Holiday Traditions
Every part of the world has it's Holiday Traditions. But for post Katrina New Orleans, LA, many of these traditions are just fond memories. For many native New Orleanians a part of their history was washed away on that famous day in late August, 2005. My husband was born in New Orleans and I have family roots there, too. Together, with this lens, we hope to bring back some of the memories of those Christmases past. You'll also find links to plenty of Louisiana products and food baskets (including Mr. Bingle) that would make unique holiday gifts.
Home for the Holidays Contest in the All About Christmas category, December, 2008. Christmas in New Orleans
was filled with Family, Fun, Food, Music, Majesty and Reverence.
New Orleans Christmas Memories
Let us go back to the 1950's through the 1980's when life was simple and the songs were about love in this great city on the Mississippi River. Christmas was a magical time and Canal Street was the center of that magic. Stores like Goudchaux's and Maison Blanche decked out their windows with colorful displays. Mr. Bingle, the funny little snowman with the ice cream cone hat was on every child's mind. Christmas dinner was a true feast, with several generations of families in attendance. My husband's Mother was Italian and Irish and the feasts that she prepared would put some chefs to shame. There was something magical about Christmas in New Orleans. Whether it was the lighting displays in the park and later in the 1990's at the home of Al Copeland (Popeye's Chicken), the Christmas on the Bayou boat parade or the bonfires on the levee, the multicultural population made the Holiday celebration exceptional.
Benny Grunch Christmas YouTube Vids
Benny Grunch and the Bunch are talented local musicians who perform unique and humorous songs about the people and the customs in New Orleans. Frank Davis has a segment on a local television station called Naturally New Orleans and each year he features another entertaining performance by Benny Grunch. Here are a couple from their 12 Yats of Christmas CD.
Celebration in the Oaks
New Orleans City Park
Some of the popular events of Christmas in the Oaks include: T-Rex, the popular raptors. These are part of the Dinobration exhibit, a crowd favorite since 2003. Also new are the Very Merry Maze, a dancing light show, and a snow machine that will keep Mr. Bingle chilled with hourly snow showers. Of course, the fabled Carousel will be operational, complete with new lighting and music, and the train will take patrons on an enchanted journey highlighted by an electrifying light display along City Park Avenue. A rich tradition is New Orleans' signature, and nowhere is that tradition more evident than during the Christmas season at Celebration in the Oaks. Join us as we continue to rebuild our great city and share in the joy and spirit of our 24th annual Celebration.
More about Celebration in the Oaks
New Orleans Christmas Photos
Christmas decorations at Copeland's home
Christmas wishes from Copeland family, next to their lighting display
New Orleans Holiday Feast
A Holiday Dinner Menu in Many New Orleans Homes
Roasted Turkey or Baked Ham
Oyster Dressing
Stuffed Mirlitons
Cranberry Sauce
Sweet Potatoes
Italian Salad
Twisted Italian Bread with poppy seeds (Usually from Gambino's Bakery.)
Bread Pudding
Louisiana Holiday Feasts
Here you'll find plenty of Louisiana holiday recipes, from both north and south Louisiana.-
Louisiana Holiday Feast
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If you are not from Louisiana, you probably don't know how different the northern part of the state is from the southern part of the state. We cook different foods, pray in different churches and celebrate in very different ways. I have lived in both...
Mr. Bingle Jingle
Jingle, Jangle, Jingle, here comes Mr. Bingle...
with another message from Kris Kringle.
Time to launch the Christmas Season,
Maison Blanche makes Christmas pleasin.'
Gifts galore for you to see,
each a gem from... MB."
Mr. Bingle on Wikipedia
Mr. Bingle is a fictional character, a snowman assistant to Santa Claus. Originating as a mascot of the Maison Blanche department store in New Orleans, Louisiana, the character was later marketed by Dillard's and remains part of the pop-culture of the Greater New Orleans area.
Category: Image - :BingleInTheOaks.jpg|right|thumb|250px|"Jingle jangle jingle! Here comes Mister Bingle!"
Mr. Bingle YouTube Vid
Mr. Bingle on eBay
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New Orleans Christmas Ornaments on eBay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byGo Saints!
New Orleans Saints Spiral Blanket/ThrowPrice: 39.95
48" x 60" Vivid team colors and larger than life team logos display your team spirit in a big and bold way. Oversize team name won't allow anyone to mistake your favorite team. Be bold and keep warm. 100%polyester. Easy care: Machine wash warm, gentle cycle. Tumble dry low heat.
New Orleans on Wikipedia
New Orleans (, , or by locals, by many non-locals, and in ) is a major U.S. port and the largest city in the state of Louisiana. New Orleans is the center of the New Orleans Metropolitan Area, the largest metro area in the state.
New Orleans is located in southeastern Louisiana, straddling the Mississippi River. The boundaries of the city and Orleans Parish are the same. It is bounded by the parishes of St. Tammany (north), St. Bernard (east), Plaquemines (south) and Jefferson (south and west). Lake Pontchartrain, part of which is included in the city limits, lies to the north and Lake Borgne lies to the east.
The city is named after Philippe II, Duc d'Orléans, Regent of France, and is well known for its multicultural and multilingual heritage,Cultures well represented in New Orleans' history include African American, Creole, Cajun, French, German, Irish, Italian, Jewish, Latino, Spanish, and Vietnamese. cuisine, architecture, music (particularly as the birthplace of jazz),
and its annual celebrations and festivals, particularly Mardi Gras. The city is often referred to as the "most unique"The term "most unique" is grammatically controversial. See for example: Merriam-Webster Dictionary of American Usage, Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc., 1994. Fowler, Henry, A Dictionary of Modern English Usage, Oxford: Oxford University Press, USA, 2003. Nicholson, Margaret, A Dictionary of American English Usage, New York: Oxford University Press, 1957. city in America.Institute of New Orleans History and Culture at Gwynedd-Mercy CollegeBehind the Scenes: Hurricane on the BayouDavid Billings, "New Orleans: A Choice Between Destruction and Reparations", The Fellowship of Reconciliation, November/December 2005Bring New Orleans BackSpike Lee offers his take on Hurricane Katrina, by Damian Dovarganes, Associated Press, July 14, 2006
Discovering Louisiana Wall Calendar
Discovering Louisiana 2010 Wall CalendarPrice: 9.95
Discovering Louisiana Wall Calendar: This wall calendar features 12 different scenic views of the State of Louisiana, with informational text under each picture. The perfect way to discover Louisiana!
Lift Up Your Voices
New Orleans, Birthplace of Jazz and a Multitude of Talented Musicians.
New Orleans Christmas Music on Amazon
New Orleans is unique to say the least. This primarily Catholic city has been a melting pot for many cultures for many years, dating back to before the Louisiana Purchase. The French and Spanish influence is still evident in the architecture and customs. Because of this, New Orleans and most of South Louisiana is set apart from the rest of the state. It is almost as if there are 2 very different states. Holiday celebrations are steeped in and influenced by the traditions of the European ethnic groups, including French, Acadian (Cajun), Spanish, Italian, Irish, German, Creole, African-American and several other groups that settled there.
New Orleans Gift Ideas on Amazon
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New Orleans Christmas
New Orleans Christmas captures the unique and vibr more...0 points
Saving Mr. Bingle: A New Orleans Christmas Fairy Tale by Sean P. Doles
Christmas has been a difficult time of year for de more...0 points
New Orleans Saints Toothbrush
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Mornin's in New Orleans Gift Set
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Higher Groundz N'Orleans Cafe New Freshly Roasted Whole Bean Coffee Beans Roast 4 lb Foil Bag
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Makin' Groceries Gift Basket
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Monday's Dinner in New Orleans
Everthing you need to make a traditional Monday di more...0 points
Taste of the Big Easy Gift Box
Shaped like a small suitcase, you can pick out all more...0 points
Dips and a Bucket Gift Set
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Team Spirit Football Gift Basket
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Soups on Gift Set
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There's a Party Goin' on Gift Set
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Tina's 6 Pack of Bean and Rice Mixes
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New Orleans Christmas on eBay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byNew Orleans Christmas Blog Posts
- Nothing Exceeds Like Excess - Christmas...New Orleans Style
- Previous Entry · Next Entry · Recent Entries · Archive · Friends' Entries · User Info. Christmas...New Orleans Style. Profile. User: [info] idiomagic. Name: Idiomagic. Page Summary. · Christmas...New Orleans Style. Latest Month ...
- Early Christmas Presents for Jackson and New Orleans « Phil ...
- That's because few people would dare dream that the King Edward Hotel in Jackson or the Saints of New Orleans would be brought back to life, especially in the same year. Yesterday, a packed house christened the Kind Edward while Saints ...
- OUR NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Merry Christmas
- If I do not catch you in the street or at the game tonight, Merry Christmas. Our New Orleans Saints cross lines and barriers, break records, but especially they bring us together. You can hold a 20 minute opener conversation with anyone ...
- New Orleans Slate: Christmas in New Orleans
- Well there have been lots of articles about Christmas in New Orleans. Some of them about families who came back to spend their holidays together as they always had, others about the evacuees who couldn't get back home. ...
Other Christmas Lenses You May Enjoy
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Angel Crafts for Christmas
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Creating Christmas decorations is an American tradition. In our family, we love to make our own decorations and many are passed down from generation to generation. I have included some patterns and instructions for a few of the Christmas Angels that...
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Natural Christmas Wreaths and Other Crafts
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We love nature's bounty and enjoy gathering the supplies for our family's Christmas wreath. The gathering starts as soon as the interesting seed pods form, usually in the fall. Pine trees abound where we live, so our wreaths have a foundation of pine...
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Cajun Night Before Christmas
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Did you know that Santa once moved to Louisiana and that there is a book called, the Cajun Night Before Christmas by Trosclair and James Rice, that tells the tale? Since the 1970's James Rice has delighted readers with his fanciful illustrations...
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Razzle Zazzle Christmas Gifts
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Zazzle is the place to shop for Christmas and we've gathered a selection of designs, books and poems which any nature lover should adore. You'll find shoes, T-shirts, ties, bags, mugs and Christmas cards with matching postage. We've incl...
Other Louisiana Lenses You May Enjoy
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Canoeing the Tchefuncte River
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Come with us on a virtual canoe ride down the lovely and scenic Little Tchefuncte River. We'll see many of the plants and animals that live in and along the river. Your guides will also tell you about the river and its flora and fauna. So, get your v...
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LSU Tigers Video Tribute
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The LSU Tigers had a remarkable season in 2007 with Les Miles and in previous years with he who will not be named. The team goes on to Fight, Fight Fight to victory each year. This lens is a collection of some of LSU's greatest moments and memorabil...
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Stuffed Mirlitons and More New Orleans Recipes
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Is a Mirliton an instrument, a dance movement or vegetable? Actually, the answer is, "all three", but this lens is about the vegetable pear - How to grow it, how to cook it and even festivals that honor it. Mirlitons are an integral part of old New O...
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Covington, LA on New Orleans' North Shore
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Covington, LA is located on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain, across the Causeway Bridge from New Orleans making it the perfect place to stay when visiting the Big Easy. It is the parish seat of St. Tammany Parish and it's history is old, datin...
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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Reply
- naturegirl7 naturegirl7 Nov 17, 2009 @ 6:07 am
- Thanks Linda, New Orleans was a wonderful place during the holidays.
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Reply
- LindaJM LindaJM Oct 29, 2009 @ 8:15 pm
- Beautiful holiday lens!
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Reply
- The_Party_Animal The_Party_Animal Jan 1, 2009 @ 10:04 am
- Yahoo you are a winner in The Squidoo Home for The Holidays Lens Contest So Go Grab your badge.
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Reply
- EverythingMouse EverythingMouse Dec 22, 2008 @ 9:26 pm
- I have never visited New Orleans but would love to one day. Great to learn about their Christmas traditions.
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Reply
- JaguarJulie JaguarJulie Dec 3, 2008 @ 4:59 pm
- It's been many a year since I was last in New Orleans. You've done a great job on capturing the spirit of this city.
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