Holidays Archives - Page 5 of 8 - Good Cheer

Ochugen and Oseibo Gift Ideas: Japanese Customs and the Tradition of Giving

What do you say when you give someone a gift? No, not “here,” or “look, I got you a gift,” but what is your gift saying? What are the wordless messages you are passing along [read more]

Celebrating National Sugar Cookie Day With Recipes That Kids Can Make

Bay E

Comedian Gary Gulman said it best when he said, “Every cookie is a sugar cookie. A cookie without sugar is a cracker.” Sugar cookies have a reputation for being a bit basic in the baking [read more]

The Best Fourth of July Party Theme Ideas for Food, Fun, and Decor

Courtney S

Fourth of July gatherings have always had a special place in my heart—the smells of the barbecues and sunscreen; the sights of folks in their red, white and blue attire; and the sounds of the [read more]

The Best Traditional Kwanzaa Gifts to Make and Give

Brian B

Kwanzaa has always been one of the world’s most exciting holidays, especially in North America. It is a burst of light and color, of sun and laughter, emerging brightly into the coldest and darkest days [read more]

Canadian-Themed Party Food and Game Ideas to Celebrate Canada Day in the USA

Bay E

On July 1st 1867, the nation of Canada was officially born with the enactment of the Constitution Act. Today, the country celebrates July 1st with all things red, white, and Canadian. And just two years [read more]

Unique Diwali Gift Ideas: Celebrate India’s Festival of Lights Around the World

Brian B

The word Diwali, with its upward-lilting last syllable, already carries within it a lightness and a note of grace. That’s fitting, too: A translation of the word reads “rows of lighted lamps,” a beautiful and [read more]

DIY Father’s Day Gifts from Daughter: Easy Last Minute Homemade Gift Basket Ideas

Bay E

“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person — he believed in me.” – Jim Valvano When I think of my father, there are poignant and particular things that come to [read more]

Feliz Dia de la Reyes: Three Kings Day Gift Ideas for a Royal Celebration

Brian B

The story of Christmas doesn’t begin or end on the 25th. There’s an entire holiday season full of parties and gifts that leads up to Christmas Day. And, for many around the world, a hugely [read more]

A Freilichen Purim! Gift Basket Ideas to Celebrate Spring, Community, and Life’s Joys

Brian B

Late winter and early spring are, for everyone, imbued with a sense of rebirth and excitement. It’s a time to escape the long winter—and look forward to the light. For the Jewish people, though, it [read more]

Patriotic Party Ideas for Your Memorial Day BBQs and Backyard Block Parties

Bay E

Memorial Day signifies the unofficial start of summer when light sweaters are replaced with swim suits and backpacks are replaced with beach bags. Growing up, this often meant holidays spent around a beach bonfire with [read more]

Mother’s Day Party Game Ideas and Family Activities That Are as Unique as Mom

Bay E

“Mama was my greatest teacher, a teacher of compassion, love and fearlessness. If love is sweet as a flower, then my mother is that sweet flower of love.” —Stevie Wonder On Sunday May 14th, we [read more]

Last Minute DIY Mother’s Day Gifts: Elegant Breakfast in Bed Ideas for Mom

Bay E

The smell of coffee, morning sun streaming in through the window, the tang of freshly squeezed orange juice—there’s nothing quite as special as a thoughtfully prepared breakfast in bed to fill a soul up with [read more]

DIY Mother’s Day Flower Arrangements Picked Fresh to Surprise Mom with a Classic

Bay E

“A mother is one who fills your heart in the first place.” Amy Tan Flowers are so naturally and intrinsically linked to Mother’s Day gifts. When I was a kid, I can recall using every [read more]

A Hopping Good Time: Easter Party Ideas for Toddlers, Kids, and the Young at Heart

Brian B

When we grow up, Easter tends to get unfairly short shrift. For one thing, it isn’t fixed in place like Christmas or always on the same weekend like Thanksgiving. Landing anywhere from late March to [read more]

Egg-cellent Easter Basket Ideas for Tweens (Because the Easter Bunny Loves Hip Hop)

Justina H

I still don’t know how the Easter Bunny managed to disappear without a trace every year before my sister and I could spot him. As girls, we would eagerly wait for him to ring our [read more]

Imaginative Make Up Your Own Holiday Day Ideas That Celebrate Whatever Inspires You

Brian B

Have you ever said something along the lines of, “Oh man, if I were president, I’d declare a national holiday for whoever invented string cheese.” Well, it turns out that under a close reading of [read more]

Eco-Friendly DIY Earth Day Gifts for a Clean and Green Kitchen This Spring

Bay E

For the last few years, my fiancé Nick and I have taken a creative approach to celebrating Earth Day. One year, while living in San Francisco, we crafted a kitchen composter out of a coffee [read more]

An April Fools’ Day Gag Gift Exchange and Prank Party Ideas That Are No Joke

Brian B

Maybe the first recorded prank in history was when the Greek army hid themselves in a giant horse and pretended it was a gift to the Trojan people. While the Trojans slept, the Greeks [read more]

Bring Your Brogue: Charmed St. Patrick’s Day Party Ideas Inspired by The Quiet Man

Brian B

There’s an Irish pub near my home that I frequent quite often. It was my dad’s favorite place, and we were often the only people there born this side of the Atlantic. Warm and homey, [read more]

Simple and Sweet DIY Coworker Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for the Office

Brian B

There are few questions more fraught in the workplace than, “So, do you have Valentine’s Day plans?” It can lead to some awkward moments. The answer could be, “No, for I have yet to find [read more]

A Kids’ Valentine’s Day Craft Party to DIY Handmade Treats, Cards—and Fun

Rai C.

Around this time of year, my friend Sophie and I find ourselves reminiscing about the good ol’ days of elementary school, when we would make construction paper valentines for each of our friends. Though we [read more]

Woo Him with Japanese Valentine’s Day Traditions and Heartfelt Homemade Gifts

Rai C.

My husband and I will be celebrating our sixth Valentine’s Day together this year, so the traditional gestures of chocolates, flowers, and a card were beginning to feel a little trite and bland. Our love [read more]

The Year of the Rooster: A Traditional Chinese New Year Celebration for 2017

Mandi S

A few years ago, my college pal Amanina, known as Amy to her American classmates, wasn’t able to make it home to Malaysia for Chinese New Year. She was clearly bummed—it’s the most important day [read more]

The Legendary Saint of Love: Honoring the History and Traditions of Valentine’s Day

Rai C.

Around the year 270 A.D., Emperor Claudius II decided that men would make better fighters if they were unwed, so he outlawed marriage for any potential soldier. Seeing this as a crime against humanity—and love—Saint [read more]