www.byerschoice.com
www.byerschoice.com 1Girl with Christmas Cards – $70; English Mailbox (11”H) – $24; Woman Selling Christmas Cards – $75; Boy with Christmas Cards – $70
Cries of LondonThe 2016 Cries of London series features a Crier Selling Christmas Cards.
The tradition of sending Christmas cards began in Britain around 1840 when the first
Penny Post public postal delivery service began. Read more on p16.
featuresCHRISTMAS 2016
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2 Snow Time — Christmas in the Northeast
5 Christmas Memories — Making Candy Canes
6 Holiday Planning — Tips for Stress-free Holiday
22 Accessories – Make the most of your Caroler Christmas displays
26 Jolly Happy Souls Snowmen — Add some sparkle to your holiday
14 Greetings from the North Pole — Santa’s Winter Wonderland
16 Deliver Christmas Cheer – History of the Christmas Card
18 Christmas Mice — Stirring up some Christmas Eve Mischief
“Nativity” collection & “12 Days of Christmas” series — limited availability at www.byerschoice.com
OUR PRODUCT—HANDCRAFTED IN U.S.A.
Due to the handmade nature of the Carolers®, items may vary slightly in color and design from product pictured. Adult Caroler: 13” tall; Child Caroler: 10” tall
www.byerschoice.com 32 BYERS’ CHOICE LTD. 215-822-6700
Christmas in the northeastern part of the United States,
where Byers’ Choice Ltd. is located, is associated with
warm fires, marshmallows swimming in hot chocolate,
snow and sledding. For this reason, we have created a
series of Carolers participating in cold-weather activities.
Snow time
The Flexible FlyerIn 1889, Samuel Leeds Allen received a pattern for a new type of sled. Sales were slow going at first, but by 1915, approximately 120,000 were sold per year. The 1960s saw the “Flyer” being replaced by the saucer for speed and safety reasons. Today the Flexible Flyers are back! The rights to make the sled have been sold to Paricon, a business started in Maine.
Snow Day Kid with Sled – $73; Snow Day Mother with Skis – $73;Snow Day Kid with Toboggan – $73
Snow Day Kid with Snowballs – $71; Snow Day Kid Feeding Birds – $71; Snow Day Kid Holding Skates – $71
Toddler on Skates — $28
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From Medieval times to
the 1800s, town waites
were employed as
watchmen in English
towns. They played
musical instruments
during the night at certain
strategic positions to report
all was well and that
they had not fallen asleep.
In the morning, they
would play their noisy
instruments under windows
to awaken the town folk.
Waites often wore colorful
costumes and were invited
to entertain on auspicious
occasions. Over the
centuries their instruments
varied, but they were
usually loud, high
pitched, penetrating wind
instruments not meant for
pleasurable entertaining.
In 1835, a time of great
social change in England,
the cacophonous waites
were abolished in favor of
a more civilized means of
alerting the citizens.
The Town Watchmen
Fortunately, the tradition of street musicians lingered on and their music and
instruments became more refined. By the middle to end of the 1800s, groups of
waites could be hired to sing or play musical instruments under people’s windows
especially during the festive Christmas season.
Joyce Byers
Candy Cane Santa - $78
Christmas memories
”
“ I recall my Mother and I making candy
canes. So, I went online for directions.
As it turns out, candy cane
making requires great skill
and is not an easy project
for children.
The Food Network has a
recipe for real candy canes
by master pastry chef,
Jacques Torres. It begins,
“Before you begin this recipe,
please take a class from
a professional on working
with sugar.” Working with
300-degree sugar is required
and could burn your hands.
So maybe it is better to buy
candy canes!
Sweet Fact: The Spangler® Candy Company makes 2.7 million candy canes a day!
5
Waite with Tuba – $75; Waite with Cymbals – $71; Waite with French Horn – $76; Waite with Violin – $75;Door (19.5”H x 13”W x 3.5”D) – $69
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HOLIDAY PLANNINGFrom gifts, decor, food and parties, there is much to do in the weeks leading up to Christmas! We always think that there is plenty of time
but the holidays still sneak up on us. To avoid Christmas chaos, here’s a list of tips for a calm and enjoyable Christmas season.
Deck the HallsOne month before Christmas, take stock of your
holiday decorations — before you make the trek to
the tree farm for the perfect Christmas tree!
q Check Christmas light sets for broken
or missing bulbs
q Sort through your ornaments to see if any
need to be repaired, replaced or updated
q Save time and hang wreaths that you can enjoy
from Thanksgiving through Christmas
ShoppingBy early December, make your gift list and
check it twice.
q Print out a master Christmas gift list
(with budget) to help keep track of all
the gifts that you need to buy/make
for others
q Start shopping early — the more you buy
ahead the better, especially if you will
be mailing gifts. Try to have gifts in the
mail by mid-December.
q Wrap gifts as they are purchased to
prevent a late night on Christmas Eve
q Don’t forget to buy batteries for toys
and electronics! (continued p10)
Burgundy/Gold Family: Woman – $75; Man – $75;Girl – $75; Boy – $75
Red/Grey Family: Woman – $75; Man – $75;Girl – $75; Boy – $75
Starting on December 1st, count down the days until Christmas morning with an Advent calendar.See more wooden Advent calendars on our website, www.byerschoice.com
Woman Selling Evergreens – $74
Evergreen Boy – $74
Evergreen Market Stall – $85
Shopping Family – $75 ea
Evergreen Girl – $74
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You better watch out; You better not cry
You better not pout; I’m telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
He’s making a list; He’s checking it twice;
He’s gonna find out; Who’s naughty and nice
Santa Claus is coming to town
Ingredients:• One pre-made Pizza Crust
• Pizza Sauce
• Leftover Turkey Stuffing
• Leftover Turkey-shredded
• Mozzarella Cheese
• Basil or Sage leaves
• Olive Oil
Roll out the crust. Top with sauce. Scatter on a handful of stuffing and a handful of turkey. Top with cheese. Chop the basil or sage leaves and mix with oil. Drizzle on top and bake as crust directions instruct, or until brown. Enjoy!
Christmas Pizza
Here is a fun recipe to help use up Christmas dinner leftovers! It’s also great to snack on while you take the decorations off the tree!
BACK
Naughty Boy – $71
All children have good days and bad days. It’s part of being
a kid. As Christmas comes closer, it’s important for all children
to remember to be extra nice because Santa is watching. He
still delivers lumps of coal if a child is too naughty.
Written by John Frederick Coots and Haven GillespieLump of Coal (styles vary) – $17
Nice Girl – $71
Chef with Pizza – $75
www.byerschoice.com 11
Get CookingPre-cook, pre-plan and prepare . . . spend more time with your family on the big day and
less time in the kitchen!
q There are plenty of Christmas recipes that you can make and freeze weeks before the
day including cakes, breads and un-iced cookies; make sure they are wrapped well to
guarantee freshness.
q When baking a gingerbread house, use your best heavy-duty cookie sheets for even
pieces that are easier to put together.
Christmas FunDon’t forget to make some time for fun with the family!
q Help children write their letters to Santa
q Decorate the Christmas tree
q Watch a Christmas movie
CelebrateBe the hostess with the mostest!
q Set the date for your holiday
party as soon as possible as
calendars will start to fill up
q Music will make your party
festive so put together a
Christmas playlist
q As the party heats up, crack a
window open to circulate fresh,
cool air
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HOLIDAY P
LANNIN
G
Caroler Condo Storage Box (Holds 12 Figures) – $40
Boy with Gingerbread – $74; Woman Selling Gingerbread – $74; Girl with Gingerbread – $74; Sweet Dreams Chalet Resin Gingerbread House (13”W x 15”H x 10.5”D) – $120
Black/Gold Family: Woman – $74; Man – $76;
Girl – $74; Boy – $76
StorageMake decorating easy next
year by neatly storing your
figures in a Caroler® Condo;
you’ll keep them safe and
will know exactly where
to find them!
Decorated Tree with Lights (18”H; Requires 3 “AA” Batteries) – $48
Ugly Christmas Sweater Family: Woman – $75; Man – $75; Girl – $75; Boy – $75
Toddler Girl with Package – $28Toddler Boy with Package – $28
Dog in Bed – $20 (4”H)
The late 1800s was the golden
age of Chocolate production and
consumption throughout Europe.
Many cities and towns had
competing chocolate shops with
wonderful window displays filled
with intricate, molded solid chocolate
figures to entice hungry passersby.
By this time, they had perfected the
art of molding chocolate by using
metal molds. The Anton Reiche
Company began manufacturing
these molds in Dresden, Germany
during the 1870’s. They even
designed and produced very large
“show case” molds upwards of 3
feet tall for chocolate shop windows.
Unfortunately, metal chocolate mold
production in Europe all but ceased
during WWII and was eventually
replaced by plastic molds which
became the material of choice by the
1960s. Our “Chocolate Santa” was
inspired by this tradition and we feel
he makes the perfect calorie-free gift
for someone with a sweet tooth.
Sweetinspiration
Chocolate Santa – $78
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Need suggestions on the type of wine to serve with
Christmas dinner? Here are some pairings:
Santa and Mrs. Claus love to entertain during
the holiday season. Both are dressed in their
finest coats trimmed with fur.
Ham
Reds: Pinot Noir and Zinfandel
Whites: Riesling and Gewurztraminer
Turkey
Reds: Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Shiraz
Whites: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Viognier, Riesling
Red Meat
Reds: Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux, Zinfandel, Shiraz
Winesfor the holidays
Cordiallyinvited
13
Wine Santa 2016 – $78
Holiday Mrs. Claus $78 ; Holiday Santa – $80
www.byerschoice.com 1514 BYERS’ CHOICE LTD. 215-822-6700
Surely, his wonderland
compound is covered in
a blanket of glistening
white snow with icicles
hanging from every eve.
It’s decorated with brightly
illuminated Christmas
lights which give it a
warm and inviting glow.
As you enter the main
building through two tall
wooden doors, you find
a grand stone fireplace
and the sweet aroma of
fresh baked gingerbread
that brings you straight
back to your childhood.
There are surely many
similar buildings to
explore including the
stables where the reindeer
live and the enormous
workshop where the elves
are busy making toys.
Not much is known for
sure about Santa’s helpers,
but from stories passed
down through generations,
most people have started
to compile a pretty good
idea. At this point, we
accept as fact that these
North Pole elves are
smaller than humans,
extremely crafty and
tireless workers. They are
filled with childlike joy,
great singers of Christmas
carols, of course, and wear
pointed shoes to match
their ears. It is also fairly
well known that Santa’s
elves love to eat anything
sweet, especially candy
canes.
Greetings from the
At one time or another, we have all imagined what it would be like to visit Santa at the North Pole.
North Pole
Our new Bald Santa for 2016 is checking his
“nice list” while sorting through his stack of letter
requests for special toys and treats. The elves that
assist Santa are named after some of our favorite
classic Christmas vocalists. There is “Bing” with the
block letters and “Burl” with the toy horse on the
table. “Frankie” is holding a toy horn and “Dino” is
inspecting a toy train. Little “Mitzi” has just arrived
from the kitchen with Mrs. Claus to bring some
sweet refreshments for break time. We all know the
importance of keeping an elf’s sugar level up during
the holiday season.
Louisa May Alcott first wrote about
Christmas Elves in 1850. The first published
image of these elves working in the
workshop appeared on the cover of
Godey’s Lady Book in 1873. Godey’s was
a very influential publication at the time
and was also responsible for publishing the
first image of a decorated Christmas tree.
Bald Santa with Mailbag - $78; Mrs. Claus with Treats - $ 76; Burl: Elf on Workbench - $ 99; Frankie: Elf with Horn – $73; Dino: Elf with Train – $73; Bing: Elf with Blocks – $73; Mitzi: Girl Elf with Candy Canes – $73
“Mitzi”
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A government worker by
the name of Sir Henry
Cole came up with the
idea and enlisted his artist
friend, John Horsley, to
design the first Christmas
card that was printed on
sturdy cardboard. The
outside images depict
people helping the less
fortunate. The main image
was of a family sitting
down to enjoy a Christmas
feast. If you look closely,
you’ll notice the family
raising glasses filled with
wine while the children
sip from the glasses. The
image was considered
quite controversial not only
because of the underage
drinking, but because
it was frowned on that
alcohol would be depicted
at all on a card with a
religious message. Roughly
1000 of these first cards
were printed and mailed.
Later images used on early
Christmas cards included
scenes of nativities and
snowy landscapes.
Prior to the 1840’s, sending
letters through the mail
was far too expensive
for ordinary people. The
railways allowed for a
more affordable system
to move the mail more
effectively. This new system
allowed prices to drop
significantly with trains
replacing the horse and
carriage used prior. As
the mail became more
affordable and popular,
bright red pillar post
boxes designed by Richard
Redgrave in the 1850s
began to spring up in
urban areas throughout
Britain. This affordable new
postal system designed for
the masses was nicknamed
the “Penny Post.”
Don’t you just love opening your mailbox in December to find it filled with cards and holiday greetings sent by friends and family during the weeks leading up to Christmas?
This tradition of sending notes of holiday cheer and well wishes
through the postal service dates back more than 170 years when the
first Christmas cards were printed and sold in the UK back in 1843.
Did you know? English mail carriers were sometimes called “Robin Postmen” because
of the red uniforms that they wore.
English painter, John Callcott Horsley designed the first known mass-produced Christmas card in London, 1843.
Deliver Christmas Cheer
Christmas GreetingsAnother Christmas means another chance to
catch up with the extended family. The questions
on everyone’s mind this year are not “What is in
that shiny package under the tree? Wonder if the
turkey will be dry as a bone this year?” They
are “Which new boyfriend will Auntie Esther
bring to dinner? Where did they meet? What
ever happened to the interesting guy that we all
found so charming last year?” It’s sure to be a
great story.
www.byerschoice.com 17
Auntie Esther – $76; Auntie Esther’s New Boyfriend – $76
Postman – $73 ; English Mailbox (11”H) – $24; Girl with Christmas Cards – $70; Woman Selling Christmas Cards – $75; Boy with Christmas Cards – $70
www.byerschoice.com 1918 BYERS’ CHOICE LTD. 215-822-6700
Twas the Night Before Christmas‘Twas the night before Christmas when all through the
house . . . lead us to thinking about mice. What were
they doing when they were stirring about? Perhaps they
were finishing off the cheese from the Christmas Eve
party or soup noodles from dinner.
They could be doing last
minute decorating with
Santa’s snow and putting out
cookies for you-know-who.
Having turned out the light,
they probably curled up in a
cozy slipper to read before
wishing all a good night!
Mouse in Christmas Snow Box – $35
Mouse in Soup Can – $35
Mouse in Nightshirt with Candle – $45 Santa Mouse with Cookie – $45
Night Before Christmas Reading – $100; Nativity Table (8” H) – $24; Decorated Tree with Lights (18”H; requires 3 AA batteries) – $48;
Mouse with Swiss Cheese – $45
Bedtime Mouse – $40
www.byerschoice.com 2120 BYERS’ CHOICE LTD. 215-822-6700
Salvation Army: Woman with War Cry – $74; Man with Tuba – $75; Boy with Trombone – $75; Kettle with Tripod (13” High) – $17; Door (19.5” H x 13” W x 3.5” D) – $69 A portion of the proceeds from the Salvation Army figurines will go directly to The Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army was founded in London,
England by one-time Methodist Reform Church
minister, William Booth.
Byers’ Choice Ltd. introduced the
Salvation Army line of Carolers in 1992.
There are 618 Salvation Army Shelters worldwide.
The annual Red Kettle Christmas fundraising
campaign started in 1891 when a Salvation Army
captain in San Francisco set up a crab pot and
began collecting money for the poor at Christmas.
The 1966 Beatles song “Strawberry Fields
Forever” is John Lennon’s nostalgic reference to a Salvation Army orphanage called Strawberry Field in Woolton, England.
The Salvation Army is referenced in over 140 films including “A Christmas Story”
and “Titanic.”
Did you know?
Making a DifferenceDoing the Most Good
Christmas is special for the Salvation
Army. They open their doors and their
hearts to those who would have no
Christmas without them. Their guests
are served a turkey dinner, treated to
entertainment, games, a family photo and
much more. Santa joins the festivities
with a gift for every child. Last Christmas,
the Salvation Army of Milwaukee was
prepared to feed 8,000 to 10,000 meals.
The Christmas season carries with it a deeper sense of purpose, of sharing our blessings, of giving
to those less fortunate.
Red Velvet Mrs. Claus – $74; Red Velvet Santa – $76; Glass Ornament Market Stall (11”W x 6”D x 18”H) – $85; Silver Hoop Tree (17.5”H) – $68; Magic Santa Key - $15
Silver & GoldOn every Christmas tree!
Burl Ives made this song a Christmas standard after it was featured in the
1964 animated television presentation of “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.”
It’s hard not to hum along!
Our “Red Velvet Santa” and “Red Velvet Mrs. Claus” couldn’t agree more
and are decorating an elegant Christmas tree this year with classic silver
and gold ornaments.
If you do not have a chimney, place this Magic Key outside on Christmas Eve for Santa to come through the front door!
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AccessoriesSet the stage for your Caroler
holiday displays!
Polar Bear Cub – $22 (5.5”High)
Walking Polar Bear Cub – $20 (3.5”High)
Seated Polar Bear Cub – $22
(4.5”H)
Caribou – $24 (11” High)
Large Penguin – $20 (6” High)
Penguin on Snow Saucer
– $20 (5.5” High)
Spotted Reindeer – $20 (8” High)
Fireplace with Candelabrum
– $35
(10”W x 8”H x 3.5”D)
Black Bear – $22 (6” High)
Seated Black Bear – $22
(5.5” High)
Door – $69 (19.5” H x 13” W x 3.5” D)
Caroler Condo Storage Box – $40
(17.5”L x 15.5”W x 14”H)
(18”H; Requires 3 “AA” Batteries)
Decorated Tree with Lights
– $48
Display Riser – $48 (11”H x 20”W x 10”D)
Mailbox with Stand – $20
(Metal; 7.5” High)
English Mailbox – $24 (11” High)
Requires one “N” battery
– not included (19” High)
Wrought Iron Fence – $36 (Plastic; 21.5”W x 6.5”H)
Candy Cane Cottage – $120 (Resin; 14”W x 13.5”H x 9”D)
Street Clock – $48
9” Snow Tree – $8
12” Snow Tree – $10
16” Snow Tree – $12
www.byerschoice.com 2524 BYERS’ CHOICE LTD. 215-822-6700
Dickensian Christmas
Mrs. Cratchit’s English Christmas Pudding
English Christmas Pudding is really best when made a full year in advance and
allowed to mellow. It was customary in many English homes to mix the pudding
early in Advent — the religious season before Christmas — and allow it to sit for
twelve full months before eating it the following year. Everyone in the family was
supposed to stir the pudding once for good luck. If you can’t make it the year
before, at least give it a few weeks to age.
It is fascinating to learn about these Christmas traditions and how they have evolved
through the years as they have been passed down through the generations. You can
learn about more unique celebrations and traditions including foods, decorations, and
customs on our website: www.byerschoice.com/christmas-traditions
Gerald Charles Dickens, great-great grandson of the famed author, returns to the United States in 2016 for his American tour of “A Christmas Carol.”Please visit our website’s calendar of events to find a venue near you!
www.byerschoice.com
©Ian Dickens
Mrs. Fezziwig – $70; Mr. Fezziwig – $70; Scrooge – $73; Mrs. Cratchit – $73; Spirit of Christmas Future – $68; Marley’s Ghost – $76; Bob Cratchit & Tiny Tim – $134
Irish Santa – $76
Polish Star Man – $77
Befana – $77
Baboushka – $77
Christmas around the World
In Italian folklore, Befana visits all the children of Italy on the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany. She fills their shoes with candy and presents if they are good; a lump of coal or dark candy if they have been naughty.
The Feast of the Epiphany (January 6th) was celebrated in some towns in Ireland as ‘Nollaig na mBan’ or Women’s Christmas. Traditionally the women got the day off and the men did the housework and cooking! The women met in each other’s homes to sew and chat.
Baboushka is a traditional Russian Christmas figure who distributes presents to children. Legend is told that she declined to go with the Wise Men to see Jesus because of the cold weather. However, she regretted not going and set off to try and catch up, filling her basket with presents. She never found Jesus, and that is why she visits each house, leaving toys for good children.
At supper’s end on Christmas Eve, Father Christmas, known as The Star Man (often the parish priest in disguise), pays a visit to each home with rewards for all the good children. Koledy, or carols, are sung and presents are opened before the family heads off to the church for midnight mass.
Italy
Poland
Russia
Ireland
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Bring the shine, shimmer and
magic of freshly fallen Christmas
snow inside! Our “Jolly Happy
Souls” are endearing snow
people that visit us each year
from the North Pole. Born from
the imagination of children,
these charming characters will
bring holiday smiles to faces for
many years to come.
Dressed in American-made
arctic polar fleece dusted
with glitter, each enchanted
Snowman is named and
comes with its own passport.
Add some sparkle to your holidays.
A. Floyd Flurries – $64; B. Simon Shivers – $64; C. Windy Northstar – $48; D. Bumpy Roundhead – $48; E. Crystal Diddums – $48; F. Buddy Dithers – $48; G. Celeste Hibernal – $64; H. Parson Brown – $64; I. Skipper McDrift – $48; Measure approximately 11” to 18” high
Let it Shine
A.
B.
D.
C.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
www.byerschoice.com 2928 BYERS’ CHOICE LTD. 215-822-6700
Colonial Christmas
At Christmastime Colonial Williamsburg’s houses,
shops, and taverns are decorated inside and out with
imaginative arrangements of fruits and greenery.
Burning cressets illuminate pathways and lead the
way to celebrations. Once inside, one often finds an
elegant apple cone, a long-standing favorite decoration.
Dressed in vivid holiday colors and ready to entertain
their guests with the hospitality of the season, this
Colonial Caroler family is ready to share a traditional
Williamsburg Christmas.
Visit our website for the “Virginia Holiday Nut Cake”
recipe. www.byerschoice.com/christmas-traditions/
colonial-virginia
Original recipe and photo from the book, “Entertaining
Ideas from Williamsburg.”
Virginia Holiday Nut Cake
“Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart.” – Seneca
“We should certainly count our blessings, but we should also make our
blessings count.” – Neal A. Maxwell
“We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting
something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.” – Frederick Keonig
raise your glassesInspiring quotes for Thanksgiving Toasts
“Not what we say about our blessings,
but how we use them, is the true
measure of our Thanksgiving.”
– W.T. Purkiser
Pilgrim Man – $73; Pilgrim Girl – $73; Pilgrim Boy – $73 ; Pilgrim Woman – $73
Colonial Mrs. Claus – $75; Colonial Girl – $74; Colonial Santa – $78; Colonial Boy – $74; Colonial Man – $74; Colonial Woman – $75
“Forever on Thanksgiving Day,
the heart will find the pathway
home.” – Wilbur D. Nesbit
4355 County Line Road Chalfont, PA 18914
Customer #
$6.00 CHRISTMAS 2016
www.byerschoice.com
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Krampus 2016 - $78
Favorite German
Christmas Traditions
Nutcracker Vendor – $75; Nutcracker Boy – $73 Nutcracker Girl – $73; Nutcracker Woman – $75 Nutcracker Market Stall (11”W x 6”D x 18”H) – $85
Advent Calenders
Saint Nicholas Day
Nutcrackers
Krampus Night
Christmas Markets
Glühwein
Lebkuchen