Holidays

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American each year on July 4 celebrate freedom and independence with barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings. On July 4th 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed only by two people, John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Relay races, team games, and red, white and blue trivia are some 4th of July party ideas.

Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, lasts for eight days and nights which begins on the 25th day of the Jewish calendar month of Kislev. The days of Chanukah were instituted mainly was to celebrate the victory over the Greeks but was technically a minor Jewish holiday. Chanukah's closeness to Christmas has increased its popularity in having a large Chanukah party.

The first day of the first month of the Lunar Year is the start of the Chinese New Year. As a symbol of good luck, red packets called Lai See Hong Bao (or Hongbao) with money (even amount) tucked inside are given out to the children. On the Chinese New Year's Day, a vegetarian dish called jai with root or fibrous vegetables is the main course.

Jingle bells, Santa's reindeers and snow (fake snow if you live in California) gets everyone in the Christmas spirit. Serving a traditional Christmas Ham Dinner (Sushi if you live in California) is a perfect holiday meal. At a Christmas party singing Carols walking (driving if you live in California) around the neighborhood is a nice way to share the holiday joy.

Cinco de Mayo, May 5th, is a national holiday for Mexico celebrating the important victory of the few over the many and their rights of freedom and liberty. Cinco De Mayo is celebrated with parades, mariachi music, singing, dancing, and feasting. Many eat enchiladas, tacos, sopa, tamales and enchiladas and wear clothes that are the color of the Mexican flag, red, white and green.

Aug. 3 1492 Columbus and 90 men set sail to find an easier route to Asia for spice merchants which was sponsored by Queen Isabella of Spain. Some people believe that Columbus was not a hero since he often claimed land that already belonged to other people and mistreated the natives of these areas. Columbus Day is now more focused on the discovery of the New World with a Columbus Day party.

The Easter egg is a symbol of continuing life and resurrection. Here are some of the future dates Easter falls on March 27, 2005, April 16, 2006, April 8, 2007, March 23, 2008, April 12, 2009, April 4, 2010, April 24, 2011, April 8, 2012, March 31, 2013, April 20, 2014 and April 5, 2015. An Easter party can include an Easter egg hunt and games like an egg roll that is basically a race where each player rolls their egg to a finish line.

The idea of Father’s Day was created by Sonora Smart Dodd who was raised by her father. In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the third Sunday in June as Father's Day. At a Father's day party red roses to be worn for a living father and white if the father has died.

Flag Day is a national holiday that is celebrated every June 14th in the United States. Flag Days' purpose is to set aside a day for all Americans to celebrate and show respect for our flag, it's designers and makers. Families can use this day to learn all about the history of our flag and proper flag etiquette.

Grandparents Day is a great day for Grandparents to tell stories of their lives to there grandchildren to help preserve the family's history. Grandparents can use this day also to teach their grandchildren special skills like baking Grandma's famous cookies or whittling, Grandpas' favorite hobby. Grandparents Day gives all family members a chance to improve the communications between generations.

Every February 2nd in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, a groundhog named "Phil" is supposed to indicate whether Spring has arrived or if there will be six more weeks of Winter. The story goes, if Phil sees his shadow when he comes out of his burrow, then there will be six more weeks of winter weather. Scavenger Hunts, Ice Carving Exhibits, Cook-offs and Sleigh Rides are some of the activities at a Groundhog Day party.

Ghosts, goblins, skeletons, spider webs, and pumpkins create a creepy atmosphere for a Halloween party. Try avoiding candy party favors instead use personalized party favors or mini toys in loot bags. Tell ghost stories and give prizes for the most unique costume at a Halloween theme party.

Hanukkah commemorates the physical and spiritual victory of the Jews against the Greeks almost 2,000 years ago. Latkas, Jelly Doughnuts (Soofganiot), and Hanukah Cookies are yummy Hanukkah party treats. Dreidel game is a tradition at most Hanukkah parties.

Independence Day is an annual holiday commemorating the formal adoption by the Continental Congress of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia. At an Independence Day party cut star shapes from paper doilies or sandpaper and then have the kids place a piece of thin white paper over the stars and rub a crayon over the star. Red, white, blue flags, balloons, and confetti make colorful decorations for a 4th of July party.

Kwanzaa, neither political nor religious, brings a cultural message which speaks to the best of what it means to be African and human in the fullest sense. A yummy Kwanzaa menu includes Sweet Potato Pie, Southern Fried Okra, African Squash And Yams (futari, Vegetable Stew and Black-eyed Peas With Ham. The Kwanzaa flag The children cut red, green, and black paper. The basic Kwanzaa party principal is to gathering of family, friends and community, reverence for the creator, to honor ancestors, recommitment to the highest cultural ideals of the African community such as truth, justice, respect of nature and people and celebration of the "Good of Life" such as life, struggle, family and community.

Labor Day is on the first Monday in September, a legal holiday. To many it signitifies the end of summer and is celebrated with a big bash. A Labor day party traditionally is a BBQ with swimming, music and games. Pool parties are a fun way to celebration Labor Day.

Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, is celebrated around the world but most famously in New Orleans' French Quarter. Mardi Gras is always 47 days before Easter Sunday which usually falls between February 3 and March 9 depending on the Lunar calendar. A Mardi Gras party celebration can include outrageous costumes, with masks, beads, and hats.

It is a testament to the greatness of Martin Luther King Jr. that nearly every major city in the U.S. has a street or school named after him. Some call it the holiday of service since individuals, families, and groups join together in service projects for their communities and neighborhoods. The 3rd Monday in January is when Martin Luther King Day is celebrated.

Memorial Day is a legal holiday celebrated on the last Monday in May. To many it is considered to be the start of the summer. A Memorial Day party is patriotic with American flags, a BBQ, sack races, and lively music.

Framed family photos are a popular gift given on Mother's Day. Having a Mother's day theme party is a special way to bring the family together. Flowers as centerpieces are a can be a beautiful take home favor for the moms.

Celebrate the end of a year and the beginning of the new year with a big New Years Eve bash! Auld Lang Syne which means, "the good old days" is the traditional song played at midnight on New Years Eve. Noisemakers, confetti, and party hats are a staple must have decorations at a New Years Eve party.

In 1810, when Princess Therese was married to the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig, the Oktoberfest festival began as a wedding celebration. La Crosse, Wisconsin and Munich, Germany during early October each year are filled with "merrymaking" and a carnival atmosphere known in both cities as Oktoberfest. The Oktoberfest party has spread throughout the USA with Parades, pageantry, royalty, brew, bratwurst, and world famous entertainment.

The entire Passover meal, called the Seder, is eaten as the story of Israel's freedom is told. Activities on the placemats such as coloring, word find, or other table sitting projects can help involve the kids at the table during the sear. At a Passover party traditionally Hard Boiled Eggs, Gefilte Fish, Matzoh, Passover Popovers, Matzoh Ball Soup, Charoses, Brisket, Carrot Tzimmes, and Macaroons is served.

Congress declared that in order to honor all past presidents of the United States, a single holiday, to be called Presidents' Day, would be observed on the third Monday in February. To many this is a day off and a chance for a three day weekend of skiing. A presidents day party is decorated in patriotic colors and guest wear presidential like costumes.

Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish new Year when all who are faithful look back at the previous years mistakes and make plans for a better life in the year ahead. It is traditionally customary to celebrate the sweetness of the New Year by honey dipped apples, pomegranates, and honey cake desserts. The Shofar, which is a rams horn blown somewhat like a trumpet, will be sounded a total of one hundred times each day.

Administrative Professionals Week is always the last full week of April, with Wednesday of that week being designated Administrative Professionals Day. Many bosses take their employees out to lunch in celebration of Secretaries day. Gifts such as flowers or personalized gifts are a nice way to say Thank You at a Secretaries Day party.

It doesn't matter whether you are Irish or not, St. Patrick's day is a prefect excuse to have corn beef and cabbage. Bring out the Irish music and your dancing shoes for a St. Patrick's Day party. Green balloons, clovers, and funny little hats are great ideas for a St. Patricks Day party.

Finger foods like Hot chicken wings, mini potato pancakes, and chocolate chip cookies are always a big hit at an Super Bowl theme party. Have the girls dress like cheerleaders and put on a live half time show for the guys! Super Bowl trivia questions are fun to ask the guests during timeouts.

Put a bunch of Football trivia questions in a hat and have each guest randomly ask each other questions throughout the Superbowl party. Football coloring pages is a fun way to keep the kids busy. A potluck menu of finger foods to easy to serve at a Superbowl party.

Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce and apple pie are some basic menu musts for a Thanksgiving Day party. Invite the guests for a walk around the block after dinner and before the dessert. Be festive and decorate with balloons and confetti for a Thanksgiving party.

A Valentines Day party with fun games and activities that involve couples can be a fun way to spent the holiday. If many of the couples have little kids, having a babysitter in a separate room can be a nice gesture. Chocolates and flowers are traditional gifts given to loved ones at a Valentines Day party.

Veterans Day, which was formerly Armistice Day, is a day Americans can remember the sacrifices men and women have made over the years to ensure lasting peace. Veterans Day is a good day to share with your family and remember friends and family in the armed forces by taking flowers to the cemetery. Children can participate on Veterans Day by observing a moment of silence with their family to remember those who have fallen in battle over the years.

Yom Kippur means "Day of Atonement" in Hebrew and is the time of year when Jewish people all over the world make amends for their past sins. Yom Kippur is a complete Sabbath and no work can be performed as well as refraining from eating and drinking, washing, anointing ones body with perfume or lotion, engaging in marital relations or wearing leather shoes. Customarily most of the holiday is spent preying in synagogue and white is worn to symbolize purity and the hopes that sins will be made as white as snow.

Holidays

Holidays are extra special when you decoration your home, don't forget Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Hanukkah.

Enjoy your party!