Christmas
Putting a brand new spin on an old traditions can be as easy as switching up your cookie habits
1. TRADITION: Making a gingerbread house.
Gingerbread (or lebkuchen) has been around in various forms in Germany the 1300’s. By the time the 17th century rolled around, it was such a serious treat that only professional gingerbread bakers were allowed to bake it. Rules relaxed during Christmastime, though, because the gingerbread house took the world by storm. It’s said that the German storytelling duo, the Brothers Grimm, introduced the world to the concept of a house made of lebkuchen with sugar decor with Hansel and Gretel. After this, German bakers started baking houses of lebkuchen and employing artists to decorate them. The houses became super popular and had staying power because ginger naturally preserves the bread.
HOW TO MAKE IT COOL: Read more...
postcards from bunchland
We had tons of fun hacking a gingerbread house kit at last night’s Bunchland HQ holiday party (photos coming soon)! We’re kind of gingerbread-obsessed around here these days.
This Postcard from Bunchland comes from summerbl4ck via Flickr.
Do you have a Postcard from Bunchland? Email your photos of family fun to meghan@bunchfamily.ca.
Blog
What we’re reading on the blogs today:
On Salon this weekend, dad Kenneth Rapoza wrote about how he tries to keep his daughters’ belief in Santa going strong. We know what lies parents tell to keep Santa real, so we’re rather impressed with how Rapoza responds to this: “Why does Santa make everything in China anyway?”
Do non-Christians feel excluded by Christmas trees? One Simon Fraser researcher thinks so. Also, perhaps the trees make those with Christian backgrounds feel guilt and stress.
But what about all those non-Christians who contribute to traditional Christmas cheer? Surely those Jewish songwriters who basically created the sounds of our modern Christmas feel included. According to this Globe and Mail article, “The story of modern Christmas music – Jewish Christmas music – begins in 1942, when a Bing Crosby recording of Irving Berlin’s ‘White Christmas’ became the first Christmas tune to reach the hit parade.” It’s actually the best-selling single of all-time. Read more...
