Friday, December 14, 2012
While the two holidays fall in close proximity to each other and are celebrated in popular culture together, Hanukkah does not hold the religious significance for Jews that Christmas holds for Christians.
Each year, Hanukkah falls in close proximity or during Christmas according to the Hebrew calendar. Because of that, the two are celebrated side by side under the “Happy Holidays” moniker. But in terms of religious significance, Hanukkah doesn’t rank as high for Jews as Christmas ranks for Christians. “It’s hard to not make a big deal of out Hanukkah living in America, and I’m not sure it’s a bad thing,” said Rabbi Rhoda Silverman of Temple Emanuel in Reisterstown. “That’s not a problem for me as long as we don’t forget about everything else that makes us Jewish.” Jonathan Schwartz, senior aide to Baltimore County Council Chairwoman Vicki Almond and a member of Temple Emanuel, sees Hanukkah as having two roles in the lives of American Jews…
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Are you visiting one of the thrift or secondhand stores in Montgomery County for holiday gifts this year?
- BUSINESS
- Ben Gross
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Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Have you ever regifted? You know, taken that unwanted desk adornment you got from your uncle last year and given it to a co-worker. While regifting traditionally has been frowned upon, the economy and environment may be helping shed some of the stigma associated with it. Some see it as a smart way to keep items out of landfills, while others view it as an opportunity to save money. In fact, regifting websites are cropping up all over the place, each with their own spin on the closeted practice. One site has proclaimed Dec. 20 as “National Regifting Day,” another has given prizes for the best regifting story and a third offers a “Gift Giver’s Guide to Gracious Regifting.” Even if you don’t have some unwanted gifts on the top shelf of your…
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Sculpt, paint and design your own gift in Montgomery County.
While holiday spending is expected to remain level or even to increase slightly compared to 2011, many people are looking for ways to reduce the impact on their wallets or the environment by buying gifts at thrift or secondhand stores. Handcrafted gifts are another alternative to traditional holiday gifting (and they're not just for kids anymore). Businesses at which one may paint one's own pottery, fuse a glass sculpture, design a piece of beaded jewelry or even stuff a plush toy animal are located all over Maryland, including Montgomery County. *** Learn how to make your own beaded jewelry: Rockville: Accents Beads, 12112 Nebel St., Rockville, MD 20852 Silver Spring: The Bead Warehouse, 2740 Garfield Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910 Takoma …
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Sculpt, paint and design your own gift in Montgomery County.
- HOLIDAY GUIDE
- Ben Gross
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Saturday, December 8, 2012
While holiday spending is expected to remain level or even increase slightly compared to 2011, many people are looking for ways to reduce the impact on their wallet or the environment by buying gifts at thrift or secondhand stores. Handcrafted gifts are another alternative to traditional holiday gifting (and not just for kids anymore)! Businesses where you can paint your own pottery, fuse a glass sculpture, design a piece of beaded jewelry or even stuff a plush toy animal are located all over Maryland, including Montgomery County. Learn how to make your own beaded jewelry: Rockville – Accents Beads, 12112 Nebel Street, Rockville, MD 20852 Silver Spring – The Bead Warehouse, 2740 Garfield Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Takoma Park – S & …
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Thanks to a very special U.S. Postal Service program, "Santa" will reply to children who mail him their Christmas wish lists this holiday season.
- NEWS
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Saturday, December 1, 2012
Every year, millions of children sit down to make a wish list for Santa, hoping he will make all of their Christmas dreams come true. But what if Santa actually wrote back? The United States Postal Service is now accepting "Letters From Santa," a program that allows any person to play Santa by sending a letter signed by Saint Nick to any child. According to a postal service news release, "[the] 'Letters From Santa' program helps parents fulfill the dreams of their own children." Instructions to send a letter from Santa: Have you done letters "from Santa" with your kids before? Were the kids fooled, or did they try to dissect the handwriting...? Tell us in the comments.
Friday, November 30, 2012
About 40 percent of Christmas tree fires involved some type of electrical failure or malfunction between 2000 and 2004, according to the National Christmas Tree Association.
With Thanksgiving behind us, many families are turning their attention toward buying a Christmas tree. The National Christmas Tree Association wants customers to keep a few safety tips in mind when they purchase their tree. Consumers also need to know how to care for it once it's in their home.
Friday, November 16, 2012
St. Nick's coming to Montgomery and Prince George's county malls this month and here's where you can go a snap a picture with the family and your pets, too.
It's that time of year again! Santa Claus is coming to town and he's available to take those adorable family photos with you and your children. Here's where Santa will be this holiday season. Wheaton Westfield Wheaton, 11160 Veirs Mill Rd Silver Spring, MD 20902 Santa will be perched in his chair, waiting to take a photo with your child, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Nov. 17 through Dec. 24. Photo packages run between $21 and $45, and all come with a gift card to Shutterfly. Bethesda Westfield Montgomery, 7101 Democracy Blvd Bethesda, MD 20817 In Bethesda, you can have your child’s photo taken with Santa on the lower level of the mall, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 …
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Employees of the retail giant hope to take advantage of one of the year's busiest shopping days.
Employees of DC-area Walmart and Sam's Club locations are joining a national strike effort this Black Friday to protest what they view as low wages, poor scheduling practices, and worker intimidation on the part of the retail giant. The campaign, organized by Making Change at Walmart and linked with the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, is planning demonstrations outside dozens of stores nationwide on one of the busiest shopping days of the year. In the DC area, Nov. 23 protests are scheduled for Walmart and Sam's Club locations in Laurel, Hyattsville, Bowie, Gaithersburg, Woodlawn, Severn, Clinton, Abingdon, Alexandria, and Fairfax. (Both chains are owned by parent company Walmart Stores, Inc.) The strike action …
Sunday, November 11, 2012
How will your finances affect your holiday spending?
Two-thirds of respondents to a recent poll by the NPD Group said they “plan to spend about the same” as last year, while 10 percent planned to “spend more.” With the economy and job situation still in flux for many families, we want to know what families in Montgomery County and Prince George’s County plan to do for Christmas, Hanukah, or Kwanzaa gifts in 2012. Will you be more creative with your gifting? Use sites like Groupon, Living Social, etc? Brave Black Friday sales? Cook or bake for familty and friends?
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Check out these great holiday events in and around the region.
Zoo Lights Mormon Temple Festival of Lights "Season's Greenings" at the United States Botanic Garden Cathedral Creche Exhibition at Washington National Cathedral National Hanukkah Menorah The Garden of Lights Christmas on the Potomac at Gaylord National Resort Bethesda’s Winter Wonderland Winter’s Eve and Silent Art Auction Winter Lights at Seneca Creek State Park National Harbor Holiday Festival Glen Echo Holiday Arts Show and Sale Lights on the Bay at Sandy Point State Park Evangel Christmas Celebration WQMZ’s Christmas Show at The Fillmore, Silver Spring
Gregg Roberts
4:11 am on Sunday, December 16, 2012
It drives me crazy when people keep repeating the line ''Hanukkah is a minor holiday.'' In Israel children have off all week for Hanukkah. Orthodox Jewish schools in Baltimore have a 4 day weekend. Hanukkah is other then Purim the only holiday that traditionally doesn't have restrictions on music, travel etc. and is the last holiday historically and the only one to have happened in Israel. No … more ›