The layout of the U.S. flag wasn’t codified until 1912, so flags dating before this period sometimes show odd proportions and unusual arrangements of the stars, the Smithsonian says, but most flag makers used straight rows of stars and similar proportions. While Flag Day has been celebrated since 1885, the U.S. Flag Code was published on June 14, 1923 to help establish a set of rules for civilian flag ceremonies, display and maintenance. While 1989’s Texas v. Johnson declared flag federal anti-desecration laws unconstitutional, most people continue to follow recommendations on treating the American flag with respect. #FlagDay
Tag: holiday
How the Flag’s 13 Stripes Came to Be
Long credited for designing and sewing the first U.S. flag, Philadelphia upholsterer Betsy Ross probably didn’t have anything to do it, says Reader’s Digest. Grandson William Canby appears to have invented that account, presenting it to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in 1870. That first official design included 13 stripes for the original 13 states, but when Vermont and Kentucky joined the Union, a new flag with 15 stars and 15 stripes debuted — and that’s the version that was immortalized in Francis Scott Key’s “Star-Spangled Banner.” Later designs returned to the original 13 stripes and added stars for new states. #FlagDay
Celebrate Boxing Week Now and Into 2023
Long celebrated in the British commonwealth on Dec. 26, Boxing Day is the day to present servants, tradespeople and the less fortunate with gifts or cash. The name derives from alms boxes collecting money for the poor, some believe, or to boxes of gifts or bonuses given to employees on the day after Christmas.
Americans often erroneously associate Boxing Day with boxing up and putting away all of the holiday decorations once gift-giving and celebrating are done. While acknowledging this complete misinterpretation, The Organizing Blog would like readers to follow up on it this week and into 2023.
The holidays are notorious for clutter. You may have hauled out box after box of decorations, themed tchotchkes, wrapping paper and greeting cards in preparation for the holiday. Add all of the new stuff that accumulates during the season while shopping and giving, and you can easily create crisis-level #clutter.
As the season winds down, take advantage of the opportunity to edit some of that #stuff. Get a plastic bin (or several), and systematically de-stage your space. #Organize everything upfront, sorting like items into bins by room or purpose, #decluttering expert Vicky Silverthorn told Good Housekeeping — whatever works best when it’s time to display the items again.
Think of your future self: When you open these bins again in 11 months, you’ll want to find everything neatly packed and organized; it will make finding and using them easier. Also store boxes and bins away properly to eliminate more stress from decorating and add to your #holiday cheer.
Do not, however, pack and store anything you don’t plan on using again. If something is broken or compromised, trash it. If something just doesn’t suit your taste, #donate it. Schedule a #free, #contactless #donation #pickup from ClothingDonations.org, and a driver will whisk those lightly used castoffs out of your sight on the appointed day.
Since your #donations help fund #veterans programs, you’ll be merging the two meanings or traditions of Boxing Day, however archaic and/or misconstrued — giving and storing. What better way to observe the event?
Have a safe, happy and #clutter-free New Year!
Look for Last-Minute Gifts at the Thrift
With only two days to go until #Christmas, you might want to check the options at a #thrift store supplied by generous #donations to ClothingDonations.org if you’re short on #gifts. Not only do they offer plenty of lightly used goods at nice prices, you can often find unique #gifts that might be just right for a particular person on your list if you browse for a few minutes, no shipping required. And if you’re feeding a crowd over the weekend, you can get necessities such as linens, baking pans, serverware and other essentials for the holiday table — and maybe even the perfect ugly #holiday sweater or white elephant #gift. #HolidayTips
Three Shopping Days Until Christmas
With just three shopping days before #Christmas, it’s go time on the gifts you forgot to get or procrastinated on. Gift cards and cash are fine for a lot of people, but if you want to make it look like you gave a lot of thought to your giftee’s needs, your choices have now winnowed to Amazon, something digital or something sourced locally. Good Housekeeping suggests 55 good last-minute gifts — some of which deliver electronically and won’t create #clutter, and some of which will keep help everything clean, like an in-car vacuum. And subscription boxes for cheese, self-care, flowers or craft beet will keep giving throughout the year. #HolidayTips