Naughty Children, Coins, and A Happiness Survey

In partnership with

Voting is Heating Up In The North Pole Pup Parade Holiday Pet Photo Contest!

You can still enter!

• One winner will receive a $30 USD digital Amazon gift certificate. That could pay for a new blanket, an upgraded water bowl, or some treats.

• The winner will be chosen by you! Entries are added to this voting website daily. One vote per email and IP address. Real-time vote tallies are displayed after each vote.

• It’s free to enter one photo of your dog or dogs showing off their festive attitude. Your dog is the star of this contest and so photos that include people will be excluded. It’s perfectly fine to include toys, figurines, statues, trees or other non-people accessories.

• Entries will be accepted through December 15, 2024.

• Voting closes on December 15, 2024.

• The winner will be notified by email on December 16, 2024.

Forward this email to your friends so they can vote for your dog - good luck to all!

Culture

The Quirky Side of Today.

St. Nicholas Day is celebrated today - on December 6th. St. Nick’s Day is all about surprises, but let’s be honest - not all surprises are created equal. While some lucky kids wake up to find chocolates, oranges, or tiny toys in their shoes, others might discover... well, something a little different. Yep, St. Nick has a quirky side, and his gift-giving history proves it.

The Naughty List Specials
In parts of Germany and Austria, kids who didn’t exactly make the "Nice" list might find a stick or a raw potato in their shoes. Sure, it’s not candy, but hey—at least you can make fries! These “gifts” were gentle reminders to shape up before the season of goodwill continued. I wonder if we can do this for our other family members.... 

The Unexpected Aromatics
In Mediterranean traditions, cloves of garlic or cinnamon sticks might show up in your shoes. Why? No one really knows, but it’s probably meant to bless your home with protection and warmth. Or maybe St. Nick just thinks your shoes could use a little deodorizing (entirely possible). Either way, it’s a gift that keeps on giving (potentially to your spice rack).

Wooden Animals and Mini Brooms
In old European traditions, St. Nick sometimes leaves tiny carved animals or even miniature brooms. Are these whimsical toys? Subtle life lessons? Who knows! Either way, a little broom in your shoe might be St. Nick’s way of saying, “Sweep up your act - literally.” I will need a whole bunch of mini brooms.

Symbolism with a Side of Mystery
One of the more curious gifts is a single coin or an ornamental key. The coin represents prosperity, while the key symbolizes unlocking the magic of the season—or at least unlocking your curiosity about why there’s a key in your shoe! I'd like one of each.

These kinds of gifts might not be as sweet as chocolate or as shiny as a new toy, but they’re a reminder that St. Nick’s Day isn’t just about indulgence - it’s about creativity, fun, and a dash of good-natured mischief. Each gift has its charm (even if it smells a little funny) and together they highlight the diverse and creative interpretations of traditions across cultures, blending folklore with personal touches. I wish you all coins and keys.

Proud Parent

Paws Up, Dog Parents. 🐾 Join our Fido Family!

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! We are glad you like Fido Fly and are part of this community who loves dogs. We would like to introduce you to a newsletter that digs deep into dog topics such as step-by-step training guides and vet-approved health information. Because our community is a dog-loving family, it’s called Fido Family, and gets delivered every Tuesday.

As a special treat, we’re offering an exclusive free trial to the Fido Fly community for a limited time. Don’t miss out. Come see what all the barking’s about.

Access your free trial here.

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Doggie aerobics, associative names, and familiar phrases

Dog aerobics: Ok, now we have no excuse to avoid working out
Association: Possible puppy thought
Options: My dog actually ate the wall in real life

As we plan happiness boosts for 2025, we’re curious what brings you here. We work for your happiness and health.

Culture

Goosebumps Guaranteed: The Original Trees of Christmas

Before there were plastic trees with built-in LED lights and Bluetooth speakers (yes, those exist), the first artificial Christmas trees were made of goose feathers. That’s right - back in 19th-century Germany, some brilliant minds thought, “Why chop down a tree when we’ve got a whole flock of geese?”

In the late 1800s, deforestation was becoming a concern, and with Germans being some of the earliest Christmas tree enthusiasts, the demand for real trees started to strain local forests. Enter the goose! Feathers were dyed green and carefully attached to wire branches, creating a surprisingly lifelike evergreen. The result was a reusable tree that saved both forests and holiday cheer. These trees also had some other perks in that they didn't shed needles all over the family room (take notes, modern pine trees) and the branches were sturdier for ornaments. 

The goose feather tree became so popular that it eventually made its way to America, where it was a hit with Victorian households. Today, original feather trees are considered collector’s items, often showcased in museums or holiday exhibits.

While today’s artificial trees have moved on to plastic and PVC, the humble goose feather tree holds a special place in history. It reminds us that even in the 19th century, people were finding creative, sustainable ways to celebrate the holidays. So this holiday season, as you deck your halls, spare a thought for the inventive Germans who turned geese into greenery and gave us the first artificial tree. 🎄

Psst! Does your little one like to receive presents? 

To save you time, we scavenged through over 10,000 items on Amazon to find the best stuff. We were dismayed that many items are already gone so we stocked up in our own store to make sure you can find the perfect gift. We offer two ways to shop here.

And yes, we included a few goodies for you as well. Fido Fly is about boosting happiness for pet parents AND pups.

Chuckle  

The fib is C. Snow can appear in different colors, including pink (caused by algae known as Chlamydomonas nivalis), orange, green, or even blue, depending on the presence of organic material or specific atmospheric conditions.

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