Star ng Pasko, ABS-CBN Christmas Station ID

The Best Non-Traditional Holiday Songs

We love Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Burl Ives and Tony Bennett, but it's important to mix up the standards with some pop, hip-hop and rock 'n' roll.
Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas Is You
RUN-D.M.C. – Christmas in Hollis
Band Aid – Do They Know It’s Christmas
Adam Sandler – The Chanukah Song
John Lennon – Happy Christmas (War is Over)
Bruce Springsteen – Santa Claus is Coming To Town
Ramones – Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)
Wham – Last Christmas
The Kinks – Father Christmas
Jackson 5 – Santa Claus is Coming To Town
The Beach Boys – Little Saint Nick
The Waitresses – Christmas Wrapping
Stevie Wonder - What Christmas Means to Me
RuPaul - Santa Baby

Merry Christmas

It is that time of year when you walk outside, the air smells crisp and the skies are a little grey. Jack Frost has touched the window panes with his magic fingers and the ice scraper needs to come out of the glove box in order to scrape off the front car window. Street lights take on a new aura as their red and green lights blink on and off. You begin to drive down the side streets on your way home to see who has the best light show on their lawn, and the children have sent their wish lists off to Santa. If you haven’t guessed what time of year it is, it is Christmas time.

Christmas itself represents a Holiday season that has taken on countless meanings all over this diverse country of ours; from snow covered hills to pink lights on palm trees, nativity scenes to peppermint pigs. Ebenezer Scrooge and The Grinch, as well as Miracle on 34th Street and It’s A Wonderful Life, all hold a special place in our hearts. Some of us may travel across the country during Christmas time, while others of us may simply travel across the street.
No matter what our Christmas traditions are, there is one very strong connection that we all share. Recent events in our country’s history, [9-11, Hurricane Katrina], remind us all of this connection and continue to strengthen that bond every day. This time of year we gather together with friends and family. As we gather, some of us may celebrate the birth of Christ, some of us may light candles on a Menorah, some of us may simply unwrap gifts with glee without a second thought. Yet there is no doubt, no question, that we all gather to celebrate each other.

We gather to celebrate life, and family, and those we love. We gather to enjoy good food, good conversation and good company. We reminisce about past holidays, remember those we love who are no longer with us, and plan for the future. We share photos, we share gifts, and we share laughs. At Christmas time we look for the innocent sparkle in our children’s eyes as we help them to create their own memories, and tuck them soundly into bed with a smile on their faces as ‘visions of sugar plums dance in their heads’.

No matter our age, our race, or our nationality; No matter our heritage, our upbringing, or our traditions; At Christmas time, we live, we laugh, and we love.

Get 'Em Before They're Gone Gadgets

By Forbes.com

Jittery manufacturers can be a boon for consumers. Mark-downs are likely, so expect big-screen HDTVs on many gift lists this holiday season. But there are some smaller gadgets that the people on your list will be hoping to see all tied up with red ribbon. Here's the word from the street.

Netbooks
Yes, we still need big honking laptop computers. But more popular this season will be the lightweight — and lower-priced — "netbooks." Prices start at $350. Acer and Asus has some of the snappiest models, but almost every manufacturer has an offering now in this category. Apple is still the holdout, but give Steve Jobs another year or so: He has hinted that he's watching how the category develops.

Flat-Screen Televisions
In February, the U.S. will shut off the old analog television signals — an event that will likely nudge more consumers to go digital. (Check out our full list of value televisions here.) One big-value seller: the sets from Vizio. The Vizio VO32L, for example, isn't packed with unnecessary features or luxury options; it's just a great, 720p high-definition television with an affordable $649 price tag.

Wii Fun and Games
The Wii is still expected to be the game console in hottest demand this holiday season; last year, stores were short on supply. (We advise buying ahead of the final mad holiday dash to the cash register.) Online sites have even emerged to help you find available players, including Nintendo Shopper. "Wii Fit" will continue to be a big seller, but music games should enjoy some popularity as well. "Guitar Hero World Tour," slated to debut on Oct. 26, will cost you $189.99 with a drum kit and other peripherals; pare down to just the game for the PS2 or Wii and you're out a mere $49.99. "Rock Band 2" ($59.99) came out in September and is getting strong marks. "Wii Music" ($50) has received more tentative reviews but may prove a worthwhile addition to the Wii collection of casual-gaming treats.

Global Positioning System Devices
Forget about that stack of dog-eared maps in your glovebox. GPS devices were a big seller last holiday season, and anyone who didn't get one last year will want one this year. There's a big range of prices and capabilities. Of notable interest is the Garmin 760 ($340.50). But for the cash-strapped the more modest — in price and abilities — TomTom 3-to-5-inch Portable Navigator ($180) would do just fine.

All Things Apple
Go ahead — count how many Apple devices you already have in your home. If the ratio is less than one device per person, figure that you'll be stopping in an Apple store during this holiday season for music devices, phones and computers. If you're stuck for stocking stuffers, there are always those little iPod "socks."


Camcorders
If moving pictures are more your speed, you can have your pick of camcorders, from upscale and precious to the stocking-stuffer category. On the high end, the Canon VIXIA HF100 flash-memory high-definition camcorder has received good marks. If you're counting dollars, you can't go wrong with a FlipCam, a big seller last year. And with good reason: The Flip Video Mino delivers remarkably good footage for a camera you can literally drop into a shirt pocket. Best of all are the designs: They're cuter than an iPod ($179.99).

XM and Sirius Radio
Even if you have GPS, you're not done pimping out your car yet. The Pioneer GEX-INNO2BK Portable XM Satellite Radio with MP3 capability ($139.99) can pivot between playing MP3 songs and XM radio. It's also portable, so you don't have to worry about leaving it alone at night.



Cameras
It wouldn't be a holiday without adding a camera to your shopping lists. Digital cameras have improved dramatically in the past few years. Want something you can stuff into a pocket? The Canon Powershot SD1100 IS ($159) comes in five colors. For serious shutterflies, there's the Canon EOS 50D. Your budget won't thank you though; it has a price tag of $1,399.99.

Digital Picture Frames
Once you have all those pictures, you need a place to show them off. Digital picture frames let you run through a collection of snaps, and there are plenty of options. Take a peek at lesser-known maker ViewSonic's DPX804WH ($159), which has a topnotch display, or, at the higher end, Kodak's EasyShare series (such as the W820 at $219.95), which connects neatly with your wi-fi network.

Video Storage
Blu-ray digital-storage systems were also hot at the end of last year, though sales of standalone Blu-ray players have cooled somewhat since last January. To get the best value for your money, buy a Sony Playstation 3 ($399.99), which can play your Blu-ray discs. Of course, just about any consumer electronics maker would be happy to sell you a standalone version.

Christmas Around the World

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!


1. Arabic - I'd Miilad said oua sana saida
2. Chinese - (Mandarin) Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan
3 Croatian - Sretan Bozic
4. Danish - Glædelig Jul
5. Dutch - Vrolijk Kerstfeest
6. Filipino - Maligayang Pasko
7. Finnish - Hyvaa joulua
8. French - Joyeux Noël
9. German - Fröhliche Weihnachten
10. Greek: Kala Christouyenna!
11. Indonesian - Selamat Hari Natal
12. Irish - Nollaig Shona Dhuit
13. Italian Buon Natale!
14. Japanese - Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
15. Korean -Sung Tan Chuk Ha
16. Latin - Natale hilare et Annum Faustum!
17. Maltese: IL-Milied It-tajjeb
18. Portuguese - Feliz Natal!
19. Russian - Pozdravlyenie s Rozjdyestvom i s Novym Godom!
20. Swedish - God Jul
21. Samoan: La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou
22. Spanish - Feliz Navidad
23. Urdu - Naya Saal Mubarak Ho
24. Vietnamese - Chuc Mung Giang Sinh
25. Welsh - Nadolig Llawen

One in a Million Shot

Natures way of saying "HAVE A NICE DAY"

Christmas Wrapping Paper

To embellish gifts, you want to choose a simple print on the Christmas wrapping paper such as simple snowflakes, plaids or stars. Sometimes the wrapping paper can go overboard and you don’t want your added embellishments to clash or compete with the paper pattern. The Christmas wrapping paper may look boring at the store when you purchase it, but adding ornaments, jingle bells, candy canes and bows will make that simple Christmas wrapping paper look like something that was wrapped by a professional.

You can even personalize the actual paper by making your own Christmas wrapping paper. To make your own paper, you will need a roll of packing or mailing paper. It is that brown or white kraft paper that you see in craft stores and often in super stores around the mail supply aisles. This paper generally costs less than three dollars per roll and you get quite a bit, especially compared to your usual Christmas wrapping paper that you purchase.

All you need in addition to this paper is a supply of paint or stamping materials. You can get quite creative while making your own Christmas wrapping paper and you will most likely save money while impressing your gift recipients!

Christmas Decorating Ideas

There is nothing as beautiful, for some people, as a white Christmas. There is something serene and calming about fresh fallen snow glistening in the sunlight on Christmas morning. If you are tired of the same old tired lights and tinsel, you should look around Christmas decorating ideas.

Christmas decorating ideas are everywhere you look, and what you choose will greatly depend on your personal style.

You can find Christmas decorating ideas in home magazines. These include most women’s magazines, as well as those devoted to the home only. They often have great Christmas decorating ideas in their articles, and you may find some by looking at their advertisements.

You can also find Christmas decorating ideas on television. Channels like HGTV or TLC will have many ideas from which to choose, or you can find Christmas decorating ideas by watching your favorite shows.

You can also find Christmas decorating ideas from your local store. No matter what your budget, your store may have ideas for you. While I try to avoid Wal-Mart, you have to admire their color coordinated Christmas decorating ideas. If you want something truly unique, visit stores like Pier One for Christmas decorating ideas.

Christmas Songs

Christmas songs have come a long way and at the same time have endured. Well, think about whatever comes to mind when someone says the two simple words, Christmas songs. !)—you likely think of songs such as “I’ll be Home for Christmas.”

From the free domain songs that are still absolutely moving, like “O Holy Night” and “Little Drummer Boy,” sung by kids in itchy Christmas pageants or pious choirs once a year without fail and simple ditties about food and presents and figgy pudding and nog, Christmas songs have gone into penetrating, challenging, bonding, and spiritually elevating realms.

John Lennon, I think, started the trend of a Christmas song with a higher consciousness—with “And so this is Christmas, and what have you done?” and “And so this is Christmas (war is over), for weak and for strong (if you want it), the rich and the poor ones, the road is so long….” Imagine (or remember) how those frolicky, campy, or solemn and religious Christmas songs now had the words “war” and “fight” directly stated rather than implied? Stunning.

And then came the unusual duo or unlikely star remake trends for Christmas songs, which were, really, equally moving: Bing Crosby joined David Bowie to remake “The Little Drummer Boy.” Do Christmas classics. Elvis’s “Blue Christmas” is resuscitated.

Merry Christmas Everyone

Christmas is the most highly anticipated and marketed religious holiday in the Western world. Meaning 'Christ's Mass', Christmas is an important Christian holiday celebrating birth of Jesus Christ.

The holiday of Christmas itself is celebrated in many different ways around the world.

While celebrated in masse by any country with a significant Christian population, Christmas is also celebrated by many countries as a secular holiday, observing the tradition of gift giving without the emphasis on the more religious aspects of the event.

Exact records of when the holiday became an important part of the Christian tradition are not available, but all indications of its roots point back to the Roman Empire of the 4th century AD.

Historians today generally agree that Christmas was chosen to be celebrated on the 25th of December as a way to help unite the preexisting Pagan religions of the time with the newly adopted religion of Christianity. For centuries prior, the Romans had worshiped the god Saturn, with a holiday they referred to as Saturnalia, a seven day event beginning on the 17th of December and ending with the winter solstice, which at the time was celebrated on the 25th of December. The event was characterized by the same kinds of gift giving traditions popular with Christmas today.

Christmas Flower

The image that comes to mind when most people think about the traditional Christmas flower is a pot of red poinsettias. During the holiday season, you are likely to see this Christmas flower everywhere you go, from the fake displays in department store windows, to the real ones scattered throughout people’s homes. This plant with its brilliant red flowers is the ultimate Christmas foliage.

The problem with poinsettias is that they can be toxic if ingested by people and animals. I’ve seen children eat anything from money to dust balls on the floor, so thinking that they won’t eat a plant is a little unlikely.

Though poinsettias are traditionally red in color, there are now hybrids that come in white also. This color is not traditionally thought of as a Christmas flower, but looks nice when you have a large display of poinsettias and want to mix some different colored blooms in with the usual red. I’ve seen beautiful displays of poinsettias in the mall at Christmastime that incorporate both the red and white variety of flowering plant to create a gorgeous display of Christmas blooms.

When you think of winter flowers, not many variations come to mind. After all, flowers are more of a spring thing.