Parties and Wedding RSVP Frustration and Annoyance

In life, we have special moments that come up with friends and family and planning parties, weddings and everything else is absolutely so difficult with inviting people and it becomes so stressful. When you want people to be part of your special day and when you enjoy the process of setting up the cards, mailing them out, and happily do it until stress strikes.

It is not everything that is the most difficult, frustrating and annoying; it is sending the invites to people with a due date that is never honoured and respected and some take their sweet time and others respect it and send the invite on time, whereas others respond after the due date. Some you have to remind. It is absolutely crazy.

You also have those people who don’t respond at all and then just show up. It doesn’t work like that. In most cases RSVP Cards come in, people need to fill those out and return them. The people inviting put postage stamps and have those cards out for a reason. To get organized. You can’t just tell the person they are coming by mouth. Chances are the people planning the wedding or event will forget, so it’s important to fill out the cards and mail it back in a time-sensitive and timely manner.

When you get an invite to any party, it is either a yes or a no. It is not that difficult. You look at your schedule, and boom, you answer and send back the RSVPs. It is not cool to wait for people to respond back while you have a million things to do and plan with the tables, how many favours or gifts you need to get for the guests arriving to your party as well as financially too with how many people you need to pay for.

It really isn’t easy to plan things when some people do not co-operate and respect you enough to send the RSVP’s back. It is common courtesy. It isn’t nice at all having someone wait and then hunting people down with calling, messaging, emailing, texting them until the last weeks of the wedding to see if it is a yes or a no.

Then there are those people who respond with attending, and then you write them down on a table card or chart and then they never show up or give an explanation as to why they did not bother to show up where you spent money for their meal. It is absolutely unfair and disgusting behaviour which needs to really stop. Some do not even respond back and you know you sent it to them and it did get sent to them or else it will be returned back to the person who mailed them with the return address.

Weddings and parties all go smoothly with planning until it comes time to the people attending them. You expect people to respond right away, but that never happens and it probably never will even with a strict time limit and being time sensitive.

The guests don’t think about how much work it takes to plan tables and everything. If you have ever been in these shoes where you plan an event and you wait for responses, it’s absolutely so frustrating and annoying and so absolutely ridiculous.

Yes, I realize some people cannot financially to maybe afford to go to parties, weddings and everything, but there is no excuse not to answer on due dates. It is not right at all. There is no excuse unless something very very important comes up or some other things arise, but it doesn’t give someone the right to delay an RSVP.

Have you ever been through this situation? Have you been frustrated and annoyed with this? Would love to hear all about it.

All the best with planning. It is not easy.

12 Easy Ways to Make Christmas Gatherings More Enjoyable

Christmas time is here and its coming up in a few days. I am sure by now you have finished your shopping and figuring out what to do. Here are ways to make your Christmas gatherings a fun and enjoyable one where you do not have to spend a lot of your time in the kitchen. Spend more time with your loved ones instead of being on your feet the whole time. You need to enjoy it too and not just do all the work. A helping hand does go a long way. When others ask to help you or takes the initiative, let them.

Here are the 12 Easy ways:

1. When you know you are having a big gathering at your home and invited people over, the most important thing is to do the baking and dessert’s a day or 2 before. Nothing will go wrong with it. If it needs to go in the fridge or freezer nothing will happen to it. Don’t leave to the day of.

2. The day before, set the table, cutlery, napkins, plates and add centrepieces to your table, but not too big so your food dishes can fit on the table.

3. Don’t go over crazy to cook so many different things. 4-5 different things for dinner is good enough. If you serve chicken, turkey, roast, pork chops, ham. Go with one or 2 of them from the meat list, and then choose salad and rice or whatever you want to make or whatever is part of your Christmas tradition. Plus if you want to make gravy. Cook all of this stuff except if you are making salad or rice. That can be cooked and prepared before the guests start arriving and then have all the other food cooked from the morning. It can be heated up after for 10 to 15 minutes, then you take to your table and voila. — Don’t go over the top. Chances are you will eat left overs for the next week or so. Don’t want that.

4. Putting chips, assortment of nuts(If no one is allergic), salsa, nachos, guacamole, dips, veggie platters, finger foods in the beginning will get your guests full. People will over indulge, so its not a good idea to put so many things out in the beginning. Don’t spend too much time with putting these before the hard work you went through cooking all that food for dinner. Take them out after dinner along with dessert.

5. When others bring something when it comes to food, dessert, a bottle of wine or something like a gift, It is customary and proper etiquette to open and serve them too. Unless, they advise you otherwise, then its ok to keep it for yourself to open privately, but again open whatever is brought to you and in front of the people who brought them. It makes them feel good to see your reaction.

6. have coffee/tea ready — before just add the water to the machines and measure extra water and coffee grinds on the side in case you need to make more and then just go back and press the button and then continue on entertaining your guests and spend time with them until it is done.

7. Clearing plates and everything for dinner is great, but end it there. Don’t start washing and sorting, drying and all that. It takes a lot of quality time away from your loved ones. If they want to help, that is fine. I am sure they won’t let you clear away the table all on your own. They will help with everything and bring it to the kitchen and everything else will be dealt with after.

8. When you have a lot of people, disposable cutlery and plates are the way to go. If you have more than 10 to 15 people or more, its a good idea. You don’t have to spend time washing dishes.

9. Plan the Christmas week.. Plan a day to do your grocery shopping, and then make sure you have all the ingredients needed to make it. Sometimes getting extra ingredients are better in case something goes wrong which it can in some cases. Never leave anything to the last day.

10. Be efficient and organized as well as making sure the house is clean, the kitchen and all that.

11. ***Always monitor how many drinks your guests have. Don’t let them drink and then drive later. Make sure to call taxis if need be or allow your guests that are impaired to sleep over and go home the next day or if they come with another person who has not had anything to drink, they should be the designated driver. It is your responsibility if they drink and drive because they are driving from your home. Be the elephant in the room and don’t permit them to go. Police have RIDE Spot checks out more during the holidays and don’t put yourself or others lives in danger on the roads because of a careless wrong doing***

12. breathe and don’t be stressed out. Christmas gatherings should be fun and enjoyable as it can be. Don’t panic if some things go wrong. It will be a memory you will laugh about as the years go by.

Have a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a blessed, happy and healthy New year of 2018!

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays

Dear All,

I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas to all my family, friends, friends I met online/in person, my fans, my readers and everyone who celebrates Christmas. Although The Armenian Christmas is on January 6th, it is also great to celebrate on December 24/25th. Wishing everyone all the best. ❤ ❤ Hugs and Kisses to all.

I also celebrate on January 6th where its my Armenian Christmas too. This is an exciting time of the year.

Happy Holidays with great health, happiness, and great things. Best wishes always.

Cheers to you and your loved ones. 🙂

Love,

Talin Orfali

A Highlight,

This Christmas, It was my first time marinating and cooking my very first turkey…. The end result — SUCCESS!! 🙂
I usually cook chicken, and other meats, but it was my first for turkey. I am so proud of myself and I did it all on my own. 🙂 – I also cooked the whole Christmas dinner..

Party or Function Table Etiquette

Have you been to parties and functions where appetizers, the main course and other foods are put on the table and you see some inconsiderate people who take a huge chunk out of the food on that plate that is put on the table and by the time the plate comes to you, you have nothing left or a small bit that barely goes down your throat?

I have been to numerous amounts of parties and functions especially weddings or something where I have witnessed that happen all too much. Not only observing on my table, but others around too. Some people do not think of the other people who are sitting on the same table as them and think they are the only ones with eating the food. I find that to be very selfish and a terrible trait. People paid to eat and have fun, and those who are hungry. It is not nice to hog the food.

The people who plan these functions make/order only enough food to last for each person. I know that it is good to carry extra supply of the food that is being provided in case people ask for more, but whatever is put on the tables, people should be mindful and think of others as well, but unfortunately that is not the case over 90% of the time. maybe more.

It has happened to me a lot. I am usually the one to pass around the plates as respect and thinking of others before I serve myself. As the plate began circling around and came back to me of 9 people and I am the 10th, It either had nothing left or a very small speck of it when the whole plate was so full. I was so mad and I felt weird asking the server for more of that food, where they had put enough to last the whole table. I try not to make a big fuss about it, but it is a big fuss. It is disrespectful, inconsiderate and absolutely terrible to do that. Some people’s eyes are bigger than their stomach.

I see peoples eyes jump at the food as soon as the host of the party or function says its okay to eat, or after a prayer or something. People jump at the food before its okay to do so. Some people look and act like they have never seen food or ate it before. They become so wild that they don’t even acknowledge others around them.

To learn proper etiquette is to take small portions of each item and allow others to have a chance to eat it. Some people may skip that certain type of food, but again its good to ask, “are you sure you do not want it”? if the response says, “yes I am sure I do not want it, you can have it”, then you take it, but other than that it is not fair for people who want them.

So, next time you go to a function or party, just watch and observe your table and the way people take their food and how much of it and you will see what I am talking about. People may not even pay attention to those details, but it is important to learn from mistakes and correct them. Etiquette is so important that some people do not take seriously and who do not respect it. Etiquette and manners are crucial and so imperative to have and possess.

Just look out and see.

My Beautiful 30th Champagne Birthday Celebration

On April 30, 2015 I turned 30 years old. They say that the day you are born of the month and the age you turn becomes your champagne birthday. It was a big milestone I celebrated about a week or so ago. On May 1st, 2015 All my great friends who are like family to me came and celebrated my birthday with me. There were so many surprises for me one after the other and I was absolutely touched and from the bottom of my heart, I appreciate all the hard work, determination, dedication and everything that went to giving me the best birthday celebration of my life.

This week has just been incredibly overwhelming and the beautiful feelings I had and still do. I was so absolutely touched and surprised so beautifully, that even as a writer/blogger myself, I just didn’t know and have all the words to say how grateful I am for all the excellent incredible detailing that went into my beautiful party. I apologize deeply that it took me a while to put all my full feelings and input on my birthday celebration.

First and foremost, I want to acknowledge, and thank my sister/good friend Aline Rosy of many many years now, who is a ray of sunlight and brightness in my life and 2-3 months before my birthday, when we were discussing my birthday celebration details, and where I want to celebrate my birthday, it took a while for me to decide where and we finally decided to have the party at my house. So as the weeks and days got closer, Aline went to the ends of the earth to make sure my birthday will be a very memorable and special one and she sure demonstrated excellency from her caring heart, her beautiful soul into making everything so perfect. Not one thing was left out.

As my birthday week finally arrived, My Sisters Aline and Talar came and assisted with decorating my place to make it all ready. Now as the day on May 1st when I had my party arrived, I had one surprise come to me after the other. It was fantastic and absolutely beautiful.

Aline

She made this incredible bean dip with cheese, and other yummy ingredients, which was so delicious. I could not stop eating it and which was all finished the very next day with left overs.
– She also ordered and custom made a special yummy birthday cake which was the Facebook Like Thumbs up symbol made by Alice Lumsden Vee which represented me and my social media journey. I said in my mind, I have to cut this beautiful cake now?
– She also surprised me with delicious image cookies by Passion For Desserts with images from Bradley Cooper, Social Media, I love Montreal, Boston, Champagne Bottles, Armenia Flag, My Image, my 30th birthday, My Expertise in Cooking, also Travel, done by Alxiomir Portales.
– She then surprised me with a beautiful collage on a big board filled with all my great memories, and everyone who is in my circle, and my world with stickers and everything that represent me and my life and my moments from the past to the present.
– Also All the other detailing that was beautifully thought of and done.

Aline’s excellent efforts did not go unnoticed and everything went so well. That night will forever be embedded in my heart and it will spoken about for years to come. I am absolutely grateful for everything. I cannot thank her enough. I love you so much, so deeply. Not just for everything you did, but just for being you, and for being one of the greatest friends well more so part of my family, for being there for me, and loving me unconditionally. Hugs and kisses. I am truly blessed.
—————————————————————————————————————————–

Thank you to everyone who contributed to my birthday, my best friend and sister Talar, My boyfriend Armen who surprised me with 24 red roses, who brought the food, the colourful 30th birthday decoration theme, the balloons and so much you also contributing to my birthday. I love you so much! My brother, my great friends who brought delicious desserts, food, drinks, and everything else. You all are part of my family and I love you all so deeply. Kisses and hugs… This was the best birthday ever.

To all those who could not be there to celebrate with me, but were there in spirit, thank you for being part of my life. I wouldn’t be where i am today without you all.

God bless everyone!

Passion for Desserts – Absolutely Delicious

Recently on the celebration of my Champagne 30th birthday on April 30th, which was celebrated on May 1st, 2015 with my brother, boyfriend, great friends who are my family who came to celebrate my special day with me, My great friend and Sister Aline Rosy, surprised me with beautiful cookies of different sizes, shapes, and all my favourite things printed on the cookies with Champagne Bottles, Bradley Cooper my favourite actor, Chef/Cook, Social Media/Blogging logos, Travel, Boston, Montreal, Myself with my Armenia gear, The Armenia Flag, my 30th birthday. My facial expression and when I saw it when it was presented to me, I was incredibly touched and overwhelmed with happiness and I was also going to start crying of happy tears of how incredibly great they came out. It was so excellently done. Thank you so much Aline for your absolutely generous, kind heart and thoughtfulness for such beautiful cookies and they are so tasty too.

Now, about “Passion for Desserts“. Custom Cookies and Cupcakes by Alxiomir Portales.

Passion for desserts is a catering business that is operated in Markham, Ontario which is north of Toronto, Ontario. Their vision is to produce original, beautiful, creative cookie favours for all occasions that is desired. All of the recipes are made from their own family recipes and all made from scratch. Passion for Desserts only uses the finest ingredients and definitely has a passion for perfection.

As a consumer and one who has tried their cookies for my special champagne 30th birthday, I highly recommend them to everyone. They can make from Wedding cookies, valentines, bridal showers, sports cookies, cupcakes, baby showers, logos, birthdays, Halloween, and any other occasions, events. They have awesome customer service, quick and efficient also.

Once you try these delicious cookies and cupcakes, You will become a Passion for Desserts customer for life. You will keep coming back for more.

Passion for Desserts
is located at:

6545 Highway 7th East Unit #17
Markham, Ontario
L3P 3B4

telephone: (905) 209-1051
fax: (905) 209-1044

e-mail contact:
info@passionfordesserts.ca

for more information on updates, how to order and visuals on cookies and cupcakes visit their website at:

http://www.passionfordesserts.ca

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/cookiestoronto or search Passion for Desserts

Twitter:
@passiondesserts

High Heels and Parties – The Logic of Shoe Removal

In our lives a lot of us if not some, we tend to care so much about how our appearance looks when we go to parties, gatherings and other functions. Well, that is important, but one thing that doesn’t make sense is that some wear really uncomfortable high heels and some are so high that you see people not able to walk, but they will suffer the pain, anguish and discomfort just to make a statement and then take their shoes off almost halfway through the event. People want to look great in them and look taller.

I know high heels look so great, and its something that some value and are so into, however wearing high heels can pose dangers to posture, health of the legs, back and also strains. Especially when women who are pregnant and wear extremely high heels and I have seen it and I just think to myself. That is not right. Comfort should be #1 when When looking for footwear. It is so important to feel comfortable. I mean if you can pull off wearing heels and you are committed to wearing them, by all means go ahead, but in the long run, comfort rules everything else.

Why go to parties and bring extra footwear, and bring extra stuff you do not need, or bringing flip flops and flats to wear when from the beginning if you wear comfortable shoes, you do not have to worry about changing your shoes and you can be carefree all night. I am not telling you not to wear heels. You are free to do and wear whatever, but just looking out for your best interest.

When I get married hopefully someday, I will be wearing flats as a bride and my bridesmaids will also be wearing flats, because we will be up on our feet almost all day and I want my bridesmaids, maid of honor to be as comfortable as possible and enjoy the day and have one less thing to worry about when they say, My feet are killing me, I want to change into flip flops or flats. Do not want any of my girls to be uncomfortable. Who cares about Heels? If some brides are so worried about the shoes to be high, you have to think about the whole day process during the wedding ceremony, taking photos, standing a lot and dancing at the reception party, then also getting dressed and stuff in the beginning of the day. Its so important to be comfortable always and not put unnecessary strain on the body. Especially when you are part of a wedding party and when you are participating in standing up a lot.

This also means for conventions, and businesses as well. Also actresses and filming movies and TV Shows. I do not see anything wrong with wearing flats or small heels.

I myself, cannot wear heels. It has to be completely flat or just a small heel of a couple of centimeters in length, but I cannot believe people can wear 3-4-5-6 inch heels and a lot more higher. It is crazy. My back and my legs hurt by just looking at others walk in them. My feet hurt with just wearing an inch or less sometimes..

When I was a teenager and graduating grade 8 and 12th grade in High school, during my prom, I wore huge heels and at 17-18 years old, I began to feel uncomfortable. I said to myself, why should I suffer in pain and discomfort? I began to wear flats after that age. I just cannot stand wearing heels. Not going to damage my body, my health, my posture for the sake of wearing them.

Do you wear heels? Are you against wearing them? or do you love wearing them? Would love to hear what you have to say as well.

2015 is here! Welcome!

Hello everyone, now that 2014 is behind us, hope everyone had a pleasant, fun and great night when ringing in 2015. Here are to new beginnings this year. I can’t believe it is the second day already. Time is already flying by. before you know it, we will be putting up our Christmas/Holiday decorations once again. I remember the days when I always wanted to go out for new years and celebrate outdoors or at a banquet hall full of people, but nowadays, I just want to spend a quiet, fun and relaxing time at home with my loved ones with good food, snacks, a few drinks, and unwinding during the holidays is all that is important. I know its fun to get dressed up and to go to parties and everything, but I just don’t feel it anymore. I’d rather be at home all cozy and warm and just relaxing.

I don’t know if you feel the same way as well. To me, new years is just another day with another year added. We should be grateful for the days we have, for the years we are on the planet, and we should be grateful for all the blessings and everything we have. That is the most important thing that people really should focus on. Some people are so into vanity, materialism, and all that stuff, however the true meaning of the holidays and as well as everyday is to count our blessings and be thankful. There are so many unfortunate things happening in our world today, and we should always look at the bigger picture as things can be worse.

Always think positive, look at life in an optimistic way, be happy, live your life. Health, happiness, and positivity is the most important things in life. everything else is secondary. As 2015 is now here, I wish everyone a blessed year ahead and beyond. Lets create more memories, good times, motivate each other, encourage each other, have each others back, and share our stories with one another.

Many blessings and good times to everyone. Best wishes to all!

Cheers to 2015!

The Last Blog of 2014 – The Year Flew By

Hello everyone, this is going to be my last blog of 2014. I cannot believe how quickly the year flew by. It felt just like yesterday we were celebrating the beginning of 2014 and now, here we are again ready to welcome a new year which is about 24 hours from now. There is so much I want to accomplish and achieve in 2015, and I have created a personal bucket list of goals to attain and so much more. In the blogs coming, everyone will eventually find out what they are. For now, it is something personal to me until I post my journey and stories of it all in the coming 12 months of 2015. So keep checking back to see it all unfold.

I know a lot of people are setting up and getting ready to ring in the new year and some are already celebrated 2015 in the world already, so I am going to keep this short and wishing everyone a safe, happy, healthy, positive, optimistic and great year ahead, and may it be everything you wish for it to be. Keep smiling, keep shining, keep your head up high and always be who you are, and know that whatever you do, and want to do, when you put your mind to it, you can do anything. Everything and Anything is possible in life. You just need to work hard at it and never give up.

Thank you to my readers, fans, family, friends, and all my supporters.

I am excited for another year filled with blogging, writing, and pursuing my dreams in social media, writing and so much more.

Here is to New Beginnings.
Cheers!

Love,
Talin Orfali — WordPress

Highlights of 2014 – More Great times – Been a great year

2014 was a mix of the good times and the bad times, but mostly good times. This year I got to do many things, travel to different places with my boyfriend, friends, and family, and so much more that I will be sharing. Here are the highlights of my year in no particular order:

– My lovely friend/sister surprised me with Boston Red Sox Baseball tickets for my birthday 🙂
– Got into my first relationship with a lovely man and still going strong.
– Went to a couple of Basketball Games – Toronto Raptors,
– Went to a Soccer game Toronto FC With my boyfriend and good friends in New Jersey/New York

– Traveled to New York City / New Jersey
– Traveled to Boston, Massachusetts
– Traveled to Varadero, Cuba and Cayo Coco, Cuba
– Traveled to Ottawa, Canada
– Traveled to Niagara Falls

– Went aircraft Spotting at Toronto Pearson Airport Several Times
– Created beautiful memories with my loved ones throughout the year
– Went to an Airport Street Festival where I got up close and Personal with Toronto Pearson YYZ
– Went Mini Putting with great friends.

That is about it for now… I can’t think of anything else. There was so much that happened.

—- Have a happy New Year and great 2015. Wishing you all the best.

Favorite Halloween Candy – What I loved Getting

As Halloween is approaching in a few days, thought this would be timely to bring up. When I was a kid going door to door on Halloween night to go trick or treating, I was ever so excited to put my costume on and of course get candy, chocolate and chips in my bag. I had sometimes received other things in my bag as well, however there are some of the candy, chocolate, and chips that I used to love getting. I used to come home and sort out all my candy with my parents. Some of them really stood out for me and I never really bothered with the other candy I did not like, so I gave it to my family to eat. 🙂

My Favourites include:

— Little smarties boxes
— Candy Corn
— Popeyes little white cigarettes
— Twizzlers
— Nerds Candy
— Whoppers
— Milk Duds
— Reeses Peanut Butter Cups
— Gummy Teeth
— Rockets – They look like little tablets
— Little Chips bags
— Canada Loonie Dollar Chocolate Coins.

I remember I used to fill up 2-3 bags and sometimes I would take pillow cases with me, and it used to fill up to almost the top. I went everywhere so quickly. I used to map it all out with the most houses and areas around, so I would go and get the candy quick and I would start just before it started getting dark out, and then I would start my journey. It would last for quite a few hours and until I came home, with the help of my parents to carry the bags. I remember it would take a while to sort through the candies and then I would share and give them to my cousins, to my neighbors, and of course keep a lot of it for me too. 🙂

What did you like getting in your bag? What was your favourite chocolate, candy, chips or whatever else you got in your Halloween treat bag?

Introducing You the Talented SuperStar Robert Chilingirian

In the past 20 plus years, I have been listening to music from my Armenian culture and background, and I got introduced to many performers and artists, but some have been captivating, capturing my heart, mind and soul, and one of them is the Talented Superstar Robert Chilingirian. After many years of listening to his music, I began to search for him on the Internet, and when I was on the MySpace website back in 2006, 2007 is where I found Robert, and I began to communicate with him One on One for many years. Since then we have become great friends. Social media has become a great tool to communicate and its been great.

Throughout the years, Robert has completed over 21 albums, written, composed many songs, created music videos, some are especially dedicated to the Armenian Genocide, our late and beloved Artist who passed away almost 3 years ago named Paul Baghdadlian, and so many other songs that are so meaningful to Robert and his journey through his musical career. Robert has traveled the world, and he says that Traveling, and seeing the world is great, but getting to know many and different people around the world is what it is all about. Robert is a well-rounded, down to earth, humble person whom I have had the pleasure of meeting twice now. Just recently when he came to Canada, to my town of Toronto, I had the pleasure of seeing him, and talking with him. He is such a kind-hearted man. I am ever so glad to have met him. I had the pleasure of meeting one of Robert’s Dancers in his videos Teria Morada a few years ago and that also was a great moment. I had met Robert in 2010 and now 2014. Best moments.

Robert also plays the bouzouki, guitar, and his energy is automatically felt throughout the crowds he entertains. He entertains in private functions, weddings, different parties and so much more.

In Robert’s Albums, he writes, create your own, be a leader, never a follower which is so true. If we all create the same things or close to them, things would be boring and not interesting, so be your own leader, and never follow others. Just be yourself, and go with the flow of what life has to offer. In the near future, I hope to see him again soon and reconnect. I wish Robert continued success, I wish him safe travels around the world, and God give him strength to do what he loves. God Bless you Robert and wishing you the very best my Brother.
Here are some of his links to explore and get to know him more:

http://www.youtube.com/user/robertchilingirian

http://www.myspace.com/robertchilingirian

http://www.facebook.com/robertchilingirian

Merry Armenian Christmas — Orthodox Christmas

Armenia

Armenians celebrate Christmas (surb tsnunt, Սուրբ Ծնունդ, meaning “saint birth”) on January 6 as a public holiday in Armenia. It also coincides with the Epiphany. Traditionally, Armenians fast during the week leading up to Christmas. Devout Armenians may even refrain from food for the three days leading up to the Christmas Eve, in order to receive the Eucharist on a “pure” stomach. Christmas Eve is particularly rich in traditions. Families gather for the Christmas Eve dinner (khetum, Խթում), which generally consists of: rice, fish, nevik (նուիկ, a vegetable dish of green chard and chick peas), and yogurt/wheat soup (tanabur, թանապուր). Dessert includes dried fruits and nuts, including rojik, which consists of whole shelled walnuts threaded on a string and encased in grape jelly, bastukh (a paper-like confection of grape jelly, cornstarch, and flour), etc. This lighter menu is designed to ease the stomach off the week-long fast and prepare it for the rather more substantial Christmas Day dinner. Children take presents of fruits, nuts, and other candies to older relatives.

It is frequently asked as to why Armenians do not celebrate Christmas on December 25 with the rest of the world. Obviously, the exact date of Christ’s birth has not been historically established—it is not recorded in the Gospels. However, historically, all Christian churches celebrated Christ’s birth on January 6 until the fourth century. According to Roman Catholic sources, the date was changed from January 6 to December 25 in order to override a pagan feast dedicated to the birth of the Sun which was celebrated on December 25. At the time Christians used to continue their observance of these pagan festivities. In order to undermine and subdue this pagan practice, the church hierarchy designated December 25 as the official date of Christmas and January 6 as the feast of Epiphany. However, Armenia was not affected by this change for the simple fact that there were no such pagan practices in Armenia, on that date, and the fact that the Armenian Church was not a satellite of the Roman Church. Thus, remaining faithful to the traditions of their forefathers, Armenians have continued to celebrate Christmas on January 6 until today.[42]

In addition to the Christmas tree (tonatsar, Տօնածառ), Armenians (particularly in the Middle East) also erect the Nativity scene. Christmas in the Armenian tradition is a purely religious affair. Santa Claus does not visit the nice Armenian children on Christmas, but rather on New Year’s Eve. The idea of Santa Claus existed before the Soviet Union and he was named kaghand papik (Կաղանդ Պապիկ), but the Soviet Union had a great impact even on Santa Claus. Now he goes by the more secular name of Grandfather Winter (dzmerr papik, Ձմեռ Պապիկ).

CREDITS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_worldwide