Hearts have long been associated with love and Valentine’s Day. The heart is also a symbol of the love of Christ, whose birth we celebrate at Christmastime. This glass heart ornament combines these two celebrations and makes a perfect gift or keepsake for that special person.
Halloween has its origins in the ancient festival of Samhain, the Celtic New Year, when spirits were allowed to return to earth to visit. Christianity incorporated this into All Hallow’s Eve, Oct. 31, prior to All Saints’ Day. The Irish brought Halloween to America in the 1840s, with the tradition of dressing in costumes and playing pranks in the hope of keeping evil spirits away.
The Frankenstein story tells of a mad scientist who tries to create life and instead creates a monster. It became so popular that in a sequel a bride was created. Now "Bride of Frankenstein" is one of the most popular classic horror films. This gruesome couple is associated with Halloween and its custom of telling scary tales!
According to legend, black cats are associated with witches and have the gift of foretelling the future and seeing spirits. If a black cat crosses your path, it means bad luck. If it walks toward you, it means good luck. Because of all this, black cats enjoy a close association with Halloween today.
One of the most popular figures associated with Halloween is the Witch. Her pointy black hat, dark cape, broomstick, and black cat make her easy to recognize. Today, she is a traditional favorite at Halloween costume parties and with young trick-or-treaters.
The dreidel is a small four-sided spinning top with a Hebrew letter on each side: Nun (miracle), Gimel (great), Hay (happened) and Shin (there) which together form the acronym Nes Gadol Hayah Sham (a great miracle happened there). Families play dreidel for chocolate gelt during Hanukkah, based on an old legend from the time of the Maccabees: Jewish children weren't allowed to study Torah, but they would anyway. When Greek soldiers would pass by, the kids would hide their books & just play with their spinning tops instead.
Thanksgiving celebrates the autumn feast between the Pilgrims and Wampanoag Nation. The generosity shown by the natives reminds us to give thanks and be good to one another, regardless of culture, race, or beliefs.
