Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Happy Boxing Day



Boxing Day is a national Bank Holiday, a day to spend with family and friends and to eat up all the leftovers of Christmas Day. The origins of the day, however, are steeped in history and tradition.

Why is it Called Boxing Day?
Arguments abound on the origins of the name Boxing Day. All the answers below are valid, so maybe it is one, or even all of them.
The name is a reference to holiday gifts. A ‘Christmas Box’ in Britain is a name for a Christmas present. Boxing Day was traditionally a day off for servants and the day when they received a ‘Christmas Box’ from the master. The servants would also go home on Boxing Day to give ‘Christmas Boxes’ to their families.

The name is a reference to charity drives. A box to collect money for the poor traditionally and placed in Churches on Christmas day and opened the next day - Boxing Day.
The name refers to a nautical tradition. Great sailing ships when setting sail would have a sealed box containing money on board for good luck. Were the voyage a success, the box was given to a priest, opened at Christmas and the contents then given to the poor. 

When is Boxing Day?
Boxing Day is the 26th December and is a national holiday in the UK,  Ireland and Canada.
Activities on Boxing Day

Boxing Day is a time to spend with family or friends, usually those not seen on Christmas Day itself. In recent times, the day has become synonymous with many sports. Horse racing is particularly popular with meets all over the country. Many top football teams also play on Boxing Day.

Fox Hunting on Boxing Day
Until 2004, Boxing Day hunts were a traditional part of the day, but the ban on fox hunting has put an end to this in its usual sense. Hunters will still gather dressed resplendently in red hunting coats to the sound of the hunting horn. But, since it is now forbidden to chase the fox with dogs, they now follow artificially laid trails.

The New Boxing Day Sport - Shopping
Another ‘sport’ to emerge in recent years is shopping. Sadly, what was once a day of relaxation and family time sees the start of the sales. Sales used to start in January, post-New Year, but the desire to grab a bargain and for shops to off-load stock means many now begin on Boxing Day.

Food and Drink on Boxing Day
With guests often popping in for a snack or tipple the food and drink on Boxing Day are more relaxed than Christmas Day.

Lunch will usually be a buffet or leftovers from Christmas lunch. Baked Ham is a popular Boxing Day meat and of course, mince pies with brandy butter or a slice of Christmas cake or other dessert are almost obligatory.

TO ALL OUR EUROPEAN AND FRIENDS TO THE NORTH
WE WISH YOU A HAPPY BOXING DAY!





Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Lexington Annual Christmas Eve Caroling



Please bring family and friends to Lexington's annual Christmas Eve Caroling event!  Caroling will take place from 4:00 – 4:30 pm on December 24th at the Hastings Park Bandstand in Lexington.  Join in this town tradition that is enjoyed by several hundred residents and neighbors each year who gather to sing an assortment of traditional and favorite carols.  Song sheets will be provided to all and the Boy Scouts will be dutifully donating and serving up hot chocolate and cookies for the carolers!

Contact Jackie Piscitello with any questions at jackiepiscitello@gmail.com.  

Visit:  https://www.tourlexington.us/ for more holiday events around Lexington.



Wednesday, December 12, 2018

10 DIY Christmas Ornaments to Make with Kids



The kids are getting excited as Christmas gets closer. Keeping their excitement in check can be daunting. Why not work on some of these cute DIY Christmas ornaments to give away as gifts or create a cute kids tree full of these ornaments.

1. Sesame Street Ornaments
Help your kids bring their favorite TV characters to the Christmas tree by stuffing disc-shaped ornaments with red or blue crinkle-cut paper and gluing on tiny Cookie Monster and Elmo faces. 

What you'll need: plastic disc ornament, red shredded crinkle-cut paper blue shredded crinkle-cut paper), printable Cookie Monster and Elmo templates

2. Charlie Brown Ornament
Squirt a little paint into your ornament, shake it until the color is evenly distributed, and stick on a zig-zagging strip of contact paper to nail your favorite Peanut's iconic look.

What you'll need: plastic ball ornament, yellow paint and black contact paper

3. Santa's Belt Ornament
Kids will love stuffing this cutesy bauble with fun, fluffy feathers — just make sure you leave the hot-gluing to Mom or Dad.

What you'll need: plastic ball ornament, red feathers, black glitter elastic, and a  rhinestone buckle slider.

4. Goldfish Bowl Ornament
Real aquarium gravel makes this fish bowl ornament extra convincing. Complete the underwater illusion by threading some fishing line through a vinyl goldfish and using it to suspend him.

What you'll need: plastic ball ornament, green aquarium gravel vinyl goldfish, fishing line and a  funnel.

5. Despicable Me Minion Ornament
This one is guaranteed to be a hit with the kids. Set them up with the right materials, then let them customize their Minions to build a little yellow family.

What you'll need: plastic ball ornament, yellow paint, black contact paper, aluminum foil, and googly eyes.

VISIT: GOODHOUSEKEEPING.COM to get the rest of the list and watch the video to make all these cute holiday ornaments and more.

Monday, December 10, 2018

Sell Your Lexington Home This Holiday Season

Lexington Home Sellers
If you need or want to sell your Lexington home this holiday season, there’s no need to wait! Contact me, your Lexington real estate agent, I am happy to help. There are fewer buyers out now, sure, but there are also perks to selling during the holidays!

1.  Holiday decorations help make your home look brighter and cozier.
2.  The home-selling process happens faster, because there are less transactions being processed in December. Home inspectors, mortgage lenders, etc. are less busy.
3.  There’s less competition from other sellers. There will always be buyers who need or want to sell right now, and they are serious buyers looking for a fast purchase!

When ready to begin the home-selling process in the Lexington real estate market, contact me, your Lexington real estate agent! Let’s get started! Happy Holidays!

Theresa D'Antuono

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

2019 Lexington Winter Rec Programs


The 2019 Lexington Winter Rec Programs are now available to register! 

Click to Access the program


The Lexington Rec Program Mission
To provide affordable, quality programs meeting the needs of the community. We are committed to providing active and passive leisure opportunities that are educational, fun and life-enriching. The Department promotes participation by all Lexington residents in safe, accessible, and well-maintained facilities.

Activities for all ages!

 Phone:
781-698-4800
781-698-4810 Recorded Information & Cancellations