If you read my intro to last month’s newsletter, then I’d say Christmas was very similar in my family to our Thanksgiving gatherings. The only difference was the presents after we ate. After the meal in my family, the adults would find a seat in the living room while the kids did that overly excited puppy dance on the floor. One adult, usually my grandfather, was designated Santa Clause. Once we started, he would look under the tree and distribute one gift per person. Then we would go in a circle as one person would open their gift while the others watched. Of course the kids, all they could do was clutch the gift they had, shake it around and try and guess what was behind that beautifully wrapped package. Everyone would then comment on the gift the person opened and onto the next person. We repeated this until the gifts were gone. Us kids learned patience this way and you knew, if you acted up, you’d get skipped or sent into the other room. So, we waited as patiently as we could. When our time came though, we’d rip into that package with fury. Inevitably, when the wrapping came off, we were confronted with a box that was from the 50’s or 60’s. See, my grandmother was a bow and box hoarder. She kept every box and bow from when my mom and aunt were kids. Every time we went to grab the box, in unison, all the adults would say, “Don’t rip the box! Grandma keeps them!” Then the men would reach for their knives and request the box. They’d slip the knife between the lid and bottom to free the precious 30 year old box from the tape holding it together. Then we’d get it back. It was always clothes of some kind; socks, a sweater or pants. There were always clothes, and one or two toys and that’s all but we appreciated everything we got. 

For me, it was the experience, especially now that I am an adult. I look back each year and hold on to those days gone by. They are precious memories from when my small family was a family and together. So, whether you're the grandparents in this scenario, the parents or maybe just out of being a kid, hold onto the memories and make some of your own. Love one another and do for each other. Be kind and build something truly special to look back on. Create magic for your kids to think about when they are 40. Show them what Christmas is all about. Merry Christmas to all!  

Supra eKeys

During the Holidays, one of the most asked for items are new phones. Whether you're in it for that new awesome camera or just ready to move up from your 2002 flip phone, your Supra eKey app has some housekeeping rules when switching over to a new phone. 

Caution: Do not transfer to a new phone until you get your Supra eKey serial number (located in the app, at top of the screen on the main page), and your PIN. Write them down and have them for the next steps in case they are needed.

Each phone has its own ID. When you switch from one phone to another, the app may switch to the new phone but because the app doesn’t recognize the new phone’s ID, it will not work. 

To get the app on your new phone you’ll need to delete the app then download the app again. This erases the old phone ID so you can start fresh. If your new phone did not transfer the app from your old phone just download the app. After you download the app and open it for the first time, it will ask you to “Activate eKey” at the bottom of the app. Click there and it will give you two options, “I already have an Authorization Code” or “I need an Authorization Code”

If it is during GSMAR business hours you can select the “I already have” option. You will need to call the GSMAR office and request one from us. If it is outside of business hours or during one of our holidays, then you’ll need to select the “I need option” or use the below option to get one from Supraweb.

Obtain an authorization code from SupraWEB:

1. Go to supraekey.com.

2. Select Login to SupraWEB. 

3. Login to SupraWEB. First-time login requires registering and setting up a user ID and password, entering your key serial number, PIN, and selecting your association/MLS.

4. Select Authorization Code. The authorization code is displayed and is also emailed to your email address on file with your association/MLS.

Authorize the eKEY App:

The easiest way to enter the authorization code into the eKEY app is to open the email on your smartphone and click on the link. This opens the eKEY app and automatically enters the authorization code for you. Otherwise you can manually enter the authorization code.

Tip! The authorization code for the current eKEY app is a 10-digit alphanumeric code containing the letters A through Z and the numbers 2 through 7. If the character looks like an O, it is the letter O and not a zero, and if it looks like an I, it is the letter I and not the number 1.

1. Open the eKEY application.

2. Tap Activate eKEY.

3. Enter the authorization code.

On December 7, 1914, five months into the outbreak of fighting in World War I, Pope Benedict XV called for a temporary ceasefire during the Christmas season. Military leaders on all sides ignored the request, but the troops in the trenches responded. As night fell on Christmas Eve, sounds of Christmas carols began ringing out in German and English across no-man’s land. The next morning, unarmed German soldiers approached the British line shouting “Merry Christmas!” They were met with hearty handshakes, gifts of chocolate and cigarettes, and a spirited game of soccer. The so-called “Christmas Truce” was short-lived and never repeated, but it speaks to our shared sense of humanity even in the darkest moments. Read more.

In 1955, at the height of Cold War tensions with the Soviet Union, a general at the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) in Colorado received a call on a top-secret hotline. Bracing himself for news of a missile attack, the general instead heard the shaky voice of a young boy asking, “Are you really Santa Claus?” The number had been mistakenly published in the newspaper as a Sears Santa hotline, but instead of dismissing the incident, CONAD (renamed the North American Aerospace Defense Command or NORAD in 1958) embraced the role as the official Santa Tracker, using its massive satellite network once a year to broadcast Santa’s exact whereabouts. Today, 1,500 NORAD troops and volunteers answer phone lines on Christmas Eve. Read more.

In Mexico, poinsettias grow wild in large bushes that flush with bright red leaves in the dead of winter. In fact, in Mexico poinsettias are called “flor de nochebuena” or “Christmas Eve flower.” They got their odd English name from Joel R. Poinsett, the very first U.S. minister to Mexico, who brought back the red-and-green plants from a visit in 1828. Christmas was just beginning to be widely celebrated in America, and Poinsett rightly predicted that the festive plants would be a seasonal hit. By 1900, they were a universal symbol of Christmas. Read more.

Celebrating Christmas used to be illegal

From 1659–1681, anyone caught making merry in the colonies would face a fine for celebrating. By the Revolutionary War, the day had so little significance that Congress even held their first session on December 25, 1789. Christmas wasn't even proclaimed a federal holiday for almost another century, proving that the Grinch's attitude toward the holiday was alive and well long before he was.

Christmas decorating sends nearly 15,000 people to the ER

If you've ever watched Clark Griswold decorate his house in Christmas Vacation, that stat likely doesn't shock you. In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 14,700 people visit hospital emergency rooms each November and December from holiday-related decorating accidents. So please, be careful when you're putting up the holly and the ivy.

The term "Xmas" dates back to the 1500s

Contrary to popular belief, "Xmas" is not a trendy attempt to take Christ out of Christmas. According to From Adam's Apple to Xmas: An Essential Vocabulary Guide for the Politically Correct, "Christianity" was spelled "Xianity" as far back as 1100. X, or Chi, is the Greek first letter of "Christ" and served as a symbolic stand-in at the time. In 1551, the holiday was commonly called "Xtemmas," which was later shortened to "Xmas."

As the AE, I’m bringing the leftovers this month.  Leftovers are usually a mixture of a few things—just a bite here or there. That’s what this column is. A little hodge podge of info.

Did you know that it is a violation of the NAR Trademark rule to use a descriptive term between your name and the word REALTOR®? So an email address that used JohnDoeTNRealtor would be out of compliance. 

Do you think you know the proper way to use REALTOR®? Is your email address or website address compliant? If so, correct that today. 

Click here to find out: https://www.nar.realtor/logos-and-trademark-rules/top-5-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-realtor-trademarks?fbclid=IwAR0H00Yo8oNwN9ev-UIKq1Q_sTZeog5KRYhuKf7PTEzdueoTM4ldy1McxOs

Also, Committees for 2022 will be announced very soon! Look for a welcome email from your Committee chairs in the next week or so. 

Don’t forget! The proposed Bylaws changes vote will be December 13th-Dec 22nd.

Your GSMAR Staff wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!