Good Questions: Christmas Snow, Holiday Wreaths And Wrapping Presents

Every Friday, we tackle a bunch of viewers' burning questions. This week, Heather Brown explores the weather, holiday wreaths and gift wrapping.

Curt from Rosemount asked:  Will we have a White Christmas?

WCCO Meteorologists say one inch of snow on the ground Christmas morning is the loose definition of a White Christmas.

"We will warm in the 30s this weekend which will cut in that [one inch.] But we could be adding some new snow early next week," WCCO Chief Meteorologist Chris Shaffer said. "It's going to be close this year."

According to the DNR, in the past 115 years there have been White Christmases in the Twin Cities 72 percent of the time. In northern Minnesota, it's closer to 95 to 100 percent.  In southern Minnesota, the range is closer to 60 to 70 percent.

Emily and Megan from Maple Grove asked: Why do we hang wreaths at Christmas?

The circular shape of the wreath has no beginning or end. So, historically it's been considered a symbol of eternity or strength of life overcoming the forces of winter.  For Christians, around Christmastime, the wreath was used as a way to symbolize Christ, or the eternal nature of God's love.

Susan-Elizabeth asked: What's the best way to wrap a gift?

According to mathematician Sara Santos, it's a method called diagonal wrapping that uses the least amount of paper and tape. Measure the diagonal of the gift's largest side, then add to 1.5 times the gift's height. Use that sum to cut out a square piece of gift wrap (the sum=one side of the square).  Place the gift diagonally in the center of the paper and bring in all four corners, fold in the sides, tape on top and add a bow.

You can view a demonstration of the method here.