January 6: Three Kings Day, also known as The Epiphany, is celebrated on January 6th, twelve days after Christmas. It is essentially the last day of christmas(the end of the twelve day of Christmas). Three Kings day or or Dia de los Reyes, is one of the most important days in the Spanish religious calendar. Traditionally on three kings day, Spanish children dress as kings and go door to door; they  sing carols and tell stories of the three men who followed the bright star of Bethelem to bring gifts to the the Christ's child. In return for their singing and stories, the children are given treats like sweet bread. In Spain today, Kings will walk through the streets throwing sweets into the crowd.  In New York city, many celebrations will take place with traditional hispanic festivities.

Looking to throw a party fit for kings?

Do like El Museo de Barrio and throw yourself a festivity fit for a King! El Museo throws a party the whole week of Epiphany. Here are a few highlights:

• Saturday, January 10, 2009. 3:00 – 5:00 pm All are welcome to join El Museo’s exciting Three Kings Day Celebration. This holiday presentation at El Museo’s Teatro Heckscher will feature live parrandas by Eddie Alicea y Su Trio de Epoca, and theatre play inspired by the Mexican tradition of pastorelas.
• Sponsors: Goya, JPMorgan Chase, Con Edison, to name a few
  

Around The Orb:The Dutch and Flemish call this day Drie koningen (Three Kings' Day). In the Netherlands and Belgium, children in groups of three (symbolising the three kings) proceed in costume from house to house while singing songs typical for the occasion, and receiving a coin or some sweets at each door. In France, on Epiphany people eat the gâteau des Rois in Provence or the galette des Rois in the northern half of France and Belgium. This is a kind of king cake, with a trinket (usually a porcelain figurine of a king) or a bean hidden inside. The person who gets the piece of cake with the trinket becomes "king" for a day.^Wikipedia

A new day has begun. What is your New Year's resolution? I hope it's not "trying to get rid of my one night stand/stalker from New Year's Eve . I told you to not do anything you'll regret the next day!

It is a new day, a new year. I hope that this new Year will bring you all of your hearts desires; make this year a better year than the last and do me a favor? Change one negative thing about yourself. You know you are not perfect!

~History-Ancient Greeks and Romans celebrated New Year on the winter solstice. However, many ancient cultures including the Phoenicians, Persians and Egyptians celebrated the New Year with the autumn equinox. The ancient Romans celebrated their first New Year on January 1 in 153 BC.During the Middle Ages under the influence of the Christian Church, many countries moved the start of the year to one of several important Christian festivals — December 25 (the Nativity of Jesus), March 1, March 25 (the Annunciation), or even Easter. Eastern European countries (most of them with populations showing allegiance to the Orthodox Church) began their numbered year on September 1 from about 988.^wikipedia

Ah, New Year's Eve is here, the day that we have all been waiting for. It is essentially the end of the year.  In many parts of the world, New Year's Eve is celebrated with parties, fireworks, and social gatherings. It is also a day for you to reminisce about the months that have gone past and for you to make New Year's resolutions. Remember to enjoy this very eventful day and don't do something you'll regret the next day! Meanwhile, here are several ways to say Happy New Years from around the world!

Chinese-(Cantonese) Sun nien fai lok
Chinese-(Mandarin) Xin nian yu kuai
French- Bonne année
German-Ein glückliches neues Jahr
Hawaiian-Hauoli Makahiki hou
Hebrew-Shana Tova
Italian-Felice Anno Nuovo or Buon anno
Japanese-Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu
Korean-Sehe Bokmanee Bateuseyo
Nigerian-(Hausa) Barka da sabuwar shekara
Philippines-(Tagalog) Manigong Bagong Taon
Spanish-Feliz año nuevo
Swedish-Gott Nytt År
Thai-Sawatdee Pi Mai
Vietnamese-Chuc mung nam moi

December 26th- December 26th is the first day of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is a week-long holiday celebrated throughout the world from December 26th to January 1; it honors African heritage and is marked by the lighting of a kinara or a candle holder.There are seven principles of Kwanzaa, hence seven days of Kwanzaa:

Umoja-Unity 

Kujichagulia-Self-Determination

Ujima-Collective Work and Responsibility

Ujamaa-Cooperative Economics

Nia- Purpose

Kuumba- Creativity

Imani- Faith

Click Here to learn more about the seven principles.

History:An African-American scholar and social activist, Ron Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1966 as the first African-American holiday.Karenga said his goal was to "...give Blacks an alternative to the existing holiday and give Blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society."The name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza", meaning "first fruits". The choice of Swahili, an East African language, reflects its status as a symbol of Pan-Africanism, especially in the 1960s.

December 26th- December 26th is Boxing day. No, it's not a time for you to take time out to box somebody in the face(though i wonder if there is a holiday for that?). Boxing day is actually a day of giving. Though it is mainly celebrated in the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and in countries in the commonwealth of nations, it is a day that is recognized around the world. In the United States, Boxing day is probably a day that many people return their unwanted gifts to stores or seek after-christmas sales. For others outside of the U.S.A., it's a day to give to the less fortunate. Boxing Day is essentially a day to give to those who are less fortunate then you are. if you're in United States and wish to participate in this Holiday of giving, then by all means do! 

History: Boxing Day, also known as the Feast of St. Stephen (after the first Christian martyr), originated in England in the middle of the nineteenth century under Queen Victoria. It originated as a holiday for members of the merchant class to give boxes containing food and fruit, clothing, and/or money to trades people and servants. The gifts were an expression of gratitude similar to the bonuses many employers offer their employees today. These gifts, usually given in boxes, gave the holiday it's name, "Boxing Day".(Source)

December 25th-Froehliche Weihnachten to all of you from EventOrb! Ho!Ho!Ho! Please try not to be one on this most holy day(leave that for the clubs). It's Christmas day, a day to celebrate Christ's birth. You thought it was just a day to receive presents but alas, there is a bigger reason for this day.Christmas is mostly known as a Christian holiday, but many non-Christians celebrate this festive day, too. Indeed, Christmas may be the undisputed king of holiday events. Don't believe me? Well check out how the many cultures of the world have their own way of saying Merry Christmas:   

December 24th: It is the day before Christmas, essentially the eve before Christmas. On the night of Christmas Eve, many people attend midnight mass to usher in Christmas day. What time do the midnight masses begin, you ask? I'll let you figure that one out.

On the night of Christmas Eve, many children go to bed early, because Santa usually makes his rounds at night so that many excited young children can have gifts on Christmas Day. Here are a few things you can do on Christmas Eve:

1) Go to church and even if you're not very religious, you could just go for the Christmas carols. C'mon, you need a change from the clubbing music.

2)Have a nice family dinner. When was the last time you sat down with your family? Now is the time.

3) You can open your presents. I prefer to open my presents on Christmas day, the day after Santa has already made his rounds. 

Around the Orb: In Denmark, during Christmas Eve An elaborate dinner is eaten with the family, consisting of roast pork, roast duck or roast goose with potatoes, red cabbage and gravy. For dessert is rice pudding with a cherry sauce, traditionally with an almond hidden inside. The lucky finder of this almond is entitled to a small gift. After the meal is complete, the family gather around the christmas tree to sing Christmas carols and dance hand in hand around the tree. Then the children often hand out the presents which are opened immediately. This is followed by candy, chips, various nuts, clementines, and sometimes a mulled and spiced wine with almonds and raisins called Gløgg is served hot in small cups.^Wikipedia

So you want to organize a Christmas party, eh? By now, I hope you have decided on where, when, and what time you wish you to have this Shindig. Now let's organize this Christmas party!...

He's making a list,
checking it twice,
gonna find out who's naughty or nice.

 Oh, bring us a figgy pudding;
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding;
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding and a cup of good cheer

2. I'm not too sure what a figgy pudding is, but it sounds delicious! You can't have a party without food, can you? You'll need lots of food for this Shindig. So get a head start on your holiday menu. Do you wish to have entrees at this party? No, an entree is not the word "enter" with a reverse "r" and an extra "e". If this word scares you, then perhaps you just need to have finger foods at your party. Click Here for some fabulous finger foods. Remember to have enough food for everyone to consume. If you are more interested in going all out for your party, then perhaps you should get familiar with the term "entree" or even the term "caterer".
More...

December 17th:  December 17th marks the day that two brothers,Orville and Wilbur Wright, successfully launched a mechanically propelled craft into the air near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The Wright brothers, as we have come to know Orville and Wilbur, are credited with inventing and building the world's first airplane. As such, every year the President of the United States issues a proclamation inviting the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Here are a few things you could do to celebrate this day:

1)Invent something of your own-not everything has been invented, you know.

2) Go to the craft store and get the products to build an airplane of your own. After building your airplane, figure out how to fly it in the air. No? Don't want to bother with all that work? Thank heavens for the brothers, eh?

3)If all else fails, head to a bakery and get yourself a huge cake in the shape of an airplane. As you're sitting there enjoying your delicious cake, reminisce about all those times you traveled on an airplane for spring Break. Remember those spring breaks?Thank heavens for the Wright brothers! 

History-Orville and his brother Wilbur are given credit for building the world's first successful airplane with aircraft controls that enabled them to steer the plane. The brothers' first aircraft, named Flyer, made its maiden flight for 12 seconds and 120 feet (about 36-37 meters) around the site of Wright Brothers National Memorial in North Carolina on December 17, 1903. This day is observed nationally since 1963 to honor Wilbur and Orville Wright(Source)

November 28th- It's that time of year again, a time to celebrate with friends and family. November 28th is a day of Thanksgiving, essentially a day of thanks and giving. Here are a few things that you can do on this family-oriented holiday:

1)Gather around with friends and family for a huge meal(what's Thanksgiving without a huge meal? and friends and family?).

2)You could head to a parade. In NY, you could head to the Macy's Parade.

3. Eat until you drop-this is the only day that no one will judge you for eating several plates of food .

4)Rent a movie and watch with your friends and family.

Whatever you do, spend time with family and friends and realize what's most important in life and then be thankful that you're alive to enjoy it all.

~History: In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast which is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. This harvest meal has become a symbol of cooperation and interaction between English colonists and Native Americans. Although this feast is considered by many to the very first Thanksgiving celebration, it was actually in keeping with a long tradition of celebrating the harvest and giving thanks for a successful bounty of crops. Native American groups throughout the Americas, including the Pueblo, Cherokee, Creek and many others organized harvest festivals, ceremonial dances, and other celebrations of thanks for centuries before the arrival of Europeans in North America.(Source)