Holidays Archives - CANE RIVER PECAN COMPANY

The Mardi Gras Tradition of King’s Day

When you mention Carnival time, opulent parades, parties and displays of Mardi Gras celebrations immediately come to mind for most people. However, Mardi Gras is the very last day of Carnival. By the time we’re celebrating Mardi Gras, Carnival is at its end, Lent is about to begin, and many of us have missed out on all the joys of what Louisiana natives revere as an entire Carnival season. This year, make a resolution to begin Carnival right, starting with King’s Day—the very first day of Carnival—with its own very special traditions.

What Is King’s Day?

Just as Christmas always falls on December 25th in Western Christian traditions, King’s Day is always January 6th and marks both the end of the 12 days of Christmas and the beginning of Carnival. King’s Day celebrates the Christian Feast of the Epiphany, often referred to simply as Epiphany, commemorating the visit of the three magi who followed a star to pay homage to the Christ child with precious gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The occasion is often also referred to as Three Kings Day to remind us that a trio of determined wise men made the long, dangerous journey to Bethlehem. Twelfth Night is the eve of Epiphany, marking the days that had passed since Jesus’ birth.

The History of King’s Day

The celebration of Epiphany dates back to the Christian churches of Rome in the mid-to-late fourth century. The earliest reference comes from Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus, who wrote in the year 361 that January 6 was Christ’s birthday and Epiphany. However, it wasn’t until mid-sixth century—the year 534—that the Western church separated Christ’s birth and the visit of the magi into two separate festivals—the former being held on December 25, and the latter being held on January 6.

Since then, the Feast of the Epiphany or Three Kings Day has spread around the world as one of the most important dates on the Christian Church calendar — one worth celebrating with blessings, parties and, of course, king cake.

The Evolution of King Cake

In general, cake has historically carried great cultural, social and even religious significance. Cake represented plenty and the luxurious idea that one had enough supplies to be able to make something special to be shared.

Food historians place the king cake’s origins at least as far back as ancient Rome and its festival Saturnalia. Observed in December, Saturnalia was an agricultural holiday celebrating the harvest and a time of plenty. It was also a time when many social conventions were suspended. A key event was a reversal of roles between servants and masters. Most households served a special cake in which a fava bean was hidden—a bean that some cultures even considered magical. The servant or individual who received the bean in their piece of cake was declared king for the day.

As Christianity replaced paganism, Christmas and Epiphany gradually displaced and replaced the ancient Saturnalia, but the sweet confection known as king cake took its place as a key feature of Three Kings Day wherever you might be.

Today’s modern king cake gets its origins from France’s Galette Des Rois, a form of king cake that is perhaps the most iconic of all Epiphany confections. The galette des rois is a round of puff pastry filled with frangipane, sweet almond paste. It’s often served with cider or a sparkling wine like Champagne. When it’s cut, a young child is to sit beneath the table, calling out who should receive each slice. Whoever finds the fève in their serving gets to claim the gold crown that comes with the pastry.

Celebrating Like a Local

In Louisiana, Carnival is also known as king cake season, with King’s Day on January 6th marking its start. While many king cakes will be eaten on the feast day, many, many more king cakes will be devoured throughout the entire Carnival season.

You can count on any number of variations on a light, delicious sweet dough iced or sugared in Carnival’s official colors of purple, green and gold—colors that Louisiana businessmen selected in 1872 to represent justice, faith and power, respectively. Cakes may be the traditional oval, braided or stuffed with any number of delectable fillings, and you can nearly always count on a little baby Jesus making an appearance to commemorate the occasion—and determine who has to buy the next king cake.

This year, start Carnival off right with an authentic king cake from Cane River Pecan Company for King’s Day. Explore our online collection of flavors today, and share a sweet beginning to the Mardi Gras season with your friends, family and coworkers.

Sources

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/35171/want-to-know-the-history-behind-the-feast-of-the-epiphany

https://www.experienceneworleans.com/beginning-of-carnival.html

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Epiphany

https://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/history/

https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/food-matters/three-men-and-a-baby-a-brief-history-of-king-cakes/

https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-rome/saturnalia

England – https://britishfoodoistory.com/2019/01/05/twelfth-night-cake/

Portugal – https://www.aportugueseaffair.com/bolo-rei-the-cake-of-kings/ https://thesoundsofportuguese.com/january-traditions-in-portugal/ https://saltofportugal.com/2018/12/17/the-queens-cake/

Spain Latin America – https://www.aesu.com/central-america/three-kings-day-and-its-importance-in-latin-america/ https://www.ksat.com/sa-live/2021/01/07/what-is-rosca-de-reyes-and-why-is-it-eaten-on-jan-6/ https://belatina.com/three-kings-day-across-latin-america/

Germany – https://www.thelocal.de/20200106/germany-public-holiday-why-is-three-kings-day-celebrated/ https://baketotheroots.de/dreikonigskuchen-aka-kings-cake/

France – https://www.cyclomundo.com/blog/77-a-great-french-tradition–the–galette-des-rois–explained.html https://www.bordeauxcognactourguide.com/en/do-you-know-the-galette-des-rois-a-very-french-tradition

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https://www.caneriverpecan.com/

The Ultimate Holiday Checklist for Businesses

For businesses, the activities you sponsor or participate in during the holidays reveal your company’s values and vision – perhaps more so than at any other time of the year. Through your holiday activities, you can control whether clients, vendors, employees and partners perceive your business as a scrooge or saint.

If you want to convey the latter, we have the ultimate holiday event checklist for you. So, use this year’s season of celebration to set the tone for a brilliant new year of success for your business:

1. Throw an office holiday party.

The best parties suit the personalities and interests of the people attending and include everyone who makes your business a success. You can host a celebration on company time or the company dime, but make it something that will bring everyone together for a successful coming year. More importantly, choose a venue that will let people be themselves and enjoy one another.

2. Set an example with corporate gifting.

In the season of giving, client gifts, vendor gifts and employee gifts may be more important and message-laden than you think. A vast gulf exists between frugality – the wise use of resources – and stinginess – a reluctance to give. Gifts should be frugal but never stingy.

3. Sponsor a company charity event or drive.

Nothing makes us feel luckier or richer than being able to help those in need. Every little bit counts, and those bits can add up to quite a lot for a worthy cause. Whether it’s collecting coats or raising money for cancer research, it gives your whole team something positive to share and a meaningful way to give back to the community.

4. Organize some friendly in-house holiday competition.

Doors, hallways, windows, desks, cubicles and open office spaces are all prime decorating territory. Make the competition individualized, group-based or both. You could even have an elf on the shelf competition, traditional or giant. Just be sure to keep it fun and celebratory, respectful of all faiths and traditions.

5. Incorporate dress-up days for fun or competition.

Give people a safe environment to reveal who they really are, and share some chuckles, too. Have a color day so employees can display team loyalties, for example. Let teams or departments choose and dress for a theme; you may have everything from eight tiny reindeer to the Island of Misfit Toys. Dress up days are a guaranteed, well-remembered morale booster.

6. Create “holiday favorites” playlists.

Everyone has a favorite piece of music that says, “The holidays have arrived!” If music is an element of your workday – in the office, on hold or at gatherings – ask employees what they’d like to hear, and compile a company playlist. By sharing on social media, this can be a great way to build company culture and reach your brand’s online audience.

Delivering Your Holiday Message With Cane River Pecan Company

Cane River Pecan Company offers expertise dedicated to tasteful corporate gifting. Our gifting specialists can help you design the kinds of client gifts that you’d be proud to give – and just as happy to receive. Call us at 800.293.8710, or contact us online, and let us help you ring in a successful and memorable new year.

Want to learn more about how to select amazing corporate gifts for the holidays and beyond? Download our full guide below!

Corporate Gift-Giving on Professional Holidays

While we think professional holidays deserve full recognition (translation: a full day of recreation or vacation), in reality, they’re usually limited to simple observances. Fortunately, that makes an unexpected thank you from the boss that much sweeter. If you’d like to reward the people who make your business successful, we’re ready to help!

Continue reading Corporate Gift-Giving on Professional Holidays

Giving Thanks to Vendors

Large or small, no business venture is an island. A host of other companies supplies goods, machinery, services, advice and expertise that allow you to serve your customers and grow your business. No matter the industry — whether you specialize in power and energy, telecommunications, precious metals, biotechnology or wedding planning — you operate within a complicated networking interplay of skilled individuals, providers and suppliers several levels deep. Business consultants and CEOs all agree: Businesses literally live and die by their vendors. Contemplate your ability to prosper without them, and the picture turns quite grim.

Business-Vendor, Vendor-Business — Perspectives

A number of studies have attempted to quantify the value of vendors to a business. While statistics for customer satisfaction, retention and impact are easily calculated based on repeat purchases and customer surveys, the business-vendor relationship is far more complex. Vendors operate as part of your business, but they aren’t employees. You are their client, but you’re a large-scale client, most likely one of many others. If your vendors are experienced, specialized and top-of-the-line in their field, it is likely that their services are in high demand, and they may even have to turn work away. Before you think that you can simply replace them, consider the true value of a top-notch supplier or service provider. In a trillion-dollar arena of million-dollar specialization, you may not be able to afford losing them. Continue reading Giving Thanks to Vendors

Don’t Do These Four Things When Making a New Year’s Resolution

firework_bokeh_explosion — Firework Stars by christmasstockimages.com is licensed under CC by 3.0

Many people view the New Year as a time to wipe the slate clean and begin a journey of self-improvement. However, for many, resolutions eventually become failures a few months into the year and not maintaining and attaining the goal can do more harm than good to the psyche. In order to get the most out of a resolution steer clear of these four things when making that commitment:

Forgetting about the Small Goals

If you are committing to large goals that are changes in behavior, it is quite unrealistic to believe you can quickly change that behavior that may have been a part of your life for many years (smoking, over-eating, over-working, combativeness). Instead of quitting the habit all at once, begin by establishing small goals such as allowing yourself junk food one or two days a week. By accomplishing smaller goals over time, it is more likely the resolution will be achieved.

Not Having a Plan

With any resolution, you need to have an explicit plan for attaining it. If you decide to lose weight, you need to have a well-defined plan of action. Remember to start with small goals such as cutting out junk food or steering clear of as much processed food as possible. Also, remember diets rarely work in the long run. Make a plan for healthier lifestyle changes such as regular exercise and a well-balanced diet. Continue reading Don’t Do These Four Things When Making a New Year’s Resolution

The Emily Post Guide to Throwing the Perfect Holiday Party

lights_and_decorations — Party lights and decorations by christmasstockimages.com is licensed under CC by 3.0.

Remember to keep your party simple and focus on what matters most to you and your guests – enjoying each other’s presence. Follow this guide and you surely will throw the perfect holiday party where you will make your guests feel content and welcome:

1. Preparation

Be sure everything needed to be prepped is done before guests arrive: a planned meal, a variety of beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), and outdoor lighting.

2. Self-Awareness

Your guests will feed off of your demeanor. Display no stress, agitation, or disappointment. Be the twinkling light of the party.

3. Toasting

Once you deem the moment appropriate, make a toast thanking your guests for attending. Add meaningful details about their importance in your life. Continue reading The Emily Post Guide to Throwing the Perfect Holiday Party

10 Christmas Gift Ideas for Your Outdoorsman

For some people on your gift-list, it gets increasingly more difficult to find a gift they will not only enjoy but also find useful. Outdoorsmen are no exception. They seem to always have new trinkets and gadgets for making their adventures fun and successful. So, if you have an outdoorsman or two on your gift list, consider these unique ideas for making your gift to them a memorable one.

Olloclip
Light and easy lens attachments for mobile photography. Great for capturing beauty observed in the stand, a great kill, or the wood’s serenity.

Trail Camera
Easy way for hunters to see what moves around the stand when they aren’t perched and ready to take aim.

GoPro
Incredibly crisp, clear images of an outdoorsman’s adventures.

Multitool
Any outdoorsman can’t have too many multitools (one to keep in the truck, at the camp, in the backpack, in the office desk) Continue reading 10 Christmas Gift Ideas for Your Outdoorsman

Can’t Keep Up? 7 Ways to Simplify Your Holiday Gift Buying

crowded mall Gift buying can certainly be a time of over complication. Lists, budgets and people’s wishes all factor in when making decisions about what to buy. Here are seven ways to make the holiday gift buying experience a little less complicated:

1. Start Early

Don’t wait until the week before the holiday to think about what to get. This may cause you to spend too much money and choose something that person may not want.

2. Create a Master List Way Ahead of Time

Take the time to create a list of every person and animal you are planning to buy a gift for so you won’t forget anyone.

3. Year Around Amazon

Create a wish list on Amazon to stash potential gifts for people throughout the year when they mention a desired product. When the time comes for purchasing, you have it all organized and ready with thoughtful, wanted gifts.

Continue reading Can’t Keep Up? 7 Ways to Simplify Your Holiday Gift Buying

Five Dinner Party Mistakes You Don’t Know You’re Making

There is quite a lot of pressure when hosting a dinner party. What you anticipate to be a fun and festive evening can turn into a “what was I thinking?!” personal meltdown in the kitchen. Consider not doing the following when thinking about hosting a dinner party:

Complicated Recipes

A complicated and untested recipe can lead to high costs and a not so good end result. Unfamiliarity with the recipe can cause you to forget a step or ingredient, consequently, making your much looked forward to entree to become the most avoided dish at the table.

Not Having Food Ready When Guests Arrive

Guests are more than likely coming to your dinner party hungry and won’t want to wait all night for the food to finish cooking. Further, if you forget to prep and organize, your kitchen may transform into a very messy gathering place. Continue reading Five Dinner Party Mistakes You Don’t Know You’re Making

The Top Ten Corporate Gift Ideas

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It’s that time of year for showing thanks by giving gifts. Sometimes gift giving—especially in the corporate workplace—can be difficult because it may appear most people have every essential item or trinket they need. However, there is something out there even for the most savvy and well-accessorized clients and employees. Here are ten gift ideas for the corporate setting and for those who appear to have it all:

Category: Holidays