Holiday Greetings 2022

1. Entries will be judged by age groups: Ages 5 & Under, Ages 6-12 & Ages 13-Up.

2. Only the coloring entry sheet above will be eligible for judging.

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Simple ways to involve kids in holiday decorating

Millions of people across the globe feel that the holiday season is a magical time of year. Though those people come from all walks of life, it’s likely that no group is as taken by the unique spirit of the holiday season as much as children.

Whether they’re looking forward to Santa’s arrival or preparing for a school holiday pageant, kids have much to be excited about come December. Parents can channel that enthusiasm by involving kids when decorating around the house this holiday season.

MAKE HOMEMADE ORNAMENTS. The options are limitless when making holiday ornaments with children. From simple ornaments made from pine cones picked up outside to more complex projects designed for children nearing adolescence, parents can look to the internet

to find design ideas and directions for hundreds of ornaments.

LET KIDS LEAD THE WAY WHEN DECORATING THE TREE. Families that celebrate Christmas can let kids lead the way when decorating their Christmas tree. Kids are likely to spend the weeks leading up to Santa’s arrival gazing in awe at the tree, and knowing they decided where to place the various ornaments on it might make the season even more special for youngsters.

TAKE KIDS ALONG WHEN CHOOSING LAWN ORNAMENTS. It’s not safe to involve children when installing lighting displays, but kids will get a kick out of choosing inflatable lawn decorations and other items to place around the yard. Take kids along when buying new items and then seek

their input when placing Frosty, Santa and his reindeer friends around the yard.

INCLUDE KIDS IN CULINARY DECOR. Many celebrants cannot imagine a holiday season without gingerbread houses and cookies. These traditions provide another great opportunity to involve children in holiday decorating. Set aside some time to make homemade gingerbread houses, which can be used as decorations before they’re ultimately eaten. Cookies may not have the shelf life of a typical gingerbread house, but kids can pitch in and decorate cookies prior to a holiday party or family meal.

The spirit of the holiday season can be seen on the faces of children each December. Inviting kids to pitch in when decorating for the holidays can make the season even more special for its youngest celebrants.

Away in a Manger

The popular Christmas carol “Away In a Manger” has an interesting history. German priest and Protestant Reformation leader Martin Luther was long believed to have written the song. However, historians no longer believe that’s the case, and it is now widely considered to have American origins. In fact, the author of the third verse remains a topic of debate, as that verse does not appear in the earliest renditions of the song. Though that final verse is often attributed to American John T. MacFarland, various sources indicate that more research is necessary before that credit can be safely assigned.

“Away In a Manger”

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay. The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.

I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky And stay by my cradle til morning is nigh. Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever, and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, And take us to heaven, to live with Thee there.

Lyrics courtesy of LyricsforChristmas.com

221 E 3rd Ave • Mitchell, SD 57301 Ph: (605) 996-0088 • Fx: (605) 996-5112 jlemer@farmersagent.com

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Josie Lemer Insurance Agent www.farmers.com

O, Christmas Tree

There are various English-language versions of “O, Christmas Tree,” each of which traces its origins to a traditional German folk song that, at least initially, was unrelated to Christmas. That changed over time, and by the mid-19th century the song was being sung as a Christmas carol.

“O, Christmas Tree”

O Christmas Tree O, Christmas Tree, Your branches green delight us.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, Your branches green delight us. They’re green when summer days are bright; They’re green when winter snow is white.

O, Christmas Tree, O, Christmas Tree, Your branches green delight us!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, You give us so much pleasure!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, You give us so much pleasure!

How oft at Christmas tide the sight, O green fir tree, gives us delight!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, You give us so much pleasure!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, Your branches green delight us.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, Your branches green delight us. They’re green when summer days are bright; They’re green when winter snow is white.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, Your branches green delight us!

Lyrics courtesy of LyricsforChristmas.com

The tree is lit, the stockings are hung, and the good times are about to begin. We hope your Christmas is everything you’re hoping it will be. Thanks for making our season such a great success. We look forward to serving you in the new year.

Lynn, Ron, Tammy, & Dean from the Farmers Elevator in Mt. Vernon wish everyone a joyous holiday season! 1-605-236-5233

Popular songs to stream this holiday season

The holiday season is steeped in tradition. One of the most popular traditions is playing holiday music, which many retailers begin to broadcast over their PA systems shortly after people put their Halloween costumes in storage. The popular music streaming platform Spotify tracks the most popular holiday songs each year, and 2022 featured a mix of some newer songs and some all-time classics. According to Spotify, these five songs were the most streamed holiday tunes on the platform between November 1 and December 9, 2022.

“All I Want for Christmas Is You” - Mariah Carey

“Last Christmas” - Wham!

“It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas” - Michael Bublé

“Jingle Bell Rock” - Bobby Helms

“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” - Brenda Lee Individuals who want to stream something a little more contemporary this holiday season can consider these songs, which Spotify reports are the five most-streamed holiday songs that were released over the last half decade.

“Snowman” - Sia

“White Christmas” - Amy Grant

“Santa’s Coming for Us” - Sia

“Hallelujah” - Pentatonix

“Merry Christmas” - Ed Sheeran and Elton John

CHRISTMAS TRIVIA

In Frosty the Snowman, who brought Frosty back to life?

What is the biggest selling Christmas single of all time?

3. Name the three reindeer whose names begin with a “D”?

4. What snack is often left out for Santa?

5. What cola company was known for its ads featuring a big, smiling Santa?

6. What do most elves wear on the tips of their shoes?

7. After red and green, what are the two most popular Christmas colors?

8. December 26th, also known as Boxing Day, is the holy day of which saint?

9. In the 1800s, what did German settlers in Pennsylvania decorate their homes with for Christmas?

10. Traditionally, what are German children not allowed to see until Christmas Eve?

11. Which was the first American state to recognize Christmas as an official holiday?

12. Which was the last American state to recognize Christmas as an official holiday?

13. Where is America’s official national Christmas Tree located?

14. What are the names of Santa’s reindeer?

15. Name 3 Christmas movies.

16. What kind of sleigh is used in the carol Jingle Bells?

17. Does Rudolph the reindeer have antlers?

18. In which park does Yogi Bear spend Christmas?

19. Where did mommy kiss Santa Claus?

20. Which Hollywood actor played the role of the Grinch in the movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas?

Christmas, The Polar Express; 16. One Horse Open Sleigh; 17. Yes; 18. The Jelly Stone Park; 19. Under the Mistletoe; 20. Jim Carrey

11. Alabama; 12. Oklahoma; 13. King’s Canyon National Park, California; 14. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph; 15. A Christmas Story, How the Grinch Stole

Christmas Trivia Answers: 1. Santa Claus; 2. White Christmas; 3. Dasher, Donner, Dancer; 4. Cookies and Milk; 5. Coca-Cola; 6. Bells; 7. Silver and Gold; 8. St. Stephen; 9. Fir Trees; 10. The Christmas Tree;

Tips for baking better Christmas cookies

Cookies and other baked treats are everywhere come the holiday season. It’s not uncommon to give cookies as gifts or arrive at holiday gatherings with cakes and other decadent desserts.

Cookies are a classic holiday treat, and some families even build entire traditions around baking Christmas cookies.

Novice bakers making cookies for the first time may be a little overwhelmed when perusing recipes. Baking is a science, and sometimes it takes practice to get the results just right. However, there are some tips that can help yield better, buttery bounties.

Handle butter with care

Butter can make or break a cookie recipe, as butter is often the glue that holds the cookie together. Therefore, it is key to follow the directions carefully regarding how to handle butter. Smithsonian.com says to leave butter at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes to properly soften it. This takes patience, but fiddling with butter too much can damage its delectable integrity. While purists may say butter is best, margarine may be acceptable if it has a high fat content; otherwise, cookies may spread out and flatten.

When it comes time to cream the butter with sugar, be sure to do so thoroughly to incorporate air into the butter and remove the grainy texture of the sugar.

Measure flour properly

Measuring flour the right way can ensure cookies come out right. The Cooking Channel says to spoon the flour lightly into a dry measuring

cup, then level it off with a knife. Do not dip the measuring cup into the flour or tap the knife against the cup. This will pack too much flour into the measuring cup and result in dry, tough cookies.

Slow down the eggs

Add eggs one at a time to make sure each will emulsify properly with the fat in the butter. Adding eggs en masse may cause the emulsification to fail.

Chill out

Follow recipes that call for chilling cookie dough carefully. This process is important for making sliced and shaped cookies. By chilling, the dough becomes more malleable for rolling and even slicing.

Use a bottom rack

Too much heat may compromise cookie integrity. The food experts at Delish say to try moving cookies onto a lower rack in the oven if they aren’t retaining their shape when baked. Put an empty cookie sheet on the top rack. That will block the cookies from the most intense heat that rises to the top of the oven.

Mastering cookies takes a little patience and some trial and error. Once bakers get their feet wet, Christmas-cookie-baking becomes even more special.