FFW Christmas Newsletter 2007

Flair For Writing Christmas 2007
Editor: Princess Megan Princess Megan Rose 11 Years
Assistant Editor: Angel Angel

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Merry Christmas! Wow! Thanksgiving is over and Christmas will be here. Do you have your tree up? Do you have snow? My tree is up and we had snow and rain. It is cold! Angel lives 6 hours away and she gets the same weather. Angel and I are ready to do our newsletter. We are going to talk about First Footing and Christmas in the Netherlands. You don't know what First Footing is? Well we will tell you about it. Of course, don't forget Jesus is the reason for the season. Grab a cup of hot chocolate and we will get started. Angel made all the beautiful sigs. What would I do without her? I love you girlfriend!

First Footing. In many parts of Europe, old superstitions said that the first person to cross one's threshold after the start of the new year determined the household's luck for the year. This person was called the "firstfooter." In most places, dark haired men that were first footers bought good luck to the household. Johnny Depp comes to mind? Okay. Let's stay focused. Women and red haired men were considered bad luck as "First Footers." Sorry Ladies.

In Scotland, "First Footers" offered the family who resided there small gifts of food, spirits, fuel{wecould all use that!} and money as signs of prosperity for the upcoming year. In some places, greenery was offered. First Footers were treated to food and drink. The wealthier the neighborhood, the more men would fight to be the "First Footer."

If someone plain, had buck teeth and was cross-eyed showed up as "First Footer" he wasn't welcome because plain and unattractive people bought bad luck. This is so sad. Meeting grave diggers on the road was also considered bad luck for the whole year. So, who will be your "First Footer" for the New Year?

St. Nicholas Day in the Netherlands. St. Nicholas arrives weeks before Christmas and a feast is held. In Amsterdam, as a ship arrives with St. Nicholas abroad along with a crowd of people eager to greet him. A white horse waits patiently for St. Nicholas. Gift givers descend from the ship and St. Nicholas is dressed in a long red robe and a long white beard. St. Nicholas greets the mayor.

Store windows display treats and gifts appropriate for St. Nicholas. It is believed that St. Nicholas flys on a white horse instead of a sleigh and reindeer. Hay, carrots and sugar is left for St. Nicholas' horse at all the houses that St. Nicholas stops at. Switches are left at houses who have bad children as a warning. No gifts are left for bad children.

The traditional meal is chicken or duck. No turkeys are served here. Doughnuts with raisins, honey cookies and spicy butter cookies are also served. Marzipan pastries shaped like alphabet letters spell out who is to sit where at the table.
People represnting St. Nicholas frequent the parties as guests of honor.

Family members exchange presents and some make up poems and read them outloud. Dutch polticians have been known to show up at these parties. I thought the Ice Princesses and Snow Princesses delivered gifts.

Angel and I hope you have enjoyed this newsletter. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a handsome "First Footer" to visit you and grant you good luck all through the year. Thanks for reading! Love: Megan and Angel


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