Ornaments

The Story Behind What could be better than that childhood favorite a shiny, bright red Fire Truck! Toymakers often turned real-life items into toys for children, so they could learn as they played. A child could imagine being a heroic firefighter bravely...

Transporting people and freight over water routes is an industry that has existed for centuries. When communities are separated by water, ferry boats may be scheduled public transportation. Double-ended ferries have interchangeable bows and sterns,...

The sun is the center of our solar system. It is the most important source of energy, giving off heat, light and energy that makes life possible on Earth. Many cultures, spanning the ages, have worshipped the sun as the source of life. The sun symbolizes...

The Story Behind This beautiful glass ornament was carefully mouth-blown into a finely crafted mold. Then a hot solution of liquid silver was poured inside. Finally, the ornament was delicately hand-painted with many brightly colored lacquers and...

The Story Behind This giant breed is a descendant of the molossus, an extinct Roman war dog; the current gentler version was developed in England. These dogs are great protectors and family dogs, but they have giant appetites to match their size. Did you...

The Story Behind Elf Academy One Room School House has a small hole on its underside designed to borrow a standard bulb from your Christmas tree to light up the cottage. Upon lighting your cottage, you will immediately discover the first of many secrets,...

The Story Behind Emperor Penguins are the largest of their species and spend winter on Antarctica s open ice. After the female lays a single egg, the father balances it on his feet and covers it with his warm layer of feathered skin. About two months,...

The Story Behind For centuries it was believed that the eagle could look directly in the sun and that it was reborn by diving into a fountain. Christians adopted this symbolism, comparing the eagle looking into the sun to Christ looking at His Father and...

The Story Behind Beavers have thick fur, webbed feet, and flat tails making them good swimmers and well adapted to their semiaquatic lives. They are peaceful, sociable, and incredibly industrious. Celebrate that exceptionally energetic and enthusiastic...

The Story Behind A dumbbell is a type of free weight used to build muscular strength and endurance. The term dumbbell comes to us from England in the 1700s when a poet described it as similar to an apparatus for ringing a church bell but with no bell, so...

The Story Behind Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday that brings families and friends together to pray and remember the loved ones who have passed away and to help support the spiritual journey. It is believed the gates of heaven...

The Story Behind Dalmatians developed a special relationship with horses, calming and protecting them. Due to this trait and their attractive coats, they became popular as carriage dogs, riding along and standing guard when the owners were away. When...