Christmas meaning, dinner ideas, DIY soap

This is an archived issue of our Almanac.com Companion email newsletter.

Daily Newsletter for Tuesday, December 19, 2017

hoar frost

Winter is good—his Hoar Delights
Italic flavor yield— 
To Intellects inebriate
With Summer, or the World—
–Emily Dickinson (1830–86)
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
 353rd day of the year


Jennifer Beals (actress) was born on this day in 1963.
Hope Lange (actress) died on this day in 2003.
 
ofa-santababy-2017-300-250.jpg
 
Meaning of Christmas

 Christmas Day 2019
Christmas occurs on a Wednesday this year. Discover why we celebrate Christmas Day on December 25, the symbols of Christmas, and a brief history of Christmas. Plus, let’s bring Christmas alive with recipes, crafts, poetry, and customs from around the world!
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Rustic Gears Rotating Kinetic Wind Stake
Bring the popular industrial, repurposed look to your landscape with this 26-inch Rustic Gears Rotating Kinetic Stake. The double blades spin in opposite directions, creating a mesmerizing effect. What’s more, the kinetic sculpture will turn to face into the wind! Hand-painted, with a multicolor rustic patina finish. Watch the wind stake in action—video available. 
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$119.99
 
Christmas Dinner Ideas

 Christmas Dinner Recipes
Our Christmas Dinner Recipes collection has been updated for 2019. We’ve covered all the classic mains—Christmas Glazed Ham, Prime Rib Roast and Yorkshire Pudding, and Roasted Turkey.  Plus, don’t forget about the delicious sides from Yorkshire Pudding to Roasted Sprouts. 
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Almanac Berry Basket
This super-strong 4-quart basket was designed with blueberry- and strawberry-picking in mind. It will hold four 1-quart berry containers. Comes in handy for farmers’ market shopping. Great for kitchen or craft storage, too.
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$39.95
 
A Delicious Fruitcake!

 Best Fruitcake Ever

A modern twist on the traditional holiday confection, this Fruitcake recipe uses a mixture of dried fruit instead of the standard candied and glacéed fruit.
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The Old Farmer's Almanac Trinket Box
This small, clever box was designed to resemble a footed hope chest. It’s great for storing keepsakes, jewelry, and found treasures. It is made entirely out of wood—without any nails, screws, or glue!  The box’s lid features an etched copy of an illustration from the Almanac. The image is a wood engraving depicting spring and has been part of our cover since 1851.
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$19.95
 
Homemade Cinnamon Ornaments

 How to Make Cinnamon Ornaments
These homemade cinnamon ornaments are super-easy, with only three ingredients!  They’re a lovely way to decorate the Christmas tree—and a fun craft for all ages.
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Vegetable Kingdom Kitchen Canister Set
SAVE $5 Practical has never looked so pretty. Fill our graduated canisters with flour, sugar, tea, cookies, doggie treats, or whatever you like to keep handy. Then put them on display on a countertop or open shelf. They are made of powder-coated carbon steel and have snug-fitting lids and chrome-plated handles.
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$45.99
 
DIY Soap and Shampoo

 Homemade Shampoos, Toothpaste, & Deodorant
Explore our recipes for homemade toothpaste, deodorant, shampoos, and more. Our DIY toiletry recipes are basic, relying on pantry ingredients, nothing fancy. They’re safe, natural, fun, and easy on the wallet!
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Almanac Barn Night Light
The roof features The Old Farmer’s Almanac logo in a way reminiscent of the painted barn advertisements of the early to mid–20th century for soft drinks and roadside attractions.
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$16.95