Category: Occasions

In the past we’ve talked about the importance of being a good father (and even of the importance of being an uncle) and given some gift ideas.  This year we wanted to tell you how the holiday came about in the first place, and why we think celebrating fatherhood is worthy of a national holiday, […]

Many people of a certain age consider It’s a Wonderful Life as one of the best Christmas films of all time, and while the cast and crew felt at the time of filming that they were part of something special, the film fell well short of breaking even and didn’t really find its way until […]

Black Friday is such a popular retail phenomenon that retailers in other countries around the world have begun to copy it. You’ll find “Black Friday” deals in both Europe and Asia…despite the fact that there’s no famous Thursday event preceding that Friday in those countries. That’s perhaps as good a moment as any to pause […]

To say the political environment in the United States at the moment is contentious would be an understatement. Indeed, as this Thanksgiving approaches the country is less than a year away from another presidential election which may prove to be even more challenging than the previous one. As Thanksgiving approaches, what are the rules? Go […]

Several countries helped colonize the land that would eventually become the United States, so it’s unsurprising that their legacy can still be seen in our holidays.  Mardi Gras pays homage to the French, Cinco de Mayo to our southern neighbors, originally colonized by Spain.  St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated nowhere as in as large of […]

If there’s one thing Americans know to do on July 4th, it’s have parades and barbeques, fly American flags, light off fireworks, and in general, enjoy a day well into summertime.  No instructions necessary!  But even this most patriotic of holidays has become commercialized, and as we prepare to once again celebrate the day that, […]