Il Blog di Holyart.com
Contents1 Life of Saint Margaret of Cortona2 Santa Margherita da Cortona: protector of women who have to give birth3 The miracles of Santa Margherita da Cortona4 Feast of Santa Margherita da Cortona5 Sanctuary of Santa Margherita da Cortona We discover the figure of Saint Margaret…
Contents1 What is a Shrine2 The Shrine of Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo3 23 September What drives thousands of people to visit the Shrine of Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo every year? Let’s get to know one of the most famous pilgrimage sites…
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We already dedicated a long article to Valentine’s Day, not just as the lovers feast, a much commercial event with some charming suggestions, but also as a praise to the Roman bishop and martyr, patron of such a special day. Saint Valentine from Terni was bishop in his hometown in the II century, and dedicated his whole life to protect and help persecuted Christians. He was persecuted as well, and made a martyr under Emperor Aurelian.
Many legends about the life of this Saint describe more or less unhappy loves, in which he had a fundamental role as the protector of lovers. Let’s just think about the pagan legionnaire Sabino and the young Christian Serapy, which the Saint united in marriage even though the two believed in different religions, or the two lovers fighting in the Saint’s garden, the first two people he blessed on February 14th, a date that become fixed for lovers pilgrimages of future spouses since then. Or more, the dowry Saint Valentine gave a girl he could not marry because she was too poor.
According to another legend, the Saint was involved in a love story himself. He was arrested at the behest of the Emperor with the accusation of uniting in marriage young Christians, and fell in love with the daughter of his own jailer. He wrote her a long love letter before he died, signing it “From your Valentine”. It is not by chance then that on Valentine’s Day cards young lovers define themselves as each other’s Valentine.
The feast of lovers dedicated to Saint Valentine was celebrated already in the XV century, in the Courtly Love age. Documents and literature prove this tradition, which, throughout centuries, gained more and more frivolous aspects, but which is also a nice occasion to celebrate love.
Then why not giving your ‘Valentine’ something different from the usual chocolate hearts, perfumes, accessories, fashion items or funny gadgets? Holyart offers you an elegant but impressive alternative: bracelets with religious symbols. They’re not just jewels, but not just devotional objects as well. They are both and much more, and will convey the deep love you feel for your beloved one and the spiritual harmony you share.
Let’s see in detail which religious bracelets you can find in our online store.
A golden or silver jewel is always appreciated, especially on an occasion such as Valentine’s Day. Holyart offers a wide variety of precious and refined bracelets, but affordable for all budgets. For example, the charming Bracelet in silver 800, classic style and enriched by 12 mother-of-pearl grains. As pendant, it has a small trilobed and finely worked cross.
It is a silver jewel with a sober and young look, and also unique because it is entirely handcrafted by highly skilled workers. A handicraft object then, where the value of the noble metal is tied to the value of the crafting.
A gift that a young mum-to-be will appreciate is the AMEN bracelet with pink foot charm mother of pearl 925 silver, with pink foot charm in mother of pearl.
Among religious bracelets for men, this one stands out: AMEN Saint Benedict leather bracelet with bronze charms. Elegant, but also very manly, for a Valentine that doesn’t want to give up elegance but can also show all of his strength to the woman he loves. Embellished with bronze charms, the bracelet has a circumference of approximately 20,50 cm and a magnetic closure.
Valentine’s Day can also be a chance to give a rosary bracelet, especially when bracelets are so nice! The bracelet with transparent Swarovski crystals is an elegant rosary decade bracelet with Swarovski crystal grains, delicate and very refined; the rosary bracelet in silver 800 with grains of 6 mm diameter is decorated with real white crystals and the medal of the Miraculous Madonna. Those are bracelets you can wear every day to express your faith, but also to give yourself a further touch of elegance and light.
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The prayer bracelet is suitable for any occasion as an important gift and surely of great impact. It can be a winner for both men and women on Valentine’s Day. In fact, in Holyart store you can find prayer bracelets for any style and taste. In particular, you can find Amen Bracelets, entirely made in Italy, in hypoallergenic Steel 316L and vegetal tanning leather, nickel-free, cadmium-free and lead-free. Possible electrolytic rhodium/golden plates are nickel-free.
A more delicate and young option is the AMEN bracelet with angel pendant, the prayer Angel of God engraved on in Italian, white leather and magnetic closure; a modern one is the double row AMEN bracelet in shiny mother-of-pearl thermoplastic. The Our Father prayer is engraved in it. This bracelet is available in different sizes and has a simple silver magnetic closure. Suitable for both men and women, and highly fashionable, is the AMEN bracelet with smooth cross pendant, Our Father prayer in Italian, brown leather and magnetic closure.
If none of the above really catches your attention, then take a look at our section ‘Various bracelets’. You can find everything here, from leather to hard stones, from crystals to colorful cord knots. A very refined gift could be the amethyst bracelet with 6 mm grains. It is a rosary bracelet, but with an unusual structure in cord and hypoallergenic steel button. In the center, a Miraculous medal in satinized and rhodiated silver 925 stands out. The Elastic bracelet with Murano glass heart is very original and colorful. The bracelet is made of metal beads and heart-shaped grains in Murano glass. The bracelet is made in Italy and is a high quality object.
AMEN bracelet in thermoplastic, 925 sterling silver and mother of pearl with Our Father incision.
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Contents1 Why is it celebrated and when2 History3 The purification of Mary La Candlemas, the story of a party with great suggestions that has its roots in pre-Christian rites linked to the triumph of light. Let’s find out what it symbolises for the faithful and…
Why aren’t the sacred plaster statues that we find in the church considered as objects of idolatry, but as an integral part of every Christian’s profession of faith? We are used to seeing numerous sacred plaster statues in our churches depicting Jesus, the Madonna, saints…
Men have always attributed a symbolic and religious value to certain trees. Just think of all the religions that have placed them at the centre of their pantheon. Understanding the reasons for this deep connection between man and trees is not easy. Perhaps it arises from the fact that, since the most remote times, men sought shelter and protection in trees, ending up with the role of protective giants, sages, friends. Surely the shape of the tree itself, its vertical development contributed to the deepening of this spiritual bond. The tree unites heaven to earth, the world of gods to that of men, and in doing so it becomes divinity itself, and as such the bearer of the answers to all the questions, to all the contradictions that have always dominated the life of men: Good and Evil, Life and Death, Knowledge, Transmutation, Human and Divine.
The Garden of Eden in Genesis
The Garden of Eden represents the first, immense gift that God gave to man and woman. Lost following the original Sin, it remains…
Many archaic religions speak of a cosmic axis around which the entire universe would have formed, and which unites sky, earth and the underworld crossing them. An axis that often has the shape of a tree.
However we want to interpret it, the mythology linked to trees, in general, and to the tree of life in particular, is fascinating and has its roots – it must be said … – in the very origins of human history.
In a previous article, we focused on the meaning of the tree of life in the Christian context. We have examined how it is mentioned in the sacred texts, and how its symbolism recurs in Jewish culture and subsequently in Christian culture. According to the Bible, it stood in the middle of the garden of Eden, next to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
The meaning of the Tree of Life
All religions, since the origins of mankind, are somehow tied to trees…
It was thanks to its fruits that Adam and Eve were immortal, immune to the passage of time, old age and disease. With original sin, Adam and Eve lose the right to feed on the fruits of this miraculous tree. Also in this part of the story resides a profound symbolism: by eating the fruits of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the first man and the first woman lost the right to enjoy the benefits of the tree of life. Their sin was dictated by pride and arrogance. The knowledge of good and evil made them lose their innocence, made them aware of all those feelings and desires that they did not feel before, for the simple fact that in the Earthly Paradise they had everything they needed to be happy, complete. Man was not ready to face those feelings, those emotions, those needs: hatred, lies, shame, envy, blackmail, war.
The story of Adam and Eve
Who does not know the story of Adam and Eve, the first man and the first woman? But are we really sure that we know it properly…
However, despite the expulsion from the earthly Paradise, the tree of life remains in the sacred texts as a promise of salvation and hope of reconciliation with God, which continues to promise its fruits as a reward to those who will know how to follow the right path. The advent of Christ, the new Adam, the Son who, instead of defying the will of the Father out of pride, submits to it to its extreme consequences, represents a fundamental turning point for the spiritual history of man. And here is that the Cross on which Jesus dies for the salvation of all becomes the new tree of life, a symbol of salvation promised to all those who will know how to follow Christ’s example.
The symbolism of the tree remains a constant for believers and is still widespread today. The New Age philosophy has relaunched it, recovering above all folkloric and mythological aspects, but the essence of the Christian tradition continues to make it a very expensive and used symbol. For example, the tree of life favour is very popular and used especially for first communion and baptism, while wearing a jewel that depicts this particular symbol, such as a tree of life necklace or a tree of life bracelet is a way to manifest one’s faith in this mystical tree and all that it represents. Giving a jewel that represents him as a gift is a heartfelt wish for a prosperous and happy life, with solid roots, lush like foliage, intense and full of good fruits. For women, it also becomes a symbol of fertility. Given to a newborn baby, it is a way to celebrate a new life that is beginning.
But is there really a tree of life somewhere in the world? In the middle of the Bahrain desert, not far from Djebel Dukhan (the Mountain of Smoke) and 40 km from Manama, stands an ancient tree. It seems to have been here for more than four hundred years, flourishing in a barren, desert land devoid of vegetation.
And yet it lives and thrives, and has exceeded ten metres in height, so much so that it deserves the reputation of a legendary tree and has made the oasis in which it stands one of the most mystical places in the world. The inhabitants of the region have given it the name Shajarat-al-Hayat, “tree of life”, and believe that the tree was planted here in 1583 to indicate the place where the Earthly Paradise originally extended. A bold statement, considering that nowadays the area is completely desert! But some surveys would have shown that, in ancient times, this region was rich in water, and an immense luxuriant oasis and was populated by a multitude of animals of all kinds extended.
The tree in question is a Prosopis cineraria, a shrub able to survive in extremely hostile conditions, thanks to its roots being capable of going down to 50 metres deep. This allows it to draw its nourishment even from arid and barren soil. Its resin produces rubber, candles and perfumes. It is visited by more than 50,000 tourists every year, so much so that it was necessary to protect it with an iron fence to prevent it from being damaged by some vandal. Numerous visitors had got into the bad habit of tearing leaves and twigs to take them away as lucky charms or souvenirs, or they enjoyed leaving their message engraved in its centuries-old trunk. For now, Shajarat-al-Hayat appears to be in excellent health, with large tangled branches, iridescent leaves ranging from green to brown in beautiful and vivid shades, a majestic trunk. It has been like this for over four hundred years, and we hope it will continue to be healthy for a long time to come.
Contents1 The Holy Trinity in the Creed2 What are the three Persons who make up the Holy Trinity?3 The Holy Trinity in the Holy Scriptures4 The Trinity of Rublev: history and meaning of the icon The concept of Trinity summarises the fundamental doctrine of the…
Contents1 But where does this strange hat come from?2 What is the shape of the Mitre?3 When is the mitre worn?4 Episcopal ordination What does the Mitre represent, the strange headdress worn by the bishops at different moments in the Liturgy? We discover the origin…
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Making a DIY nativity scene is an interesting challenge that everyone should face sooner or later. Above all, the Nativity scene embodies more than any other Christmas symbol the deepest meaning of this wonderful celebration and helps to create in the house that hosts it an intimate atmosphere surrounded by the sense of expectation for the Nativity that is about to be renewed, like every year, in all its sweet mystery. This is why it becomes important to understand how to build a Nativity scene that knows how to express this mystery and bring it into our home, for us and for our family, who on holidays can feel a little closer to another family than in that one magical night he warmed himself in the hut of Bethlehem on the warm breath of an ox and a donkey.
And if we manage to involve the other members of the family in the setting up of the nativity scene, we will only increase that sense of communion, sharing and harmony, transforming the construction of the crib itself into a moment of play and pleasure.
We have already tried to help you in the realisation of your DIY nativity scene with short guides and tutorials to enrich it with movement effects, lights, sounds, running water, and this year too we want to help you as much as possible.
Here are the tips from our experts on how to build a truly sensational nativity scene.
How to build a DIY nativity scene: a mini guide
We talk about Christmas again. Lights, decorated trees, all the symbols we love so much, which comfort our hearts with the hope…
What style do we want to give to our Nativity scene? This is not a trivial question. There are many types of Nativity Scenes in the world, some very far from those we are used to seeing in our homes and our cities. But also by browsing our catalogue we can realize that there are really many different styles of Nativity, from the classic Neapolitan Nativity to the wooden Nativity scenes from Valgardena, or the stylised ones made with Jerusalem olive trees, or even those made in Pyrenean stone by the nuns of the Monastery of Bethleem, France.
In general, we can distinguish the Nativity Scenes in Historical Nativity Scenes, which try to emulate the real setting of the birth of Jesus, placing it in an Arab-Palestinian scenario, and Popular Nativity Scenes, which transport the Nativity in a well-known, folkloristic setting, linked to history and the traditions of the country of origin of those who make the nativity scene, such as the Neapolitan nativity scene, just to mention one of the most famous in our country.
The style we decide to adopt will be decisive for creating the background of our Nativity scene, its architecture, and obviously for the choice of the nativity figures, which must reflect the chosen setting.
Once we have established what style we want to use for our Nativity scene, the next step will be deciding where to set it up. The variables to consider are many, and not trivial. It must be a place of passage in the house in a place where visiting family and friends can easily admire it, but, at the same time, we must take care that it does not prevent the carrying out of normal daily activities, that it is not in an uncomfortable position for anyone, in conclusion.
Another important factor is the lighting. Even if we can enrich our DIY nativity scene with lights and lighting effects, it is better to choose a well-lit spot, even with natural light, or at least one that receives sufficient artificial lighting. And if we already have in mind to add lamps and coloured effects, there must be at least one easily usable electrical outlet.
An original idea that some people exploit is to build the Nativity scene inside a container: a box, a trunk, an old piece of furniture, or even a television. This allows us to take advantage of a small and limited space, to be filled creatively, creating different levels and scenarios according to our creativity.
More generally, however, those who choose to create a Nativity scene choose to use a table, the top of a piece of furniture, or in any case, a flat surface, which can then be elaborated with boxes and other supports adequately covered and ‘masked’ to create mountains and differences in height that will make the composition of the landscape more lively and varied.
We will have to establish in advance how much our Nativity scene will measure, so as not to find ourselves at a certain point, after we got carried away, to have exhausted the available space! It will also be important to take into account the height of the statues we will use: at least those in the foreground must be clearly visible at eye level, so we will have to choose the height of the base also considering that of the statues themselves. The higher they are, the lower the base can be. But beware of the puppies of the house: dogs, cats and… children, they could find irresistible a Nativity built too low!
Once we have found the ideal base we will have to start creating the landscape that will host our Nativity scene. With boxes, pieces of polystyrene, books stacked and then covered with rock paper for Nativity or other pre-printed papers we can raise mountains, hills, dunes, depending on the setting we have chosen. As already mentioned, a landscape arranged on various heights will allow us to play on different perspective levels, making everything much more interesting.
If we have greater skills and dexterity, we could also choose to use papier-mâché, foam rubber, cork, wood, polystyrene adequately worked, modelled and painted according to our needs. Again, we could use chalk to create rock formations, to be made more realistic by adding real stones, earth and sand.
Once we have created our setting we will be able to take care of the buildings, first of all the nativity hut, and then any other houses, taverns, mills, everything that our imagination suggests.
In addition to the landscape, we will also have to set up a real backdrop of our Nativity scene. There are those who choose a painted landscape, some cork panels, or paper for backdrops that perhaps depicts the starry sky, or a landscape of dunes, or even LED screens.
When we design our Nativity scene, we can decide to create it on several levels, or rather on several perspective levels. Usually, it does not go beyond two or three floors maximum, a first floor that immediately catches the eye of those who dwell on the Nativity scene, where the most beautiful and ‘important’ statues are placed, the most detailed and accurate scenarios, and planes reaching up more bare, reduced and less rich in details, but still made with cunning, to give the impression that the whole world we have created is truly rich and surprising, in every aspect!
We will have to be very careful, when we work on different levels, not to ‘impale’ what is behind with what is in the foreground, a bit like what happens in the theatre, where the actors who play on the stage have to be careful not to cover up who stands at the back of the scene.
Although the figurines for the Nativity scene are the last thing to add, we must have in mind from the beginning which ones we intend to use, because a whole series of evaluations and decisions to be made during the production phase will depend on them. The most trivial evaluation concerns the dimensions and proportions of the scenario that we are going to build, which must be adequate to those of our figurines. This consideration becomes even more complicated if we have decided to structure our Nativity scene on different levels because in this case, we will have to have figurines of different sizes for the various levels, to create a game of effective perspective.
Another essential variable in the choice of figurines for the nativity scene is linked to the style of the nativity scene that we have decided to adopt. There must be coherence between the chosen setting, historical or popular, and the clothing and features of the characters that we will have on it. Naturally, ‘poetic licenses’ are granted: there are those who choose to take care of the scenography accurately and realistically and then perhaps opt for stylised figurines for the Nativity scene, creating a contrast that is not necessarily disturbing. We also described at the beginning of the article the fantasy and originality of certain nativity figurines made by the Neapolitan masters of San Gregorio Armeno. Among footballers and famous actors, you never know who you can find next to the Nativity hut, especially if there are children in the house!
In our store you will find all kinds of lights for nativity scenes, from lamps to accessories for the do-it-yourself nativity scene: street lamps, lamps, fire effect bulbs and small lanterns. Not only that, but there is no shortage of plugs, transformers, extensions, incandescent lights, LEDs and even lights for Nativity scenes with neon, lamp holders, and all the electrical material that can be used to build a Nativity scene with splendid lighting effects in absolute safety.
The choice of decorating the Nativity scene with moss reminds us of an ancient but always current tradition. Who does not keep among the childhood memories a Nativity scene decorated with tufts of moss artfully arranged, to make the scenography more realistic and suggestive? In addition to moss, sand, gravel pebbles, fragments of wood were used, and for the children, it was wonderful to see those natural materials transform into decorative elements for the Nativity scene.
If things have not changed with regard to stones, wood and gravel, the situation for moss is a bit different. In some areas of Italy today it is forbidden to collect it, as it is considered a protected species. Of course, everyone is free to inquire about the regulations in force in their territory, which involve not only moss but also other plants, but the easiest, most comfortable and safe solution is to buy moss for Nativity scenes from authorised sellers. In our store, you will find a wide choice, already treated properly, dried and ready to decorate the hut and any other part of your Nativity scene in absolute safety.
A funny nativity scene? Of course yes, thanks to the skill of the great masters of the Neapolitan nativity scene! Here are 5 characters for an animated nativity scene that will make you smile It is not easy to choose the characters for your animated…
Contents1 Winepress with a nativity scene2 Cask with a complete nativity scene3 Guitar nativity scene4 Mocha nativity scene5 Nativity Tree The nativity scene in the mocha or the one built on the branches of a fir tree? This year choose something original for your Christmas,…
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The holiday season predisposes each of us to reflect on many aspects of life that we tend not to dwell on too much during the rest of the year. Perhaps it depends on the dilation of time, which characterises these days different from all other days. Perhaps it is the closeness with friends and relatives, even with people we don’t usually frequent, for lack of time, for distance.
Modern life is strange, often even cruel. Even Christmas, in our cities, seems to lose its connotation as a religious holiday, reducing itself to an occasion of consumerism and waste. The sparkling lights in the shops, the lights that light up the streets, should remind us of the birth of Jesus, the immense gift that God gave us by sending His Son to live among us, to die for us. Instead often, too often, those lights are just an invitation to buy, to give even expensive gifts that too often are not gifts, because they do not come from the heart. The same feeling of warmth, of ‘feeling better’, too frequently remains a superficial manifestation, which does not manifest itself in any way. We eat, drink, exchange gifts, and then we all return to our lives, in which there is no room for those around us, let alone for those who are just farther away from us.
The story of Mother Teresa of Calcutta
We will always remember Mother Teresa of Calcutta for her untiring will to help the last ones, the deprived and poor. Today she is a Saint…
Yet Christmas makes us think, and fortunately. Because for those who truly believe it is the moment in which more than at any other time of the year we can and must welcome the love of God. But that’s not all. At the very moment in which this unique and special love enters our lives and our homes, we become its instrument, small but precious voices, in a choir that sings of justice, peace, truth, for all the men of the world.
Above all, the renewal of the miracle of the birth of Jesus, of that pure and innocent Child in the presence of whom shepherds and Magi bow in the same way, should awaken the best part of us, which Christian theology has wanted to define with theological virtues, that is, those virtues that should be at the basis of Christian living and of the relationship of every man with God.
In the first letter to the Corinthians, we read: “These then are the three things that remain: faith, hope and charity; but the greatest of all is charity!“(1 Corinthians 13:13).
Here are the theological virtues: Faith, thanks to which man entrusts himself completely to God, believing in all that He has revealed; Hope, or trust in the promise of eternal life and the commitment to live in a way that deserves it; Charity, the bond and point of departure, but also arrival, of the other virtues. We want to focus on the latter in this article.
We have already dealt with the concept of Christian charity previously, reflecting on how it should not be confused with the simple act of giving alms.
Charity is the virtue in the name of which man loves God above all else, and his neighbour as himself.
It is Jesus himself who communicates this new commandment to his disciples:
“At that time Jesus said:” Now the Son of man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him immediately. Children, I am with you for a little while longer. I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.” (Jn 13: 31-33a.34-35)
Charity is therefore before anything else love. Love for others, for those who are close, but also for those who are not, but need our help, our love. A love that must be free, authentic, offered and lived in the name of Jesus, with a smile on the lips and a light heart full of happiness.
For this reason, speaking of the difference between charity and almsgiving, we focused on the fact that too often the latter is mistaken for a gesture of love and generosity, while unfortunately, it is only a way to feel a clear conscience, with the least possible effort. Charity is not just giving a few coins that weigh in our pockets. It is welcome, availability, the will to find time and energy to dedicate to others, taking them away from ourselves, sacrificing what we like to do and having to put ourselves at the service of others, the poor, the needy, in the name of a sense of superior justice, of a yearning for what is right, good, beautiful.
Giving alms: is it charity?
Almsgiving to the poor is a manifestation of mercy strictly connected to the duties of a good Christian. In some ways, it is also…
And we come to Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Who better than she can represent the most shining and emblematic example of Christian charity? Hers is known to all: how from a very young age she manifested her vocation to good, how, as a missionary in India, she received what she called the call within the call, which prompted her to leave the tranquillity of the convent to immerse herself in true poverty, mixing with the last of the last, collecting their suffering and making it their own.
Who better than her can give us an example of what charity is, true charity, of love that is not spared, not sipped, granted based on actual needs and according to defined and precise methods?
Mother Teresa maintained relationships with heads of state and kings, collaborated with local and foreign personalities to open and manage reception and care centres for the poor, the sick and lepers. But it would be blasphemy to want to consider his work as a ‘business’ of any kind. Indeed, through her boundless mercy, her charity made of prayer, but above all of the action, Mother Teresa for years denounced those who with small and large actions had determined those situations of degradation and suffering in which she lived, alongside people who had lost everything, even the dignity of human beings. It was she, this tireless little nun, who fought against the hypocrisy of those who prefer to turn away, hiding behind alibis and excuses for not recognising their responsibilities, or simply their selfishness and their meanness. She took the new commandment of Jesus and lived it on her skin, in her flesh, day after day, until her death, loving anyone who came along her path as Jesus would have loved him, welcoming him, forgiving him, forgiving his sins, taking care of him as a brother, a sister, a son.
As Jesus was the Teacher of love, so was Mother Teresa in teaching people how to live that love most fully and authentically.
Returning to us and good resolutions for the new year, how can we move to carry out works of charity towards others? There are many ways to manifest charity, many small daily gestures to live it every day, transforming it into a testimony of faith. It is not so difficult to let Jesus enter your life and make him your model of love. Every time we dedicate time, energy to someone, taking them away from ourselves, without profit, without ulterior motives, we are carrying out an act of charity. If we bring comfort to those who suffer, with our closeness, our words, even with gestures and practical help, we are acting according to the charity and mercy that Jesus wanted to be the basis of our living together.
If around us we see injustice, if we realize that someone does not live worthily, that he suffers from deprivation and shortcomings, and we intervene to improve his condition, we perform an act of charity. Everyone should have something to live worthily because God created the world for everyone to enjoy.
Our sacrifice, the gesture, the offer, the support, the words of comfort, are the most powerful tool that has been given to us to make the world where we live a better place. It is up to us to use them in the best way, not to waste the gifts we have been made the object of, not to waste God’s love without doing our best to amplify its message and spread it around us. And not just at Christmas.
Do you want to give your Christmas an even more magical atmosphere thanks to the fake snow for the nativity scene? Go professional with Holyart snow guns! Imagine landscapes with houses, hills and characters who engage in different activities. They are the views of our…
Contents1 1. Sacred picture2 2. Yuletide Candle3 3. Guardian angel bell4 4. Coloured Christmas window5 5. Candle holder in wood with raised tube-shaped edge Christmas decorations? They are never enough! Let’s find out how to create the perfect Christmas atmosphere with objects that can beautify…
How far are you with gift ideas for Christmas? Exchanging gifts is certainly one of the most beautiful and anticipated moments of the holidays. Too bad that every year we get there with a hint of stress that spoils the harmony and pleasantness a little. This is because nowadays it seems to have become more important to buy the gift at all costs rather than thinking of something that could please the recipient. And it’s not just a question of money, because very often we end up spending even more as if the economic value of the object could compensate for the thought, the affection is the intention we put into it.
Of course, this is not the case.
Trapped as we are in the gears of modern life, often too hectic, we risk losing sight of the true meaning of the exchange of gifts. And it is no coincidence that we have called them gifts, because, as we have already pointed out in a previous article, there is a big difference between gift and gift.
Exchanging gifts for Christmas
It’s always nice to receive a gift, especially from someone that loves us and during Christmas, symbol of Jesus’ birth. Have we ever…
The gift comes from giving, and it expresses much better the true meaning we like to attribute to this gesture. No compulsory duty, no exorbitant expenses, perhaps to cover a paucity of feeling, a superficiality of thought. A gift, a true gift, comes from the heart, and even if its material value may not be great, it compensates with the genuine desire to express sincere affection, to bring luck and hope. In this, we should perhaps take an example from the children, who like the holidays’ approach, are encouraged by the teachers at school to create small gifts for their parents or grandparents. Let’s consider the commitment they put into those chores, the assiduity of thought with which they dedicate themselves to them, thoughts turned to those who will receive them, to the face they will do, to how happy they will be. Perhaps, being able to remember this particular feeling, this somewhat naive expectation, perhaps, but authentic, we too will be able to recover the pleasure of giving something at Christmas, and we will shake off a little this sense of inevitability and anxiety that inevitably infects all as December approaches.
Just to lighten you up a bit, we at Holyart want to offer you some gift ideas for the upcoming holidays. These are gifts for him and her, something that you can hardly find in shopping malls sparkling with lights, but which perhaps will help you to better express the thought you want to communicate to those you love.
Let’s start with Christmas gift ideas for him.
It is known that men now love perfumery products as much and more than women. Face and body creams, perfumes, and of course the timeless aftershave. Why not surprise a special man for you with an equally special and different product than usual? We are talking about the Camaldoli Aftershave, made by the Antica Farmacia dei Monaci Camaldolesi.
A non-alcoholic, delicate fluid, suitable for all skin types and not at all irritating because it is based on aloe vera. Like all the products of the ancient pharmacy of the monks of Camaldoli, this aftershave is also made with natural products, and according to ancient recipes, handed down over time by the wisdom of the monks. Suitable for a man who looks more to the substance than to the appearance, when it comes to using a product on the skin. As for its pleasantness and effectiveness, this aftershave has nothing to envy from the products offered in glossy magazines by winking models.
If, on the other hand, the recipient of the gift appreciates good wine, why not surprise him with a valuable bottle? Also in this case we are not offering you prestigious and inaccessible names, but we are aiming for a truly quality product, like this Pinot Nero Riserva DOC 2016 wine from Muri Gries Abbey in South Tyrol. The MURI-GRIES estate covers over 35 hectares of vineyards in the best production areas between the Bolzano basin and the municipality of Appiano. These are soils of excellent quality, with excellent climatic conditions, and which also offer such differentiation as to allow the cultivation of different grapes and consequently the production of different wines, all of the highest quality.
In particular, this wine made with Pinot Noir grapes from the Appiano Monte vineyards, with a beautiful bright and deep ruby red colour, with its elegant structure and delicate, mineral and a savoury flavour, can be a welcome gift even for the most demanding taster. Its aromas of ripe fruit with hints of cherry and plum jam, spices, a little walnut, well-integrated wood notes go well with pepper steak, grilled meat, hare, roast duck, cheese seasoned. And you do not have to fear that the bottles could break during shipping because the product is guaranteed by “ewine secure pack“, a patented, safe and reliable packaging, which protects the bottle from any type of shock to which it should be subjected during the shipping.
If in addition to loving wine, the recipient of our gift is also a lover of cooking, perhaps an expert cook, this gift box containing 3 blends of chilli peppers from the Monastery of Siloe could be the right gift. All the peppers are grown and packaged by the monks of the Monastery of Siloe in the upper Maremma Grossetana. The flavours contained in the gift box are:
– Verde di Siloe, with peppers of different colours and a medium-high spiciness,
– Rosso di Siloe, with Chili de Onza and Habanero Chocolat peppers and a medium spiciness
– Giallo di Siloe, with typical peppers of southern Italy and medium spiciness.
By completely changing the scope and tastes, a men’s jewel is not a gift to be underestimated, especially if, in addition to being a fashionable accessory, it also becomes a way to express oneself, one’s interiority and, why not, spirituality. For example with an Amen jewel. Amen offers a collection of unique and original jewels, which rework the great themes of religion and spiritual expression in a captivating and modern way. Necklaces, prayer rings, bracelets, even rosaries, symbols of faith that become fashion accessories thanks to the proposals of exclusive designers. For example, an Amen men’s bracelet, such as the splendid Amen bracelet made with lava stone grains and St. Benedict’s medal, an elegant and at the same time informal accessory, suitable for a man who is not afraid to always carry a sign on himself of their faith. Made of 925 silver, with lava stone beads of 5 mm in diameter and a medal of St. Benedict with a diameter of 1.5 cm, the bracelet closes with a carabiner. The chain is adjustable.
Or an original rosary necklace for men, like the rosary necklace with Pater in beechwood, with a vague ethnic flavour, but strictly produced in Italy. The stylised cross is 4 cm long and is made of silver-plated zamak with an antique effect. An orange tassel adds a touch of colour.
And what about Christmas gift ideas for ladies? Also in this case there is only the embarrassment of choice, and it ranges from body products to crystal photo frames, to exclusive jewels.
The nuns of Valserena are contemplative nuns belonging to the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance. The monastery is relatively young, having been founded in 1968 by the community of Vitorchiano, among the woods and olive trees that cover the Tuscan hills of the Cecina valley. In their simple life, which follows the rule of St. Benedict, the nuns make cosmetic products for personal hygiene in their laboratory, according to the ancient recipes of the monastic tradition based on herbs and vegetables, but also liqueurs and handicrafts. All the products offered by the monastery are therefore natural and of high quality. Among the many unparalleled products for body care and beauty made in the Cistercian Monastery of Valserena we propose the anti-seborrheic skin purifying face cream, based on cypress and fruit acids. It is a light cream with a dermo-purifying and astringent action for oily, impure, combination or acne-prone skin.
Women are also sensitive to the charm of jewellery, you know. But will it be true that only diamonds are their best friends? … The Amen line offers a very rich choice of feminine jewels of great finesse and elegance, such as this delightful bracelet with angel and stars in 925 silver and rhodium-plated finishes. The stars are positioned on the sides of the angel and the bracelet can be adjusted from a minimum size of 16 up to a maximum of 18 cm. A light jewel, suitable for women of all ages.
Or you can opt for a pair of precious, important earrings, such as the AMEN earrings with a hollow heart inside, also in rhodium-plated 925 silver and with the edge embellished with white zircons. The closure is a butterfly and the heart has a diameter of 1 cm.
The woman who loves to embellish her home with classy and tasteful details will only be able to appreciate a small watercolour print painting handmade in Italy by the artist Verther. The title is Gioia Familiare, measuring 27 x 27 cm, and is embellished with a fine wooden frame with silver foil inserts and rhinestone decorations. Decorative crystals were also applied to the glass.
Always as a piece of furniture for the home, but also to keep the most beautiful memories, a crystal photo frame or stainless steel decorated with crystals, such as the photo frame with an angel can be a nice thought. It measures 15 x 20 and is handcrafted in Italy in stainless steel. The angel holds a star in their hand.
To conclude, whether it is for her or him, the Christmas gift must first of all be a gift, which comes from the bottom of the heart, to bring love and peace to those who will receive it.
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So, what do we mean by weird Christmas trees? The Christmas tree is a tradition now so deeply rooted in our culture that it can be taken for granted. What Christmas would it be without the fir trees covered with coloured lights, the festoons of gold and silver, the balls and the delicious and fragile decorations, which remind us of the Christmases of our childhood? Every house, every shop or shopping centre flaunts its own tree, and in some of the most famous squares in the world, the lighting of the illuminations becomes an event of such magnitude as to attract not only citizens, but tourists from all over the world. Just think of the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square in London or that of the Rockefeller Center in New York.
Remaining in the domestic environment, the moment in which the Tree is taken out of the cellar or from the attic, placed in a place of honour in the house, and then decorated, takes on an almost ritual character, which involves the whole family and collects it in a moment of sharing with a unique flavour, an integral part of the Christian Christmas.
And to think that the origins of the Christmas tree are very distant from Catholicism. In ancient Rome there was the custom of decorating temples with fir branches during the Saturnalia, celebrations in honour of Saturn that fell during the winter Solstice, starting from 17 December. In particular, the Romans used silver fir, which symbolised eternal life. But silver fir branches were also used to celebrate the cult of the “Sol Invictus”, the “rising sun”, connected to that of the god Mithras. Still, the Celts celebrated the Winter Solstice with large banquets and gatherings around the fire, in what is known as the Yule festival. Decorations made with evergreen branches adorned the houses and common areas, symbolising the struggle against the dangers of winter.
It is presumable that the Christmas tree as we know it derives from these Nordic rites, given that the first testimonies of Christmas trees in the Christian context date back to the Middle Ages, when, in many villages in northern Europe, the inhabitants began to set up trees decorated for Christmas in the churchyard or inside the churches, or even in the central square. Initially, it was not always fir trees, but also cherry or hawthorn trees, or wooden pyramids, which were decorated with paper, fresh and dried fruit and candles.
Even the typical colours of the Christmas trees, red, green, gold and silver, are linked to ancient traditions, to symbols linked to both a sacred and profane past, the bearer of a legacy of sacredness, fecundity, rebirth.
But today we want to talk about strange Christmas trees, and this allows us to depart from tradition, or perhaps to examine aspects not usually considered. Among our 5 proposals, there is also a Christmas tree in the shape of a cherry tree which, as we mentioned earlier, was one of the most used trees in the first preparations of Christmas trees during the Middle Ages. This is to say that we are open to novelties and stylistic evolution, and that we like to offer Christmas trees that can turn out to be real fashion and design objects, destined to make your holiday home truly unique and original, but that we never lose. It is entirely clear that the goal of the Christmas tree is to recreate the atmosphere that makes this holiday so special inside the house.
Here are five proposals for artificial Christmas trees that we can define as designer Christmas trees, for those who want to dare a little more and have an original and different tree.
Let’s start with a silver-coloured Christmas tree, 180 cm high. Its peculiarity is certainly that of having a modellable tip. In practice, you can fold it and adapt it to your needs, to create a truly stunning effect. The Christmas tree is enriched with 300 cool white eco LED lights and features a light control with 8 movements. Like all our artificial Christmas trees, it is easy to open with the practical umbrella opening of the branches that allows you to assemble the Christmas tree quickly. Each branch is permanently attached to a metal support. The considerable amount of spikes (about 392) make it an impressive tree used both indoors and outdoors.
And what about this very original Obsidian Gold Slim Christmas tree? The Christmas tree is black, with gold shades and surprising points of light. Its plastic branches are permanently attached to a metal support, guaranteeing absolute ease of opening. The Tree is 210 cm tall. Its most original feature is certainly the colour, which makes it suitable for an elegant environment, no matter if classic or modern.
Here is our Christmas Cherry Tree, illuminated by 1592 LEDs shining in a beautiful cool white. The Cherry Tree is ideal for embellishing the interior and exterior of homes, public places and offices. 300 cm tall, its branches covered with small pulsating LED lights are mouldable and perfect for creating the shape and decoration that you prefer. Cherry blossoms are bright and easily replaceable. Supplied are some replacement pieces with a lot of imbus key to screw the branches to the trunk.
The item is very solid and consists of: trunk with a metal base to give stability with lots of holes to fix it to the floor, 11 branches with cherry blossoms, each with its own plug to be connected to the trunk, cherry blossoms to be replaced in case of need and imbus key. The Christmas Cherry Tree stands out for its elegance and brightness.
Always wanting to consider Christmas trees strange and different from the usual, how about this Christmas willow? 150 cm high, it is illuminated by 360 warm white LED lights. Ideal for embellishing the interior and exterior of homes, public places and offices, just as the cherry tree has branches that can be moulded and adapted to any shape. Its simple lines and above all its brightness make it perfect for creating a welcoming and ideal atmosphere for minimal and elegant environments. Lightweight and easy to move, it will illuminate your home all the time of the holidays.
Classic in shape, this sumptuous fir tree 230 cm high and with the beauty of 1066 points, catches the eye, as well as for its grandeur and the colour of its branches. It is wonderfully red and white flocked! 500 coloured eco LED lights to illuminate it majestically, with 8 different light effects. The umbrella opening makes it practical and easy to open, despite its size, and ensures an ideal shape seal for all holidays. An important and impressive Christmas tree.
