"Mistletoe is a plant parasitic on the apple and other fruit trees, on the thorn, the oak, the poplar, the lime, the ash, etc. It sometimes kills the branch or even the tree on which it is a parasite. Found in the United States, also in Europe, and the N. of Asia. It was deemed sacred by the Druids, and still finds a large market in the United States and England when preparation is being made for Christmas festivities ad sports. Bird lime is made from the berries."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Mistletoe

"Mistletoe is a plant parasitic on the apple and other fruit trees, on the thorn, the oak, the poplar,…

Gretchen and her Christmas gift in "The Story of Gretchen."

Gretchen

Gretchen and her Christmas gift in "The Story of Gretchen."

Scene from the story, "Squeaky and the Scare Box."

Mice

Scene from the story, "Squeaky and the Scare Box."

Scene from the story, "Squeaky and the Scare Box."

Scare Box

Scene from the story, "Squeaky and the Scare Box."

Santa Claus and his reindeer

Santa Claus

Santa Claus and his reindeer

Scene from the story, "A Christmas Carol."

Christmas Carol

Scene from the story, "A Christmas Carol."

Scene from the story, "A Christmas Carol." Jacob Marley comes to visit.

Christmas Carol

Scene from the story, "A Christmas Carol." Jacob Marley comes to visit.

Scene from the story, "A Christmas Carol."

Christmas Carol

Scene from the story, "A Christmas Carol."

Scene from the story, "A Christmas Carol."

Christmas Carol

Scene from the story, "A Christmas Carol."

Scene from the story, "A Christmas Carol."

Christmas Carol

Scene from the story, "A Christmas Carol."

Scene from the story, "A Christmas Carol."

Christmas Carol

Scene from the story, "A Christmas Carol."

Scene from the story, "A Christmas Carol."

Christmas Carol

Scene from the story, "A Christmas Carol."

Scene from the story, "A Christmas Carol."

Christmas Carol

Scene from the story, "A Christmas Carol."

Scene from the story, "A Christmas Carol."

Christmas Carol

Scene from the story, "A Christmas Carol."

Scene from the story, "A Christmas Carol."

Christmas Carol

Scene from the story, "A Christmas Carol."

Children waiting on the roof for Santa.

Santa Claus

Children waiting on the roof for Santa.

Santa Claus

Santa Claus

Santa Claus

This sculpture is a Bronze-relief by Ghiberti. It is of a man on his knees in the presence of Jesus. It can now be found on the North Door of the Bapistry in Florence, Italy.

Offering of the Wise Men

This sculpture is a Bronze-relief by Ghiberti. It is of a man on his knees in the presence of Jesus.…

Geometric pattern for translation and rotation exercises.

Geometric Block Pattern 23

Geometric pattern for translation and rotation exercises.

Leaves - simple; alternate; edge with remote, very sharp spine-like teeth, with rounded spaces between. Outline - oval. Apex and Base - pointed. Leaf - about two inches long; dark polished green above; below rather yellowish-green; thick and stiff; smooth throughout; ribs very indistinct below. Bark - light gray and smooth. Fruit - a nearly round, bright-red berry, the size of a pea. It ripens in September and continues upon the branches into the winter. Found - from Massachusetts southward near the coast to Florida, and from Southern Indiana southwest, and southward to the Gulf. General Information - The use of holly and other evergreens in religious ceremonies dates from pagan times. "Trummying of the temples with floures, boughes, and garlondes, was taken of the heathen people, whiche decked their idols and houses with suche array.: Early church councils made rules and restrictions concerning the practice - e.g., in France Christians were forbidden "to decke up their houses with lawrell, yvie, and green gouches in the Christmas season," for "Hedera est gratissima Baccho." (The ivy is most acceptable to Bacchus.)

Genus Ilex, L. (Holly)

Leaves - simple; alternate; edge with remote, very sharp spine-like teeth, with rounded spaces between.…

Four children decorating the Christmas tree. One is putting on garlands and another is holding ornaments.

Christmas

Four children decorating the Christmas tree. One is putting on garlands and another is holding ornaments.

A man is loading his horse-drawn carriage with a large pine tree.

Man with Pine Tree on Cart

A man is loading his horse-drawn carriage with a large pine tree.

A man brings home a freshly chopped pine tree and shows his wife.

People with Tree

A man brings home a freshly chopped pine tree and shows his wife.

The leaves and fruit of the American Holly.

Holly

The leaves and fruit of the American Holly.

Little Jack Horner pulling a plum out of his pie.

Little Jack Horner

Little Jack Horner pulling a plum out of his pie.

Santa Claus with many children in his sleigh flying to the North Pole.

Santa and Children

Santa Claus with many children in his sleigh flying to the North Pole.

Santa Claus with sitting with Mother Goose.

Santa Claus and Mother Goose

Santa Claus with sitting with Mother Goose.

The mistletoe, a parasitic plant more well-known as a Christmas decoration.

Mistletoe

The mistletoe, a parasitic plant more well-known as a Christmas decoration.

Yule is a winter festival historically celebrated primarily in northern Europe but now celebrated in many other countries in various forms. Yule celebrations often coincide with Christmas. Modern Yule traditions include decorating a fir or spruce tree, burning a Yule log, hanging mistletoe and holly branches, giving gifts, and general celebration and merriment.

Yule Celebration

Yule is a winter festival historically celebrated primarily in northern Europe but now celebrated in…

Narrow holly border.

Holly Border

Narrow holly border.

View of man striking the Christmas chimes at the Cathedral of St. Stephen, also called Stephansdom, stands in the heart of old Vienna.

Striking the Christmas Chimes at St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna

View of man striking the Christmas chimes at the Cathedral of St. Stephen, also called Stephansdom,…

An illustration of a family around a Christmas tree.

Family Around Christmas Tree

An illustration of a family around a Christmas tree.

An illustration of a family surrounding a Christmas tree.

Family Around Christmas Tree

An illustration of a family surrounding a Christmas tree.

The final picture in Harper's Weekly, "'Twas the Night before Christmas."

Christmas Sketch

The final picture in Harper's Weekly, "'Twas the Night before Christmas."

Baby Tabor as the Christkind.

Baby Tabor

Baby Tabor as the Christkind.

Color flag of Christmas Island. Territorial flag; divided diagonally from upper hoist to lower fly; the upper triangle is green with a yellow image of the Golden Bosun Bird superimposed, the lower triangle is blue with the Southern Cross constellation, representing Australia, superimposed; a centered yellow disk displays a green map of the island.

Flag of Christmas Island, 2009

Color flag of Christmas Island. Territorial flag; divided diagonally from upper hoist to lower fly;…

Black and white outline flag of Christmas Island. Territorial flag; divided diagonally from upper hoist to lower fly; the upper triangle is green with a yellow image of the Golden Bosun Bird superimposed, the lower triangle is blue with the Southern Cross constellation, representing Australia, superimposed; a centered yellow disk displays a green map of the island

Flag of Christmas Island, 2009

Black and white outline flag of Christmas Island. Territorial flag; divided diagonally from upper hoist…

"A. grandis (Grand Fir) - Fig. 60.- tree, 200-300ft.: trunk becoming 4ft. in diam. lvs. thin and flexable, deeply grooved, very dark green above and silvery white beneath: cones cylindrical, 2-4 in. long, rounded or retuse at the apex, the broad scales somewhat squarrose and irregularly serrate and furnished with a short point." L.H. Bailey, 1917

Grand Fir Tree Cone

"A. grandis (Grand Fir) - Fig. 60.- tree, 200-300ft.: trunk becoming 4ft. in diam. lvs. thin and flexable,…

Abies Balsamea (Balsam Fir) or Balm of Gilead Fir, lvs. dark green and lustrous above, pale below, rounded or obtusely short pointed and occasionally emarginate, acute or acuminate on fertile branches: cones oblong, cylindrical, purple, 2&1/2-4 in. long; bracts shorter or rarely slightly longer than their scales." L.H. Bailey, 1917

Balsam Fir Tree Cone

Abies Balsamea (Balsam Fir) or Balm of Gilead Fir, lvs. dark green and lustrous above, pale below, rounded…

"Picea, Silver Fir. Fig. 60. Tree, 100-200 ft: trunk 6-8 ft. in dia.: lvs. flat, distichously spreading, dark green and lustrous above, silvery white below: cones slender, cylindrical, light green to dark purple, 5-6 in. long; bracts slightly longer than their scales. Mts. of Cent. and S. Eu., often gregarious.- Wood esteemed and much used; yields Strasburg turpentine. Dwarf forms, with erect and pendulous and with much abbreviated branches, are common in gardens. Not perfectly hardy in New England." L.H. Bailey, 1917

Silver Fir Tree Cone

"Picea, Silver Fir. Fig. 60. Tree, 100-200 ft: trunk 6-8 ft. in dia.: lvs. flat, distichously spreading,…

Many decorating techniques used today do not require elaborate cookie cutters. The simplest of shapes can be quite versatile in serving various themes. For example, a star-shaped cutter can be used for Christmas, 4th of July, and messages of congratulations. A circle can be decorated as a sun, ball, flower, spider web, or smiley face. This cutter is in the shape of a four leaf clover.

Cookie Mold Cutter

Many decorating techniques used today do not require elaborate cookie cutters. The simplest of shapes…

Many decorating techniques used today do not require elaborate cookie cutters. The simplest of shapes can be quite versatile in serving various themes. For example, a star-shaped cutter can be used for Christmas, 4th of July, and messages of congratulations. A circle can be decorated as a sun, ball, flower, spider web, or smiley face. This cutter is in the shape of a star.

Star Shaped Cookie Cutter

Many decorating techniques used today do not require elaborate cookie cutters. The simplest of shapes…

A close-fitting, usually knitted covering for the foot and leg made from nylon, silk, cotton, wool, and similar yarns.

Christmas Stocking

A close-fitting, usually knitted covering for the foot and leg made from nylon, silk, cotton, wool,…

Christmas rose is the common name of helleborus niger. The flowers are pure white. The flowers are about two to three inches across. The plant grows between six and eighteen inches tall.

Christmas Rose

Christmas rose is the common name of helleborus niger. The flowers are pure white. The flowers are about…

Helleborus niger altifolius is usually known as major, sometimes as maximus. The flowers are very large, about four inches across.

Helleborus Niger Altifolius

Helleborus niger altifolius is usually known as major, sometimes as maximus. The flowers are very large,…

Erica hyemalis is a popular Christmas flower in London. The flowers are rosy pink tipped with white.

Erica Hyemalis

Erica hyemalis is a popular Christmas flower in London. The flowers are rosy pink tipped with white.

Poinsettia is also known as Christmas or Easter flower. It is native to moist, shaded areas of tropical Mexico and central America.

Poinsettia

Poinsettia is also known as Christmas or Easter flower. It is native to moist, shaded areas of tropical…

A Christmas rose (Helleborus niger). 1, stamen; 2, section.

Christmas Rose

A Christmas rose (Helleborus niger). 1, stamen; 2, section.

A boar's head is carried into a banquet hall accompanied by musicians. The boar's head festival we know today originated at Queen's College, Oxford, England. Legend has it that a scholar was studying a book of Aristotle while walking through the forest on his way to Midnight Mass. Suddenly, he was confronted by an angry wild boar. Having no other weapon, the resourceful Oxonian rammed his metal-bound philosophy book down the throat of the charging animal, whereupon the brute choked to death. That night the boar's head, finely dressed and garnished, was borne in procession to the dining room, accompanied by carolers singing "in honor of the King of bliss."

Boar's Head Festival Procession

A boar's head is carried into a banquet hall accompanied by musicians. The boar's head festival we know…

"And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh." Matthew 2:11 ASV

<p>The illustration depicts three magi or wise men offering gifts to the Christ child held on Mary's lap. The setting is a stable with two oxen in the background.

Adoration of the Wise Men

"And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped…

"And lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy." Matthew 2:9-10 ASV
<p>The illustration depicts three magi or wise men following a star in search of the Christ child.

Journey of the Magi

"And lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the…

"And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh." Matthew 2:11 ASV
<p>Illustration of three kings offering Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. One kneels, his crown on the ground next to him. Another kneels with a gift in his hand. A third stands with a jar in his hands. Jesus sits on Mary's lap and Joseph stands behind them. The Star of Bethlehem is depicted with its rays beaming down on Jesus. A man and camel stand in the left background.

Adoration of the Magi - The Wise Men Present Gifts to Jesus

"And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped…

An upper left corner decoration of holly leaves and berries. Appropriate for use for Christmas, winter holidays, or nature-related themes. May be combined with the three other holly corners to create a wide frame.

Holly Corner Motif, Upper Left

An upper left corner decoration of holly leaves and berries. Appropriate for use for Christmas, winter…

An upper right corner decoration of holly leaves and berries. Appropriate for use for Christmas, winter holidays, or nature-related themes. May be combined with the three other holly corners to create a wide frame.

Holly Corner Motif, Upper Right

An upper right corner decoration of holly leaves and berries. Appropriate for use for Christmas, winter…

An lower left corner decoration of holly leaves and berries. Appropriate for use for Christmas, winter holidays, or nature-related themes. May be combined with the three other holly corners to create a wide frame.

Holly Corner Motif, Lower Left

An lower left corner decoration of holly leaves and berries. Appropriate for use for Christmas, winter…

An lower right corner decoration of holly leaves and berries. Appropriate for use for Christmas, winter holidays, or nature-related cards or letters. May be combined with the three other holly corners to create a wide frame.

Holly Corner Motif, Lower Right

An lower right corner decoration of holly leaves and berries. Appropriate for use for Christmas, winter…

A man holds mistletoe over a woman he is kissing. Both are dressed in medieval attire.

Kiss under the Mistletoe

A man holds mistletoe over a woman he is kissing. Both are dressed in medieval attire.

A small sprig of mistletoe with leaves and berries with a bow at the top.

Mistletoe Sprig with Bow

A small sprig of mistletoe with leaves and berries with a bow at the top.

An upper left corner motif of pine branches and cones. Suitable for decorating letters and cards. Could be used at Christmas or other winter holidays, Arbor Day, or as a general nature theme. May be combined with the other three orientations of this design to create a full frame.

Pine Cone Corner, Upper Left

An upper left corner motif of pine branches and cones. Suitable for decorating letters and cards. Could…

An upper right corner motif of pine branches and cones. Suitable for decorating letters and cards. Could be used at Christmas or other winter holidays, Arbor Day, or as a general nature theme. May be combined with the other three orientations of this design to create a full frame.

Pine Cone Corner, Upper Right

An upper right corner motif of pine branches and cones. Suitable for decorating letters and cards. Could…