Lampshades go all the way back to the 18th century, in Paris, where reflectors were first attached to oil-burning street lamps. The reflectors were intended to direct the glow of the lamps downwards, making them more effective. Today, lampshades perform much the same purpose, directing light where we need it, while at the same time … Read more
Weddings are steeped in traditions, some old, some new. One of the keys to the wedding planning process is deciding which of those traditions will be incorporated into the ceremony and reception. Not everyone does the same, as there are different understandings of those traditions and their importance. One small but important tradition is the … Read more
Most of the candles sold in stores today are made with a cotton wick, sometimes with paper filaments interlaced in the cotton for a most stable and consistent burn. The paper also helps prevent the wick from curling and becoming lost inside the wax as it solidifies, after the candle is blown out. But cotton … Read more
The balance bike has been developed as a replacement for putting training wheels on a bike. While there are those who speak against them, one of the strongest points in their favor is that small children naturally try to use their bike without pedaling it, while learning. Allowing them to follow that natural tendency to … Read more
The Christmas calendar or Advent calendar as some call it is an old time staple of Christmas décor. While not everyone uses one, it’s a handy way of counting down the days till Christmas, especially for younger children who might not quite have an understanding of time. Each day, something corresponding to that date is … Read more