Now that the holiday season is upon us, it's important to sit back, relax and spend time with those we love. And if that gets boring or you just love patents like we do, here are five newly issued patents in the past three months which relate to Christmas for you to enjoy!

Based upon statistics, 2009 saw one of the first decreases in domestic patent application filings in decades. However, while companies tightened their proverbial belts this past year, it has come at a grave cost. Companies have opted to stop protecting many of their key intangible assets – including patentable inventions. If greater patent protection isn’t on your list of goals for 2010, it should be and here is why.