The Hanukkah celebration revolves around the kindling of a nine-branched menorah, known in Hebrew as the hanukiah. On each of the holiday’s eight nights, another candle is added to the menorah after sundown; the ninth candle, called the shamash (“helper”), is used to light the others. Jews typically recite blessings during this ritual and display the menorah prominently in a window as a reminder to others of the miracle that inspired the holiday.

Check out more via this citation:

"Judaism." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 21 Oct. 2022. school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/Judaism/275192#. Accessed 1 Dec. 2022.

Did you know that St. Nicholas has an evil brother Krampus?? According to German folklore, Krampusnacht is a celebration of the devil Krampus, who is believed to be a creature that is half-man, half-goat. He is depicted as being hairy with large horns, a goat’s cloven hooves, red eyes, and fangs. The Krampus carries bundles of ‘ruten’ or twigs he uses to swat misbehaving children. For the celebrations, these bundles are handed to families so children remember the threat of the Krampus throughout the year and behave themselves. In countries where Krampusnacht is celebrated, St. Nicholas gives gifts to the children, but if they misbehave, the Krampus arrives to take the gifts away and give the children coal and ruten instead. Click here for more details on how NOT to receive a visit from KRAMPUS!

Each year on December 8th, Buddhists celebrate the day that Siddhartha Gautama achieved enlightenment through meditation. The word Bodhi means awakening or enlightenment.

Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, is popularly known as the Buddha. Siddhartha, once an Indian Prince, eventually abandoned his life of luxury for a much simpler one. Many believe that Siddhartha resolved to sit underneath a Bodhi tree and meditate until he found the root of suffering and how to free himself from it.

It took 49 days of unbroken meditation. After becoming enlightened and experiencing Nirvana, Siddhartha became a Buddha, or “Awakened One.” For 2,500 years, Buddha’s enlightenment has served as the central tenant of the Buddhist faith.

To make: Dip ends of candy cane in melted semisweet chocolate. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes: place on a parchment paper-lined plate, and chill. Lightly mist large marshmallows with water. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes. You can do this with pretzels, Oreo cookies, blackberries, or whatever your imagination creates!!!

You’ll need:

• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 1/2 cup ground cinnamon (look for the cheap, off-brand stuff—save the good stuff for your cinnamon rolls)
• 2 tablespoons craft glue, optional (I think this makes the ornaments a bit more sturdy, but you can do without it)
• Mixing bowl..

Click here to continue making these scent-full ornaments.

Milk Bath Recipe Ingredients

• Dry Milk (Powdered milk is simply dehydrated milk, pressed into a fine powder.)
• Cornstarch
• Baking Soda
• Essential Oil – Many folks seek out essential oils for health benefits, but they also have an incredible fragrance that adds to the aromatherapy experience of your milk bath recipe. Here, I’ve used spearmint essential oil, which can benefit your breathing and help with sore muscles.

Click here for more details on this marvelous gift idea!