Did you know...Candy Canes originated over 350 years ago and the original ones were all white...and straight?!?!
Around the seventeenth century, European-Christians began to adopt the use of Christmas trees as part of their Christmas celebrations. They made special decorations for their trees from foods like cookies and sugar-stick candy. The first historical reference to the familiar cane shape goes back to 1670, when the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany, bent the sugar-sticks into canes to represent a shepherd's staff. The all-white candy canes were given out to children during the long-winded nativity services.
The clergymen's custom of handing out candy canes during Christmas services spread throughout Europe and later to America. The canes were still white, but sometimes the candy-makers would add sugar-roses to decorate the canes further.
The first historical reference to the candy cane being in America goes back to 1847, when a German immigrant called August Imgard decorated the Christmas tree in his Wooster, Ohio home with candy canes.
Stripes...About fifty years later the first red-and-white striped candy canes appeared. No one knows who exactly invented the stripes, but Christmas cards prior to the year 1900 showed only all-white candy canes. Christmas cards after 1900 showed illustrations of striped candy canes. Around the same time, candy-makers added peppermint and wintergreen flavors to their candy canes and those flavors then became the traditional favorites.
A Catholic priest called Gregory Keller invented a machine to automate candy cane production during the 1950's.
Although modern technology has made candy canes accessible and plentiful, they've not lost their purity and simplicity as a traditional holiday food and symbol of the humble roots of Christianity.
How many have you eaten already this season?
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Since Thanksgiving, "Sparkie", our family's Elf on a Shelf has helped stopped many arguments amongst siblings. He has also helped all three of my kids make good choices.
Last week, my 7 year old asked me "why do we hang our stockings on the mantle?" I was prepared for that one!
I am waiting for the questions about Christmas Cards...I am knowledgable now to answer that one too when it comes!
Next time I crunch on a Candy Cane I will think about where they came from, so will you!
I hope that all of you have enjoyed these Holiday Newsletters and are ready now for the Christmas Season.
I plan to continue a newsletter from Debra's Designs into the New Year with more Tips and Tricks to Home Staging. Please stay tuned.
All of us from Debra's Designs want to wish each and every one of you a very Blessed and Merry Christmas!!
And Finally...Step # 5.
How about how to prepare and get your home ready for market. How do you make your home a Buyer's Desire?!?
So to incorporate the 2 subjects we will instead of singing the 5 Golden Rings from the "12 Days of Christmas"...lets sing the 5 Tips to Home Staging!
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Staging Tip #5
Neutral does not mean white!
Most people find a white house as inviting as a 1950's hospital! When we say neutralize your home, we are looking for a less distinctive decor to appeal to a broader range of buyers. Keep it simple and clean and you will make your home a buyer's desire!
Some buyers are moving from an environment that was very neutral, like an apartment where they couldn't put any color on the walls. They want Color!! You also want to avoid certain things that could offend potential home buyers. Some examples of this would be certain art, decor, displaying political or religious views, pets, pictures and odors. These things are very important to consider and as the home seller it is easily overlooked. Please the buyer with the lifestyle they are looking for, create "The Buyer's Desire."
You can learn more by visiting us at:
www.ByDebrasDesigns.com
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