Today we visit with Sarah Janssen. She is one of the people who compile the info to create The World Almanac! AVAILABLE NOW: https://amzn.to/3VimM5V
TODAY
IS A SPECIAL DAY! (A special thanks to NationalDayCalendar.com)
December 24
Christmas Eve
National Eggnog Day
December 25
A’Phabet Day or No “L” Day
Christmas
National Pumpkin Pie Day
SURVEYS,
STUDIES & SUCH: Brought to you by BetterCreditCards.com
A good case for caroling? Research shows that group singing has many beneficial biological, psychological, behavioral, and social benefits. How? Group singing can synchronize singers’ heartbeats and breathing patterns. That can partly explain some of the positive effects of group singing such as bonding and social connection. Singing together also increases the feel-good hormone oxytocin and improves mood, helping us to bond with our fellow singers as we “perform”. Group singing also has psychosocial benefits for those living with a range of health conditions – including building resilience, enhancing mood, creating a sense of belonging and purpose, improving quality of life, and promoting well being.
DID
YA KNOW!? Brought
to you by RadioTravelGroup.com
The
word “Christmas” means “Mass of Christ,” later shortened to
“Christ-Mass.” The even shorter form “Xmas” – first used in
Europe in the 1500s – is derived from the Greek alphabet, in which
X is the first letter of Christ’s name: Xristos, therefore
“X-Mass.” Today we know that Christ was not born on the 25th of
December. The date was chosen to coincide with the pagan Roman
celebrations honoring Saturnus (the harvest god) and Mithras (the
ancient god of light), a form of sun worship. These celebrations came
on or just after the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year in
the northern hemisphere, to announce that winter is not forever, that
life continues, and an invitation to stay in good spirit.
BIG
SCREEN-LITTLE SCREEN: Brought to you by ChannelSurferTV.com
Amid a fresh round of royal revelations accompanying the most recent release of Volume 2 of Netflix’s “Harry & Meghan” comes the news that Prince William sees his relationship with Harry as “over,” damaged beyond repair by Harry’s betrayal of him and his wife, according to a source cited by The Daily Beast. The source, a friend of William and Kate’s who used also to be close to Harry, said: “It doesn’t make a great deal of difference what is in the films released this week. The general feeling that it won’t be anything they haven’t said before.” But the damage to the brother’s relationship is most definitely done, the source said, because “William will never forgive Harry for selling out his and Kate’s secrets. Harry knows, more than anyone, how much their privacy means to William and Kate because he felt the same.”
They are making a royal fuss about it. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have demanded to have a royal summit with the entire Royal family and push for an apology regarding the alleged treatment at their hands, according to the Sunday Times. Following their Netflix documentary “Harry & Meghan” — which dropped numerous bombshells — the former royals said they want to “sit down with the royal family” and address their grievances. A source is quoted as saying: “Nothing like that was ever done when Harry and Meghan raised various concerns — no meeting, formal apology or taking responsibility or accountability”, and “they’d like to have a meeting.” Insiders say the former royals are attempting to reconcile with King Charles and the rest of the family ahead of his coronation in May — which Harry and Meghan are expected to attend.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have announced their next documentary series for Netflix. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s “Live to Lead”, will shine a light on the leaders and activists making a difference. In the trailer, Harry says: “This was inspired by Nelson Mandela, who once said, ‘What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived’, before Markle finishes: “It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” The doc will feature interviews with late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, climate activist Greta Thunberg, social justice attorney Bryan Stevenson, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, feminist activist Gloria Steinem, and more. Live to Lead premieres Dec. 31. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/36m28smx
SCOOP OF THE DAY: Brought to you by BetterCreditCards.com
Consumer psychologist Aaron Ahuvia, author of “The Things We Love: How Our Passions Connect Us and Make Us Who We Are”, says there are 2 secrets to giving gifts that people will love:
1.
The gifts people love most are rarely the most expensive, but often
the most on target for the recipient. Give a gift that shows you have
a genuine curiosity about that person. Say you’re buying a gift for
an avid cook. Don’t ask the cook to name a kitchen gadget — think
about what this person loves about cooking, some of their favorite
dishes, tools, and fools, frustrations in the kitchen. An
enthusiastic curiosity can go a long way in helping you find an
excellent gift.
2. A great gift either reminds the recipient of a past connection with you, fosters a future connection – or both. For example: Gift someone a game and find time to play it with them. A scrapbook – or even golf passes can have the same effect. It’ll become a loved gift if the recipient sees it as a bridge that connects the two of you.
FUN
FACT FOR YOU:
Share
this with your friends... they'll think you're really smart!
Two of Santa’s reindeer were originally named ‘Dunder’ and ‘Blixem’ not ‘Donner’ and ‘Blitzen’.
The tallest Christmas tree ever cut was a 221-foot (67.3m) Douglas fir that was displayed in 1950 at the Northgate Shopping Center in Seattle, Washington.
Tiny Tim in Charles Dickens’ classic story ‘A Christmas Carol’ was almost named “Little Fred.”
The word ‘nog’ (as in ‘eggnog’) comes from the word ‘grog’ which refers to any drink made with rum.
Norwegian scientists have hypothesized that Rudolph’s red nose is the result of a parasitic infection of his respiratory system.
‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ was created for Montgomery Ward department stores.
Christmas cards date to 1843.
German and British front-line soldiers sang carols, exchanged gifts, and played soccer during a temporary World War I Christmas truce.
In
Canada, Santa’s postal code is H0H 0H0.
THE
MINT MOBILE QUESTION OF THE DAY:
Mintervention.com
Question: 33% of adults admit they will do THIS by noon on Christmas Day. What is it?
Answer: Have a drink!!!
WEIRD NEWS: Brought to you by WeirdGiftOfTheDay.com
They are the most hated Christmas songs of all time! How many times can you hear "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" or Madonna trying -- but not even coming close-- to best Eartha Kitt with "Santa Baby" before you just scream? The Washington Post has called these two songs, along with Barbra Streisand's "Jingle Bells" and the Jackson 5's "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" the "sonic equivalent of a chorus of screeching cats." They are among the most hated Christmas songs of all time -- but they aren't the most hated. The honor of the most hated Christmas song of all time goes to "Jingle Bells," as "performed" by the Singing Dogs, a 1955 Danish record that was reedited and released in 1970.
THE LIST: Brought to you by BetterCreditCards.com
MOST RE-GIFTED CHRISTMAS GIFTS:
In a 2020 survey, 72% of people agreed that their favorite gifts are heartfelt and unique. But the survey also identified the WORST holiday gifts out there. Avoid giving these, and hopefully you’ll never have to deal with the embarrassment of having the same thing re-gifted to you NEXT year!)
1. Picture frames: 34% said they’d likely re-gift it
2. Gift sets of body care products: 33% would re-gift it
3. Scented candles: 32% would re-gift it
4. Beauty gift sets: 30% would re-gift it
5. Box of chocolates 29% would re-gift it
QUOTE OF THE DAY: Brought to you by InsuranceChicken.com
If you have a favorite quote.... you can send it to us at the bottom of the page at JohnAndHeidiShow.com
"The
worst gift is a fruitcake. There is only one fruitcake in the entire
world, and people keep sending it to each other." - Johnny
Carson
GOOD
NEWS: Brought to you by RadioTravelGroup.com
Boy
Scout Raises Money To Buy Christmas Gifts For Every Foster Child In
Two Counties
https://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news
