Christmas Nutcracker Cookies

Hello to the world,
This year we have a special story that warms my heart. If any of you have a favorite childhood memory, one that really brings back the jingle in the bells, let us know. Please reply or post to this blog. We want every one across the globe to share in these memories. It can be something as simple as a favorite toy, or a perfect Christmas. Maybe even that special snowy day before the 25th. Whatever the memory please post it here and share with others who may visit the site. Mine was when I was 6. We lived in this small community, our family being one of only 4 families on our road. Here in this quant location, everyone knew everyone else. One Christmas, just the year before my Grandpa past away all my family gathered at our house, small as it was for Christmas eve. We all laid on blankets stretched out in the living room around the Christmas tree. Just before 9pm, we turned on the record player and listened to old Christmas songs by Frank Sinatra and Perry Como, Bing, and Rosemary, Gene Autry and Burl Ives.  Then about 9 :30,  my mom brought in fresh piping hot cocoa to all the kids. Outside the snow had been falling for over 3 hours and the ground was nearly all covered. All around the tree was a train that slowly crept along its track. Then right before we were asleep, mom gathered us all up and we went to bed, leaving the adults behind. The next morning where a once empty tree trunk and stand stood, was dozens of gifts, all wrapped in gleaming paper. We ran over and tore into them, the one's with our names on them that is. You know I think even after Santa brought all the gifts, the most special memory was all of us being together, listening to those songs. Some singing along, others humming best they could.

Well here's your chance to bring back those memories once again. Post and share  

Christmas Superstitions

You know it has been said that Christmas is like so many holidays stooped in superstition, even here amongst the elves talk flourishes throughout the castle about this myth or that myth. However When we sat down and asked the wisest of our members. He consroted the great book of Morima, an ancient text of our history as well as the history of Christmas itself. Here is a listing of all the various superstitions that circulate the globe. See if any of your family members knew these.

It is said :

• The first person who opens the door during the early Christmas morning should shout "Welcome Father Christmas" to welcome Christmas. This also helps bad spirits who were trapped to escape.
  
• If someone avoids the kiss under the mistletoe will have bad luck.
  
• It is mandatory to stir the pudding three times and make a wish. If you are unmarried and don’t join in, then you will not find your spouse in the next year. Wishes should be kept secret until they come true.
  
• Singing religious Christmas songs at the houses of different people was an ancient tradition. It was believed that if you turn them away without food or money or drink you are bound to suffer bad luck for rest of the year.
  
• Never give shoes to any of your loved ones during Christmas. If you do that, then that particular person can walk out of your life in future.
  
• Holly is brought during Christmas to protect family members from witches.
  
• For a greener planet after winter, green branches are brought. The Christmas tree is the centerpiece because of that.
  
• No one should work hard on something which is not mandatory during Christmas.
  
• Cakes were usually eaten on the Christmas Eve in 19th Century. However, it was believed that it would bring bad luck if cut before the day dawned. A piece of the cake should also be preserved for the Christmas day as well.
  
• A blowing wind can bring good luck during Christmas.
  
• Christmas day dinner consists nine dishes.
  
• To bring good luck fish scales should be placed under the dinner plates.
  
• After the twelfth night, all the decorations should be removed to bring good luck.
  
• The dog who screams on the Christmas Eve will go mad before the end of the year.
  
• To stay away from the rage of the impulsive forces most of the homes are well adorned on the Christmas Eve.
  
• Alcohol consumptions are not allowed on the Christmas Eve.
  
• Even though all the animals can speak on the Christmas Eve but it brings bad luck if anyone tests this superstition.
  
• The household will be blessed if the first person who visits the home during Christmas is a black haired man.
  
• The child born on Christmas Day will have a special fortune.
  
• Snow on Christmas means Easter will be green.
  
• You will have as many happy months in the coming year, as the number of houses you eat mince pies in during Christmastime.
  
• In Greece, some people burn their old shoes during the Christmas season to prevent misfortunes in the coming year.
  
• To have good health throughout the next year, eat an apple on Christmas Eve.
  
• The gates of Heaven open at midnight on Christmas Eve. Those who die then go straight to Heaven (an Irish beleif).
  
• Christmas candles should be left burning until Christmas morning and should rest undisturbed from time of lighting until they are snuffed.
  
• Singing Christmas carols at any time other than during the festive season is unlucky.
  

• The yule log should be lit by a piece of the log used on the previous Christmas. Once that is done, no evil spirit can then enter into the house. The remains of the Yule log were also considered lucky, and would be a protection against lightning or fire.

Santa's Favorite Christmas Carols

This morning we were in the study going over the Christmas list with Santa, since he has to begin reveiwing the nice and naughty list as soon as possible. Elmir the smaller of our elvin cousins, asked Santa, since he himself had this particular Christmas tune in his head and could not for the life of himself stop humming it, what Santa's favorite Christmas carols were. After rubbing his beard for a while, here is the list he came up which since he said naming just one just wouldn't do. So gather round the tree, or fireplace, or living room and sing these tunes, they are sure to bring joy to all of your hearts.

SILVER BELLS

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks
dressed in holiday style.
In the air there's a
feeling of Christmas.
Children laughing, people passing,
meeting smile after smile,
And on ev'ry street
corner you hear:

CHORUS: Silver bells, silver bells,
It's Christmas time in the city.
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring,
Soon it will be Christmas day.

Strings of street lights, even stoplights,
blink a bright red and green

As the shoppers rush home with
their treasures.
Hear the snow crunch, see the kids bunch,
this is Santa's big scene,
And above all this bustle you hear:

REPEAT CHORUS

 

 

JINGLE BELLS

Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh,
o'er the fields we go,
Laughing all the way;
Bells on bobtail ring,
Making spirits bright;
What fun it is to ride and sing,
A sleighing song tonight!

CHORUS: Jingle Bells! Jingle Bells!
Jingle all the way!
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh!

Day or two ago
I thought I'd take a ride,
And soon Miss Fannie Bright
Was seated by my side.


he horse was lean and lank,
Misfortune seem'd his lot,
He got into a drifted bank,
And we, we got upsot:

REPEAT CHORUS

Now the ground is white,
Go it while you're young;
Take the girls tonight,
And sing this sleighing song;
Just get a bobtailed nag,
Two forty for his speed,
Then hitch him to an open sleigh,
And crack! you'll take the lead.

REPEAT CHORUS

ERE WE COME A-CAROLING

Here we come a-caroling
Among the leaves so green;
Here we come a-wand'ring,
So fair to be seen:

CHORUS: Love and joy come to you,
And to you glad Christmas too;
And God bless you and send you
a happy New Year,
And Good send you a happy New Year.

We are not daily beggars
That beg from door to door;
But we are neighbors
Whom you have seen before:

REPEAT CHORUS

Good master and mistress,
As you sit by the fire,
Pray think of us poor children,
Who wander in the mire:

REPEAT CHORUS

God bless the master of this house,
Likewise the mistress, too,
And all the little children,
That round the table go:

REPEAT CHORUS

SILENT NIGHT

Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright,
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild.
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heav'nly host sing, Alleluia,
Christ, the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born!

Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love's pure light,
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.

 

 

UP ON THE HOUSE TOP

Up on the house-top reindeer pause,
Out jumps good old Santa Claus;
Down through the chimney with lots
of toys,
All for the little ones, Christmas joys.

Ho, ho, ho! who wouldn't go!
Ho, ho, ho! who wouldn't go!
Up on the house-top click, click, click,
Down through the chimney with
old Saint Nick.

Merry Christmas to All!!!

Hello my friends,
We here at Nutcracker Castle are gearing up for that special time of year and the jolly man himself came by this week to check on everything to ensure all is right on schedule. This year we wanted to add some elements to the site, for your enjoyment. We will be adding delicious homemade recipes by Mrs Clause herself, and also some fun attractions so be sure to keep tuning in.