September 8 - International Literacy Day

If you're reading today's blog you may very likely take that ability for granted. Around the world today, one in five adults aren't able to read or write at a functional level. Of that number, nearly two thirds are women. It's also estimated that almost 75 million children aren't even in schools. But why is literacy so important?

According to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), "Literacy is a human right, a tool of personal empowerment and a means for social and human development. All educational opportunities depend of literacy." Societies that are literate have less poverty, lower child mortality, better gender equality and tend to be more peaceful and democratic.

And literacy tends to be generational. Parents who had the opportunity to go to school tend to be more likely to send their children to school. A good education equips students with literacy skills and a solid foundation for life-long learning.

August 29 - According to Hoyle Day

Known as the "Father of Whist", Edmond Hoyle (1672-1769) didn't actually invent the game. Whist is a card games played with 52 cards and is the forerunner to the modern version of Bridge. The game was extremely popular with the English aristocracy of the time and Hoyle took it upon himself to publish "A Short Treatise on the Game of Whist", which at the time was the definitive collection of rules for the game. So popular was the book that Hoyle wrote a number of other "treatises" on a variety of card and board games including, backgammon, piquet and chess. It soon became popular custom to generically call any rule book on card and board games a "Hoyle", which lead to today's say, "according to Hoyle", which usually refers to the standard of rules for just about anything. So today, break out a deck of cards, or a board game, keep the rule book close to hand and raise a glass in thanks to Mr. Hoyle.

August 27 - Just Because Day

Have you ever had something you wanted to do, but there wasn't really any reason to do it? Well today's the day to just give in and let loose! How about visiting someone you haven't seen in ages? Take a run through a sprinkler? Treat yourself to something you don't really need. Treat someone else for that matter! Compliment a coworker on their great wardrobe. Make plans for an unscheduled vacation. Really, the skies the limit! It isn't clear where this occasion originated, maybe it was just because.

August 25 - Kiss and Make Up Day

Be it a tiff, spat, disagreement or a full on argument, we've all had occasion to collide with someone else emotionally. It's only natural when strong opinions come into contact with each other. Disagreements are unfortunately just a part of life. Sometimes arguments can go on for years, cause hard feelings and terrible regret. Well today is the day to set aside any of those differences and make amends with anyone you might be having a conflict with. And making up can be a heck of a lot of fun!

August 22 - Ramadan Begins

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, also referred to as the month of fasting. During each day of the month, from dawn until dusk, those participating are required to not eat, drink, smoke or indulge in any excesses or ill-natured activities. The practice of fasting is meant to teach Muslims patience, modesty and spirituality. The belief is that without the temptations of the world present, it becomes easier to devote the day to prayer and worship. Many Muslims use Ramadan to decide new directions for their lives, similar to the way many in Western cultures make New Year's resolutions. Most choose ways to live better lives more dedicated to their faith.

Ramadan Mubarak!

August 20 - Virtual Worlds Day

Virtual worlds were created to provide a way to escape the real one. Where once not long ago there were only a few imaginary communities to join with, today there is a virtual universe of choices. Millions of people a day leave reality behind for a foray into the lives of their created avatars. For example more than 11.5 million people subscribe to the internationally popular World of Warcraft. Interestingly, many experts suggest that even Twitter, Facebook, and the other social network sites are considered virtual worlds. Today is set aside to celebrate, or perhaps explore, one of the many virtual worlds into which you escape!

August 18 - Bad Poetry Day

No one sets out to write a "bad poem", yet it happens hundreds of times a year. Often most of the serious offenders come from writers with the very best of intention. Take for example the musings of William McGonagall, a nineteenth century writer who has the distinction of being hailed as the author of the worst poetry in the English language. But why celebrate bad poetry? Perhaps by reading a bad poem, you might more easily recognize great poetry. So today would be a good day to sit back and read Mr. McGonagall's grand opus "The Tay Bridge Disaster", which I've included here for your "enjoyment".

The Tay Bridge Disaster

Beautiful Railway Bridge of the Silv'ry Tay!
Alas! I am very sorry to say
That ninety lives have been taken away
On the last Sabbath day of 1879,
Which will be remember'd for a very long time.

'Twas about seven o'clock at night,
And the wind it blew with all its might,
And the rain came pouring down,
And the dark clouds seem'd to frown,
And the Demon of the air seem'd to say-
"I'll blow down the Bridge of Tay."

When the train left Edinburgh
The passengers' hearts were light and felt no sorrow,
But Boreas blew a terrific gale,
Which made their hearts for to quail,
And many of the passengers with fear did say-
"I hope God will send us safe across the Bridge of Tay."

But when the train came near to Wormit Bay,
Boreas he did loud and angry bray,
And shook the central girders of the Bridge of Tay
On the last Sabbath day of 1879,
Which will be remember'd for a very long time.

So the train sped on with all its might,
And Bonnie Dundee soon hove in sight,
And the passengers' hearts felt light,
Thinking they would enjoy themselves on the New Year,
With their friends at home they lov'd most dear,
And wish them all a happy New Year.

So the train mov'd slowly along the Bridge of Tay,
Until it was about midway,
Then the central girders with a crash gave way,
And down went the train and passengers into the Tay!
The Storm Fiend did loudly bray,
Because ninety lives had been taken away,
On the last Sabbath day of 1879,
Which will be remember'd for a very long time.

As soon as the catastrophe came to be known
The alarm from mouth to mouth was blown,
And the cry rang out all o'er the town,
Good Heavens! the Tay Bridge is blown down,
And a passenger train from Edinburgh,
Which fill'd all the peoples hearts with sorrow,
And made them for to turn pale,
Because none of the passengers were sav'd to tell the tale
How the disaster happen'd on the last Sabbath day of 1879,
Which will be remember'd for a very long time.

It must have been an awful sight,
To witness in the dusky moonlight,
While the Storm Fiend did laugh, and angry did bray,
Along the Railway Bridge of the Silv'ry Tay,
Oh! ill-fated Bridge of the Silv'ry Tay,
I must now conclude my lay
By telling the world fearlessly without the least dismay,
That your central girders would not have given way,
At least many sensible men do say,
Had they been supported on each side with buttresses,
At least many sensible men confesses,
For the stronger we our houses do build,
The less chance we have of being killed.

~William T. McGonagall

August 15 - Relaxation Day

Originally dubbed "Slacker's Day" in Britain in 2001, Relaxation Day as it's now named, has become a popular day around the globe. And why not. There are so many things in our lives that cause unnecessary stress - work, family obligations, the economy! Today is set aside to indulge in activities that truly relax you and take your mind off all of those things. The problem? Many of us don't know how to relax. How sad is that! The easiest way to learn to relax? Watch a cat. They have it down to a fine art. If you don't have a cat, try some of these ideas. Try to take a nap if you usually don't. If the weather is good maybe head to the beach, the mountains or a park. A movie or a play might be a good choice if the weather isn't so nice. Turn off your cell phone and Blackberry. Order in instead of cooking. The most important part of the day? Don't feel guilty about your relaxation. Just kick back and enjoy. Ahhhhhhhhhh!

August 14 - Creamsicle Day

You just have to love it when an unusual group of ingredients and circumstances combine to produce one of the most popular summer treats. That's just what happened to Frank Epperson in 1905 when he was only 11 years old. After leaving a wooden stick in a cup containing powdered soda and water overnight, he discovered that the mixture had frozen into a "fruity icicle". Nearly 20 years later he introduced the frozen treat to the world as an "eppsicle" later renamed popsicle. Decades later a version of the popsicle, called a Creamsicle was introduced to the world. Composed of an ice cream center surrounded by an icy coating, Creamsicles are most often recognized by their orange fruity flavour, but they are also produced in blue raspberry, lime and grape flavours. Today is set aside to celebrate the Creamsicle, so make sure you take a break to enjoy this chilly treat!

August 12 - Vinyl Record Day

It's unlikely that Thomas Edison had any idea that his invention of the phonograph on this day in 1877 would have the effect on the world that it did. The first phonographs were produced on tinfoil on cylinders, often referred to now as an Edison Cylinder. That early method soon evolved into large, flat pieces of polyvinyl chloride with spiral grooves etched into their surface. Vinyl records, as they're known, became the medium of music for many generations. Whether they were 78 RPM, 45 RPM, or 33 1/3 RPM, records have provided the soundtrack for so many important occasions over the past 132 years. With the advent of the compact disc in the 1980s, vinyl records all but disappeared for a period of time. Today, however, vinyl records are making a strong and welcome comeback. So enjoy the wonderful sound produced from that piece of vinyl today and preserve those records for generations to come.

August 10 - S'Mores Day

If you've been to camp, then you've had a s'more. A popular campfire treat throughout North America since the late 1920s, s'mores are a delectable combination of cookie, chocolate and marshmallow. There's much speculation as to the name's origin, but most believe that it's simply a contraction of the phrase "want some more". How do you make a s'more? It's easy. Toast a marshmallow on a stick over a campfire. Have a couple of Graham Crackers ready to sandwich the melting marshmallow. Make sure you have a piece of chocolate on one of the crackers. The heat of the marshmallow will melt the chocolate and you'll soon have an ooey, gooey, mess of a dessert. Aren't near a campfire - the whole thing can be done in the microwave too (although not nearly as much fun, it's just as messy!!)

August 7 - Particularly Preposterous Packaging Day

We've all encountered them at some point. Our long awaited, hard earned purchase out of our reach as it's encased in hard plastic, cardboard, and impossibly strong tape! Today is set aside for us to moan and complain about the consumer packaging that provides us with so many challenges. Today is also a celebration of the incongruous package directions and instructions that are often the result of very literal translations. Here's a couple of examples: "Do not use while sleeping" (found on a hairdryer box); "Not to be used for the other use" (instructions for a Japanese food processor); "Do not iron clothes on body" (instructions for an iron). Have a laugh and try not to hurt yourself opening your purchase!

August 5 - International Beer Day

Beer is one of the few beverages that's enjoyed on nearly every one of the world's continents. So it only makes sense that entire day is dedicated to celebrating the frothy drink. Beer, in fact, is the oldest alcoholic beverage and behind only water and tea in popularity as a drink. Beer is usually categorized as either a lager or an ale with many sub-categories falling under each. A beer's basic ingredients are quite simple - water, starch (malted barley), a brewer's yeast, and hops for flavour. However, the process of brewing and fermenting of those ingredients is truly science twined with art and today is a multi-billion dollar a year global industry. So today, head off to your favourite bar or pub and raise a frosty glass in celebration of the noble beer.

July 31 - System Administrator Appreciation Day

Most of us take for granted the daily operation of our computers. But working diligently behind the scenes to make that happen is a group of dedicated, hard working professionals - the System Administrator. Sysadmins as they're often referred, are the one who set up and maintain the servers computers connect to. From laying cable to configuring networks, sysadmins do it all. So today, celebrate and say thanks to all those people who make it possible to do our work every day.

July 29 - Lasagna Day

Apparently Garfield isn't alone in his love of a good lasagna! In fact, the baked layers of noodles, cheese and tomato sauce is one of the most popular choices on restaurant menus worldwide. Lasagna, which actually refers to both the pasta shape and the finished dish, originated in Italy, but has been adopted and adapted by numerous countries. Variations of the dish often include a variety of vegetables and sauces, using everything from turkey to pesto. The one constant tends to be the use Mozzarella cheese as the crowning glory. Check out this recipe for an amazing lasagna from Chef Tyler Florence. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/the-ultimate-lasagna-recipe/index.html

July 24 - Cousins Day

The children of our parent's siblings - the cousins. Today is set aside to celebrate your cousins, and in fact yourself. If you have cousins, then you're a cousin too! Those in larger families can have many cousins and sometimes it can be confusing figuring out exactly what your relationship to them is. How many times have you been confronted with "first cousins once removed" and wondered just how that works? Probably quite a few times! Here's an easy way to figure it all out. If you and your relative in question both share the same grandparent, you're first cousins. If your grandparent is your relative's great grandparent, then you're first cousins once removed. If both of you share the same great grandparents then you have the distinction of being second cousins. And so on down the line. No matter how many times you may be "removed", cousins are often the closest to us in age and are the ones with whom we can commiserate during family functions. So today is a perfect time to give your cousin a call or send them an email and let them know just how much you appreciate them.

July 22 - Spoonerism Day

Rear Deeders, hiss and lear. Nope, not a typo but a series of spoonerisms. Phrases, sentences and words with swapped sounds are spoonerisms. And we all experience them from time to time, usually when speaking at speed. Words or letters simply rearrange themselves, often to humourous effect. Named for the Reverend W. A. Spooner (1844-1930), Dean of New College in Oxford, England, whose quick mind often raced ahead of his tongue. The result was often words and sentences with swapped sounds. Here's a couple of examples of his notable spoonerisms: he turned "you missed my history lecture" into "you hissed my mystery lecture" and when he meant to say "is the Dean busy" it came out as "is the bean dizzy".

During the 1930s and 1940s, author F. Chase Taylor, writing under the pseudonym Colonel Stoopnagle, wrote a number of spoonerism fairy tales for the Saturday Evening Post. A couple of titles included, Beeping Sleauty and Goldybear and the Three Locks.

So today when you inadvertently mix up those letters, smile at the tips of the slung and carry on!

July 20 - 40th Anniversary of the Moon Landing

"One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

40 years ago today, Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong spoke those historic words as he stepped onto the moon's surface for the first time. The event was the culmination of more than a decade's worth of work initiated by U.S. President, John F. Kennedy. He had challenged and rallied the U.S. population to become the first nation to land a man on the moon. On July 16, the Saturn V rocket with Apollo 11 perched atop it launched from the Cape Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. Four days later, the lunar module carrying astronauts, Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, touched down at Tranquility Base on the surface of the moon. The Eagle had landed! Since that historic day, while the space program has had a number of tremendous successes and horrific failures, the day someone first walked on the moon will stand out as one of mankind's most amazing achievements.

July 17 - Wrong Way Corrigan Day

What could be worse than having a really bad day, complete with a couple of good size mistakes, only to have it memorialized in popular culture! That's exactly what happened to Douglas Corrigan, later nicknamed Wrong Way, in 1938. Corrigan made a transcontinental plane trip from California to New York. He was supposed to return to California on July 17th, but instead ended up in Ireland! He later blamed the error on his navigational equipment and a dense layer of heavy clouds that obscured his landmarks, but the damage was done. From that day forward, the name Wrong Way Corrigan is often applied to anyone who has poor directional abilities. So today take heart. Even when the GPS tells you to go in one direction, and you go the opposite way, you're not alone!

July 15 - Saint Swithin's Day

St. Swithin's Day, if it does rain

Full forty days, it will remain.

St. Swithin's Day, if it be fair

For forty days, t'will rain no more.

As the above rhyme suggests, today is the day to watch the weather because, if it rains on July 15, Saint Swithin's Day, it will be wet and miserable for the next forty days. Luckily, the reverse also applies. The day is named for a Bishop of Winchester, St. Swithin. Legend suggests that as the Bishop lay on his deathbed, he asked to be buried outside, rather than in a cathedral so that he could forevermore enjoy the variety of weather. His wish was granted and he was laid to rest in a simple outdoor grave. However, the Monks of Winchester believed that he deserved a much grander tomb and nine years later, on July 15, 971, they moved his remains to a shrine within the cathedral. Legend says that during the reburial ceremony there was a tremendous rain storm. From that day on it became a popular belief that rain appearing on July 15 signaled rain for the next forty days. Interestingly, a number of attempts have been made to prove the legend, however periods of rain have never been recorded after a rainy July 15! But it certainly can't hurt to watch the skies today.

July 14 - Bastille Day (France)

Vive la France! Today marks the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille walls in 1789. The Bastille, a fortress-prison, became a symbol for the common people's revolt against the French Royal family. The day marks the beginning of the French Revolution, a ten year period of radical social and political change that resulted in a shift from an absolute monarchy to a government of the people. So today celebrate all things French! Some good bubbly from Champagne, a dinner at your favourite French restaurant, or maybe wearing the colours of France are all great ideas to commemorate today's French independence day.

July 13 - Embrace Your Geekness Day

What is it to be a geek? The dictionary defines a geek as " a computer expert or enthusiast, a term of pride when used as self reference but often considered offensive when used by outsiders." In days past, the "geek" has been the butt of jokes and derision. But in today's super technological age, isn't there a little geek in all of us? We all have our tech toys that we can't get through the day without, so today is a great day to embrace that side of ourselves and celebrate it! Here's a great list featuring the top 20 "geek" movies - and happily many of them are my favourites! http://listverse.com/2008/01/27/top-20-geek-movies-of-all-time/

July 10 - Clerihew Day

What's a clerihew and why the heck are we celebrating it? Named in honour of British writer Edmund Clerihew Bentley's birthday in 1875, a clerihew is a four line rhyming verse similar to a limerick, humerous and biographical in nature. Bentley's first collection of poetry entitled, Biography for Beginners, introduced and popularized the form in 1905. Here's a couple of examples of his early clerihews:

The art of Biography

Is different from Geography.

Geography is about maps,

But Biography is about chaps.

It was a weakness of Voltaire's

To forget to say his prayers,

And one which to his shame

He never overcame.

To celebrate the day, why not try your hand at creating a clerihew of your own. It's harder than it looks!

July 8 - Video Game Day

Remember when Pong was the height of technological wonder? That simple electronic version of ping pong launched an industry producing video games that immerse the player completely in the action. Early games were played on large machines found in video game arcades. Today, the hundreds of video games developed each year for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Nintedo Wii, or the computer, employ state of the art technologies that provide the player with realistic graphics and sound right in their own home. You can even take your games with you on a variety of hand held portable game systems. Kids and adults are equally attracted to video games and play for fun, education, and even sport. Today might be a great day to invite a few friends around for some video game fun! Here's a list of today's top games: http://www.gamespot.com/games.html?type=top_rated&mode=top&page_type=games&om_act=convert&om_clk=subnav&tag=subnav;top_games

July 7 - Chocolate Day

Mmmmmmmm chocolate! Undoubtably, one of the world's favourite flavours deserves a day all to itself. Derived from South America's cacao tree, chocolate has been enjoyed since about 1100 BC. In fact, the Mayan and Aztec cultures both produced the original version of our well loved drink, hot chocolate. There are a multitude of ways to enjoy chocolate - in cookies and cakes, candies, drinks, even savoury dishes - the list is nearly endless. Needless to say, today you could easily enjoy something chocolate at every meal of the day! In case you need a little inspiration, here's a great recipe from Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/brownie-pudding-recipe/index.html

July 4 - Independence Day (US)

While celebrated primarily in the United States, the Fourth of July holiday is recognized throughout the world. The day commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The document, signed by representatives of the thirteen colonies of the day, declared independence from British rule. Today, one of the biggest national holidays on the U.S. calendar is celebrated with picnics, parades, hot dogs, baseball games, and of course fireworks. Happy Birthday America!

July 3 - Compliment Your Mirror Day

Mirrors often take the brunt of our frustrations and anger. Think about it. The poor magic mirror that had the misfortune of being owned by the wicked queen in Snow White had nothing but abuse heaped upon it! Broken mirrors bring years of bad luck. Sure, we like to think of mirrors being responsible for showing all our flaws, but in fact they show us just the opposite. Today was set aside to thank your mirror for showing your true and amazing self. Take a minute today and stand in front of a mirror and admire that wonderful person looking back. The mirror really does deserve a compliment!

July 2 - I Forgot Day

Don't feel badly if you can't remember the significance of today - it's actually the point! We're often scratching our heads in frustration, trying to figure out what it is we've forgotten. Was I supposed to be somewhere? What was it I was going to pick up at the store? Who's birthday was it? So today give yourself a break and enjoy saying "I forgot"! In case you've happened to remember some past omission, maybe today gives you a good opportunity to make amends. Ever wonder why we tie a string around a finger to remember something? It's actually a throwback to the days when pieces of cloth or clothing were tied around parts of the body that were painful. The idea was that the cloth would help keep the spirit of life in that part of the body and cure it. A string on the finger was thought to work similarly in keeping a thought to be remembered at a later time. So rather than keeping a string on your finger for a year, it might be a good idea to record today on your calendar - or you'll likely forget again next year!

July 1 - Canada Day

142 years never looked so good. Today is the day that commemorates the July 1, 1867 enactment of the British North America Act (BNA) that united the then four provinces as a single entity, Canada. Despite the number of years Canada has been an independent country, celebrations of Canada Day are in fact relatively new. Initially, Canadians didn't observe overtly patriotic events as most citizens still felt of themselves as British. It wasn't until 1917 that official celebrations really took hold. After World War II, Canada Day celebrations really became a national event. Today, from coast to coast to coast, Canadians take part in parades, walks, picnics and in many cities and towns, fabulous fire works displays. So today, if you're a Canadian, or a Canadian at heart, take a moment to salute the wonderful diversity and beauty of this country. Happy Birthday Canada!

June 29 - Camera Day

Cameras are the tools that capture and preserve our most treasured memories. The holidays, the vacations, the celebrations are all fondly remembered with photos, either digital or printed. And someone with a camera strapped around their neck was responsible for clicking the shutter that made those pictures possible. In years past, cameras were bulky apparatus' with lots of accessories - lenses, tripods, and that elusive lens cap! Today if you have a cell phone you most likely also have a camera built in. Cameras of the past sometimes held onto their photographic treasures for months at a time until someone remembered to get the film developed. With newer technologies, pictures appear almost immediately. No matter the type of camera, celebrate the day by snapping a few pictures to preserve a moment for future reflection.

June 27 - Paul Bunyan Day

Paul Bunyan, the folkloric lumberjack who travelled around the United States with his giant blue ox Babe, actually originated in French Canada in 1837. He was credited with a number of fantastic feats. For instance, to water his companion Babe, he scooped out large tracts of land to create the Great Lakes; he was responsible for creating the logging industry in the States; he cleared the Dakotas for use as farm land. The fantastic stories attributed to Bunyan are in fact the basis for the "tall tale". Told around camp fires for generations, his stories have become the stuff of legend. Celebrate the day by passing along a few tall tales or head off to the library and research a bit more about this giant of a man.

June 26 - Take Your Dog to Work Day

In 1999, the celebration of Take Your Dog to Work Day was established to celebrate the great companionship people share with their dogs. It was also intended to encourage dog adoptions from humane societies, shelters and rescue organizations. But why take your dog to work? Organizers hoped to show employers the value that their employees placed on their four legged friends. And it seems to have worked. Today, around North America, thousands of businesses will open their doors to employee's dogs. Perhaps you and your pooch can enjoy a day at work together today, or maybe you might want to check out a shelter nearby about an adoption or a donation.

June 25 - Log Cabin Day

Log cabins have long been a symbol of rugged independence and pioneering spirit. First built by the early settlers of North America's west, they were built to withstand cold harsh winters and long hot summers. They were without electricity or plumbing, but they provided cozy, safe shelters. Today people build log cabins at their lakeside retreats, or mountain getaways. The "cabins" today are often grand affairs that would put their predecessors to shame, but they still symbolize a certain rustic charm and many are still built in traditional ways. Plan on visiting an historic log cabin in your area if there is one and appreciate their significance in our history.

.June 24 - Celebration of the Senses Day!

Today is a day to celebrate the five senses - touch, taste, scent, sight and sound. Some say that a perfect combination of all the senses you have available to you can lead to the discovery of the elusive "sixth sense". Stimulating the senses can be as simple as cooking and enjoying a meal. Heading off to the mountains or the ocean beach for a hike. Or maybe participating in concert. Whatever you decide to do enjoy the sensations your senses provide!

June 23 is Public Service Day

Established by the United Nations in 2002, today was proclaimed a day to honour all those whose lives are devoted to public service. Here's how the UN described the day: "The Day recognizes that democracy and successful governance are built on the foundation of a competent civil service. The ability of a society to maintain safety and essential public services, protect human rights, maintain an efficient framework for market activities and to hold free and fair elections draws on the skills and sense of purpose of public servants working as a team. Without an effective civil administration, democracy and prosperity are virtually unattainable.” Well said! Thanks to all Public Servants.

Father's Day - June 21

First celebrated in Spokane, WA in 1910, Father's Day was originally seen as a parody of Mother's Day and not taken too seriously. However within a few years of it's inception it began to gain popularity and soon became one of the most commercialized dates on the calendar. But today is about more than paying tribute to Dad with gifts and cards, it's a perfect opportunity to just spend some time with him. Whether he's biological, adopted or an important male figure in your life, most busy Dad's would cherish a few hours of "quality time" with their kids. A walk, a special meal or maybe just sitting on the couch sharing a program on the TV, might be just the thing to make Dad's Day.

New Contest Launched!

Design a Basket and Win!

In a few months Canada will welcome the world to Vancouver/Whistler for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

We're launching a series of new containers to celebrate Canada's participation in the Games and we would like your help. The idea is to develop containers that showcase the wonderfully diverse products that Canada has to offer. The entries will be judged on originality of theme and contents so be creative! When suggesting items for the container you may use either broad categories or be very specific. (Please note: We are unable to include official Olympic merchandise in our containers. As well, the words Olympic and Games can't be used.)

One entry will be selected as winner. The winning entrant will receive a gift voucher in the amount of $150.00 Cdn for Occasions Gift Baskets. The winning basket will be prominently displayed on our homepage until the Games end in February 2010. The contest runs from May 22 until June 15, 2009.

It's simple to enter - just go to occasionsgiftbaskets.ca and enter the contest form from the home page.

Good luck!

May Long Weekend (May 18th, 2009), May Run or May Two Four - How Do You Celebrate?

Traditionally celebrated on the last Monday on or before May 24th, this month's long weekend is often seen in Canada as the start of the summer season.

The day was established in 1834 prior to Canada's confederation to celebrate the birthday of Queen Victoria. Following her death in 1901, May 24th was officially decreed as Empire Day to continually commemorate her birthday. In Canada, the reigning sovereign's birthday was celebrated on a variety of days based on a number of royal proclamations. This confusing format was abandoned in the 1950s in favour of celebrating the sovereign's birthday on the last Monday before May 25th -- leaving May 24th as Victoria's Day.

Confusion about the moveable date aside, the May holiday is usually seen as the end of the winter season. Many people celebrate outside as much as possible and most municipal summer facilities (pools, parks, etc) officially open on the long weekend. Gardener's across the country use the weekend to plant their summer bedding plants and prepare their gardens for the new season. Those with cottages often use the weekend to "open" the cabin for summer. Oddly though, according to Environment Canada data, the May long weekend often has some of the coldest, wettest and most miserable weather days of the year!

Regardless of how you celebrate and despite the weather conditions, there is collective sigh across the country that summer might actually be in sight!

The Mother of all Occasions - Mother's Day May 10

It's literally the mother of all holidays.  Mother's Day is celebrated in North America on the second Sunday of May or May 10th this year. 

The relatively new occasion, first celebrated in 1912, was the creation of Anna Jarvis of West Virginia. Her intent was to organize a day where family members could specifically recognize their mother. She even went as far as trademarking the name and the position of the apostrophe in the occasion's name. It was important to her that the occasion denoted singular possessive (Mother's Day) so that each family honoured their own mother, not plural possessive (Mothers' Day) commemorating every mother in the world.

Today Mother's Day is celebrated with gifts of flowers, jewelry and other gifts designed to pamper Mom as well as lots of invitations to brunch!  Mother's Day has become one of the most commercialized occasions celebrated in North America which would have been extremely distressing to it's founder. Ms. Jarvis was very vocal in her opposition to over commercialization. She strongly believed that a letter penned from the loving hand of a child was an ideal way to recognize mothers. Most people today however, enjoy the opportunity to spoil Mom!

One of the best literary satirists, Erma Bombeck, wrote a terrific piece about mothers early in her career. Enjoy an excerpt here:

When God Created Mothers by Erma Bombeck

When the good Lord was creating mothers He was into His sixth day of "overtime" when the angel appeared and said, "You're doing a lot of fiddling around this one."

And the Lord said, "Have you read the specs on this order? She has to be completely washable, but not plastic; Have 180 moveable parts... all replaceable; Run on black coffee and leftovers; Have a lap that disappears when she stands up; A kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair; And six pairs of hands." 

The angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands... no way." "It's not the hands that are causing me problems," said the Lord. "It's the three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have." 

"That's on the standard model?" asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. "One pair that sees through closed doors when she asks,
"What are you kids doing in there?" when she already knows. Another here in
the back of her head that sees what she shouldn't but what she has to know,
and of course the ones here in front that can look at a child when he goofs
up and say, "I understand and I Love You" without so much as uttering a
word."

"Lord", said the angel, toughing His sleeve gently, "Come to bed.
Tomorrow..."
"I can't," said the Lord, "I'm so close to creating something so close to myself. Already I have one who heals herself when she is sick... can feed a family of six on one pound of hamburger... and can get a nine-year-old to stand under a shower."

The angel circled the model of a mother very slowly. "It's too soft," she
sighed.

"But tough!" said the Lord excitedly. "You cannot imagine what this mother
can do or endure."
"Can it think?"
"Not only think, but it can reason and compromise," said the Creator.
Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek. "There's a
leak," she pronounced. "I told You. You were trying to put too much into
this model."
"It's not a leak," said the Lord, "it's a tear."
"What's it for?"
"It's for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness and pride."
"You are a genius," said the angel.
The Lord looked somber. "I didn't put it there."

Happy Mother's Day

Green Gift Giving - Earth Day April 22nd

Going green. Carbon footprints. Eco friendly. We're inundated daily with phrases and words designed to steer us towards being more responsible about the environment. And while most of us do our best to live as "greenly" as possible, it can be somewhat intimidating. Gift giving can sometimes be problematic, but it doesn't have to be.  As we approach Earth Day (April 22nd), keeping the following in mind will help you become a "greener" gift giver!

1) Gifts that are purposeful - Make sure the gift you're giving will be used and enjoyed. What does the person enjoy doing? What is their taste and style? Doing a bit of research beforehand and not giving into impulse purchases will ensure that the gift will be used and not end up in the back of a closet or worse, a landfill!

2) Think about gifts that are consumable - Gifts that can be eaten, worn, or used entirely are far more environmentally sound. Favourite jams or jellies, savoury spreads, natural soaps, fairly traded coffees and tea are all terrific choices. 

3) Buy high quality items - Spending a bit more on items that are locally produced and of a higher quality will tend to last longer and won't be discarded as quickly. 

And don't forget to watch for items that are made of recycled, reused or re-purposed components. Happy Earth Day!

Celebrating Easter

Like so many occasions, Easter has a multitude of personalities. 

For most Christians, Easter represents one the most important dates on the calendar -- the resurrection of Jesus. Those with a more secular view of Easter celebrate the spring season. Interestingly, many of the symbols used to represent Easter predate Christianity. The moveable feast, which follows the vernal equinox, falls on April 12 this year.

Many Christian denominations celebrate the resurrection on Easter Sunday, two days after Good Friday,  or the day Jesus was crucified. While it might seem strange that the day of Jesus' death is called Good Friday most prefer to see the day as one of hope -- where not even death can diminish one's faith.

Easter Sunday also represents the last day of Lent, a time of prayer and penance.

It's safe to say, that even the most devout, are able to find a happy balance and embrace many of the secular Easter images, specifically the Easter Bunny and the tradition of Easter eggs.

Rabbits have for centuries been symbols of fertility. However, the modern image of the Easter Bunny probably dates to German immigrants to the Pennsylvania area of the United States introducing traditional stories of a "special hare that laid eggs for children."  The hare evolved into the more animated version of the magical bunny that hides eggs for children to find on Easter Sunday.

The tradition of using eggs at Easter can be traced to Medieval times when eating eggs was prohibited during Lent.  To preserve them, eggs were often boiled and then enjoyed at festivities after Lent.  As well, eggs are universally viewed as fertility symbols.  Today eggs are coloured and decorated, often elaborately, and used in various festivities during Easter.   Today chocolate eggs and bunnies wrapped in colourful foil usually replace real eggs. 

Families often gather for sumptuous Easter meals that usually comprise festive hams, colourful spring vegetables, corn puddings and hot cross buns.

Passover - The Feast of Unleavened Bread

Passover celebrates the Jewish people's emancipation from slavery under the rule of the Pharohs and their eventual exodus from Egypt. Traditionally, the holiday begins at sunset on the 15th day of the month Nisan on the Jewish calendar.  This year Passover begins at sunset on April 8th and ends on April 16 at nightfall.

Families pay tribute to their Jewish heritage and traditions by joining with friends and relatives for a Passover dinner called a seder. In preparation for the seder, houses are furiously cleaned to ensure that all bread or any leavened products called Chametz  are discarded. The reason for this traces to the Jewish people's flight from Egypt, when the Pharoh provided them with a brief window of time to prepare bread for the exodus.  Because of the brief time allowed the bread couldn't rise. Today, unleavened bread or matzah is used during Passover.

For many orthodox families the seder can consist of numerous parts and can be very long.  

The "required" elements of the seder include a retelling of the story of the Jewish exodus from the Haggadah (which also includes the order of the seder and blessings for the food), eating matzah and drinking four cups of wine.

In most orthodox families a special seder plate is placed on the table adorned with various representations from the story. They include: a lamb bone for the sacrificial lamb used to protect homes from the ten plagues; bitter herbs to show the bitter lives of the slaves; Haroset (a mixture of apples, nuts, honey, wine and cinnamon is used to represent the clay used to build the great cities; parsley and an egg are the images of spring; and a bowl of salt water in which the greens are dipped symbolizes the tears of the slaves. 

In North America, some of the traditional Passover dishes include: matzah balls eaten in a chicken soup, matzah brei (similar to French toast), beef brisket, carrot kugel as well as a huge variety of cakes and cookies made from unleavened grains.

There's No Time Like the Present

There's no doubt about it. Times are tough and many are feeling the economic woes of the world. You might even be thinking it's time to avoid special occasions and give up on gift giving altogether. In fact there's no time like the present to offer those you care about something thoughtful and special. When you're thinking about gift giving, perhaps think about gifts that might make a real positive impact on the recipient.  For instance, if you know someone who might not be able to afford to take their family out for a night at the movies, a gift container with all the necessities for a movie night at home might be just the ticket. A basket full of fruit might be just the thing for someone you know who has had to cut back a bit on their groceries. Or if you know someone who's feeling anxious and uptight a lovely container full of items designed to help relaxation might provide some much needed comfort. At Occasions Gift Baskets, we hope to take some of the stress out of gift giving and help you make someone's day just a little bit brighter! 

Just Who Was St. Valentine?

February 14th -- a day to proclaim love and affection with cards, candies and flowers. But how in the world did one of the most romantic days on the calendar become associated with a pious man of the cloth?

Although there are numerous martyred Valentine's honoured on February 14th in Christian history, it is widely believed that it is Valentine of Rome (martyred about AD269) that is the namesake of our modern celebration. 

It is widely believed that St. Valentine was persecuted as a Christian during the reign of Roman Emperor Claudius II. Some historians believe that Valentine opposed a law of the time that ordered young men not to marry. The Emperor, who was constantly building his massive armies, believed that married men did not make good soldiers. It's been suggested that Valentine performed secret marriages for young men and their brides and was subsequently jailed for his actions.  More romantic connections become apparent as some scholars believe that Valentine had himself fallen in love with his jailor's daughter and on the eve of his execution sent her a "Valentine note" professing his love and devotion. The note was apparently signed "From your Valentine."

The modern Western traditions around Valentine's Day date to the late 1800s. Ester Howland from Massachusetts is credited as being one of the first to mass produce and sell embossed paper lace cards. Cards soon became much more elaborate and whimsically romantic.  The usual symbols on the cards are outlined hearts, flowers, doves and young sweethearts.  

Today cards and online e-cards also feature images of popular cartoon figures like Spiderman and Barbie. The Greeting Card Association estimates that more than one billion Valentine's cards are sent annually.  And the celebrations are definitely not unique to North America.  Valentine's Day is celebrated in one form or another in Europe,  South and Central America and Asia, making one of the most universally celebrated days on the calendar. 

Robert Burns Day - January 25th

The stirring, haunting skirl of the bagpipe announces a procession which features a silver tray on which a  haggis is proudly and reverently displayed.  Now a sheep's stomach filled with a blend of sheep's heart, liver, lungs, as well as oatmeal and spices, may not sound like a celebratory feast, but to many it happily culminates a day devoted to one of Scotland's most famous sons.

Robert Burns, born January 25, 1759, was a self taught poet born into a peasant family. Burns realized that farming was not his calling and began to publish and sell his poems, which became very popular in the urban centers like Edinburgh. 

His lyrical style was usually of romantic love, the enjoyment of a good drink and pride of individual and country. Many of his poems are written as odes to specific women, of whom he was fond. Of course of his many compositions, one of his most famous and oft recited is Auld Lang Syne.

While there is no strict tradition followed for a Burns dinner, celebrations often fall into two camps -- scholarly, elegant and formal, or loud, raucous and spontaneous. The serving of the haggis is usually a centerpiece of any celebration. Often the host and guests will recite the author's poetry or stories and round out the evening with a toast to the author with a good whiskey.

The Parting Kiss 

Humid seal of soft affections,

Tenderest pledge of future bliss,

Dearest tie of young connections,

Love's first snowdrop, virgin kiss!

Speaking silence, dumb confession,

Passion's birth, and infant's play.

Dove-like fondness, chaste concession,

Glowing dawn of future day!

Sorrowing joy, Adieu's last action,

(Lingering lips must now disjoin),

What words can ever speak affection

So thrilling and sincere as thine!

Robert Burns, 1788

Happy Birthday to You!

Some of us love them, some dislike them and some just plain old ignore them. But no matter our feelings, they're inevitable.  Birthdays!

People from almost every culture worldwide have some way of celebrating births. Pagen cultures believed that any changes in a person's daily life, like turning a year older, was an invitation for the "evil spirits" to visit harm on that person. To avoid this calamity, the celebrant was surrounded by family and members of the community who provided lots of laughter and happiness to ward off the evil.

Modern celebrations date to European customs when only the nobility celebrated birthdays, likely because only the noble born kept accurate records of births and deaths.  Eventually the celebrations were adopted by the poorer classes.  As a way to mimic the royalty, it was  during this time that the custom of wearing a crown or hat during the birthday celebration came into practice.

Today, "milestone" birthdays are regularly recognized. A "sweet sixteen", "turning 21", "over the hill at 40". Parties can be extravagant and usually always include a birthday cake, topped with candles to represent the person's age. And in Western cultures the song "Happy Birthday", penned by sisters in the late 1890s is sung.

Regardless of the method, birthdays are a wonderful time to recognize the people in our lives who mean the most to us.  If it's your special day today -- Cheers!

Let's celebrate!

I've recently opened an on-line store that specializes in gift baskets and containers for any kind of occasion.  Since opening it's been amazing to see the huge variety of things we celebrate. I'm not talking only about the big "Hallmark" occasions, but the everyday things that might seem ordinary to some, but carry tremendous significance for others.

My curiosity about occasions and celebrations has definitely been piqued. What makes us celebrate the way we do? What's the cultural significance of celebrations? What are some of the traditions, both old and new, that surround occasions?  What kind of music and decorations go best with celebrations?

I hope, through this forum, to provide some interesting, entertaining and useful information about occasions and the ways in which we celebrate them.

First up -- Birthdays!  Stay tuned.