5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1 … Happy New Year! As we all know, the first day of the new calendar year is when we pop the champagne, blow up fireworks, and make a resolution that we will inevitably never actually accomplish. But why do we do all of these things? You might be surprised to learn that there are reasons behind …
Along with presents and beautifully decorated trees, the holidays deliver the blessing of movies that are part of many family traditions! From Miracle on 34th Street to Elf, these are the movies we watch over and over again every holiday season. (Ready for that Christmas Story marathon? We are!) These beloved classics are chockablock with dialogue we have heard so many times… but do we really …
Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah) is one of the most prominent observances during the holiday season in the United States. The eight days of Hanukkah are a time of reflection, celebration, and learning for Jewish people around the world. The holiday is marked by observed rituals, as well as a number of celebratory foods and games that honor Hanukkah’s origin story. From the ritual of lighting …
For many, Cyber Monday provides the perfect shopping solution: all the holiday deals with none of the holiday crowds. But, where did the name Cyber Monday come from? Cyber Monday is an annual event during the holiday shopping season that’s devoted to online shopping. Online retailers are known for offering deals and discounts on the day. The annual Cyber Monday takes place on the Monday after …
Halloween is actually just the beginning of a string of otherworldly holidays. The tricks, treats, and customs of Halloween, now mostly secular, are based in part on ancient Celtic and Christian festivals. But did you know that the Halloween customs extend past October 31? In fact, the day after Halloween is a celebrated day in many parts of the world. What is All Saints’ Day? November …
Many of us associate Labor Day with the unofficial end of summer vacation, some department store sales, and perhaps a sense of confusion over whether or not to wear white. (Who exactly said it’s inappropriate to wear white?) Labor Day is also a time for many to celebrate with friends and family at backyard barbecues, and many teachers and students are heading back to school …
Few days light up the US like Independence Day—literally, in the case of how many fireworks shows go on all over the country. The holiday also goes by various iterations of the date it takes place every year: July 4, July 4th, and the Fourth of July. Arguably the most patriotic of US holidays, Independence Day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on …
Memorial Day occurs on the last Monday in May and marks the solemn time when Americans honor the soldiers that died in military service. Why is the holiday called Memorial Day? When the observance was first declared in 1868 by General John Logan, it was called Decoration Day in reference to a tradition of decorating the graves of those whose lives were lost in the Civil …
Two important Muslim holidays stand out as some of the most important dates on the Islamic calendar: Eid al-Fitr in the spring and Eid al-Adha in the summer. They are separate festivals, and each commemorates a different pillar in the Five Pillars of Islam. However, both are commonly shortened to simply Eid, and the greeting Eid Mubarak (roughly meaning “Happy Eid” or “Blessed Eid”) can be used for both. …