend. It is an event worth visiting. The Best part is that the festivities are open to all, free of cost.

Top 5 things to see at the Memorial Day’s weekend fiesta

Fireworks

Fireworks will be hosted on Friday and Sunday as a part of the ArtsFest. It will be done after the Senators’game.

Artworks for sale

Popular Artists Will participate in the fest to sell their works. Eric Sauvageau of Harrisburg and Shao Lin Xia of Granite Falls are two of the names who impressed people with their works last year. They are returning to the Memorial Day weekend fiesta this year as well.

Popcorn Hat Player show

There Are many things for kids as well at the fest. They can participate in Kids Fest which will feature lots of fun activities by the Popcorn Hat Players. There will be face painting, magic shows, balloon animals etc.

Al Ghent Band concert

Al Ghent Band is a Georgia based band. They will make for a fitting closing of the Memorial Day weekend 2014 fest. Some local bands will also play at the event.

Film Festival

The Artsfest will also feature a film festival which opens on May 23 and runs till the extended Memorial Day weekend. Short films and documentaries will be the prime attraction of the film festival.