Everyone should have at least one good holiday decorating idea. If you do not, that’s nothing to fret about either. Hey, it’s not like you can’t get a million of them off the web these days. Just hop online and take your pick from thousands. Especially when it comes to the holiday season. Look out, because everyone and their dog has some amazing and unique holiday decorating idea. The list goes on and on, and it always will. Regardless, I’ll bet that you want to really deck out your home this year. Heck, we all do. There’s always something inside us that screams for us to top what we had last year. Or maybe it’s yelling at us to top the neighbors. I’ve got my sweet holiday decorating idea for this year. Do you have yours?

Want a great holiday decorating idea? Well, don’t go ask your neighbor for a few. They’ll snicker under their breath and think they’re way ahead of you. Don’t give them the satisfaction. Take matters into your own hands, but do it privately. This involves your personal computer and Internet access. It’s time to delve into cyberspace for a surf through netland. I do this all the time when I want answers and ideas for anything and everything.

Right now my holiday decorating idea concerns Halloween. Okay, okay, so it’s not exactly considered a holiday. But, in my household we absolutely go nuts over October 31st. I would have to say that it’s my favorite day of the year. And you’d better believe that my seven year old daughter will fully agree. She always likes to come up with an innovative and clever holiday decorating idea. Last year she made it look like a witch was peering out the window at the trick-or-treators. It actually scared the mess out of some of them. One kid dropped his candy when he heard the recorded cackle of the ugly old witch. My daughter was so proud. You should also keep simple things in mind when pondering great holiday decorating ideas. Many times the simpler things are the better ones.

Well, it’s no big secret that many holiday decorating ideas have been done time and time again. And maybe you’re thinking that a lot of them are rather tired and played out. There’s nothing wrong with this. Like I said, it’s high time to get on the web. Discover that perfect holiday decorating idea for this upcoming holiday season. Impress the neighbors and make them jealous.

Though you are probably very familiar with the more traditional Christmas customs, you may not know how other cultures celebrate the holiday season.     Many African Americans celebrate Kwanzaa from December 26th to January 1st. A harvest time ritual, it’s a holiday that originated at the time of the civil rights movement in the 1960’s and commemorates their African heritage. It generally lasts a week.  Black, red and green candles which symbolize the seven basic family values of unity, self-determination, cooperative economics, working together, purpose, faith and creativity are lit each night when family and friends have gathered together to celebrate.

Families celebrating Kwanzaa decorate their households with objects of art, colorful African cloth and apparel, and fresh fruits that represent African idealism. It is customary to include children in Kwanzaa ceremonies and to give respect and gratitude to ancestors. Some families have a Kwanzaa bush from which they hang handmade ornaments.

Older family members spend time teaching the children about their heritage.  A ceremonial table is set up, which has been set up with an ear of corn symbolizing each of the children, and a carved and decorated unity cup used for the evening toasts.  Then for the next seven nights of Kwanzaa the family gathers to light the Kinara, a candleholder made to hold seven candles. Gathered friends and family members also drink from the unity cup each night.  Gifts are presented to the children on December 31st. These gifts might include a book and a symbol such as an African artifact so that children might learn more about their heritage.

The seven day celebration ends with a feast of African American foods, and plenty of music. After eating and celebrating, friends and family then recommit themselves to the seven principles of Kwanzaa and bid everyone happy times ahead. The host will generally wish everyone great success over the coming year, and vocalizes hope that members gather together in larger numbers the following year.