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Archive for December, 2015


Happy New Year’s Day!

Likely the most celebrated holiday in the world, New Year’s Day (January 1), New Year’s Day is typically celebrated with parades, American college football games, European football games, and family time. Food plays an important part in New Year’s Day, with some food taking on a special meaning. Black-eyed peas are a symbol of money — coins, specifically. Greens are also said to be a symbol of money, because of their green color. Pomegranates and grapes stand for prosperity, and figs for fertility. Pigs, being rotund, are considered lucky. Noodles are a symbol of long life, and grains symbolize wealth. Cakes, shaped like a ring, symbolize coming full circle. General Click to Read more…

Mindy

Joyous Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration of African heritage, first celebrated in 1966, that is observed from December 26 to January 1. According to Maulana Karenga, the creator of the celebration, “Kwanzaa” means “first fruits of the harvest” and is a way for African Americans to connect with their African cultural heritage. Kwanzaa allows participants to respect their traditions, to feel spiritually grounded, to respect their ancestors, connect to the environment, cherish their children, to feel spiritually grounded, and embrace the good of the world. The 7 days of Kwanzaa celebrate 7 principles: December 26 — Umoja (Unity) December 27 — Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) December 28 — Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) Click to Read more…

Mindy

Festivus for the Rest of Us!

Festivus is a made-up holiday that gets its origins from the Seinfeld Show. In an episode broadcast in 1997, it’s revealed that George Costanza’s family celebrates Festivus instead of Christmas. In his trademark gravelly voice, George’s father, Frank, explains that the holiday starts with the Airing of Grievances, and ends only when someone is pinned in the Feats of Strength. And, of course, there is the Festivus pole, an undecorated aluminum pole. It remains unadorned because Frank Costanza finds tinsel distracting. Frank invented the holiday as an antidote to the commercialization of Christmas. The story behind the story is that this plot line was not the fruit of the creative Click to Read more…

Mindy

Baby’s First Christmas – Tips for a Special Season

Sometimes adults forget about the magic of Christmas and focus only on the chores of Christmas, setting a hectic schedule for themselves and missing out on the beauty. For adults, Christmas is about decorating, cooking, and shopping. With all the pressure to make a perfect holiday, it’s easy to forget about the magic of the season. But you only need to look at the face of a child to remember that this is a season of love, joy, and wonderment. New parents can have fun starting Christmas traditions. Maybe these traditions are continuations of their own family’s traditions, or new ones started just for their family. In some families, all Click to Read more…

Mindy

‘Tis Always the Season for Greeting Cards

I’d like to share a personal response to this recent article, “It’s Time to Stop Sending Greeting Cards”. The title alone to me is like the sound of nails on a chalkboard. Yes, it is that time again. We are in the thick of the holiday season frenzy and in addition to gift shopping, it’s Christmas card time. Each year more people are asking themselves if they will even send a holiday card. There are many reasons why this is a growing trend. All reasons certainly having merit. Instead of discounting the reasons not to send Christmas or Season’s Greeting cards or any greeting card for that matter, I will Click to Read more…

Mindy

Hanukkah, The Festival Of Lights

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, lasts for 8 days and is a celebration of light over dark. This year, Hanukkah starts December 6 and ends December 14. The symbols of Hanukkah include menorahs, dreidels, and foil-covered chocolate coins. Hanukkah is commemorated by lighting the candles of a menorah, a 9-armed candelabra. Each night an additional candle is lit. The extra candle, which is used to light the other candles, is called a shamash and is situated in a distinct location on the menorah, either above or below the other candles. After blessings are recited, the candles burn for at least half an hour after darkness falls Dishes Click to Read more…

Mindy