1. Christmas trees were first lighted with actual candles, which presented a fire hazard. As a result containers filled with water had to be kept near the Christmas tree.
2. Workers in the construction industry are responsible for the tradition of having a Christmas tree on display at Rockefeller Center in New York City. They are credited with placing an undecorated tree at the site in the early 1930s.
3. Since the mid-1960s, The National Christmas Tree Association has maintained a presence in the White House at Christmas by donating a Christmas tree to the First Family.
4. The former Woolworth department store first sold manufactured Christmas tree ornaments in 1880.
5. Plastic became the primary material used to make tinsel after their use for decorative purposes was at one time prohibited because lead was used in the manufacturing process.
6. The idea of Christmas greeting cards started in Britain in the late 1830s when John Calcott Horsley started to produce small cards that had festive scenes and a holiday greeting written inside. Similar cards were also being made in the United States at about the same time by R.H. Pease, in Albany, New York, and Louis Prang, who was a German immigrant. The idea of
sending the greeting cards during Christmas gained popularity in both countries about 10 years later when new postal delivery services started.
7. The shortened form Xmas for Christmas has been popular in Europe since the 1500s. It is believed to be derived from the Greek word 'Xristos' which means Christ.
8. According to the National Confectioners Association, for 200 years candy canes were only made in the color of white and it wasn't until in the 1950s that a machine was invented that could automate the production of candy canes.
Yuichi
August 4th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not for the old
It was loads of fun. The five year old beat his older sister and the old folks came in last. The little girls begged to play over and over.
Great idea.
Gustave
August 5th, 2009 at 3:02 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great family game
We purchased Stare Jr. for our son for Christmas. It was suggested by the occupational therapist at his school. We really like the game.
Emery
August 5th, 2009 at 9:56 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great game and fun
I bought this for my 6 yr old granddaughter. Well, we’ve had more fun staring at the cards and trying to remember if the dog was looking at the boy or the bone, etc.
Gustave
August 5th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simple and appealing, a rare find for my autistic 8 year old
I have bought a collection of toys and games that look like a “maybe…”, but complicated rules, busy gameboard, other and … my son has no interest.
Umed
August 5th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Teaches great skill disguised as a game
I play this with my 6yr old and my 4yr old. It is wonderful at helping them to learn how to observe and remember what they observed. Great thinking skills.
Dutch
August 5th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stare!
I love this game. This is great for my daughter because it is fun and educational at the same time.
Anonymous
August 6th, 2009 at 2:15 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun Game
I bought this game for my 5 year old grandson but the whole family had great fun playing this game. The rules of the game are simple but it was challenging enough that everyone…
Hakan
August 6th, 2009 at 7:42 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
My son loves it!
I bought this as a Christmas present for my 5-year old son. He absolutely loved it at the time and loves it even more now since he can read better and is able to ask the questions…
Laird
August 6th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simple,fun, and educational
Stare Jr. is a very simple game that can be challenging for adults. I like the fact that there are only 3 simple rules. Children of varying ages can play this game.
Anonymous
August 6th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Easy, Few Rules, Kids love
This game is great. Even the adults enjoy playing it. It’s also short enough that kids don’t lose interest before someone wins.