Old World Christmas

Flutes appeared in every culture and exist in many forms today as folk instruments. In Western culture, the flute has evolved into the metal, keyed instrument we know today. The concert flute is a...

The Story Behind For centuries, firefighters have used helmets to protect their heads while risking their lives to extinguish flames. While the shape and materials have changed throughout the time,...

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...

The Story Behind Birds are symbols of happiness and joy, so they are regarded as a necessity on the Christmas tree. Glassblowers often kept wild birds during the winter months since the sound of the...

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...

The Story Behind Adorn your Tannenbaum with our festive Father Christmas Tree Top. Old St. Nick makes his annual visit, bearing gifts for all the good boys and girls. Our blown-glass tree topper is...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...