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Celebrate the Season of Giving with St. Nick

07 Thursday Dec 2017

Posted by in Giving Tips, Holidays, Lions Camp, Special Events

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While we may not have any white, fluffy snow on the ground (as ofStockings Were Hung writing), there is no question that the holiday season has arrived. Yesterday was the celebration of St. Nicholas. Although the holiday is a popular one in Europe, the day isn’t widely celebrated here in the United States, and we think it’s time to change that!

The story of St. Nick goes back to 4th century Greece. Nicholas of Myra officiated as a bishop after dedicating his life to giving to others. Sadly, his parents died in an epidemic when he was young. With his extensive inheritance, Nicholas decided to use his wealth to help the less fortunate. His signature act was leaving gold coins in people’s shoes around the city. Today, children leave out stockings or shoes on the eve of St. Nicholas and awake to find them filled with small gifts and trinkets. Of course, there is always the possibility that those who have been naughty will find nothing more than a lump of coal.

We may have missed the official holiday, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still celebrate the true meaning behind the season – focusing on giving more than receiving. Sometime in December, consider surprising your loved one by filling his or her stocking with fun, little gifts. There are endless possibilities for stocking stuffers – candy, jewelry, small toys, soap, notebooks, key chains and more. You can also include other intangible gifts such as a donation to their favorite charity in their honor.

By choosing to make a gift to Lions Pride, you can help us work to continue improving the lives of people all around Wisconsin. Your donation can help preserve, protect and provide for Lions Camp and all other WLF statewide projects – including eyeglass recycling, adult and children’s vision screening, diabetes education and more. If there is a project that is especially important to you or your loved one, simply designate the gift, and you can rest assured knowing that you’re helping the cause. Print the certificate and add it a stocking for a powerful gift that also gives back.

Together, we can all embody the spirit of St. Nicholas by remembering to include compassion and charity in our daily lives. After all, isn’t that the reason behind the season?

Happy Holidays from Lions Pride!

 

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How is Easter Celebrated Around the World?

02 Thursday Apr 2015

Posted by in Holidays, Special Events

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For many of us here in the United States, this Easter Sunday will be filled with Bilbydecorated eggs, jellybeans and rabbits, but the religious holiday is celebrated very differently around the world.

In Australia, the holiday is actually celebrated in the fall, but has similar customs to the United States. The biggest difference between the two is the pagan character. Rather than the bunny, you’ll see a bilby, which is a small rodent with a long nose, but rabbit-like ears.

In Norway, Easter is considered a religious holiday, but not celebrated as such. Many people retreat to their cabins or spend the weekend skiing. One unique tradition for Norwegians is the reading of Påskekrimmen (crime novels) or watching detective shows. In fact, nearly every TV channel produces a crime mystery specifically for Easter.

Greece Pot SmashingIn Greece, Easter Sunday is a truly joyous occasion. The first Resurrection is announced at 11 am; bells ring and bands parade the streets. People throw pots out the windows and off balconies that is believed to welcome spring and symbolize the new crops to be gathered in new pots.

In Mexico, you won’t see any bunnies or painted eggs. Typically, people go to Mass and celebrate quietly with their families. There are a few places where you will find music and dancing.

In Poland, Easter Sunday is similar to the United States celebration, but it’s the day after that sets us apart. On Easter Monday, boys try to drench other people with buckets of water and squirt guns. Legend says that girls who get soaked will marry within the year. (Brrr… this tradition sounds too cold for us!)

An interesting part to note is although we all celebrate the holiday differently; the reason behind the season remains the same. However you spend your holiday, Lions Pride wishes you and your family a happy Easter!

Sources:

http://www.indobase.com/holidays/easter/easter-traditions-around-the-world/easter-in-australia.html

http://www.communicaid.com/cross-cultural-training/blog/celebrating-easter-across-cultures-2/#.VRrYrKMwmG8

http://www.visitgreece.gr/en/religion/easter_in_greece

http://gomexico.about.com/od/festivalsholidays/p/holy_week.htm

http://www.womansday.com/life/travel-tips/a1411/easter-traditions-from-around-the-world-105074/

The Story of Saint Nicholas

04 Thursday Dec 2014

Posted by in Giving Tips, Lions Camp, Special Events

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TChristmas Stockingshis Saturday morning will mark the beginning of the lightly celebrated Saint Nicholas Day. Will you and your family be celebrating?

St. Nick’s Day is a big holiday in Europe but is surprisingly not as popular here in the United States. The tradition first began in 4th century Greece. Nicholas of Myra officiated as a bishop after dedicating his life to giving to others. Nicholas’ parents died in an epidemic when he was a young boy. With his large inheritance, he decided to use his wealth to help the less fortunate. His signature act was leaving gold coins in people’s shoes around the city.

The tradition has since evolved in North America. Today, children hang their stockings on the fireplace mantel on the eve of Saint Nicholas Day and awake to small gifts of candy, games and other fun trinkets. Of course, there is always the possibility that naughty children will wake to nothing, but a lump of coal if they have been bad throughout the year.

There are all sorts of stocking stuffer ideas out there for the children in your life. Little girls can receive bottles of nail polish; stickers or jewelry and little boys enjoy candy, toy cars and building blocks. Would you like to add another extra special gift to your child’s stocking? We have another idea to add to the list.

In addition to small games and delicious candy, teach them the value of charity by giving a donation in his or her name. Print off the certificate and add it to their stocking. The morning of Saint Nicholas Day, you can explain to them how this particular gift helps others. For instance with a donation to Lions Pride, they are helping children with special needs have fun at a week of summer camp, an experience that he or she will treasure for a lifetime.

Embody the spirit of Saint Nicholas with a gift that gives back. After all, it is the reason behind the season. Happy Saint Nicholas Day!

Sources:

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/common/saint-nicholas
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/who-is-st-nicholas/
http://www.stnicksday.com