By Diego Campbell From Halloween to New Year's Day, the last two months of the year are filled with the Holiday Spirit. Even though Christmas time is typically seen as the “Holiday Season,” it can be argued that the season really starts on Halloween, one of the biggest holidays around. Here is a timeline of some of the most celebrated holidays from October 31st to January 1st. The Skeleton Package (Halloween, All Saints Day, All Souls Day/Day of the Dead) October 31st-November 2nd In a short three-day succession, there are not one, not two, but three holidays with themes surrounding the Dead. Halloween (10/31), while not specifically about those who passed on, invokes themes of death using creatures like skeletons and the Grim Reaper. All Saints Day (11/1) is a day dedicated to respecting all the Saints throughout Christian history, many of whom are already long gone. All Souls Day, also known as Day of the Dead (11/2) is when the special treatment for the dead extends from the Saints to all of the departed. On Day of the Dead, altars are erected with photos of the deceased in order to remember the ones we love or respect. The Dead are usually represented as skeletons, similar to how they looked in life. Considering how there are three holidays built around the theme of death, it’s fairly easy to wrap them up together, and call these holidays a Skeleton Package. Veterans Day November 11th Since 1938, on November 11th, the United States has celebrated the day to honor those who served in all US wars. The holiday was originally called Armistice Day, named after the cease-fire/armistice that ended WWI. However, because the day was meant for former soldiers, the switch was made to Veterans Day. Only five states force businesses to give their employees time off (Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Tennessee). However, it is not uncommon for other states to give the 11th off anyway. Thanksgiving November 24th When the Pilgrims arrived in America, they survived only because of the aid of the Native Americans. These natives showed the pilgrims how to plant and fish. To thank them, the Pilgrims threw a big celebration filled with food. From then on, we remember this Thanksgiving feast by gathering together as families and eating turkeys. Thanksgiving weekend is at least a four-day long break from work, to give people the time they need to be with their friends and family. Christmas December 25th Christmas time, the shining star atop the holiday tree. A little more than two thousand years ago, the 24th of December, a pregnant woman and her husband were struggling to find a place to stay in a town of crowded inns. After many failed attempts, one innkeeper, not wanting to turn down the desperate pregnant woman in front of him, offered them space in his stable. Within that stable, a child was born in a manger, and was showered with gifts and love. Years after Jesus’s time, Saint Nicolas began traveling around the world, spreading goodwill to those in need. He became so popular that the Christmas holiday grew around him. He has become the main man of the night, delivering presents to the good girls and boys every Christmas Eve. Since Christmas came from a man who lived a compassionate life, it’s no surprise that this is the time of giving and goodwill. Plus, it’s Jesus’s birthday: the date was automatically special. Christmas is celebrated in a variety of customs, including but not limited to lawn decorating with lights and blowup dolls, buying a pine tree and decorating it with ornaments, and hanging giant socks over your chimneys with care. Some people like to bake festive foods like gingerbread houses and Christmas cookies. One popular treat during Christmas time is the candy cane, which can come in a variety of flavors. It just goes to show that Christmas is pretty sweet. New Year’s Day
January 1st As ironic as it may seem, the Holiday Season ends when the New Year begins. New Year’s Day is recognized worldwide as a countdown for the future. New Year's Eve gives us a chance to remember the highlights of the year, while New Year's Day is a celebration of what’s to come. Every country has their own traditions, but some of the most common ones include making resolutions for the next year, launching fireworks, staying up to their respective midnights and watching the clock countdown the last seconds of the night. There are many holidays sprinkled throughout the year. Everyday's a holiday somewhere. But typically, we celebrate these holidays with joy and togetherness. They give people the chance to celebrate their culture. They remind us to honor important people in our lives, dead or alive. It’s a time of entertainment, celebration, and maybe even a little magic. The calendar says Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall, but the Holiday Season is the most festive of them all.
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