Christmas « Investment Postcards from Cape Town

Season’s greetings

By Prieur du Plessis, on December 25th, 2009 posted in: Christmas, Investment

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With only a few trading days remaining, the curtain will soon be drawn on a year that has marked a remarkable turnaround in the global economy, propelling risky assets to levels pundits would not have dreamt of at the start of 2009.

The year has provided its fair share of surprises, making investment blogging a hugely fulfilling experience, i.e. to be able to share with readers, through the Investment Postcards site, my two cents’ worth of analysis on the events that defined the financial calendar. Thank you for your friendship and for allowing me into your lives with regular posts, and for your support and encouragement to successfully build the blogging site.

Here’s wishing you a great festive season full of fun, laughter and joy. May you have a wonderful 2010, and may all your wishes come true.

And now for a good laugh. In the spirit of the festive season, click here or on the image below to see what happens when an investment manager gets “elfed”.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Source: Elf Yourself

Back to the economy: As if the burden of the financial shenanigans has not been onerous enough, Santa will probably also not offer much respite this year!

Source: Daryl Cagle

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Christmas trees from around the world

By Prieur du Plessis, on December 25th, 2009 posted in: Christmas

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The Capitol Christmas tree in Washington , D.C. , is decorated with 3,000 ornaments that are the handiwork of US choolchildren. Encircling evergreens in the “Pathway of Peace” represent the 50 US states.

The world’s largest Christmas tree display rises up the slopes of Monte Ingino outside of Gubbio, in Italy ‘s Umbria region.

Composed of about 500 lights connected by 40,000 feet of wire, the “tree” is a modern marvel for an ancient city.

A Christmas tree befitting Tokyo’s nighttime neon display is projected onto the exterior of the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka.

Illuminating the Gothic facades of Prague’s Old Town Square, and casting its glow over the manger display of the famous Christmas market, is a grand tree cut in the Sumava mountains in the southern Czech Republic.

Venice’s Murano Island renowned throughout the world for its quality glasswork is home to the tallest glass tree in the world. Sculpted by master glass blower Simone Cenedese, the artistic Christmas tree is a modern reflection of the holiday season.

Moscow celebrates Christmas according to the Russian Orthodox calendar on January 7. For weeks beforehand, the city is alive with festivities in anticipation of Father Frost’s arrival on his magical troika with the Snow Maiden. He and his helper deliver gifts under the New Year tree, or yolka, which is traditionally a fir. Continue reading Christmas trees from around the world