Contents:
Presents are more concrete. A bit more, well, present. Gift can also be an attributive noun, acting like an adjective to modify another noun. What do you call the type of shop where you can buy presents for people? What do you call the basket of presents that you can have sent to all your employees? We have gift boxes, gift cards, and gift wrap, not present boxes, present cards, and present wrap.
Gift appears to be more frequent than present , though it is difficult to get accurate counts, because if you compare occurrences of the noun present with the noun gift , you include that other noun present , meaning the here and now. However, the plural noun presents captures only the word we want.
Gifts outnumbers presents in the Corpus of Contemporary American English by four to one. Still, according to my personal sense of the words, present —though it may not be as common—is more casual sounding than gift.
I expect a child to ask Santa for lots and lots of presents, not many, many gifts. Have you got a Big Question you'd like us to answer? If so, let us know by emailing us at bigquestions mentalfloss. But the truth is, if you ever see a minor out wassailing, you may want to call his or her parents. The word wassail has many meanings. Before the Battle of Hastings in , English soldiers reportedly sang:. But, in England, wassail also denoted the alcoholic beverage you imbibed during that toast—an elixir of steamy mulled mead or cider.
Sometimes, wassail was a whipped dark beer flavored with roasted crab apples. Wassail was usually slurped from a communal bowl before, during, and after big events and holidays. It was supposedly on the menu during Lammas Day, a pagan autumnal harvest holiday that involves transforming cornhusks into dolls.
Fun margarita gift basket is perfect for Cinco de Mayo - or for Mother's Day! . Cinco de mayo themed basket- bunko prize or great for raffles! *jelly beans * candy canes *syrup *candy *etch a sketch *lite brite *how to cut snowflake book Candy Pop Shop | 19 DIY Movie Night Ideas for Teens that will get the party. Adult Party Favors | DIY Cinco de Mayo Party Ideas for Adults | Easy Fiesta Party. Open Fun margarita gift basket is perfect for Cinco de Mayo - or for Mother's Day! Ok, it's really perfect .. baby - That Winnie the Pooh - makes this basket - need to add a few Pooh books! .. "These 19 Gift Basket Ideas Are PERFECTION !.
It was also imbibed on Twelfth Night , a January holiday that involves lighting a fire in an orchard, dancing, and singing incantations to apple trees in hopes of encouraging a bountiful harvest. By the Middle Ages, the practice of sharing a giant bowl of wassail—that is, the practice of wassailing —evolved from a holiday celebration to a form of boozy begging.
Not all rich folk were happy to see wassailers at their doorstep. Misers like Selden may have had a point: Since alcohol was involved, wassailers often got too rowdy. In fact, boisterous wassailers are one reason why Oliver Cromwell and Long Parliament passed an ordinance in that essentially banned Christmas. By the 19th century, wassailing would mellow. Beginning in the s, music publishers started releasing the first commercial Christmas carols, uncorking classics such as God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and The First Noel. Among them were dozens of wassailing songs, including the circa Here We Come a-Wassailing and dozens of others that are now, sadly, forgotten.
As the custom of caroling became the dominant door-to-door pastime, alcohol-fueled begging dwindled. By the turn of the 20th century, carolers were more likely to sing about libations than actually drink them. For starters, ask for beer. Go for it all, go for the gold, go for Thirsty for your own wassail? And I try to keep a running list of whatever they like because it helps me when it comes time to buy Christmas presents. Here are 20 gifts that the teenage girls in your life might enjoy.
Bang Buster Reversible Headband. In fact, I had one of those moments about 4: Girls love to layer, and this tank would be so cute with so many of the bohemian-style cardigans and ponchos that are in style right now. Monarch Desk Calendar. I adore Rifle Paper Co. Game Day Tailgate Cross-body Bag. This is just the cutest little bag and there are other patterns , too. It can be a wristlet, but it also has a hidden strap that converts it to a cross body bag.
If there were an official candle scent of teenage girls, Capri Blue would be it.
I think these votives are great because girls can use them in containers they already have the votives are only available online. Work of Worth Grecian Goddess Necklace. This necklace is gorgeous. A book by Annie F. I think that Annie Downs is a fantastic writer, as do lots of teenage girls.
Made by Trina hair ties and stacking bracelets. Great stocking stuffers for the stylish girls in your life!
Work of Worth Grecian Goddess Earrings. I absolutely adore a good hoop. I have a feeling you already know this, but teenage girls use their phones a lot. It used to be that girls wore hats because they were having a bad hair day. Now, however, girls wear cute hats — or in this case, a beanie — like they would any other great accessory. This beanie is super soft, cute, and versatile; it can be practical and stylish at the same time. I am convinced that this is because my head is enormous. Never underestimate the versatility of some OPI glitter polish, my friends.
Wedding Flowers Custom Journal. This journal is sure to spread some cheer. In addition to being customizable and there are lots of different designs , it has plenty of room for writing, drawing, or doodling. As an added bonus, the journal lays flat when you open it.
The Naptime Diaries shop has a wide variety of prints — many of them scripture — so there are plenty of options to choose from. If you know someone who likes to get creative with her make-up — or who enjoys trying different looks — this is a near-perfect gift. Tortoise Shell Monogram Acrylic Keychain. You know why a keychain is a great gift for a teenage girl? Because it holds keys. Which are necessary to drive a car.
So basically this keychain is a first-class ticket to freedom. CamelBak eddy Water Bottle. This CamelBak bottle is well-insulated, durable, and should fit perfectly in the side of a backpack. Sherpa Holiday Argyle Plush Throw.
During the months that end with -er and -ary, most teenage girls are cold. We know this because they envelop themselves in fuzzy sweaters and hold their Starbucks between their hands as if their very lives depend on absorbing the heat from their venti peppermint mochas. I hope these gift ideas help!
I love the headband and cross body bag. My sisters will be happy campers this year!
Thank you so much for sharing this…I have been looking for somewhere to get a cute poncho now I know!!! Thanks for making it easy! Boomama, I love you! I should know so now you are making me look like the cool aunt is cool still ok to use???