This might be my favorite day of December so far. Look what’s up for celebration today, Sunday, December 16th:

• National Chocolate-Covered Anything Day! – I just don’t even think I need to say anything other than “Hallelujah!” A nationally-mandated excuse to eat chocolate? Man, I love America.

Oh yeah, there are a few other things going on today, too, none of which are nearly as important as the you-know-what-day listed above.

• Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party (1773) - Does tea go well with chocolate? Ah hell. Sure, why not?
• Beethoven’s Birthday - The old geezer would’ve been 237 – he was born in 1770 (and I be he liked chocolate!)
• And finally, it’s also Barbie and Barney Backlash Day, which isn’t even cool, so I just can’t bring myself to go there. Poor Barney.

Well, I don’t think I need to tell you which “holiday” I plan on observing, do I? You too, eh?

Photo Credit

Post from: Blisstree

December 16th Holidays & Observances

Some zany things to celebrate today, Saturday December 15. Check them out:

• Bill of Rights Day – On this day in 1791, our Bill of Rights was ratified. Cool.
• Cat Herders Day – I wonder who actually pitched this to the approval party? Ah, to have that much time on my hands.
• National Firefighters Day – Can’t thank the men and women who do this job enough. Remember, the holidays are a very susceptible time of year for fires. Watch open flames and hot lights, clean your fireplace before using it, check and recheck your cords, etc. Let’s give these heroes a break this season.
• And…my absolute favorite: National Lemon Cupcake Day – Nothing further needs to be said here, does it? Didn’t think so.

Lots to choose from today. My suggestion? Make a fire truck cake out of lemon cupcake mix and read your cat its Bill of Rights while herding it to its litter box. Now that would be a great celebration!

Photo Credit

Post from: Blisstree

December 15th Holidays & Observances

Sure, poinsettias are beautiful, festive flowers, but why are they associated with Christmas? Here’s the scoop:

Mexican legend says that there once was a boy who had not gift to put by the likeness of Baby Jesus at his church on Christmas Eve. On the way there, an angel told him to pick some dried weeds for his gift. Once he laid the weeds by the figure, they turned into beautiful flowers.

The first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Dr. Joel Poinsett, brought the plant into the United States, where it was later graced with the name “poinsettia”.

Post from: Blisstree

Legend of the Poinsettia

Sure, poinsettias are beautiful, festive flowers, but why are they associated with Christmas? Here’s the scoop:

Mexican legend says that there once was a boy who had not gift to put by the likeness of Baby Jesus at his church on Christmas Eve. On the way there, an angel told him to pick some dried weeds for his gift. Once he laid the weeds by the figure, they turned into beautiful flowers.

The first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Dr. Joel Poinsett, brought the plant into the United States, where it was later graced with the name “poinsettia”.

Post from: Blisstree

Legend of the Poinsettia

Need a reason to celebrate today? Here, go ahead and pick one of these super fun observances for today, December 11th.

• International Mountain Day – If you can’t take in a view in person, there are plenty of mountains to scale online.
• UNICEF Birthday – A very Happy Birthday to a very cool organization. Find out more.
• Day of the Horse – Horse fans, rejoice! Today’s your day!
• National Noodle Ring Day – A proper lady can never have enough noodle rings in her jewelry repertoire. Want to know what else you can do with noodles? Check out my compadre, Noodles and Rice.

Have a great day and be sure to celebrate somehow, some way.

Photo Credit

Post from: Blisstree

December 11th Holidays & Observances

Three cool observances for today, December 10th:

• Human Rights Day – Long live everybody’s right to live and do so peacefully.
• Nobel Prize Day – Today’s the day Al Gore and other Nobel winners will collect their goods in Norway. Congrats!
• Festival for the Soul of Dead Wales – Uh…..cool?

Hope your day is great and full of celebrations!

Post from: Blisstree

December 10th Holidays & Observances

If you’re like me, when it comes time for wrapping holiday gifts, I’d rather scrub the sink with a nail polish brush than sit down amidst a giant pile of toys and gadgets and wrap myself silly. And what’s more, there always seems to be that oddball gift or two that is so freakishly-shapen that out come the black garbage bags with nothing more to dress them up but a red foil bow.

Thankfully, our friends at Hallmark Magazine have swooped in to help us out. Here are some of their tips for wrapping those unusual gifts:

1. Keep supplies like bubble wrap, aluminum foil and posterboard on hand. This, of course, is in addition to the usual suspects of tape, ribbon, wrapping paper and tissue paper. The idea here is to “build” rather than “wrap”.
2. Disguise the gift’s shape to throw off the receiver. Bubble wrap makes for a nice sphere shape that can throw any gift hound off the scent of their goodie. You can also try using foil to shape a long, straight gift like a bat or a golf club into a candy cane form.
3. Doll up your shape. Fabric remnants, cellophane, bows and other doo-dads complete the look of your new “shape”.

Got any tips of your own? Do share. Procrastination time is slipping away, and soon the bullet must be bitten. Good luck!

Post from: Blisstree

Be a Wrap Star: Conquering Tricky Gifts

What seems like a very odd choice for a Christmas tree ornament is actually a deep-rooted tradition that originated in Germany. The Christmas Pickle is said to bring good luck, and was always the last ornament put on the tree.

On Christmas morning, the first child to find the pickle scored a little extra something left behind by The Jolly Old Elf, himself. This tradition was encouraged so that the children may appreciate all the ornaments on the tree, instead of rushing to see what St. Nick had left for them.

Quite an endearing little tradition, isn’t it? Does your family do this? Are there other tree/ornament favorites for your family? Please share. We’d love to hear.

Ornament and Tradition Source: Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland

Post from: Blisstree

The Christmas Pickle: An Ornament of Tradition

Is it Thursday already? Boy, where do the days go?

I hope you are able take some time out of your chaotic week to snuggle up and catch some of your holiday faves. Here’s what’s on tonight:

7pm

• “Larry the Cable Guy’s Christmas” – Wholesome, family fun (heh), on VH1.
• “Emeril: Hilda’s Holiday” – Emeril chefs up some of Momma’s favorites, on Food Network.
• “Once Upon a Christmas” – With John Dye and Kathy Ireland, on ABC Family.

8pm

• “Food Network Challenge” – Holiday Cake-Off, on Food Network.
• “Olive the Other Reindeer” – Everyone knows about Rudolph, but did you know about Olive? Find out more, on Cartoon Network.

9pm

• “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” – My absolute favorite non-cartoon holiday special, on TBS.
• “Home by Christmas” – A homemaker loses everything after her husband divorces her, on Lifetime.
• “Top Chef” – Top Chef holiday-style, on Bravo.
• “Twice Upon a Christmas” – The continuation, with John Dye and Kathy Ireland, on ABC Family.
• “A Boyfriend for Christmas” – A sweet holiday tale with Kelli Williams and Patrick Muldoon, on The Hallmark Channel.

11pm

• “Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus” – Everyone wants love for the holidays, on The Hallmark Channel.

Post from: Blisstree

Holiday Specials: Listings for Thurs., Dec. 6

A fun day all-around today! Lots of crazy stuff to celebrate. Take a look:

• Bathtub Party Day – Whee! Rub-a-dub-dub!
• National Communicate with Your Baby Day – Ga ga, goo goo? Have a chat with your babe or use signs. Or maybe just a hug.
• Special Kids Day – Isn’t every day Special Kids Day? Should be.
• International Volunteer Day – No need to designate this as your only volunteer day. Head out and volunteer at a Senior Home, your local library, your child’s school, church, a soup kitchen, etc. Giving of yourself always comes back ten-fold, so make many days Volunteer Day.

Have a great day! Don’t forget to celebrate something!

Post from: Blisstree

December 5th Holidays & Observances