Holiday Season “Days” to Celebrate

As most regular readers know, I have written many columns about holidays throughout the years. Less frequently, I have explored some of the lesser-known and/or unusual holidays, and it is this subject that I would like to focus on as we move into the holiday season this year.

It should surprise no one that every single day in the calendar year has some particular focus or is something’s day. So just for fun, I thought I would take a look at the days from November 21 to December 7 this year (the days this particular issue of the Pulse is on the shelves) to see what you and I may be overlooking during our holiday celebrations. Keep in mind that this is only a selection of festivities since numerous days have more than one affiliation.

November 21 – World Hello Day

On this day you are encouraged to say “Hello” to at least 10 people and to voice your desire for world peace. Created in 1973 by Brian and Michael McCormack during the Egypt-Israel war, this day is now celebrated throughout the world.

November 22 – Go for a Ride Day

The origins of this day are unknown, but we are encouraged to go for a ride with no particular destination in mind. The manner in which we ride is at our discretion as long as the ride is leisurely and isn’t hampered by a time schedule we will be fulfilling the spirit of Go for a Ride Day.

November 23 – Buy Nothing Day

Sure the day after Thanksgiving is better known as Black Friday, but when Ted Dave of Vancouver, Canada created this day in 1992, he wanted to create a 24-hour moratorium on holiday shopping to allow people to reflect on what the holidays are really about.

November 25 – National Parfait Day

I couldn’t find anything for November 24, but as a notorious sweet tooth I believe that this day could easily be celebrated over two days. The origin is unknown, but I suspect the ice cream manufacturers played a role.

November 26 – Shopping Reminder Day

Apparently someone thought it was important to have a day during the holiday season to remind people to go shopping. While the originator of this day is unknown, it should be noted that it is sometimes listed as November 25. For my part, I’m sticking with National Parfait Day on the 25th and leaving Shopping Reminder Day on the 26th.

November 27 – Pins and Needles Day

These days this day is most often associated with anxiety about all the planning that is required during the holiday season, but the real origin is much more interesting. The day actually commemorates the opening of the pro-Labor play Pins and Needles on Broadway in 1937. Written by Harold Rome, the play was produced by International Ladies Garment Workers’ Union and Union members made up the cast. The play ran for 1,108 performances, which – for a time – was a record.

November 28 – Red Planet Day

While the name of this day is a self-evident reference to the planet Mars, this day is actually set aside to remember Mariner 4, which launched on November 28, 1964 and travelled 228 days until it got to just over 6,000 miles from the Red Planet.

November 29 – Square Dance Day

Obviously, the unknown creator of this day would like us all to channel our inner redneck and partake of a Hoedown on this date. The curious part of this day is that it falls in November even though September is National Square Dance Month.

November 30 – Stay At Home Because You Are Well Day

Created by the folks at wellcat.com (who have actually copyrighted this day), you are encouraged to call into your place of work to let them know you are “well” but won’t be coming into work today. Given the current economic situation in this country (and the world) I suspect this day is not as popular as it once was (if it ever was popular).

December 1 – Eat a Red Apple Day

No Granny Smith’s allowed on this day!

December 2 – National Fritter Day

No specifications this time – just consume a little fried bread or dough with your favorite fruit or meat nestled inside.

December 3 – National Roof Over Your Head Day

On this day we are encouraged to pause and appreciate the comforts we often take for granted – like having a roof over our heads. If you want to really get into the spirit of the day, we are encouraged to make a donation to or volunteer at a homeless shelter.

December 4 – Wear Brown Shoes Day

No one knows for sure who created this day, but it is safe to say that they wanted to break the monotony of black shoes day after day.

December 5 – Bathtub Party Day

Another copyrighted day created by the folks at wellcat.com. On this day we are all encouraged to luxuriate in a long hot bath. Candles, oils, music and other accessories/ambiance are left to your discretion/preference.

December 6 – Mitten Tree Day

This, of course, is best known as St. Nicholas Day, but Mitten Tree Day is also a lot of fun. Probably originating with a grade school teacher somewhere in this country, the day centers on reading The Mitten, by Jan Brett. Other activities include decorating a Christmas tree with mittens that are then donated or cutting out construction paper mittens that children then decorate.

December 7 – National Cotton Candy Day

While most of us know this day as Pearl Harbor Day, it is also the day designated to honor cotton candy. The logic of celebrating cotton candy, a staple at summer fairs, in December escapes me, but here is a fun fact: this sugary treat was originally called fairy floss.

So there you have it. If you somehow find yourself with free time and nothing to celebrate during the next 16 days, you are now fully informed and should have no problem having a little fun.