Holiday Crafts, Recipes, Info, and Party Ideas

The fascinating history and origin of Halloween. Trick or Treat, Jack-o-lanters, and Halloween itself.

Common Chinese New Year business customs for those new to working with the Chinese. Everything begins with the auspicious colour of red.

Count down to Halloween with a list of 31 of the campiest scary movies ever made. All of these films are fun to watch, without being too serious.

Salem witches' faces really did turn green, from severe physical punishments. Do you know what their broomsticks really represent? Green faces and broomsticks are not for children - rate them NC-17.

When the Pilgrims arrived in the New World, they were taught how to survive by the Indians, who had lived in the area for a very long time. However, at the time of contact, the world of the Native Americans was very complex and diverse.

So you think you know everything about Valentine's Day, do you? Test your knowledge of this popular festival with this fun free thirty-question quiz.

Halloween party dessert recipes include fun and frightening roach-infested popcorn, gory cake ball brains, chocolate cookie dough rats, zombie and spider cupcakes, cute werewolf snack cakes, and more.

The History and Meaning of Dia de los Muertos come from a mixture of indigenous beliefs and Catholic traditions. This article explores the celebration of day of the dead not only in Mexico, but also Peru, Haiti and Brazil.

Add a little fa-la-la-la to your holiday party with these Christmas songs -- romantic, risqué, naughty, and just plain fun to sing along with. Mistletoe, Santa, and spiked eggnog not included.

Appalachian traditions that include Christmas Trees and natural decorations sprang from the mountains that ranger from lower New York all the way south to northern Georgia and Mississippi. Some of these forgotten tradition are making a welcomed comeback.

This article explores both the history and origins of Mother's Day.

Flying flags, picnic dining, parades, patriotic songs, and fireworks are just a few of the ways that we celebrate the 4th of July in the U.S.

A day for jests, jokes, and general jollification whose origins are unclear.

Do you have bells in your craft room and no idea what to do with them? Turn them into beautiful ornaments, wreaths, garlands, elves, and more!

Celebrate Halloween with this song list of spooktacular rock, pop and country favorites. From haunting tales to fun sing-a-longs, this list includes both perennial favorites and lesser known tunes.

What child wouldn't love to get a real, live bunny for Easter? Maybe it seems like a good time to teach a child some responsibility, but parents should think carefully before giving a live animal.

Collecting Harold Gale Santas is a way to get into the Christmas Spirit. The 15 inch Santa Claus made in 1957 was the first item Harold Gale ever aimed at Christmas shoppers.

Arbor Day and Earth Day are two holidays in April with a focus on trees, conservation, and caring for the Earth. This list of recommended fiction and nonfiction children's picture books will help supplement your library story hour or preschool circle time with a STEAM focus for the spring.

Although Easter is celebrated much the same everywhere, Honduras does Semana Santa in her own traditional and colorful way.

I used to think that New Year's resolutions were destined to fail and didn't work. That's why I never made them. This year, I'm doing something different. I've been contemplating my resolutions for several months and I'm ready not just to kick off the new year, but kick off a new lifestyle.

Valentine's Day is always a fun holiday to celebrate with those we love. This article highlights a tradition that I started in our home a few years ago, and it's a favorite with both my kids and husband. It's easy to throw together and doesn't cost a lot.

Happy Independence Day messages, wishes, sayings, and greetings for family and friends, colleagues, clients, bosses, or employees that you can use to express your patriotic feelings.

Twig reindeer are adorable additions to any holiday display or Christmas tree decorating. With a few craft supplies and twigs from your yard, learn how to make this cute reindeer pair for your home.

I guarantee that a mother you know is faking a smile, hiding her tears, or sitting in her silent home, dreading this day beyond words. Let's not forget them or those amazing women throughout our lives who have taught us what our own mothers didn't or couldn't.

Christmas is filled with all kinds of traditions; but where do they come from, and what do they mean?

Dozens of unusual holidays fill May in addition to Mother's Day and Memorial Day. See what else your family and friends might like to celebrate, with fodder for theme parties crowding all 31 days!

Do you know a Wiccan mom? Maybe your own mom is Wiccan. If you're struggling with gift ideas for Mother's Day, consider some of these.

Get personal this Valentines & win their hearts by crafting special things like bouquets of their favorite chocolate bars or boxes filled with their favorite liquors.

You can explain independence day, and the whole revolutionary war in less than 10 minutes at your 4th of July picnic only using condiments and pennies.

You don't have to spend a lot of money to get your home ready for Christmas. I've collected a few tasteful and inexpensive holiday decoration ideas to help you get inspired.

Painting windows in Las Vegas has been my favorite way to celebrate the holidays. Find out what materials to use and how to create these beautiful window paintings yourself!

Learn how to repurpose an old light fixture into a spooky Halloween chandelier decoration. Here's how I turned my old light into a Halloween chandelier.

Learn everything there is to know about celebrating Christmas in Ireland from customs & traditions to festivities & Irish holiday fare.

Some of the young women may seem undeserving but who knows how far-reaching, over time, a genuine message of love and hope will be? Send a personalized Mother's Day card to a teenage mother this year.

If Santa photos are a holiday tradition, then why are some tiny tots so terrified of the jolly old man in red? Learn the answer and see lots of funny photos of kids who can't get away fast enough.

Navratri | Durga Puja is an Indian festival held twice a year and probably the most widely celebrated Hindu festival. Dedicated to Goddess Durga it's a nine night festival. Learn more about it...

Getting kids excited for the holidays is a perennial problem. Here's a fun way for kids who love arts and crafts to prepare for Sukkot if you don't have a real sukkah for them to decorate.

Make your Halloween party a no-fuss affair with some of these impressive desserts, snacks and main dishes. Also, get Halloween treat ideas for your little ghosts and goblins.

We white people feel entitled to don the garb of any and all cultures, but it's often inappropriate. Here's a list of racist Halloween costumes that we absolutely should not wear.

Get ideas to streamline storing away all the Christmas decorations. Take good care of all your special items.

Here are three DIY creations for the spring holiday. Simple and fun to make, these crafts add a little color to Easter.

This easy holiday ornament is a great way to recycle or reuse your favorite seasonal greetings into decorations that you can enjoy for years to come. This project is also a fun activity for kids!

Do you celebrate Pagan Christmas traditions? Your first instinct would probably be to say "No!", but you might be surprised.We can thank the Romans & Celts for most of our modern Christmas traditions.

This article will describe how a team of three people created a striking display for our church for Easter. The materials required for this project are quite affordable. This project was fun and demanding and was a gift offered to our church to aid our celebration of the resurrection of our Lord.

Learn how to create indoor and outdoor topiaries with easy-to-follow directions. Designs include a Christmas Berry Topiary, a Christmas Ball Topiary, and Evergreen Spiral Topiary.

Valentine's Day is typically marketed to men, encouraging them to do more for their wives on February 14th. Why should women be excluded? Men need love, too. Read on to find out how to love your man.

These are examples of what to write in your mom's Mother's Day or Mothering Day card. Also included are directions and ideas for how to write a good Mother's Day wish.

Just in time for the holidays, here some are easy craft tutorials to make four different Christmas decorations using yarn. Each of these tutorials makes a charming and colorful ornament for your tree.

While we give thanks for our family members, let us not neglect to express thanks to them. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to give the proverbial flowers. Here are some ideas to inspire gratitude.

The International Day of Peace is September 21st of each year. Many around the world gear up for this day in many ways - there are many ways to celebrate!

This is a roundup of several printable templates for lucky red envelopes and bookmarks for kids to color, cut, and assemble for Year of the Pig—Chinese New Year.

Not in the mood to go out on New Year's Eve? Did your friends all bail out on you? Still want to have a good time? Find out how to have fun on December 31st on your own.

If you want to stay on the 'nice' list, you best play nice and bring a great gift to your Dirty Santa party! Check out our list of the best 25 Dirty Santa Gift Ideas under $25!

Haunted houses can be elaborate commercial ones, homemade basement events, or even at a campground. Big or small, all need fresh ideas to scare the guests. Here you'll find many ideas!

These Christmas wishes provide ideas to make Christmas cards extra special. Take the opportunity to send a message with meaning, whether it be funny or inspiring.

Memorial Day is more than just a three-day holiday. Learn the meaning and facts behind this day, as well as some ways you can celebrate with family and friends.

Mother’s Day is celebrated the world over. What is the history of the holiday and how has it changed over the years? What are some famous quotes abut mothers?

Polish Easter traditions in a Polish American family are a blend of old and new. Baking babka and chrusciki (bow tie cookies), spring cleaning, hot-cross buns and traditional Polish Easter Eggs (Pisanki) are some of the Polish traditions that pass from grandmother to granddaughter.

'Midsummer,' the Summer Solstice, is a very fun and light-hearted Sabbat on the Wiccan Wheel of the Year! Learn about correspondences, associations and traditions to help you plan celebrations!

May might be the month that Mother's Day is in but there are plenty of other holidays, as well. Celebrate these fun days in May for a great break from the ordinary.

This article contains pdfs of 16 printable coloring pages for the year of the rat in the Chinese zodiac. The sheets have Chinese characters along their with pinyin (phonetic) counterparts.

We all learn about Saint Patrick's Day from the time we're little kids. From the beginning, we're cutting shamrocks from construction paper, wearing green, singing Irish songs, and for some of us, drinking beer. But what do we really know about Saint Patrick and the holiday that bears his name?

Do you know all of the reindeer names? How about the 10th reindeer name? Join me on this fun adventure to learn all the names and to get an inside peek on all the reindeers' personalities.

One of the most important ethnic festivals in the city state, Chinese New Year in Singapore is a dazzling display of lights, food, and auspicious well wishes.

Are you solo this Valentine's Day? Is your significant other out of town for the day? Whatever the reason, if you are going to be alone, here are 25 ideas to make the day special.

My selection of children's picture books about mothers and Mother's Day. Plenty of hugs and kisses in these selections!

Jesus is the reason for the Christmas season. Here is a simple plan to build your own manger to display in your yard. It fold down and stores flat.

Enjoy these rocking tunes from a Memorial Day playlist used for indoor cycling class. These songs will get your heart pumping and your holiday cookout off and running.

Create a luxurious spa-like candlelight bubble bath experience to relax, unwind, indulge yourself and perhaps set a romantic mood for your partner. Follow these 10 steps to a perfect soak in the tub.

A new year is a great opportunity to redesign your life. Provided are 100 questions to help you design what is most important to you in the new year.

Valentine's Day has become increasingly commercialized and people feel pressured to spend big. Do your kids a favor by showing them love is best shown through actions, not money.

Groundhog Day is a holiday that is thousands of years old. What is it's ancient meaning? Groundhog Day, the movie, delivers another spiritual message, as well.

Contains over 25 easy, printable templates for dog crafts for Chinese New Year celebrations. Busy teachers, librarians, and parents can print these decorations for kids.

The True Meaning of Christmas - some of the meanings and traditions from a secular family that loves the magic and wonder of Christmas.

How to make beautiful non traditional Easter egg decorations that last long after all the jelly beans are gone. Instructions for blowing out the eggs, silk dyeing, hand painting and making decoupage hanging egg ornaments.

This site contains printable templates for several different easy Year of the Pig cards to craft. Each card has a picture of a pig, and the phrase "Happy New Year" is written in English, Mandarin, and pinyin.

Every child's Halloween party should be full of imagination and fun. Here are some great, sometimes funny, sometimes creepy, Halloween Games!

A brief history of Halloween, with the symbolism of bats to the Halloween holiday

Why do Chinese wear red during Chinese New Year? How did the name for fifteenth night celebrations come about? These Chinese New Year legends explain all.

Examples of sweet messages you can write in a card to show affection and gratitude to your mom on Mother’s Day.

Each year, the 1st Friday in March is celebrated by Christians worldwide as a day of prayer, unity, and cooperation. Join us on March 2, 2018, as we pray for peace, tolerance, and unity.

Celebrate Groundhog Day on February 2nd! Here are 10 fun ways to celebrate Groundhog Day for kids and adults. From the naturalist to the movie buff to the gourmet cook, there's something for everyone. Check out this article for ideas, recipes and Groundhog Day trivia.

Sharing a personal Psalm of Thanksgiving is just one impressive way to make the occasion special. Need some help? Psalm 100 makes a good sample.

Find out how Christmas in France is celebrated. Learn all the French Christmas traditions, customs, and everything else there is to know about celebrating the holidays!

Thanksgiving Dinner was a big deal when I was growing up. I’m going to share recipes for family Thanksgiving favorites such as potato salad, baked mac & cheese, sweet potato pie, and banana pudding.

Christmas carols are a part of the classic tradition of Christmas. The origins of some of these merry tunes are intriguing and mysterious in their creation.

Tell the story of Jesus' death and resurrection with the help of objects inside 12 plastic eggs. My kids LOVE this tradition, and my husband and I love that they are learning about Jesus!

New Year's celebration in Russia is a unique event that encompasses more than just the marking of the new calendar year.

Decoration Day in the South has been celebrated for hundreds of years. Learn about the rituals and traditions of this holiday that may have inspired the modern day observance of Memorial Day.

Fathers are extremely important, especially to their daughters. The instrumental role he plays in the life of a daughter leaves a mark that can't be changed. Those with great fathers are truly lucky.

While there are a number of traditional, formal holidays we celebrate, there are also a number of unofficial holidays that can make your March more fun. Celebrate some of these days and see how your mood improves and your days seem more enjoyable.

Alone for Thanksgiving? Don't feel left out! Follow these tips for having a great solo Thanksgiving from one who knows the ropes. You deserve to have a wonderful holiday.

Some Celtic people may or may not be making crop circles in the middle of the night, but Celts and their descendants have surely made outstanding films to enjoy on St. Patrick's Day.

There are many kinds of celebrations in Britain - from royal to religious and from traditional to more modern. This great country has been around for almost 1,000 years and has had influences before that, all helping to make rich and vibrant...

We all have tried and failed to implement a New Year's resolution. Let's be easier and kinder to ourselves and not make them impossible to keep. Here are 9 simple resolutions to try this New Year's or anytime!

The Carnival of Venice is an extravaganza of color, Masks and entertainment. held each year this Italian celebration brings back to life renaissance Italy. Includes the History of the Masks.

Learn the food, important dates, and activities of Christmas in Mexico

This article contains over 20 easy, printable templates for pig crafts for Chinese New Year celebrations. Busy parents, librarians, and teachers can print these decorations for kids to use in crafts.

Oh, no! Rumor has it that Santa will retire soon. Compilation of his "nice and naughty" list has been outsourced to a young intern, the Elf on the Shelf. He is candy cane clueless in his new duties.

These are examples of father's day messages to write in a father's day card. Express something sincere or funny using these ideas to get you started. Use your words to make it a special day for him.