The Elve's Hobby & Toy Shop
We, the Toy and Hobby Elves at Oakridge Hobbies and Toys, pride ourselves on providing the best fun and educational products for the lowest possible price. This is not an easy feat -- even for Elves! We offer a wide selection of toys, hobbies, crafts, games and traditional child's teaching and development toys that are unsurpassed in quality for the cost. Toys with incredible value and superior craftsmanship are the childhood favorites. With over 50,000 innovative items, we sell the best quality children's educational and developmental toy products! We have award-winning children's wooden puzzles and wooden toys that are beautifully-crafted, innovative and educational! We carry toy products with your child's development in mind, fostering vocabulary development, fine and gross motor coordination, and a strong sense of accomplishment for children of all ages. We carry hobby supplies, games stuffed animals, farm toys, Playmobil, Thomas wooden trains, Lincoln Logs, construction toys, dollhouses, puzzles, pretend play toys, craft kits, paint by number sets, electric toy trains, race car tracks, remote control toys and radio control cars, trucks, helicopters, planes and toys.
Everyday is Christmas at Oakridge!
Our Elves have been making people happy since 1988!
Advertisements:
Advertisements:
CHRISTMAS TOYS FOR KIDS
Christmas day is the time for kids to rush to the Christmas tree and unwrap the presents kept nicely at its bottom. Nothing about Christmas excites them as much as the unwrapping of their Christmas gifts. You can make this moment even more special by giving them toys as Christmas gifts. However, nowadays, it is not that easy to select the perfect Christmas toys for kids. As far as toys are concerned, they are much smarter and have much more information than the adults. However, they (kids) tend to not pay attention to details like safety and safe toys. For example, we all know the fact that "B-B guns can put your eye out", but many don't realize that it also causes a mysterious disappearance of Christmas Tree ornaments, pets that run away when a certain person walks into the room, and little round blemishes in window glass where an unsuspecting fly was sitting.
- Gifts can be the perfect way to promote the dream of a kid, whether it is of becoming a doctor, an architect-builder, a scientist or even an astronaut. Give them things like pretend and imagination toys, construction toys, doctor sets and scientist kits, complete with safe chemistry equipments.
- If your kid is creative, it is good to give him/her something that will further cultivate that creativity. Gifts like musical instruments, craft kits, color sets, paint or pencil by number sets, kid's construction toy sets, building sets, robotics sets, etc are the perfect choices in such cases.
- If your child is very young and just beginning to discover, give him or her safe teaching / learning / child development and educational toys as a Christmas gift.
- You can also give complicated puzzles and quiz games to kids. Such games improve the understanding as well as developing the minds of kids and at the same time, are fun to play with.
- Gifts like robots, helicopters, racing tracks, remote control toys, etc are some of the all time favorite of the kids.
- Interactive toys like slot car race sets and remote control construction toys and RC cars, trucks, boats and planes are great toys for both young and old, including Dads. These are toys that get parents involved too. Some of these gifts can expand into a long lasting hobby like a train set evolving into a model railroad layout, or a small doll evolving into a fully decorated and furnished dollhouse, or a small model rocket evolving into weekend meets with the local Scouts or Explorers at model rocketry camp.
- Girls like to have toys as Christmas gifts as much as the boys. Though, their choice of toys is quite different from that of the boys. Girls prefer having cute, cuddly toys, like soft toys, stuffed animals, dolls, and so on, as Christmas gifts.
- Boys aren't the only ones who are interested in things like robot building sets and science kits. The engineering and science departments at the universities have plenty of young women students too.
- Teddy bears are liked by almost all the girls, whether big or small. So, why not give a big life size teddy bear to your daughter on this Christmas.
- Toys like Balls, Games, Craft Kits, Paint By Number Sets and Puzzles can be given to girls as Christmas gifts, especially if they are very much interested in making things and working with their hands.
- Kids love to pretend and mimick their parents. If mom likes to cook, you can bet that her little girl will want her own pretend kitchen, with pretend foods and all the play dishes pots and pans, so that she can prepare for her teddy bear friends. If dad drives a truck or is a farmer, or a big machine operator, you can also bet that the boy is going to want a toy truck or tractor or big Cat machine or play tool set just like dad's.
Christmas day is the time for kids to rush to the Christmas tree and unwrap the presents kept nicely at its bottom. Nothing about Christmas excites them as much as the unwrapping of their Christmas gifts. You can make this moment even more special by giving them toys as Christmas gifts. However, nowadays, it is not that easy to select the perfect Christmas toys for kids. As far as toys are concerned, they are much smarter and have much more information than the adults. However, they (kids) tend to not pay attention to details like safety and safe toys. For example, we all know the fact that "B-B guns can put your eye out", but many don't realize that it also causes a mysterious disappearance of Christmas Tree ornaments, pets that run away when a certain person walks into the room, and little round blemishes in window glass where an unsuspecting fly was sitting.
- Gifts can be the perfect way to promote the dream of a kid, whether it is of becoming a doctor, an architect-builder, a scientist or even an astronaut. Give them things like pretend and imagination toys, construction toys, doctor sets and scientist kits, complete with safe chemistry equipments.
- If your kid is creative, it is good to give him/her something that will further cultivate that creativity. Gifts like musical instruments, craft kits, color sets, paint or pencil by number sets, kid's construction toy sets, building sets, robotics sets, etc are the perfect choices in such cases.
- If your child is very young and just beginning to discover, give him or her safe teaching / learning / child development and educational toys as a Christmas gift.
- You can also give complicated puzzles and quiz games to kids. Such games improve the understanding as well as developing the minds of kids and at the same time, are fun to play with.
- Gifts like robots, helicopters, racing tracks, remote control toys, etc are some of the all time favorite of the kids.
- Interactive toys like slot car race sets and remote control construction toys and RC cars, trucks, boats and planes are great toys for both young and old, including Dads. These are toys that get parents involved too. Some of these gifts can expand into a long lasting hobby like a train set evolving into a model railroad layout, or a small doll evolving into a fully decorated and furnished dollhouse, or a small model rocket evolving into weekend meets with the local Scouts or Explorers at model rocketry camp.
- Girls like to have toys as Christmas gifts as much as the boys. Though, their choice of toys is quite different from that of the boys. Girls prefer having cute, cuddly toys, like soft toys, stuffed animals, dolls, and so on, as Christmas gifts.
- Boys aren't the only ones who are interested in things like robot building sets and science kits. The engineering and science departments at the universities have plenty of young women students too.
- Teddy bears are liked by almost all the girls, whether big or small. So, why not give a big life size teddy bear to your daughter on this Christmas.
- Toys like Balls, Games, Craft Kits, Paint By Number Sets and Puzzles can be given to girls as Christmas gifts, especially if they are very much interested in making things and working with their hands.
- Kids love to pretend and mimick their parents. If mom likes to cook, you can bet that her little girl will want her own pretend kitchen, with pretend foods and all the play dishes pots and pans, so that she can prepare for her teddy bear friends. If dad drives a truck or is a farmer, or a big machine operator, you can also bet that the boy is going to want a toy truck or tractor or big Cat machine or play tool set just like dad's.
Large Toy Solders keep watch over our toys
Lifesize plush animals are our "greeters"
Huge selection of Thomas The Tank Engine wooden railway items and accessories are always on Sale!
Replica Antique Toys, Chess Sets, Poker Card Game Supplies, Dragon Statues and collectibles
Quality Children's Educational Learning Toys and Puzzles. Plus a huge selection of Adult Jigsaw Puzzles
Science Kits, School project supplies, Impulse Toys Girls Dress Up, and Only Hearts Club Dolls & Acc.s
Huge selection of Dollhouses, Dollhouse Furniture, Dollhouse Miniatures and Building Supplies. Children's Craft Kits and Paint By Number Sets for all ages
Model Railroading, Lionel Trains, Diorama Supplies, Woodland Scenics Landscaping, Pinecar Derby, Remote Control Toys and R/C Cars, Trucks & Planes
Huge Selection of Plastic Model Cars, Trucks, Planes, Boats, Military. Plus Paints, Glues & Building Supplies
Model Railroading, Lionel Trains, Bachmann N, HO & G Scale Trains, Track, Buildings and Accessories
Not only do we carry Kites, Rockets, Gliders and Outside Toys, but Oakridge Hobbies and Toys is the Midwest's Largest Slot Car Dealer. We carry 1:32 Scale Scalextric, Carrera cars, race sets, track and accessories. Plus we also carry all HO scale slot cars, track and accessories from AFX TOMY, Lifelike and TYCO Mattel.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION and TRIVIA about CHRISTMAS, TOYS and ELVES
(well it's pretty important to us Elves anyway!)
(well it's pretty important to us Elves anyway!)
THE ELVES TOY OPERATIONS:
Our assistants or hired workers are mostly green-n-red-clad elves with pointy ears, long noses, and pointy hats. All of our elves are happy-go-lucky *good* elves. (Though, they quickly could turn nasty when not properly treated, so it is told; depended on whether a person was naughty, or nice.) They make the toys in a workshop located in the North Pole. Though there are the magic toymaking machines, in recent years, other toys - usually high-tech toys like remote control toys and radio control trucks, cars, airplanes and helicopters, and electric slot car race tracks and train sets - have also been depicted as being ready for delivery, but not necessarily made, in the workshop as well.Our main distribution center is a virtual sight to behold. At 5,000,000 square feet, and sometimes bigger, it's one of the world's largest facilities. A real-time warehouse management system is of course required to run such a complex. The facility makes extensive use of task interleaving, literally combining dozens of toy and hobby inventory management and distribution activities (putaway, replenishing, order picking, sleigh loading, cycle counting) in a dynamic queue...the Oakridge elves have been on engineered standards and incentives for many years, which has lead to a 10% gain in productivity, annually...The shipping and transportation system are fully integrated, allowing (the elves) to make optimal decisions that balance transportation and order picking and other procurement costs. Unbeknownst to many, these efforts and practices by our elves are the secret behind our regal customer satisfaction ratings.
Our assistants or hired workers are mostly green-n-red-clad elves with pointy ears, long noses, and pointy hats. All of our elves are happy-go-lucky *good* elves. (Though, they quickly could turn nasty when not properly treated, so it is told; depended on whether a person was naughty, or nice.) They make the toys in a workshop located in the North Pole. Though there are the magic toymaking machines, in recent years, other toys - usually high-tech toys like remote control toys and radio control trucks, cars, airplanes and helicopters, and electric slot car race tracks and train sets - have also been depicted as being ready for delivery, but not necessarily made, in the workshop as well.Our main distribution center is a virtual sight to behold. At 5,000,000 square feet, and sometimes bigger, it's one of the world's largest facilities. A real-time warehouse management system is of course required to run such a complex. The facility makes extensive use of task interleaving, literally combining dozens of toy and hobby inventory management and distribution activities (putaway, replenishing, order picking, sleigh loading, cycle counting) in a dynamic queue...the Oakridge elves have been on engineered standards and incentives for many years, which has lead to a 10% gain in productivity, annually...The shipping and transportation system are fully integrated, allowing (the elves) to make optimal decisions that balance transportation and order picking and other procurement costs. Unbeknownst to many, these efforts and practices by our elves are the secret behind our regal customer satisfaction ratings.
OUR SHIPPING DEPARTMENT:
Normally we try to use methods like UPS and the Mail, but when we get in a jam, and the snow is too deep, and the trucks can't get out, we've still got our trusted backup plan. "What's the backup plan?" you're wondering. Well .... the reindeer of course! Rudolph is the most famous of the reindeer. He is the leader of the other 8, whose names are Blitzen, Comet, Cupid, Dancer, Dasher, Donder, Prancer, and Vixen. We Elves discovered the special formula of Magical Reindeer Dust which makes them fly. On Christmas eve the reindeer are sprinkled with the magic dust that gives them enough magic to fly around the world. They can fly at the same speed that it takes electricity to go through the lines, when you flip on the Christmas lights.
Normally we try to use methods like UPS and the Mail, but when we get in a jam, and the snow is too deep, and the trucks can't get out, we've still got our trusted backup plan. "What's the backup plan?" you're wondering. Well .... the reindeer of course! Rudolph is the most famous of the reindeer. He is the leader of the other 8, whose names are Blitzen, Comet, Cupid, Dancer, Dasher, Donder, Prancer, and Vixen. We Elves discovered the special formula of Magical Reindeer Dust which makes them fly. On Christmas eve the reindeer are sprinkled with the magic dust that gives them enough magic to fly around the world. They can fly at the same speed that it takes electricity to go through the lines, when you flip on the Christmas lights.
The History of Rudolph, the Reindeer
A true tale about how Rudolph, the reindeer came into origin have been narrated here. Robert May was a poor copywriter in Chicago, living in a shabby two-room apartment. His wife Evelyn was suffering from cancer and was bedridden for two years and all his earnings and savings went into her treatment. It was then, when on a December night, his four year old daughter Barbara asked him, "Why isn't my mommy just like everybody else's mommy?" The heart touched Bob's heart like a glass splinter. All his life, he had been 'different', weak and delicate as a child and just a lowly copywriter for Montgomery Ward, the big Chicago mail order house, as an adult. He was thirty-three years old at the time and was already deep in debt, depressed and sad. However, he made up a story for her to placate the child and inspire her to be optimistic.
The story was that of Rudolph, the only reindeer in the world with a big shiny red nose. Everybody used to tease and make fun of this poor creature and call him 'Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer', which embarrassed him greatly. Even his mother, father and sister were mortified by his presence near them, which deepened Rudolph's embarrassment and depression. He immersed himself in self-pity and felt quite lonely. However, on one Christmas eve, when Santa got his sleigh ready for his annual trip around the world with his team of eight handsomest and huskiest reindeers including Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and Vixen and the entire reindeer community assembled there to cheer them, thich mist and fog engulfed the earth.
Santa was wondering how could he distribute his toys now and how to find chimneys. Suddenly, his eyes fell on the glowing bright red nose of Rudolph and found a solution for his problem. He requested Rudolph to lead his sleigh, which he gladly did and was harnessed instantly. Rudolph guided Santa safely to every chimney that night despite all the rain, fog, snow and sleet. This brave act made Rudolph the most famous and beloved of all the reindeers and a great hero too. The very red nose, which was a shame to him, became his most prized possession and every buck and doe in the reindeer world.
The story so pleased Barbara that Bob decided to draft it into a poem as a Christmas gift to her. The poem was called 'Night Before Christmas'. When he was still working on the verses, Evelyn died. Yet, Bob kept his courage up for the sake of his daughter. He recited it in one of his office holiday parties in 1938 and won spontaneous applause. The booklet with crude illustrations that he had prepared for his daughter became so popular that by 1947, 6 million copies had already been circulating around and Rudolph was in great demand for sponsoring products. Bob May naturally became a very rich man.
Since then, Rudolph has occupied a permanent niche in the Christmas legend with songs and stories. Like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" the long-running Christmas television special produced in stop motion animation by Rankin/Bass, and based on the song by Johnny Marks. Will we ever forget Hermey the Misfit Elf, Hermey's grumpy elf supervisor, the tall singing elves, Sam the Snowman, Clarice the doe, Yukon Cornelius, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys.
(We try *not* to think about "The Bumble" (a.k.a. the Abominable Snow Monster of the North))
A true tale about how Rudolph, the reindeer came into origin have been narrated here. Robert May was a poor copywriter in Chicago, living in a shabby two-room apartment. His wife Evelyn was suffering from cancer and was bedridden for two years and all his earnings and savings went into her treatment. It was then, when on a December night, his four year old daughter Barbara asked him, "Why isn't my mommy just like everybody else's mommy?" The heart touched Bob's heart like a glass splinter. All his life, he had been 'different', weak and delicate as a child and just a lowly copywriter for Montgomery Ward, the big Chicago mail order house, as an adult. He was thirty-three years old at the time and was already deep in debt, depressed and sad. However, he made up a story for her to placate the child and inspire her to be optimistic.
The story was that of Rudolph, the only reindeer in the world with a big shiny red nose. Everybody used to tease and make fun of this poor creature and call him 'Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer', which embarrassed him greatly. Even his mother, father and sister were mortified by his presence near them, which deepened Rudolph's embarrassment and depression. He immersed himself in self-pity and felt quite lonely. However, on one Christmas eve, when Santa got his sleigh ready for his annual trip around the world with his team of eight handsomest and huskiest reindeers including Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and Vixen and the entire reindeer community assembled there to cheer them, thich mist and fog engulfed the earth.
Santa was wondering how could he distribute his toys now and how to find chimneys. Suddenly, his eyes fell on the glowing bright red nose of Rudolph and found a solution for his problem. He requested Rudolph to lead his sleigh, which he gladly did and was harnessed instantly. Rudolph guided Santa safely to every chimney that night despite all the rain, fog, snow and sleet. This brave act made Rudolph the most famous and beloved of all the reindeers and a great hero too. The very red nose, which was a shame to him, became his most prized possession and every buck and doe in the reindeer world.
The story so pleased Barbara that Bob decided to draft it into a poem as a Christmas gift to her. The poem was called 'Night Before Christmas'. When he was still working on the verses, Evelyn died. Yet, Bob kept his courage up for the sake of his daughter. He recited it in one of his office holiday parties in 1938 and won spontaneous applause. The booklet with crude illustrations that he had prepared for his daughter became so popular that by 1947, 6 million copies had already been circulating around and Rudolph was in great demand for sponsoring products. Bob May naturally became a very rich man.
Since then, Rudolph has occupied a permanent niche in the Christmas legend with songs and stories. Like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" the long-running Christmas television special produced in stop motion animation by Rankin/Bass, and based on the song by Johnny Marks. Will we ever forget Hermey the Misfit Elf, Hermey's grumpy elf supervisor, the tall singing elves, Sam the Snowman, Clarice the doe, Yukon Cornelius, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys.
(We try *not* to think about "The Bumble" (a.k.a. the Abominable Snow Monster of the North))
Most of us have heard the famous Christmas carol on the twelve days of Christmas. Though, the social significance of this tradition is now lost, it has been celebrated since the medieval times. Originally, it started on the Christmas Eve and continued till the eve of Epiphany on 5th of January. The Yule log was kept alight for these 12 days and if it went out before time, it was considered an ill omen. Some say that it was 18th century tradition of the Twelfth Night, which was celebrated as a festive occasion with revelry and people used to disguise themselves with masks and costumes, and to put on charades. Today, the tradition of the Twelfth Night has slowly faded into history and all that is left is the misconception that it is the "final" day to remove all Christmas decorations and the Christmas Tree from home. (We strongly suspect that the Easter Bunny had something to do with this.)
The religious significance of the twelve days of Christmas lies in the story of the Three Wise Men who arrived from the East with their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to attend the infant Jesus. It is said that it took them twelve days to reach Him.
In the carol, two turtledoves represent the new and old testaments of the Holy Bible while three French hens represent the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity. Four calling birds are the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Five golden rings represent the Pentateuch, the first 5 books of the old testament of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Six geese-a-laying represent the Biblical story of the six days of creation. Seven swans-a-swimming symbolize the seven sacraments, the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Eight maids-a-milking represent the eight beatitudes. Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit while the Ten Lords-a-leaping are the Ten Commandments. Eleven pipers are the eleven faithful apostles of Jesus Christ and finally, the Twelve drummers are the twelve points of principle of the Apostle's Creed.
Candy canes are favorites of Christmas decorations amongst kids. These red and white J-shaped candies are tasty too. It is said that their origin lies in an event in Cologne Cathedra about two hundred thirty years ago. It was said that one evening, the children were being very loud and noisy at the Church and were not paying attention to the choirmaster. In his efforts to keep them quiet and still for the celebration of the Nativity ceremony, he gave them a long, white, sugar candy stick. Since, giving out chocolates and candies at church was otherwise considered sacrilegious, he bent these sticks on one end to make them look like shepherds' canes, to signify the shepards with herding canes, who went to worship the Christ on the day he was born. Thus, he was able to attached a religious significance to them, and stay within the good-graces of the Church.
In 1847, a German-Swedish immigrant in Wooster, Ohio liked candy canes so much that he put them on his Christmas tree as decorations. The idea soon caught up and became quite a fashion. By 1900, candy canes started coming in red stripes and peppermint flavoring and it was said that the white color was symbolic Christ's purity while the red symbolized the wounds he suffered. The peppermint flavoring was said to represent the hyssop herb described in Bible for purification. Some others interpret that the 'J' shaped candy cane is not a cane but the letter 'J' that stands for Jesus. However, there are no evidences supporting these views. Around 1920, Bob McCormack from Georgia started mass-producing candy canes that came to be known as Bob's Candies. Since then, the firm has remained the most popular candy-cane manufacturing company in the world.
Come Christmas time, kids almost start jumping with excitement, some would call it "flapping", as they begin thinking about the Christmas tree, Christmas cake, Christmas cookies, Christmas decorations and the quintessential Christmas stockings.
Christmas stockings are empty socks or sock-shaped bags hung by the fireplace on the eve of Christmas. It is mainly the Children who hang the stockings in the hope that Santa Claus will come by the chimney and fill them with toys, candies, coins, etc. The traditional place for hanging the stockings for Christmas is the fireplace. However, in homes without a fireplace, the stockings can be hung anywhere near the Christmas tree. Infact, in addition to the anticipation of the tree and what Santa will bring, a child waits desperately for that special personal "Santa" item in the Christmas stockings.
But also .. as per the legend, a child who behaves badly during the year receives only a piece of coal in is Christmas stocking.
One of the most awaited Christmas decor items, especially by kids, is undoubtedly the magical looking Christmas tree. It is said that the Christmas tree was included in the Christmas celebrations ever since humans observed these evergreen trees glistening in the moonlit sky on a clear night sparkling against the backdrop of white snow.
Historically, one of the most important Christmas symbols for centuries, Christmas trees were used in many pagan festivals to honor their gods and spirits. Vikings in North Europe considered these evergreen trees a reminder of the Spring that is about to approach and that the Winter will end soon. In ancient England and France, Druids used to honor the God of Harvests by decorating Oak trees with fruit and candles, just as Romans adorned trees with trinkets and candles on Saturnalia.
It is said that the German Christians were the first to bring the trees into their homes to decorate. In areas where there was a scarcity of trees, they would use a Christmas pyramid made of wood . Soon, all of Europe caught up with the trend and the English Royalty popularized it among the elite. Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, decorated the first Christmas tree. They had then used candles, candies, fruits, and gingerbread. The Christmas celebration with the Christmas tree came to America with the German immigrants and was accepted by the general public only in the late 1800s. Unfortunately, for a time back then, the public display of a Christmas tree was considered a symbol of pagans. Back then, apples, nuts, cookies, candies, colored popcorn and candles were the popular Christmas tree ornaments.
Christmas is almost synonymous with the Christmas Tree, Toys and Gifts. Almost all of us can hardly wait for that magical time, to start decorating the tree, family get-togethers, Christmas music, celebrations with friends and buying and exchanging gifts.
However, very few people know the numerous fun facts about the Christmas tree:
- Christmas trees remove dust and pollen from the air and take approximately seven years to mature.
- Scotch pine, Douglas fir, Noble fir, Fraser fir, Virginia pine, Balsam fir and White pine are the most popular Christmas trees.
- The decorating of the Christmas tree is traced back to Riga (Latvia), in the year 1510.
- The tradition of using small candles to light a Christmas tree dates back to the mid-17th century.
- In 1963, the National Christmas Tree was not lighted until December 22nd, because the national 30-day period of mourning of the assassination of President Kennedy.
- In the year 1979, only the top of the National Christmas Tree was lighted in the US, in the honor of the American hostages in Iran.
- National Christmas Tree Association gives a Christmas tree to the President and first family of US every year.
- The first Christmas tree was placed in the White House in 1856, by the 14th President of the United States, Franklin Pierce.
- National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the White House was started by President Coolidge in 1923.
- Teddy Roosevelt had banned the Christmas tree from the White House because of environmental reasons.
- In the year 1900, Large stores started putting up illuminated Christmas trees.
- In the year 1851, Mark Carr of New York started the first Christmas tree retail lot in the United States.
- During the years from 1887 to 1933, a fishing schooner called the "Christmas Ship" was used to bring spruce trees from Michigan to sell to Chicagoans.
- The tradition of an official Chicago Christmas tree dates back to 1913, when the first official tree was lit by Mayor Carter H. Harrison in Grant Park.
- There are more than 21,000 growers of Christmas trees and there are more than 12,000 cut-your-own-tree farms in the US.
Most of the Christmas carols are related to the Nativity story and Jesus Christ as our Savior. St. Francis of Assisi is credited with introducing Christmas carols to the church services for the first time in the 12th century. The word 'carol' is a derivation of the French word 'caroler' meaning 'dancing around in a circle'. Oliver Cromwell who was a Protestant banned the joyous-themed Christmas carols in England and thus many old Christmas carols were lost for all time. In Victorian era, they were revived again to take over the somber lyrics of the Christian hymns. By the 19th century, Christmas carols became quite popular again in the United States and England. The recent Christmas symbols such as Santa Claus and reindeer found their place in later Christmas carols too. Today, you know when a rock, pop or country music star has "arrived", when they've produced a Christmas song, album or cd.
Just having fun!
We hope you enjoyed your visit with the elves!