Holiday Post 2021: Traditions, Manners, and Miscellany

Welcome to the first of the 2021 Holiday Posts here at The Itinerant Librarian. Pandemic or not, I am still doing these, though they may be a bit leaner this year. I think the pandemic may be having an effect on writers out there writing nice things about the holidays, advice columns, etc. I can't say I blame them. The oppressive nature of living constantly worried about COVID-19 and about COVIDIOTS, plus other bad news in 2021 makes it hard to be inspired to do much of anything. But I am moving forward anyhow. 

 

By the way, this year we will be staying home and having our own small modest celebration of the holidays. As of this post, finals week in the college ends today. I have one more week of work, albeit with shorter hours and two days the following week before the holiday break starts for employees. The coquito at home is already made (see below).

Traditions and Manners

 

 

• Learn a bit of trivia and history of Christmas via History.com.
  
• The U.S. Census Bureau has done their Facts for Features piece for the 2021 Holiday Season. This has a bit of trivia for the holidays from census data. For example, did you know that the value of U.S. imports of Christmas decorations from China for 2020 is $2.6 dollars? You can read about that and more.
  
• PNC continues their tradition this year of calculating the value of the gifts in the "12 Days of Christmas" song. For 2021, the prices are going up, which given that a lot of things are pricier in 2021 it should not be surprising. A hat tip to UPI. 
• Some of you may need to or want to travel for the holidays. If you are one of those folks who enjoys holiday travels, then have a great time. If you are one of those who may be forced to travel or you do not want to but find that you need to, then Lifehacker offers "The Reluctant Traveler's Guide to Surviving the Holidays." Two things right away: it is OK not to want to or like to travel, and in this context, you have to accept the travel will happen. So hopefully you find their advice helpful. I am grateful I do not have to travel anywhere this holiday season, nor are we hosting anyone. 
• For your amusement, and perhaps a bit of terror, Lifehacker has compiled "13 of the Weirdest Christmas Traditions from Around the World."  See some of the ways people celebrate around the world. 
• Since for many of you this time of year means being with the family, here are some suggestions on things you can do to bond together this holiday season, via the Jamaica Observer. 
• Bob Vila's site suggests we should bring some old (vintage) Christmas traditions back.I am cool with that but there may be an issue or two: 
• Maybe we can do without the Christmas Jell-O mold. 
• As for Christmas caroling, given how many people these days pack heat, I do not think the risk of getting shot to bring a little Christmas joy is worth it. 
• Want to give back? The USPS is doing their Operation Santa where you can adopt a child's letter to Santa that Santa may not be able to handle.  
• Are you pagan? Perhaps you celebrate Yule instead, so here are 10 ways to celebrate Yule and the Winter Solstice, via Mind Witch Mama.
  

 

The Christmas Tree, Decorations, and Other Objects

 

•  Need to choose a Christmas tree, and it has to be a natural tree? Lifehacker tells you "how you choose the perfect Christmas tree." This basically looks at different types of tree to see what traits you may like best. 
• Do people still send Christmas/holiday greeting cards? Turns out many still do. Story via Santa Fe New Mexican. According to the article, "Cards still have many ardent senders. Statistics indicate hundreds of millions of cards continue to go out but not in the quantities of the past." I still send holiday cards, though not as many as I used to in large part because some people have moved (and not provided a new address, so the USPS has actually returned the cards) plus one or two recipients have passed away. It seems like there are less and less people to send a card these days, but as long as some remain I will keep sending them out. 
• Want to send holiday cards, but not sure how or the etiquette? This article from USA Today discusses some of the etiquette and other tips such as how to address them.
• Not sure what to write inside your holiday cards? Country Living offers 55 ideas of what to write. 
• Parade also has some ideas of greetings you can write on your holiday cards, in case you need a little inspiration.  
• The Pen Company blog also has some ideas on what to write on the Christmas cards.
  
• Sending cards to employees or clients? Well, you do not want to get too personal as you would with friends and family, but you still want to say something nice. Well, The HR Digest gives some suggestions for your employees and clients.

Music and songs

 

 

•  Need some ideas for songs? Reader's Digest offers a list of 70 Christmas songs. 
• Prefer religious (read Christian) songs and carols? Here is a list from Country Living.
  
• Want more of a tropical/Latin sound? Billboard has a small list of songs. 
• El Espectador (Spanish language) offers their list of best Spanish Christmas songs. One of my favorites from El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, "No hay cama pa' tanta gente" (YouTube link) made the list. It is a great song, but it does have a lot of "old" pop culture references that I feel a lot of young folks today will completely miss.
  

 

 

 Food and drink 

 

• Woman's Day offers a list of easy Christmas cocktails. I find that "easy" may be in the eye of the beholder here.
• Naturally, every Puerto Rican household has coquito. Here is one of many recipes you can find on the net, via Simply Recipes, so feel free to try it. It's not as good as mine, but I am not giving you mine. Still, whatever you do do NOT buy a pre-made coquito. Honestly, it is not difficult to make, and you will get a better product if you make it yourself.