The Squid Calendar

Tonight is the night to give 2009 a grand goodbye and good riddance, and happily welcome in 2010 with hope and  excitement.  .

As for me, 2009 kind of sucked.  Everything that could possibly break did – bodies, promises, hearts, cars, pipes, washing machines, and desk chairs.  I have high hopes for 2010.

So, celebrate with a toast, a kiss, and a song.  Or at least two of the three.
New Year’s Eve Songs by Joan4.

(Photo by Declan Prendiville Photography)

Kwanzaa has begun. Beginning December 26th and continuing until January 1st, Kwanzaa is a celebration in which African-Americans focus on traditional African values.  It is a time to celebrate self, family, community, history, and the future henceforth.

Learn a little more about The Celebration of Kwanzaa by Gigilee, and then check what you’ve learned on this Kwanzaa Celebration Quiz by Gmill.

December 26th is Boxing Day and St. Stephen Day (as in The Feast of Stephen mentioned in Good King Wenceslas).

The name Boxing Day refers to a giving Christmas boxes to the poor.  It has been celebrated for hundreds of years, and it is now a day of fun and sometimes silly events.

Learn more about how to Enjoy the Boxing Day Holiday from whitemoss.

Merry Christmas. Feliz Navidad. Mele Kalikimaka. Joyeux Noel.

Can I say it any other way? Well, I can now. Thanks, amagnate!
How To Say Merry Christmas in Different Languages

(Photo by amy_b)

I love Christmas Eve.  On Christmas Day people have similar family traditions – open gifts, eat big meal.  But on Christmas Eve, families celebrate it in very different ways.  Some open one gift, some go to church, some have a big family meal, some go caroling, some bake cookies, some drive around looking at the lights, some quietly stay home and read a Santa story and put out milk and cookies for the big guy, …

See how Jewelsofawe celebrates: My Family’s Christmas Eve Tradition

In my family, we go out for a family dinner, and then go to church for the Christmas Eve Candlelight service.  There is nothing more beautiful than a church filled with candles singing traditional Christmas carols (not songs, carols!).

I wish you all a very happy Christmas Eve, however you celebrate it.

(Photo by respres)

A Festivus for the rest of us!

Taking it’s cue from the show Seinfeld, Festivus is a holiday for those who don’t celebrate Christmas.

Learn more: Festivus by TeresaAF

The Winter Solstice marks the first day of winter in the northern hemisphere – the shortest day of the year.  After today, the days start getting longer.  This ancient holiday is still celebrated today:

Ancient Celebration Of The Winter Solstice: The Best Yuletide Ever by voodoomama
Seculars Celebrate the Winter Solstice by anaturalphenomenon
Celebrating Winter Solstice by TeaLady

On December 17, 1903 Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first successful flights in a heavier than air, mechanically propelled airplane in North Carolina.  Today, the anniversary of that event, we celebrate Wright Brothers Day.

If you aren’t familiar with the story of these flying brothers, then check out The Wright Brothers by SemperFidelis.

Of course there might me more to this story (isn’t there always).

Pukeko raises the debate about whether Richard Pearse successfully completed the first powered air flight before the Wright Brothers.
Richard Pearse Flew First – Before the Wright Brothers!

And, lizthefair raises the fact that perhaps we should be calling it Wright Siblings Day with Who is Katharine Wright.

In any regards, today look to the skies and be thankful we can fly.

Today is National Maple Syrup Day, so treat yourself to some waffles, pancakes, or french toast topped with the almighty best – real maple syrup.

Learn a little about Making Maple Syrup from Evelyn_Saenz.

Do you have any amazing recipes that feature maple syrup?  Feel free to drop a link into the comments.

(photo by Matt Pettengill)

Today begins Las Posadas. This Mexican Christmas tradition begins on December 16th and runs until January 6, and celebrates the journey of Mary and Joseph from from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

Learn more about Las Posadas at monarch13’s lens: Mexican Festivals and Celebrations: Las Posadas.