Mardi Gras, Carnival, Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday: whatever you call it, it’s one of the biggest parties of the year. Practically every culture has some kind of celebration before Lent. And while it seems as if t ...

Category: Holidays and Observances

New Year’s Day might be centered around football, parades and parties, but there’s much more to the day than the Rose Bowl and Hoppin’ John. Although these saints might not be some of the most famous, t ...

Category: Religion Christianity

A carol is a song (or dance) of praise and joy. Christmas carols have messages of happiness, anticipation and fun. Although many people do complain about hearing the same Christmas music over and over throughout the seas ...

Category: Holidays and Observances

By the time you read this, it will be too late to celebrate the feast day of Saint Nicholas, but you can still remember this real figure in history. Nicholas is the patron saint of merchants, children, pawnbrokers and br ...

Category: Holidays and Observances

It doesn’t matter what holiday you celebrate this winter season, it can be difficult to find holiday cheer amid a busy life, news reports, and the political atmosphere in the United States. Instead of trying to for ...

Category: Holidays and Observances

Thanksgiving might be an American holiday, but cultures around the world have celebrated the harvest for centuries. This year, add something new to your Thanksgiving celebration by remembering your own heritage. Cook som ...

Category: Ceremonies Holidays and Observances

If you love a good fairy tale where good triumphs over evil or knowledge beats out ignorance, then you'll really appreciate the Hindu festival of lights, called Diwali or Deepavali. In the northern hemisphere, this hol ...

Category: Ceremonies Holidays and Observances Religion

If you're one of those people who have stopped setting New Year's resolutions, you're not alone. It's demoralizing and defeating when you set high expectations for yourself on January 1, only to keep those goals for just ...

Category: Holidays and Observances

If you're like most Americans, you know the words to the popular Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas," but you may not realize what the Christmas meaning is. It can seem as if Christmas is over all too quickly ...

Category: Holidays and Observances Religion Christianity

Let's face it, the holidays can be overwhelming. Between running to parties and recitals, wrapping endless piles of presents and decorating your house, it's easy to get weary and tired. Instead of thinking about all the ...

Category: Holidays and Observances