Saturday, May 29th, 2010

Today is Oak Apple Day so celebrate in grand style by releasing a Chinese lantern. Oak Apple Day is a traditional holiday in the UK. Although the official observance of it was abolished in 1859, many parts of the UK still hold celebrations to honour it to this day. Oak Apple Day is celebrated on 29 May annually and this date was chosen because it was Charles II’s birthday and the day the monarchy of the UK was restored in 1660. During the English Civil War Cromwell defeated the Royalists and declared the country of England “The Commonwealth”. After passing away, the leadership was passé don to his son who served briefly before Charles II became King and restored the monarchy.

The reason it is called Oak Day and the theme of Oak trees is used is because it is reported that the King hid in an Oak tree to save his life at the Battle of Worcester. Since then, the oak tree has been a symbol of England and is used in many official items such as stamps and coins and is often used for naming ships, pubs and businesses throughout the UK. For many years, Oak Apple Day was celebrated with large parties, dancing, adornment with oak sprigs, whipping with nettles and of course, pinching bums. While pinching bums may not be as widely acceptable these days, partying certainly is and what better way to party than to light some sky lanterns to commemorate the event?

Various cities in the UK still hold celebrations publicly to honour the day even though the holiday is no longer officially recognized. Northhampton, London, Castleton and Worcester all have time honoured traditions that are still upheld today. Whether you reside in one of these areas or not, this is a great day to honour your country and the monarchy by sending up sky lanterns as part of a celebration. Have some friends or family over, drink a few pints and send well wishes via Chinese lanterns into the night sky. Everyone can gather outside and release them as a show of celebration with a beautiful display.

Sky lanterns are easy to use. You simply remove the individually wrapped sky lantern such as the coloured sky lanterns found at http://www.nightskylanterns.co.uk/sky-lanterns/coloured-traditional-sky-lanterns/prod_9.html or the large sky lanterns found at http://www.nightskylanterns.co.uk/sky-lanterns/2-x-large-sky-lanterns/prod_27.html and attach the fuel cell according to the step by step, easy to follow instructions. Then light the sky lanterns and release them into the sky, watching them as the drift and float across the heavens.

Another way you can celebrate the occasion of Oak Apple Day is to personalize the paper lanterns. Use a sharpie marker to write a particular message, prayer or wish for good luck on the sky lantern before lighting and releasing it. Traditionally it was said that these wishes and prayers would drift up to the heavens and be closer to the gods’ ears. Because they heard them clearer there was more chance of them being granted.

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Friday, May 28th, 2010

For those from Thailand and China living in the UK as well as all others that are Buddhist, today is a very important day. Today is Visakha Bucha day which is not only the birthday of Buddha but also the day he died. In fact, Buddha lived exactly 80 years and on the day of his birth and death he also attained full enlightenment on his 36^th birthday. For Buddhists, today is sacred as it is all things of Buddha wrapped up in one day and is a symbol for what Buddhism is.

For those that cannot make the pilgrimage to Thailand for Visakha Bucha day events, celebrating the day in their homes or with others in local temples around the UK. While practices vary between countries, one common item is using colourful lanterns to symbolize the Buddha, his teachings and disciples. Sky lanterns from www.NightskyLanterns.co.uk are an excellent way to take this practice and make it work far from the traditional areas of the world for Buddhism. The traditional white sky lanterns, available here: http://www.nightskylanterns.co.uk/sky-lanterns/white-traditional-sky-lanterns/prod_8.html are very similar to those used during the time the Buddha was alive and are an excellent way to symbolize the Buddha.

As an alternative to launching floating lanterns into the air, we also sell water lanterns. Chinese lanterns for water use have been around for thousands of years and the symbolism of flowers in Buddhist lore is very common. From flowers being part of homage to the Buddha to simply bringing joy to others, night sky lantern’s water lanterns are an excellent way to accomplish either of these goals. The flower lanterns are available here: http://www.nightskylanterns.co.uk/water-lanterns/water-lanterns-flowers-/prod_30.html and can be purchased in various colours and can be had as singles or in packs and multiples of 6. These floating lanterns can be used in water and will float for hours and can be reused if care is given when retrieving them.

As a way to help bring joy to others, any of our floating lanterns are a good choice. From the humble traditional sky lanterns mentioned earlier to our fun but smile inducing smiley face novelty lanterns, there are sky lanterns for anyone’s taste. Our Large sky lanterns, Giant sky lanterns and Mega Cube lanterns are all excellent choices for making the biggest impact on the biggest number of people and can be custom decorated with markers or even by an airbrush artist prior to launch. Seeing one of these giant floating lanterns with a message about the day or simply with the word “smile” on it will mesmerize and bring joy to all of those that see it floating. With a range of 15 miles or more, this is a very big impact and a large launch of lanterns will really get people’s attention.

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Thursday, May 27th, 2010

With searches for sky lanterns UK at an all time high, people are really wondering what the buzz is about night sky lanterns. We aren’t sure but we love the business that this buzz has generated. The paper lanterns we sell are all based on basic science principals and the design for these lanterns is thousands of years old. Chinese lanterns were invented and used thousands of years ago and the basic construction is essentially the same. With modern touches, such as fire retardant papers and even some floating lanterns that are completely free of metal parts like our Eco Lanterns, the progression from the ancient Chinese lantern to a thoroughly modern one has been very small improvements with little revolutionary design changes. Honestly, you can’t argue with perfection which is what the Chinese lanterns were.

The original use of the Chinese lantern was to help carry prayers and wishes into the heavens so they could be heard and realized. In the case of the ancient practices, the user would either just speak into the lantern before setting it free to float away or would write on the outside of the paper lantern with the prayer or wish. It could be a lengthy thing, almost like a letter to one’s ancestor spirits or simply one or two symbols, perhaps for prosperity and health. The user would then light the oil soaked rag placed in the middle and watch as their prayer or wish was set free and hopefully realized. Our white traditional sky lanterns, found here: http://www.nightskylanterns.co.uk/sky-lanterns/white-traditional-sky-lanterns/prod_8.html are very similar to the ancient Chinese lanterns with a modern, no drip paraffin based fuel cell.

Today, we can use these modernized sky lanterns in the same way as the ancient Chinese did. For a student, taking ten or fifteen minutes to setup, light and watch a lantern float off with one’s hopes for success on an upcoming test is certainly a prayer and a wish. The short break and tranquility from launching a floating lantern does not hurt their efforts either. Sky lanterns are relaxing and are a great counter to the stressful rigors of studying. Even experts in the field agree that short breaks are vital to properly learning and storing information.

Www.NightSkyLanterns.co.uk also sells wedding packs. These packs are available with our regular white traditional sky lanterns as well as in our white eco lantern style as well. What better way to send a couple off on their honeymoon than with the collective well-wishes of an entire wedding reception by the mass launch of 50, 100 or even 200 floating lanterns into the night sky. For a personal touch, adding Sharpie markers to the order lets the guests write their wishes for the newlyweds on the lanterns before sending them off. The sharpies can be purchased separately here: http://www.nightskylanterns.co.uk/lantern-accessories/permanent-marker-pens/prod_22.html

In addition to wedding packs, birthday packs are available as well. These packages of floating lanterns are perfect for the 10 year old or 100 year old in letting the guests send their wishes for another year of health and prosperity for the birthday boy, girl, man or woman. Packs are available in quantities as small as 16 and as big as 100 and are great way to make for a memorable party for all involved.

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_h*pan style=’mso-spacerun:yes’>  It comes in four different sizes: small, medium, large and jumbo. Some of the items you may find in the packages include:

· White Candle Bags – use these items to line a walkway or decorate the outdoors for a party. They are the perfect accent to Chinese paper lanterns as they provide a glow on the ground while the sky lanterns provide a glow in the sky.

· Glowstick Bunny Ears – Have some fun with these glowing bunny ears. These are especially fun for the children but the adults should not be left out either.

· Glow Glasses – Another whacky, fun accessory to add some interest and fun to your festivities.

· Magik Snow Tubes – Snow in a tub for you to pretend you are in a winter wonderland. It adds some fun and wonder to any special occasion.

· Disposable Lighters – Perfect for using to light all the sky lanterns quickly and easily once they are assembled and ready to go.

· Ice Fountain Packs – These sparklers are a great addition to any party and a much safer substitute for fireworks. You can even use them inside.

· Glowstick Bracelets – Even more glow in your accessories can be added with these fun bracelets. Children and adults will enjoy adding a glow to your outfit.

· Glow sticks – Use glow sticks as decorations or wear them. The combination of glow sticks, glow stick wearables, candle bags and sky lanterns make for a glowing party!

· Sky lanterns – Of course no party, especially Empire Day, would be complete without sky lanterns. These Chinese lanterns really replaced fireworks and are a tradition in itself.

Use sky lanterns instead of fireworks to celebrate Empire Day

When Empire Day was first celebrated and for years later, the traditional means of celebrating was to use fire crackers. Sky lanterns were also incorporated into the celebrations. Now, the use of sky lanterns is a much better option simply because they are safer and easier to use. So, if you want to celebrate Empire Day, have a great time with a party pack and sky lanterns!

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