Hohoho! (Part II)
Francis Léonard
CEO Tip&Go (USA Canada) - Are you ready to tackle the labor shortage? Tip&Go THE E-tipping solution !
This is the last part of my Blog on Christmas. Wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas 2024!
Some Christmas traditions[1],[2]
· The classic Advent wreath, made of fir branches with four candles denoting the four Sundays of the Advent season, began in the 19th century but had roots in the 16th. Originally, it involved a fir wreath with 24 candles (the 24 days before Christmas), but the awkwardness of having so many candles on the wreath reduced the number to four. An analogous custom is the Advent calendar, which provides 24 openings, one to be opened each day beginning December 1. According to tradition, the calendar was created in the 19th century by a Munich housewife who tired of having to answer endlessly when Christmas would come 😉. The first commercial calendars were printed in Germany in 1851.
· The modern Christmas tree originated in western Germany. The Germans set up a ‘paradise tree’ (a fir tree hung with apples, that represented the Garden of Eden) in their homes on December 24. They hung wafers on it, symbolizing the eucharistic host. In a later tradition, the wafers were replaced by cookies of various shapes. Candles, symbolic of Christ as the light of the world, were often added. In the same room was the ‘Christmas pyramid’, a triangular construction of wood that had shelves to hold Christmas figurines and was decorated with evergreens, candles, and a star. By the 16th century, the Christmas pyramid and the paradise tree had merged, becoming the Christmas tree.
· Santa Claus has some pre-Christian roots. Though he represents St. Nicholas, the 3rd century Turkish Bishop who famously left gifts in people's shoes, other parts of the lore surrounding Santa come from more ancient traditions. When one looks at traditional imagery of Santa, and not the modern Coca-Cola version, similarities to the Norse God Odin can be found. For instance, in many Norse myths Odin takes the form of an old, white-bearded traveler clad in a hooded cloak, and riding on horseback. Odin was also known to ride an eight-legged horse through the sky, named Sleipnir. The original Santa rode a horse before he was given his eight tiny reindeer in the 1823 poem, A Visit from St. Nicholas.
Christmas Spending Stats[3][4]
· In 2023, close to 90% of people in the United States stated they were planning to celebrate the holiday. Over 60% of consumers stated they were likely to visit online retailers when buying gifts, making it the favorite option in 2023. The go-to retailer for holiday season shoppers was the usual suspect: Amazon.com.
· According to the National Retail Federation, American consumers spend an average of $998 on gifts and other holiday items each Christmas.
· According to a 2022 survey, the most popular holiday gifts in the United States are toys, apparel, and gift cards.
Hotels sumptuously decorated for Christmas (end)[5],[6]
Below are examples of luxury hotels that go all-out for Christmas (see Part I of my blog for other suggestions 😊).
· For more than a century, Fairmont San Francisco has enchanted guests with joyful holiday festivities and exuberant seasonal ambience. Back is the hotel's annual life-sized Gingerbread House on display from Thanksgiving through the New Year. Featuring hundreds of bricks of real gingerbread (baked by the hotel's pastry team) and pounds of See's Candies, the Gingerbread House takes a whooping 600 hours each year to construct. For an extra magical experience, you can book a private dining experience inside the Gingerbread House (for up to 12 guests) and take in the scents and sounds of the holiday season.
· Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, set among the snowy Canadian Rockies on the shores of the iconic frozen Lake Louise, is the quintessential Christmas destination. The holiday season is a magical affair here, with towering Christmas trees, twinkling light tunnels, ice sculptures, ice skating, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, and chances to spot the Northern Lights. There are special holiday menus and gourmet delights, plus lots of entertainment for children including visits from Santa Claus himself. On Christmas Eve, the hotel hosts a magnificent torchlight procession around the frozen lake, creating an enchanting atmosphere.
· For a Christmas experience steeped in history and Southern charm, The Peabody Memphis is an iconic choice. Located in the heart of downtown Memphis, the hotel lights up with special holiday concerts and events during December. The famous daily tradition of the “Peabody Ducks March” continues but with a special twist – the ducks don festive attire, including adorable Santa hats. You can catch the hotel’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, with a 30-foot-tall tree adorned in 20,000 twinkling lights. The Peabody also has special holiday extras like gingerbread cookies, festive cocktails, and hot cocoa, and there’s plenty to explore across the city including a unique Elvis-themed Christmas experience at Graceland.
Travellers on their way to visit their loved ones for Christmas will more often than not stay at a hotel on their journey. When they do, they expect to get clean and comfortable rooms.
Unfortunately, staff shortage is the number one issue in the hotel industry. This is why adopting an electronic tipping solution like TIP&GO®, which can increase employees’ earnings by up to 30%, is a must for hoteliers who want to attract or retain staff.
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Tip&Go: The face behind your comfort!
Francis Léonard, CEO
TIP&GO®
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