Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ George Clooney ~ All-American Oven-"Fried" Drumsticks ~ Cold Weather ~ National Noodle Ring Day ~ National App Day

  

Good 43º dark morning. 

 

 

Yesterday we topped at 47º.

 

 

Picture of the Day ... architecture failure 😮

 

 

Interesting about George Clooney

 

George Timothy Clooney (born May 6, 1961) is an American actor and filmmaker. He is the recipient of numerous accolades, including a British Academy Film Award, four Golden Globe Awards, and two Academy Awards; one for his acting and the other as a producer. He has been honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2015, the Honorary César in 2017, AFI Life Achievement Award in 2018, and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2022.

 

Clooney started his career in television, gaining wide recognition in his role as Dr. Doug Ross on the NBC medical drama ER from 1994 to 1999, for which he received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations. He expanded to leading roles in films, with his breakthrough role in From Dusk till Dawn (1996) followed by superhero film Batman & Robin (1997), Steven Soderbergh's Out of Sight (1998), David O. Russell's Three Kings (1999), Wolfgang Petersen's The Perfect Storm (2000) and the Coen brothers' O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000). Greater stardom came from his starring role in Soderbergh's Ocean's film series from 2001 to 2007.

 

Clooney made his directorial debut with the spy drama Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002), and has since directed the historical drama Good Night, and Good Luck (2005), the political drama The Ides of March (2011), the war film The Monuments Men (2014) and the science fiction film The Midnight Sky (2020). Clooney won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the thriller Syriana (2005), and earned Best Actor nominations for the legal thriller Michael Clayton (2007), and the comedy-dramas Up in the Air (2009) and The Descendants (2011). He received the Academy Award for Best Picture for co-producing the political thriller Argo (2012). He has also starred in Burn After Reading (2008), The American (2010), Gravity (2013), Hail, Caesar! (2016) and Ticket to Paradise (2022).

 

As of 2023, Clooney is one of four people to have been nominated for Academy Awards in six different categories (a distinction shared with Walt Disney, Alfonso Cuarón and Kenneth Branagh). Clooney was included on Time's annual Time 100 list, which identifies the most influential people in the world, every year from 2006 to 2009. He is also noted for his political and economic activism, and has served as one of the United Nations Messengers of Peace since 2008. Clooney is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He is married to human rights lawyer Amal Clooney.

 

Early life

Clooney was born on May 6, 1961, in Lexington, Kentucky. His mother, Nina Bruce (née Warren), was a beauty queen and city councilwoman. His father, Nick Clooney, is a former anchorman and television host, including five years on the AMC network. Clooney is of Irish, German, and English ancestry. His maternal great-great-great-great-grandmother, Mary Ann Sparrow, was the half-sister of Nancy Lincoln, mother of President Abraham Lincoln, making Clooney and President Lincoln half-first cousins five times removed. Clooney has an older sister named Adelia (known as Ada). Cabaret singer and actress Rosemary Clooney was an aunt. Through Rosemary, his cousins include actors Miguel Ferrer, Rafael Ferrer, and Gabriel Ferrer, who is married to singer Debby Boone.

Career

Early work (1978–1993)

Clooney's first role was as an extra in the television mini-series Centennial in 1978, which was based on the novel of the same name by James A. Michener and was partly filmed in Clooney's hometown of Augusta, Kentucky. Clooney's first major role came in 1984 in the short-lived CBS sitcom E/R (not to be confused with ER, the long-running medical drama). He played a handyman on the series The Facts of Life and appeared as Bobby Hopkins, a detective, on an episode of The Golden Girls. His first prominent role was a semi-regular supporting role in the sitcom Roseanne, playing Roseanne Barr's supervisor Booker Brooks, followed by the role of a construction worker on Baby Talk, a co-starring role on the CBS drama Bodies of Evidence as Detective Ryan Walker, and then a year-long turn as Det. James Falconer on Sisters. In 1988, Clooney played one of the lead roles in the comedy-horror film Return of the Killer Tomatoes. In 1990, he starred in the short-lived ABC police drama Sunset Beat. During this period, Clooney was a student at the Beverly Hills Playhouse acting school for five years.

Breakthrough and stardom (1994–1999)

Clooney rose to fame when he played Dr. Doug Ross, alongside Anthony Edwards, Julianna Margulies, and Noah Wyle, on the hit NBC medical drama ER from 1994 to 1999. After leaving the series in 1999, he made a cameo appearance in the 6th season and returned for a guest spot in the show's final season. For his work on the series, Clooney received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1995 and 1996. He also earned three Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actor – Television Series Drama in 1995, 1996, and 1997 (losing to co-star Anthony Edwards).

 

Clooney began appearing in films while working on ER. His first major Hollywood role was in the horror comedy-crime thriller From Dusk till Dawn, directed by Robert Rodriguez and co-starring Harvey Keitel. He followed its success with the romantic comedy One Fine Day with Michelle Pfeiffer, and the action-thriller The Peacemaker with Nicole Kidman. Clooney was then cast as Batman in Joel Schumacher's Batman & Robin, which was a modest box office performer, but a critical failure (with Clooney himself calling the film "a waste of money"). In 1998, he co-starred in the crime-comedy Out of Sight opposite Jennifer Lopez, marking the first of his many collaborations with director Steven Soderbergh. He also starred in Three Kings during the last weeks of his contract with ER.

 

^{If you want to read a lot more, go here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Clooney}

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

All-American Oven-"Fried" Drumsticks

 

Years ago the only fried chicken was Southern-fried, and there's no doubt that it's delicious, but in terms of fried chicken recipes , oven-"fried" has its merits, too. With our All-American Oven-"Fried" Drumsticks, you'll get the best of everything. Crispy chicken on the outside and juicy on the insides! Chicken drumsticks have never been better and we're sure this is an oven-fried chicken drumstick recipe you don't wanna miss!

 

 

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 cup fine dry bread crumbs
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 8 chicken drumsticks
• 3 tablespoons butter

 

1. Preheat oven to 350º.
    
2. Place flour in a shallow dish. In a second shallow dish, beat eggs with milk, just until mixed. In a plastic bag, mix together bread crumbs and seasonings.
    
3. Dredge chicken in flour, one or two pieces at a time, coating evenly. Dip floured chicken pieces into egg mixture, then place in bread crumb mixture; close bag and shake to coat well.
    
4. Place butter in a large baking dish and melt in oven. Arrange chicken in a single layer over melted butter, turning to coat both sides.
    
5. Bake 25 minutes; turn chicken and bake an additional 25 minutes, or until golden brown and no pink remains.

 

 

Historically this date..........

1816 – Indiana becomes the 19th U.S. state.

 

1920 – Irish War of Independence: In retaliation for a recent IRA ambush, British forces burn and loot numerous buildings in Cork city. Many civilians report being beaten, shot at, robbed and verbally abused by British forces.

 

 

1941 – World War II: Germany and Italy declare war on the United States, following the Americans' declaration of war on the Empire of Japan in the wake of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The United States, in turn, declares war on them.

 

1941 – World War II: Poland declares war on the Empire of Japan.

1941 – World War II: The Imperial Japanese Navy suffers its first loss of surface vessels during the Battle of Wake Island.

 

 

1946 – The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is established.

1972 – Apollo 17 becomes the sixth and last Apollo mission to land on the Moon.

 

2008 – Bernard Madoff is arrested and charged with securities fraud in a $50 billion Ponzi scheme.

 

  

2017 – A bomb detonated in the New York City Subway, in the Times Square–42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City. It is known as the 2017 New York City attempted bombing.

 

 

And births this date.......

1889 – Walter Knott, American farmer and businessman, founded Knott's Berry Farm (d. 1981)

1931 – Rita Moreno, Puerto Rican-American actress, singer, and dancer

 

1939 – Tom Hayden, American activist and politician (d. 2016)

1940 – Donna Mills, American actress and producer

 

 

1943 – John Kerry, American lieutenant, lawyer, and politician, 68th United States Secretary of State

1944 – Lynda Day George, American actress

1944 – Brenda Lee, American singer-songwriter

 

 This weather has been so cold that I keep hand warmers in my pockets. 

Also, I put my clothes in the dryer before putting them on.

Mmmm.... nice and warm. 

 

All I know. Nuff said. Have a good Monday. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

National Noodle Ring Day on December 11th recognizes recipes made with pasta into a delicious round casserole. While baking up your favorite recipe, maybe use round pasta noodles to really punctuate the ring in the day.

While the day could possibly be about the little round pasta noodles, it would be a fun way to celebrate. They make up a delicious pasta salad or several other pasta dishes. They also are popular with kids (of all ages) to use in different craft projects, maybe even one that results in a beautiful snowflake for the holidays.

However, the day celebrates the pasta dish formed in an 8 or 9-inch ring mold or bundt pan. Usually made from noodles, flour, breadcrumbs, cheese, eggs, and other seasonings, this dish is quite versatile. When baked, recipes call for the noodle ring to be removed from the mold and served on a plate giving it an elegant appearance.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Test your skills by making a noodle ring. Invite family and friends over for a taste-testing. We’re sure they will enjoy it. We provide a few different recipes to use:

Picture Perfect Noodle Ring

Today is also........

National App Day on December 11th encourages us to explore all the possibilities apps afford us.

The word “App” was listed as the word of the year in 2010 by the American Dialect Society.   

Short for Software Application, apps quickly appeared when our mobile devices incorporated smart technologies. As the power of our phones increased with processing chips, internet connectivity, and touchscreens, so did the apps that became available.

Since that time, apps continue changing how we work, live, and play. They offer opportunities, too, by creating thousands of new companies, millions of new jobs, and billions of dollars in revenue.

Apps accelerated in growth with the advent of Apple’s iPhone in 2007. In 2008, Apple introduced OS 2.0, which included approximately 500 apps and allowed third-party app generation. Over 3 million apps on both the Apple and Android platforms offer a plethora of options for business, productivity, entertainment, organization, security, news, and so much more. And every, programmers introduce thousands more.

Not only do apps keep us connected and organized, but through customization, apps fit our busy and changing lifestyles.

HOW TO OBSERVE 

What apps keep you connected and up-to-date? Is there one app that has revolutionized your life? We want to know! Post your favorite app on social media. Share how apps make your life easier, too. Beyond games, what tools do you use to save money and time?  While you expound on your favorites, explore new apps, too. What kinds of apps do you predict for the future?

NATIONAL APP DAY HISTORY

Platinum Edge Media and its founder CJ Thompson created National App Day in 2017 to celebrate the importance of apps as they change our collective culture by organically promoting creativity and innovation.

 

 

Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Mailmen ~ Crispy Bruschetta ~ National Lager Day

  

Good 35º morning. 

 

Yesterday we topped at 47º.

 

 

Picture of the Day.....oops!😀 Now what?

 

 

 

Interesting about mailmen.........

A mail carrier, also referred to as a mailman, mailwoman, postal carrier, postman, postwoman, postperson, letter carrier (in American English), or colloquially postie (in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom), is an employee of a post office or postal service who delivers mail and parcel post to residences and businesses. The term "mail carrier" came to be used as a gender-neutral substitute for "mailman" soon after women began performing the job. In the Royal Mail, the official name changed from "letter carrier" to "postman" in 1883, and "postwoman" has also been used for many years.

 

United States

In the United States, there are three types of mail carriers: City Letter Carriers, who are represented by the National Association of Letter Carriers; Rural Carriers, who are represented by the National Rural Letter Carriers' Association; and Highway Contract Route carriers, who are independent contractors. While union membership is voluntary, city carriers are organized nearly 93 percent nationally.

 

Letter carriers are paid hourly with the potential for overtime. Letter carriers are also subject to "pivoting" on a daily basis. When a carrier's assigned route will take less than 8 hours to complete, management may "pivot" the said carrier to work on another route to fill that carrier up to 8 hours. It is a tool that postal management uses to redistribute and eliminate overtime costs, based on consultation with the carrier about his/her estimated workload for the day and mail volume projections from the DOIS (Delivery Operations Information System) computer program. Routes are adjusted and/or eliminated based on information (length, time, and overall workload) also controlled by this program, consultations with the carrier assigned to the route, and a current PS Form 3999 (street observation by a postal supervisor to determine accurate times spent on actual delivery of mail).

 

Carriers who walk generally also drive postal vehicles to their routes, park at a specified location, and carry one "loop" of mail, up one side of the street and back down the other side, until they are back to their vehicle. This method of delivery is referred to as "park and loop". Letter carriers may also accommodate alternate delivery points if "extreme physical hardship" is confirmed. In cases where mail carriers do not have assigned vehicles, they may also get undelivered mail from relay boxes placed along their routes.

 

Rural carriers typically work routes that have a lower density and higher mileage than those of letter carriers. They all work mounted routes, leaving their vehicles only to deliver to group mailboxes or to deliver an article that must be taken to a customer's door. However, now that former rural areas are being urbanized, their routes are growing very similar to mounted "city routes." Rural carriers often use their own vehicles and are not required to wear a uniform. Because of urbanization around cities and because rural carriers deliver mail at less cost to the Postal Service, the rural carrier craft is the only craft in the Postal Service that is growing. Highway Contract Route carriers work routes that were established with a density of less than one customer per mile driven (some later become denser and can then be converted to rural delivery). They are only mounted routes, and all HCR carriers use their own vehicle. These routes are typically found in outlying areas, or around very small communities.

 

If you want to read more, go here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mail_carrier

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

Ever wonder how most restaurants get their garlic bread to stay so crispy? It's easy! Before toasting it, they spread each piece of bread with a mixture of olive oil and garlic. It's their little secret for that trendy, flavorful, Crispy Bruschetta.

 

• 3/4 cup olive oil, divided
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder, divided
• 1 (16-ounce) loaf Italian or French bread, cut into 1-inch slices
• 10 plum tomatoes, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

 

1. Preheat oven to 400º. In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; mix well and brush over bread slices. Place on a baking sheet and bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden on both sides.
    
2. In a large bowl, combine remaining 1/2 cup olive oil and 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and the remaining ingredients; mix well. Spoon over toasted bread slices, and serve.

 

****By baking this in a really hot oven, the bread gets crispy on the outside and stays tender on the inside

 

 

Historically this date..........

 

1817 – Mississippi becomes the 20th U.S. state.

 

1965 – The Grateful Dead's first concert performance under this new name.

And births this date include...

1914 – Dorothy Lamour, American actress (d. 1996)

 

 

 

1928 – Dan Blocker, American actor (d. 1972)

 

 

1941 – Tommy Kirk, American actor (d.2021)

Strange life!

 

 

 

 

1941 – Tommy Rettig, American actor (d. 1996)

 

 

 

 

 

1952 – Susan Dey, American actress

 

                            

 

1964 – Bobby Flay, American chef and restaurateur

 

That's all I know. Nuff said. Have a good Sunday. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

 

National Lager Day on December 10th raises a glass to the third most popular beverage after water and tea. While lager is typically characterized as a light, summer beer we believe that every season deserves to be celebrated with a few of your favorite things.

Lagers are distinguished from other beers by using a cold-conditioning process. The types of yeast used are referred to as “bottom-fermenting” yeast or yeast that can develop at colder temperatures. Before the advent of refrigeration, brewers perfected this process in cellars dug into the ground and filled with ice. Those who taste the delicious results described the lager as “crisp” and “refreshing.” It is no wonder that this method caught on and produced a wide variety of brews synonymous with regional and national brands.

With so many choices from pale, amber or dark, not to mention the many craft varieties there is are endless possibilities for your enjoyment. So, grab some friends and celebrate this midwinter season with the taste of Summer.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Order a flight and discover a variety of delicious lagers. Invite friends to join you. Learn about the brewing process, too. Tour a brewery or find out more from a brew master.

 

 

Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Surfing History ~ Half Time Bacon Cheese Dip ~ Christmas Card Day

  

Good 34º foggy morning.

 

Yesterday we got some clear sky for a little while...

We topped at 50º.

 

 

Picture of the Day .... duck walking across turtles. 😀

 

 

Interesting about surfing.........

 

History of Surfing

 

The riding of waves has likely existed since humans began swimming in the ocean. In this sense, bodysurfing is the oldest type of wave-catching. Undoubtedly ancient sailors learned how to ride wave energy on many styles of early boats. Archaeological evidence even suggests that ancient cultures of Peru surfed on reed watercraft for fishing and recreation up to five thousand years ago. However, standing up on what is now called a surfboard is a relatively recent innovation developed by the Polynesians. The influences for modern surfing can be directly traced to the surfers of pre-contact Hawaii.

 

Peru

Archaeologists have found that the practice of riding a vessel with a wave was utilized since the pre-Inca cultures around three to five thousand years ago. The Moche culture used the caballito de totora (little horse of totora), with archaeological evidence showing its use around 200 CE.

 

An early description of the Inca surfing was documented by Jesuit missionary José de Acosta in his 1590 publication Historia natural y moral de las Indias, writing:

It is true to see them go fishing in Callao de Lima, was for me a thing of great recreation, because there were many and each one in a balsilla caballero, or sitting stubbornly cutting the waves of the sea, which is rough where they fish, they looked like the Tritons, or Neptunes, who paint upon the water.

 

To this day Caballitos de Totora are still used by local fishermen and can also be ridden by tourists for recreational purposes.

 

Ancient Hawaii

Hawaiians referred to this art as heʻe nalu which translates into English as "wave sliding." The art began before entering the mysterious ocean as the Hawaiians prayed to the gods for protection and strength to undertake the powerful mystifying ocean. If the ocean was tamed, frustrated surfers would call upon the kahuna (priest), who would aid them in a surfing prayer asking the gods to deliver great surf. Prior to entering the ocean, the priest would also aid the surfers (mainly of the upper class) in undertaking the spiritual ceremony of constructing a surfboard.

 

Hawaiians would carefully select one of three types of trees. The trees included the koa (Acacia koa), ʻulu (Artocarpus altilis), and wiliwili (Erythrina sandwicensis) trees. Once selected, the surfer would dig the tree out and place fish in the hole as an offering to the gods. Selected craftsmen of the community were then hired to shape, stain, and prepare the board for the surfer. There were three primary shapes: the ʻolo, kikoʻo, and the alaia. The ʻolo is thick in the middle and gradually gets thinner towards the edges. The kikoʻo ranges in length from 12 to 18 ft and requires great skill to maneuver. The alaia board is around 9 ft long and requires great skill to ride and master. Aside from the preparatory stages prior to entering the water, the most skilled surfers were often of the upper class including chiefs and warriors that surfed amongst the best waves on the island. These upper-class Hawaiians gained respect through their enduring ability to master the waves and this art the Hawaiians referred to as surfing. Some ancient sites still popular today include Kahaluʻu Bay and Holualoa Bay.

 

^{If you want to read a lot more, go here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_surfing}

 

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

Ready to win big at the game day party? This recipe will always be a big win: our Halftime Bacon Cheese Dip is ooey-gooey, and bacon-studded making it the ultimate football cheese dip.  Everyone on game day will be clamoring for more as these delicious flavors score a taste bud touchdown.

 

• 1 (1-pound) oval loaf Italian or sourdough bread, unsliced
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 cup cubed mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup crumbled crispy cooked bacon
• 3 scallions, sliced
• 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons beer
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

1. Preheat oven to 375º. Cut the top off the bread about 1/3 of the way down and set top aside. Hollow out inside, leaving about 1-inch of bread around edges. Cut top of the bread and the bread that you removed into 1-inch cubes; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix together remaining ingredients until thoroughly combined. Spoon mixture into bread loaf, then loosely wrap the bread loaf in aluminum foil.
3. Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until hot in center. Serve with cut-up bread pieces.

 

***You can also serve this with your favorite veggies and frozen pretzel bites that you can bake right alongside the bread loaf.

 

 

Historically this date..........

1979 – The eradication of the smallpox virus is certified, making smallpox the first and to date only human disease driven to extinction.

 

 

2008 – The Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, is arrested by federal officials for a number of crimes including attempting to sell the United States Senate seat being vacated by President-elect Barack Obama's election to the Presidency.

 

And births this date include....

(Just fyi, too many pictures to post. If you want to see a photo of them and/or read about them, click on their name, it's the link)

1897 – Hermione Gingold, English actress (d. 1987)

1898 – Emmett Kelly, American circus clown (d. 1979)

1909 – Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., American actor (d. 2000)

1911 – Broderick Crawford, American actor (d. 1986)

1911 – Lee J. Cobb, American actor (d. 1976)

1916 – Kirk Douglas, American actor (d.2020)

Interesting read about his heritage and his life.

 

1922 – Redd Foxx, American comedian (d. 1991)

 

1925 – Dina Merrill, American actress (d.2017)

 

1928 – Dick Van Patten, American actor (d.2015)

1929 – John Cassavetes, American actor and director (d. 1989)

1934 – Dame Judi Dench, English actress

1941 – Beau Bridges, American actor

1942 – Dick Butkus, American football player (d.2023)

 

1953 – John Malkovich, American actor

1957 – Donny Osmond, American singer and actor

1962 – Felicity Huffman, American actress

later

 

 

All I know. Nuff said. Have a good Saturday. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

Each year around this time, friends and families begin mailing their holiday cards. Christmas Card Day on December 9th serves as a reminder to get your stamps, envelopes, and cards together so you can share your holiday cheer.

Sending a card during the holidays hasn’t always been a tradition. In Victorian England, sending Penny Post was inexpensive and frequent. It was also considered rude to ignore a written message. One particularly popular Victorian invented the holiday card out of necessity. Sir Henry Cole received frequent letters, and it left him little time for other responsibilities. In 1843, he asked his friend J.C. Horsley to illustrate a design he had in mind. Soon, Cole was off to the printer, and he mailed the first Christmas card in the Penny Post to friends, family, and many acquaintances. 

Today, we mail a variety of cards at Christmastime. The tradition of Christmas cards continues in a broader sense. Social and electronic media keep us connected in this modern world more than ever before. However, the Christmas card continues to be a part of our annual tradition, even if it takes on a different style or pattern.

• Photo cards – Many families take an annual holiday photo specifically for mailing to friends and family. These photos may be snapshots or professional photos. Most families save them from social media, so they remain a surprise when they arrive in the mail, too.
• Christmas letter – These letters often highlight the events for each family member for the year. Not everyone has social media, so it’s a nice way to catch up with friends and family. The letters usually run a page in length, but some letter writers have a lot more to say.
• Postcards – These simple cards generally send the same holiday message a regular Christmas card does, but without a fold or an envelope. With a photo on one side and a simple message on the other, they are quick and easy to send, too.
• Business card – Christmas cards also come from businesses who want to remind us they still want our business. As a marketing tool, businesses know their best customers like to be remembered during the holidays, too.
• New Year’s cards – The holidays do get busy, and some of us put off sending any holiday cards until New Year. They still want to keep in touch with family and friends, so they send their good wishes in the form of a Happy New Year card. So, don’t mark anyone off your Christmas card list until after the first of the year.

These holiday cards may be the only communication we receive all year long from a friend or family member. Even if we spent an abundance of time with them once, these once-a-year notes touch us with a bit of meaning this time of year. We take the time to connect once again and say, “We’re thinking of you.”

HOW TO OBSERVE

Update your mailing list. Gather the stamps and pick out your favorite card. Will you be writing personal notes on each card? Or will you send a mass letter? Dress up the pets or family members for a last-minute photo, too. Get ready to be glitter bombed as the holiday cards begin pouring in your mail studded with Ho Ho Hos! and holiday greetings of all kinds. Share your favorite Christmas card style by using #ChristmasCardDay on social media.

CHRISTMAS CARD DAY HISTORY

While the origins of Christmas Card Day continue to be researched, Sir Henry Cole does receive credit for creating the first Christmas Card in 1843. However, the idea took several years to find its way to the United States. In 1850, Louis Prang immigrated from Prussia and opened a print shop in Boston. He mastered many methods of lithography from around the world, and after encouragement from his wife, he began producing floral Christmas cards in 1875. 

Christmas Card FAQ

Q. When was the first Christmas stamp issued?
A. The United States Post Office issued its first Christmas Stamp on November 1, 1962. Jim Crawford designed the 4¢ stamp that featured a green wreath and two candles. “Christmas 1962” was written across the bottom on a red banner.