How to Play Chess part 2

Deluxe Civil War Chess Set 

How to Play Chess part 2

How to Play Chess Part 2 will take off with where we left off: Castling.

If you need to refresh your memory just follow this link: http://ziggyscollectables-n-gifts.blogspot.com/2012/12/how-to-play-chess-part-1.html 

In How to Play Chess Part 1 we learned  that each chess piece has their own specific moves during the game of chess.

We learned that the Knight and the Rook share a special just move called castling that each opponent may execute 1 time during the game of chess.

Castling may only be done once game as long as certain conditions have been met by the Knight and the Rook involved in the execution of Castling.

The Division Of The Chess Board:
 Queen Side, King Side

The Division of a Chess Board: Queens Side and King Side

I think that when learning how to play chess it is important that you understand how a chess board is divided. 

The chess board is divided in half one side called Queens side which is files A-D.

The other half of the chess board is called the Kings side which is files E-H.

Long Castling Example

Long Side Castling

In the game of chess long side Castling is executed by moving the King from file E-1 to  C- 1 or from file E-8 to C- 8. For more of an understanding of Long Side Castling please refer to the example in the picture to the left.

Short Castling Example

 Short Side Castling

In the game of Chess Short Side Castling is executed by moving the King from file E-1 to G-1 or by moving the King from file E-8 to G-8. For more of an understanding of Short Side Castling please refer to the example in the picture to the left.

The Criteria For Castling

When learning How To Play Chess, I have explained to you what Castling is. Now you need to understand what criteria must be met before you may execute a Castling Chess move. They are:

• The King has not yet moved during the chess game.
• The Rook being used during the execution of Castling also has not moved during the chess game.
• There are not any other Chess pieces between the King and the Rook.
• The King cannot be in check.
• The King cannot move through a square under attack by the opponents Chess piece.
• The King cannot move to a position where after Castling the King would be in check.

As long as these criteria are met then the execution of Castling is legal in the game of Chess.

Well I think that this is a good place to stop for today so that you may absorb what little bit of information I have given you here on the topic of how to play Chess: Castling.

Tomorrow we will break down how to play Chess even more starting with the 2 special moves for the Chess piece- Pawn.

I hope you enjoyed this post and would like you to know that here At Ziggys Collectables-N-Gifts You May Purchase High-Quality Chess Sets, They Range from Myth and Legend themed To Historical themed chess sets just follow the link over at the side of this post labeled High Quality Chess Sets. 

Until Next Post be safe and Happy!!! 

Please Remember That You Are Important to Us Here At Ziggys Collectables-N-Gifts, So Please Feel Free To Contact Us At Any Time-Just Follow The Link At The Side Of This Post.

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What Are Gargoyles To Us?

Solar Gargoyles Statues

What Are Gargoyles To Us?

The Legend Of the Gargoyle

The legend of the gargoyle developed around 631 A.D. 

Its the French story of a how the town of Rouen had been protected by St. Romanus from a fire-breathing bat like creature, a dragon. 

He slayed the gargoyle, some say with a crucifix  then the head of the gargoyle was hung on the side of a newly built church to ward off evil keeping the church protected.

What Are Gargoyles To Us?

We see gargoyles in movies, in art, but mostly in the architecture of buildings throughout history.

Gargoyles usually make you think of medieval times and myths of gargoyles.

Gargoyles have been around for centuries and are mostly known for their use in the architectural designs of buildings.

Gargoyles had been used by architects for many centuries as means for which to disperse of rain water from the tops of buildings until in the 18th century.

This is one reason that when you think of gargoyles and where you have seen them, its most likely on the top or side of a building. 

There Are 2 Groups Of Gargoyles

You can find gargoyles in many cultures as far back as in ancient Egypt in the form of a lion gargoyle. I think that is important that you understand that there are 2 groups of gargoyles and that each serves different purposes.

The first is Gargoyles that are in the form of an animal. 

These animal forms of the gargoyle served as good looking storm drains as well as religious symbols of different sins , dependent on the species of gargoyle animal. 

There are some animal gargoyles that are symbols of loyalty and intelligence. 

There are many different animal forms of the gargoyle.

They range from the most popular forms of the dog and lion to monkeys as well as to that of the forms of these gargoyles: wolves, eagles, goats and snakes.

These animal forms of the gargoyle served as both 

There is one other group of gargoyles called chimeras.

Chimeras are gargoyles that are a mixture of different animals and myths such as mermaids and centaurs.

But this does not the answer our question, What are Gargoyles to us?

Gargoyle incense oil warmer

The answer to;" what are gargoyles to us?" is not that man kind invented gargoyles to merely act as storm drains or drainage for our buildings. 

If that were the answer to what gargoyles are to us, I don't think that they would have influenced so many cultures like the gargoyle has.

This question leads to more questions that need to be answered.

The Roman Catholic Churches Influences On The What Gargoyles Are To Us?

In the 12th century the roman catholic church used gargoyles to influence the growth of their religion. Gargoyles helped the Roman Catholics to communicate the evils of the devil through the gargoyles statues and gargoyle images. Many common folk were illiterate, thus this led to an effective means to scare people into converting and going to church, especially with the pagans.

Chimeras Gargoyles made it easy to convert pagans because they were versions of different creatures.

Gargoyles statues were believed to be signs of evil but also, some held the belief that gargoyles kept evil away, so the Roman Catholic Church had incorporated gargoyles statues into their architecture because they were able to get many common folks to believe that this was a sign that evil could not enter into the church. 

Thus the influence of the gargoyle legend being an instrument for influencing religious beliefs.

This led to various forms of the gargoyle and myths being spread and popularizing the use of gargoyle statues during the middle ages, although some of the gargoyle species were unknown to middle age Europeans and thus had no meaning.

This also as you see led to gargoyles serving as more than just a very fancy means of draining rain water off a roof and away from a building.

Gargoyles Statues

Gargoyles Have Been Popularized In The Modern World For Mostly Financial Gain

Gargoyles were popularized in the past due to religion and architectural influence. 

Today Gargoyles have been popularized in the modern world by cartoons like the popular children's cartoon "Gargoyles" and movies like "Rise Of The Gargoyles" and "The Gargoyle".

Gargoyles statues are more common, affordable due to the commercialization of the gargoyles history by our modern culture.

Gargoyle toys and play action figures are every where for the same reason.

You can still find gargoyles being implemented into modern day architecture. But these days you will find Chimeras being used, the purpose is more for decorative purposes then anything else.

It is our need as a modern society to generate an income off of anything we possibly can, thus making the history of the gargoyle a financial gold mine.

What Are Gargoyles To Us?

What are gargoyles to us? I have found that it seems Gargoyles have been everything from a legendary French story influencing religious growth to a fancy means for diverting water away from the foundations of our buildings. Gargoyles have been a means of entertainment and a source of creativity. 

Gargoyles, in my opinion, are merely mythological creatures that like many other mythological creatures have captured the human imagination, generating beliefs that they could both protect us from evil but yet are reflections of evil.

Gargoyles are just one of many legends that from generation to generation has kept us connected to our past, allowed us to profit technologically and financially, grow our cultural beliefs.

Until Next Time:

 

Before you go please take part in my poll "What Mythical Creature Is Your Favorite?

Happy Holidays!!        Happy Holidays!!

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A History Of Chess, A Gift Idea For Christmas

A History Of Chess, A Gift Idea For Christmas

Where Did Chess Come From?

Medieval Chess Set

Where did chess originate? This fact is unclear.It seems to have first appeared in India around 600 A.D. 

The game of chess than appears to have been introduced in Persia approximately 700 A.D.

Next when the Persian's were conquered by the Arabs Around 800 A.D. Chess was then taken up by the Muslims. 

Muslims appear to be the ones responsible for spreading the game of chess via introduction into the southern European culture.

The Evolution Of The Game Of Chess

Dragon Chess Set

The Europeans are responsible for making some modifications to how the game of chess was played in the 15th century.

They made it possible to put your opponent in checkmate in just a few moves.

The Rules for the queen and bishop were changed to rules similar to those we still have today, this also led to the pawn being more useful strategically. 

People liked this because this variation of the game of chess allowed for quicker games.

As these new rules spread into western Europe they mostly remained the same with the exception of the rules for stalemate, they were finalized in the 19th century.

The modern changes to the Queen in the game of chess started as an extension of the old Queens movement abilities. In areas like Russia the Queen was still able to be used like a Knight.

The game of chess was also influenced by various writings.

Fairy Chess Set

The poem "Caissa" was behind the rook being called a castle. This writing also influenced the modern shape of this chess piece.

A well known professional chess player published the first guide for chess strategies and theories helping to popularize the game of chess around 1625 A.D.

Francois-Andre Danican Philidor wrote the first guide for chess covering winning strategies and theories. This manual for the game of chess was used for at least a century.

The oldest know publication still in existence on the rules for playing chess were written in 1497 in Salamanca, Spain.

The game of chess became a sport in the 1800's

Deluxe Civil War Chess Set

Chess became a game of sport in the 1800's. Chess competition is first seen in history records in 1834, with the first organized chess tournament in 1851 in London.

At the 1851 London Chess Tournament chess players took as long to analyze their move as 2 hours and 20 minutes.

This led to different variations of speed chess.

In 1861 the first timed chess competition was in Bristol , England . Sand-glass timers were used. Later being replaced by pendulums, evolving in the 19th century to the type of timers used today.

The games World Chess Federation was founded in Paris 1924.

The first unofficial chess olympiad  was held the same day, 7-20-1924. An attempt was made to include the sport in the summer Olympics in 1924 but failed because they could not determine clearly between amateurs and professional chess players. While the summer Olympics was played out so was the first chess olympiad in Paris . 

The first female chess championship was founded in 1927 by the World Chess Federation. It was held alongside the first official Chess Olympiad held in London.  

Civil War Chess Set

Chess has been such an important part of our sports history

Here at Ziggys Collectables-N-Gifts we wanted to share some of the history behind the game of chess.

Chess is not your typical sport, you most likely will not break a sweat.

You may strain your brain a little since chess is a game that really exercises your brain.

Throughout history chess as grown in popularity because it is a never ending challenging game full of different strategies and theories for game play.

Chess is a game that will teach one to plan each move, just like you do in life. This hidden learning advantage makes chess a great game/sport to get ourselves involved in . 

Chess makes a great Christmas Gift Idea, if you stop and think about it, to give your school age kids. 

African Animal Chess Set

It is a way to promote a child to think before they proceed forward in the decisions they make, as it will teach them that there is consequences for their choices. Good or Bad.

Chess also will teach them to create a plan of action to achieve the desired out come. In other words they will learn to set goals and achieve them by creating a plan to get there.

Chess will teach them to be competitive, but like civilized men and women. Really when is the last time that you saw a chess championship that included even the slightest bit of violence? 

Chess gives our children that are not necessarily athletically gifted, a sport which they can learn and compete, excel in.

Chess is just a great game that allows us to be competitive and feed our most selfish need, chess allows us to pit human mind against huiman mind. 

Until next post:

Before you go please take part in my poll "Whats you favorite Thanksgiving tradition?

Happy Holidays!!        Happy Holidays!!

ALL OF THESE Chess Sets ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOU TO ADD TO YOUR Christmas Gift List  HERE AT ZIGGYS COLLECTABLES-N-GIFTS!!! JUST CHECKOUT THE LIST AT THE SIDE OF THIS POST UNDER THE ZIGGYS COLLECTABLES-N-GIFTS PROUDLY OFFERS: LIST or follow the links under each picture YOU CAN PAY SECURELY WITH PAYPAL. Free Shipping For Christmas

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Christmas Shopping On Black Friday On Thanksgiving Evening?

Christmas Shopping On Black Friday, On Thanksgiving  Evening?

John Deer Santa Serving Tray

Christmas Shopping On Black Friday, On Thanksgiving  Evening?

So are you going to be one of the millions of Americans that will be going out shopping for christmas after thanksgiving dinner today?

 Are you looking forward to those Black Friday Christmas shopping crowds?

You are probably looking for some deals, but not looking forward to the crowds of christmas shoppers that Black Friday sales attract. 

But than why is it that so Many Americans are going to be out shopping Thanksgiving evening fighting the crowds of shoppers?

 

Has of late here in Indiana any way, there has been a lot of news about Wal-Mart and Target employees being upset that Black Friday is so heavily interfering with their Thanksgiving festivities. There have been talks of walk outs by some of these super retailers employees. 
I know that its not what they want to do but, lets stop and think about it for a second.

 Why? Because they are having to cut into their families Thanksgiving festivities in order to open stores on time for Black Friday Christmas Shoppers. Americans are frustrated with the amount of hours they are having to spend working just to be able to afford to buy the extras throughout the year, let alone for Christmas.  

These people are not the first ones to have to work on Thanksgiving or Christmas, which is coming shortly. We have always had a percentage of our work force working on the holidays. Such as our men and women of our armed forces, law enforcement and medical personal just to mention a few. 

These people are in some cases are you or me. 

You and me are a part of the problem with Black Friday sales being so important, because we are the ones that, while we will complain, we want Black Friday to come.

 It is a time of good intentions galore. We Americans especially have a need to live extravagantly. Black Friday sales help us make up for all the cutting back throughout the year when we have had to , with the cost of gas for our cars and the cost of living in general. We have been dealing with a crazy economy for years now. 

Which this got me to thinking, why is it that year after year Black Friday comes earlier and earlier?
 The economy is way worse than when I was a younger man.

I mean when I was growing up, on Thanksgiving nothing was open after 5 or 6 in the evening. From what I remember the only businesses open on Thanksgiving were fast-food and convenience stores anyway.

 It was about the time I was 23-24 that I, myself can remember a shift to Black Fridays becoming such an important aspect of our christmas shopping season.

 Every year we wait to buy almost anything for christmas until Black Friday, which is understandable when you consider the state of the worlds economy today.

Now to look at it from a retailers point of view. 

Its not just retailers off line that are engaging Black Friday madness. Internet retailers large and small like myself are just as guilty.

For offline retailers the push for starting Black Friday Shopping madness earlier is vital in today's global market to for them to profit as much as they need to in order to still be competitive with the mad,mad world of the internet .

For retailers that primarily do business on the internet our reason, this is just my opinion, for jumping on the band wagon and indulging our selves with promoting Black Friday earlier. SALES!!!!

Statics has shone that online purchases have dramatically increased over the years. Thus increased pressure is put on retailers that primarily do business offline to take advantage of every opportunity, such as the christmas shopping season. 

So from their perspective, Black Friday gets so much hype as to capture all the sales they can. They have to because internet sales from retailers large and small are competing for the same dollars and they are taking a significant amount of those dollars.

Its not going to be long and Thanksgiving is not going to be but an American holiday we can look forward to being with our family and friends celebrating  instead we will be preparing for Black Friday madness and skipping Thanksgiving Festivities altogether.
As long as we do not take advantage of the ability to stay home for Thanksgiving and shop online for Black Friday sales from internet retailers, if we must shop before tomorrow. 
Black Friday will continue to cause the super retailers to push for earlier store opening times, because our need for savings will trump our need to spend peaceful quality time with our family and friends. Americans will be out there shopping today after thanksgiving dinner for Black Friday sales before its actually Friday.
 Which will mean Americans, like my own children, will be working at places like Wal-Mart today and missing thanksgiving with their families and friends for the foreseeable furture.


I am hoping that this will get you to stop and think about just how much Christmas has been commercialized. Its our fault as Americans that corporations are able to make us work or shop on Thanksgiving. If we refuse than what choice do they have but to close on Thanksgiving, observing Black Friday when we should.

 Tomorrow!!      

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!!!

I do have some Black Friday deals going on, but please spend time with your family and friends. If you must go shopping for Black Friday sales, stay home and checkout the deals that retailers like ZIGGYS COLLECTABLES-N-GIFTS has to offer. You maybe surprised at what you will find. 

Happy Holidays!!

ALL OF THESE PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOU TO ADD TO YOUR THANKSGIVING AND/OR CHRISTMAS THEMES HERE AT ZIGGYS COLLECTABLES-N-GIFTS!!! JUST CHECKOUT THE LIST AT THE SIDE OF THIS POST UNDER THE ZIGGYS COLLECTABLES-N-GIFTS PROUDLY OFFERS: LIST AND YOU CAN PAY SECURELY WITH PAYPAL.

PLEASE ALLOW 12-21 DAYS FOR DELIVERY. 

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This Thanksgiving Start A Game Night at Your Home

This Thanksgiving Start A Game Night at Your Home

Medieval Chess Set

This Thanksgiving Start A Game Night at Your Home, increase family communication and togetherness by having a weekly game of chess, checkers or cards one night a week. It is so easy these days to let work, school, and the business of life rule the day, that we can easily lose touch with each other. If we get together one night each week for a board or card game night, we can improve those family ties. Starting with your families thanksgiving festivities this week. 

Webkinz™ Bull Frog Plush

 Webkinz™ Bulldog Plush

  If there are very many small children you could make sure to have plenty of toys around to also include them in the families weekly game night. Take the time to get down on the floor and play with those youngsters. Cuddle those dollies and call yourself "grandma" or "grandpa."  Push those trucks around and pretend right along with the kids. If your back can take it, let them take turns riding you like a horse while you crawl around and neigh. Every kid loves that! Let yourself be a kid again.

Dragon Chess Set

On summer evenings, try a chess game night at your local park. Let your little ones have some fun in the parks sand box. Using an old mesh produce bag, collect a variety of suitable sand toys to take along.  These toys include various containers, a few wheeled vehicles, toy garden tools, and cast-off kitchen utensils.  In the sandbox your kids, you can create towns with roads, castles, or just about anything, unleashing their create potential, while you enjoy taking your wife or brothers pawn. 

Cookie Cutters

Modeling dough is also a great activity for game night. Collect some small cookie cutters and old jar lids (for pans) and create fancy cookies and desserts - inedible and calorie-free, of course!  The kids can turn a large box on it's side for a counter and place the goodies on display to sell.  Of course, you'll pretend to buy, eat, and enjoy!

Fairy Chess Set

Some fun games for family game night include card games like Uno, board games like Candy Land or Life, and Chess or Checkers.  When choosing games to play there are several things to consider.  Is Scrabble or , for instance, fun for everyone, or does all the spelling and thinking feel like work to some of the players?  Does the game take forever to play, so that some players' attention spans play out?  Does the game encourage merciless competition, like Monopoly or chess, leaving losers feeling left out?  It's important for kids to learn how to lose and still have fun.  Don't "throw" the game, intentionally letting them win all the time, but don't mercilessly beat them every time either.  Make it fun.  If losing is a problem for some of the kids, check out some of the new cooperative games where everyone is on the same team.

Hobbies are also great to share as a family.  Maybe your family would be interested in pursuing musical skills together.  Families make great singing groups because their voices match well.  If that's not for you, maybe you'd all enjoy fishing.  Square dancing is fun for some families, while others enjoy playing badminton or other active games and sports.  The important thing is to have fun together.

Having a game night every week will help you stay close to your kids as they grow up.  It will keep the bond of love fresh and the lines of communication open.  Plan a game night this week while your kids are out for thanksgiving!

Webkinz™ Hippo Plush

If your looking for some new toys for your child 3 years and up, checkout Ziggys Collectables-N-Gifts Webkinz stuffed animal toys for Christmas ON SALE NOW!!

Happy Holidays!!

ALL OF THESE PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOU TO ADD TO YOUR THANKSGIVING AND/OR CHRISTMAS THEMES HERE AT ZIGGYS COLLECTABLES-N-GIFTS!!! JUST CHECKOUT THE LIST AT THE SIDE OF THIS POST UNDER THE ZIGGYS COLLECTABLES-N-GIFTS PROUDLY OFFERS: LIST AND YOU CAN PAY SECURELY WITH PAYPAL.

PLEASE ALLOW 12-21 DAYS FOR DELIVERY. 

SHIPPING AVAILABLE FOR 48 CONTINENTAL U.S. STATES.

NO P.O. BOXES.  RETURNS ACCEPTED FOR 15 DAYS FROM DATE OF DELIVERY.

 

THE HISTORY OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE AND WHY WE DECORATE EACH YEAR?

LED-LIGHT CHRISTMAS TREE
(ALL IN 1 CHRISTMAS TREE COMBO,
 5 SETS OF HIGH QUALITY ORNAMENTS
INCLUDED FOR DECORATING 
ONLY 199.95 PLUS 7% SALES TAX FREE SHIPPING )

 THE HISTORY OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE AND WHY WE DECORATE EACH YEAR?

        Why do we decorate a Christmas tree each year?

       When did we start celebrating christmas?

                                  The habit is probably inherited from the Egyptians.

                            They worshiped a Sun-God named Ra. They used the leaves

                                  of palm trees to decorate their houses on during the

                                 winter solstice to symbolize Ra's triumph over death.

PALM TREE LEAVES WERE USED BY
EGYPTIANS FOR  DECORATING THEIR HOMES

                                        The habit is also taken up by the Romans 

                                 that used Conifers Trees instead of palm trees or 

                                theirs leaves.The Roman Pagons celebrated a Saturnalia,

                     a feast that they held in honor of Saturn their god of agriculture.
                   In the 4th century the Roman Church decided to celebrate Christmas
                on the 25th day of December, which also was during the time that Saturnlia
             was celebrated.The church adopted some of the rituals of the Saturnlia, 
     such as feasting and giving gifts. The Roman Church did not believe that the
 use of evergreen trees was appropriate for use in celebrating Christmas, as such                 
                                   traditions were that of the Pagans belief system. 

                             

CONIFER TREE

 Today in America we use primarily 3 species of trees. They Are:

Balsam Fir

First type of trees used for christmas trees are the Firs

• Douglas Fir
• Balsam Fir
• Fraser Fir
• White Fir

Scotch Pine

Next type of trees used for christmas are the Pines

• Scotch Pine
• White Pine
• Virginia Pine

Colorado Blue Spruce

Next type of trees used for christmas are the Spruces

• White Spruce
• Blue spruce

But the story for us really begins around the 7th century when a monk from Devon-shire came to Germany to teach the word of the Lord. Legend says that he used the triangular form of the Christmas tree to symbolize religious meanings. In the Europe of the 12th century, on Christmas day, the Christmas tree was installed upside down, hanging down from the ceiling! 

            It appears the first christmas tree was decorated at Riga in 1510. At the beginning of the 16th century. Martin Luther decorated the tree with candles to suggest to his children the twinkling stars in the sky. He was inspired one night by the view of the stars sparkling in the night sky through the tree line when he was walking home. 

The late middle ages in Bautzen, Germany the year 1294, appear the first markets specialized in selling presents for Christmas, usually food or objects of practical use.

SNOWFLAKE ORNAMENTS

Christmas decorations that were meant to suggest snow were invented in Germany in 1610. At that time not only they were silvery, but they were also made out of silver. There were  machines invented  to make thin silver strings for the tree. Silver lasted long but it oxidized very quickly, so they tried to ally it with cooper and zinc, but the product was so heavy that it just broke under the action of his own weight. So silver was used till the middle of the 20th century.

Christmas Tree

In Great Britain, the Christmas tree came along with merchants that originated from Germany and settled in England. Decorating the Christmas tree meant silver ornaments, candles and pearl-like ribbons all produced in Germany and Eastern Europe at the time. The custom said that every family member or invited person had to have a little tree placed on the table in front of him, with the presents besides it.

            In 1846, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert – both born in Germany - appear in "Illustrated London News", along with their children, all around the Christmas tree. The popularity of the regal family made this custom to spread fast among the people. The tree became a fashion matter not only in the Britain Islands, but also on the eastern coast of America.

Country Snowman Ornaments

            Decorations were of a huge variety. Mostly home made because they were expensive at the time. Young ladies spent hours cutting paper snowflakes and stars, folding present envelopes and paper supports for candy.

            In America, the Christmas tree appears around 1747, in German communities from Pennsylvania, but it spreads only along with the development of communications, at the middle of the 19th century.

            In 1882 the electric light bowl is invented and in 1892 it is adapted for the Christmas tree.

And so, we get to our present tree that combines all the elements presented above in the most ingenious and creative mixtures.

It seems that throughout history that we decorate a tree at christmas to celebrate our different religious beliefs, although they are different, they are all the same depending on the time period and the culture.

 It also seems that as the years have gone by that Christmas has become so commercialized that we decorate for christmas as a sign of our prosperity, not so much for religious reasons.

We decorate at christmas because its what we are taught to enjoy doing during the winter months.
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                                            HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

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