Home For The Holidays

They might not realize it, but New Year’s Eve celebrants honor a world-renowned Scottish poet and lyricist each time they sing along to “Auld Lang Syne” as the clock strikes 12 midnight on New Year’s Eve.

Instead of spending a fortune on NYE event tickets, why not opt to stay in and host the celebration yourself? Here are a few tips for hosting an epic New Year’s Eve bash to remember.

Various traditions take center stage during the holiday season. One of those traditions may be sitting down and enjoying any of a number of timeless Christmas movies or even newer holiday films that are quickly becoming favorites.

Christmas Eve is viewed differently by different people, even those who live under the same Santa-ready roof. Adults may see Christmas Eve as crunch time when they must prepare food for the next day or set up presents for their children to open in the morning.

“O Come, All Ye Faithful” is an English-language translation of “Adeste Fideles.” While the lyrics to the song have been attributed to various authors, the text is most often credited to an 18th century English hymnist named John Francis Wade.

Entertaining is a big part of the holiday season. Calendars are packed this time of year with gatherings with friends, family, and professional colleagues.

With lyrics based on the French song “Les Anges Dans Nos Campagnes,” “Angels We Have Heard on High” is a beloved and instantly recognizable Christmas carol.

Written in 1849, “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” is a poem by Edmund Sears, who was a pastor of the Unitarian Church in Wayland, Mass. Sears’ lyrics are often put to “Carol,” a melody composed for the poem by Richard Storrs Willis. However, “Noel,” modified by Arthur Sullivan from an English melody, also has been used.

Aside from safety guidelines established by local authorities, there are not many rules when it comes to decorating for the holidays.

People indulge just a little bit more when the holidays arrive. That may translate into enjoying an extra meal at a favorite neighborhood restaurant, buying one or two additional gifts to stash under the tree or hosting a gathering with close friends that stretches into the wee hours of the morning.