Ty Wilson Law December 2017

Cover story continued ... Caroling

began in feudal societies where peasants would literally sing for their supper. These days, many groups keep the philanthropic spirit of caroling alive by asking for donations to various charitable groups. So if you hear some folks stopping by your neighborhood to offer a rendition of“Silent Night”or“The 12 Days of Christmas,”consider spreading a little cheer to them. Black Friday While certainly not as beloved and longstanding a custom as stockings or carols, there’s no denying that Black Friday is a Christmas tradition. Youmay hate having to stand outside around 4 a.m. (or, as is more common every year, camping

the Black Friday shopping phenomenon to a particular time and place: Philadelphia in the 1950s. The term was coined by police officers to describe the influx of suburban shoppers who flocked to the city, where they wreaked havoc and forced officers to work longer hours. It took only a few years for Black Friday to become an unofficial city holiday. It wasn’t until the ’80s that Black Friday became an integral part of the holiday season in all 50 states. Intrepid retailers figured out a way to turn the negative connotation into a day of sales. During this time, many people believed the holiday was named after retailers going from“red” (loss) to “black” (profit). Now, when you hear that story, you’ll be able to dispel the myth.

Stockings go back hundreds of years, but that’s nothing compared to the millennia-old tradition of caroling. The earliest roots of seasonal singalongs actually predate Christmas itself. During the winter solstice celebration, pagan cultures belted out winter classics and danced away the longest night of the year. As Christianity grew in popularity, these songs were replaced by the first Christmas-themed hymns. While songs created in honor of the nativity began to appear around the fourth and fifth centuries, Christmas carols didn’t take on their familiar shape until 800 years later, when St. Francis of Assisi began including upbeat hymns in his Christmas services. It didn’t take long for composers from countless countries to begin crafting their own specific carols. Not everyone welcomed the switch from somber to joyful songs. Carols were banned from some churches, whichmay account for why caroling became a door-to-door activity. Another theory suggests that the tradition of traveling carolers

out in the cold the night before) in order to secure once-a-year deals, but sometimes the savings are just too good to pass up. Why, youmight ask yourself, have retailers made this the norm? Well, unlike the other traditions on this list, we can trace the beginning of

January

Disneyland?

Is

the Best Month for

January isn’t known for much — broken resolutions and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, mostly. But if you’re looking to escape the cold or take your family on a post-holiday adventure, next month might be the best time to travel to the Happiest Place on Earth. The Best Crowds According to Disneyland’s own figures, the first full week of January through the middle of February is the slowest time of year at the park. Visitors report never spending more than 15 minutes waiting for a ride. The Fourth of July, however, finds visitors waiting over two hours for

Star Tours and Splash Mountain. In Winter, Disneyland closes a little earlier. But if you have young kids, this won’t affect your plans much. They often close rides for maintenance during this time, but never more than one or two at a time. With all the open options, you won’t feel robbed. Let’s Talk About the Weather Does January sound cold and rainy? Don’t worry. The average temperature is still a balmy 66 degrees, and January gets just as much rainfall as peak months like December (winter break) and March (spring break).

Check weather reports since the rainfall varies greatly depending on the temperature of the ocean that month. But bear in mind, Disneyland is the No. 2 theme park on the planet, raking in 18 million visitors a year. It wouldn’t attract such huge crowds if the weather wasn’t theme park-worthy 99 percent of the time. So, what’s the best month to visit Disneyland? It’s a trick question. The real answer is whatever month you go. Disneyland is magic! But if there’s a month that’s better than the rest, we’ll say it’s January.

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