Today is National Carnation Day. This January 29 holiday is also called Red Carnation Day. This holiday celebrates the popular and versatile carnation flower. It also honors President William McKinley who was very fond of carnations.

President McKinley considered carnations lucky and often wore them on the lapel of his suitcoat. As a matter of fact, he gave away his carnation moments before he was assassinated. Without the lucky carnation, his luck quickly ran out. 

Florists and gardeners alike love carnations. They are easy to grow and look great in cottage gardens. And, carnations have all sorts of floral uses. The long-lasting flowers are popular in boutonnieres, corsages, and bouquets. Cut arrangements, dried or fresh, look great indoors in vases grouped together, or mixed among other flowers. Single carnations are attractive in small vases, too. 

Did You Know?  Carnation flowers are edible. We hope you are hungry. And, if that’s not enough for you to absolutely love them, they have medicinal applications, too.

It’s the end of January and we’re all outside enjoying skiing, sledding, skating, ice fishing, and a wide array of winter sports and activities. A steamy mug of hot chocolate is just what you need to warm your innards and put a smile on your face. For many of us, it’s the drink of choice after coming in from the cold. So, it is very fitting that today is National Hot Chocolate Day, a January 31 holiday. After taking off your winter clothes and boots, warm up by the fireside with a mug of hot chocolate.

We all giggle when someone says chocolate is good for you because it comes from the cacao bean which is a vegetable. But, the cocoa in chocolate is indeed good for your health. First, cocoa is high in flavanols which helps to reduce blood cholesterol. It is low in caffeine. And, it contains antioxidants which are good for heart health. Antioxidants also slow the aging process. Hot chocolate has many useful minerals vitamins and minerals. Finally, we all agree that a mug of hot chocolate relaxes us and puts us in the mood for a good night’s sleep.

Will you use milk or water to make hot chocolate? The instructions on more than a few packets of hot chocolate mix say to add water. So many people do. But, most of us agree that using milk is creamier and much more flavorful. 

Whipped cream is light, airy, and sweet. Originally called “Snow Milk”, we use it as a topping or an ingredient in countless recipes. Many beverages and desserts are just not the same without a dollop of whipped cream on top. Today is National Whipped Cream Day. It is destined to be a sweet holiday. On this January 5 holiday, use it on everything you can imagine. As a matter of fact, we challenge you to be creative and use it on or in as many ways as you can imagine. 

Whipped cream was first created in Italy in the 1500s. It was first called “Snow Milk” and later “Snow Cream”. It wasn’t until the 1600s that people began to call it “Whipped Cream”. Originally made from milk, people beat the milk with branches. This caused the fats in the milk to create air bubbles, turning it light and fluffy….. and tasty. Later heavy cream was used as it contained more fats, resulting in an even airier mixture.

Important Note: There are many imitations out there. Called Whipped toppings, they are not made from milk or heavy cream. On this special food holiday, it is unacceptable to use anything but the real thing.

Got a hangover on New Year’s morning? Are you ready to swear off drinking? Hold off a minute on that oath. You’re in good company. Now, all you need is a cure for the aftereffects of too much champagne. That’s exactly why National Bloody Mary Day exists. This January 1 holiday couldn’t occur at a better time. So, if you want to feel better quickly, as the saying goes “take a hair of the dog that bit you.”

This healthy drink cocktail helps to minimize the effects of too much alcohol. Amazingly, an alcoholic drink can remedy a hangover. Researchers will tell you that it only masks the effects of too much alcohol while your body recuperates.  Well, I don’t care about the research because I feel better already. 

This is the kind of day that quiet or shy people can really enjoy. Today is World Introvert Day, a January 2 holiday. That makes this your day to celebrate and enjoy. There is an estimated 25 to 40% of us are introverts. There is about an equal number of extroverts. And, there is a sizable number of us who are “Middle of the Road”, enjoying the benefits of both worlds. These people are sometimes called “ambiverts”. There’s no right or wrong way to be. There are advantages to each type of person.

You will know an introvert when you see him. That is if you see him.  An introvert enjoys being in the background or the shadows. He shies away from the limelight. Or, she’s the wallflower you just don’t notice and she’s fine with that.

The objective of World Introvert Day is to celebrate being an introvert in true introvert fashion. No glitz, no glamor, and no party. Spend the day or evening alone, doing whatever you enjoy. It’s as simple as that! You are also encouraged to promote awareness about what it means to be an introvert, and how great it is to be a person with this type of personality.  

Did You Know? The terms “Introvert” and Extrovert” were created by Carl Jung in the 1920s. Aren’t you glad you now know that.?

Winnie the Pooh Day is an opportunity to enjoy your favorite bear and all of his friends. This January 18 holiday was created to celebrate the birth of A.A. Milne in 1882. He was an author of children’s story books and created Winnie the Pooh and his friends. Children will really enjoy this special day. Parents and grandparents and even aunts and uncles enjoy this day, too. 

Celebrate Winnie the Pooh Day by reading some storybooks about the adventures of Winnie and his friends. Don’t read them alone. Read them with young children.

Did you Know? In his works, he was known as A.A. Milne. The initials stand for Allan Alexander.

Squirrel Appreciation Day is an opportunity to enjoy and appreciate your tree-climbing, nut-gathering neighborhood squirrels. This January 21 holiday is held in mid-winter when food sources are scarce for squirrels and other wildlife. Sure, squirrels spent all fall gathering and “squirreling ” away food. But, their supplies may not be enough. And, the variety of food is limited. So, give them an extra special treat today to supplement their winter diets.

Not everyone likes squirrels. While they are fun to watch skirting around the yard and trees, they are aggressive at bird feeders. Squirrels tip almost any bird feeder and spill the seeds in search of the particular seeds they want. In the fall, they attack pumpkins on front porches in search of the seeds inside. Gardeners consider them a pest, as they dig up and steal flower bulbs, and may eat some of the veggies in your garden.   

When you think about it, mid-winter is the best time to appreciate squirrels. In the winter they provide a little entertainment. Even gardeners may like them on a cold winter’s day when they are not feeding upon flower and vegetable gardens.

According to Christy Hargrove, the founder, “Celebration of the event itself is up to the individual or group — anything from putting out extra food for the squirrels to learning something new about the species.”

Spouse’s Day is a time to enjoy and appreciate your better half. On this January 26 holiday, show your spouse the love! You can use this day as a prelude or warm-up to Valentine’s Day if you’d like. But, note it is not really a gift-giving event. Rather, use it as a time to show your spouse that you care and appreciate all of the things that he/she does for you and the household. In other words, take a minute to be thankful for what you’ve got.

You’re in it for life. Over the long years of a relationship, it’s easy to take for granted the many things your spouse does. He/she is always there. They do so many big and little things as routine activities and events. Take today to notice those things, and to say thanks. As for the “enjoyment” part of the day…we will leave that up to you to enjoy your spouse however the two of you desire.

If you are raising children, it’s hard to find time for each other. However, try to save just a little time and energy for your partner. After the kids go to bed, at least spend some time cuddling with your cutie 

Happy National Rubber Ducky Day, a January 13 holiday. Children and adults just love rubber duckies. It’s a bathtime favorite, that puts a smile on everyone’s face. Toddlers and young children play with rubber duckies in the bathtub and toddler swimming pools. Parents, and grandparents joyfully play along. For adults, it brings back fond memories of childhood baths and pool time.

Did You Know? Chances are you know that the muppet Ernie on Sesame Street, first sang the Rubber Duckie song, and it became an infamous childhood song. The year was 1970. That year the song reached #16 on the Top 100 Chart. It remains one of my favorite childhood songs of all time.

It’s so easy to celebrate National Rubber Duckie Day. Simply hop in the tub and bring your rubber duckie along. Don’t forget to sing the Rubber Duckie song as you play. Another wildly popular thing to do is hold a rubber duckie race.

Are you an adult who owns a rubber duckie? If so, you’re in good company. Rumor has it that Queen Elizabeth II had a rubber Ducky in her bathroom, complete with an inflatable crown!

There is nothing puzzling about this January 29 holiday. National Puzzle Day celebrates puzzles of all sizes, shapes, and forms. Crossword puzzles and jig saw puzzles are by far the most common. Sudoku, a number puzzle, is the most recent puzzle rage. And, don’t forget the ever-popular picture puzzles. There are easy puzzles, and there are puzzles for experts. They fit the needs of every person and every skill level. And, if that’s not enough you can do and say puzzling things today.

Puzzles are a favorite pastime of millions of people, young and old. So, what’s with this fascination over puzzles? There are numerous reasons for its popularity. For many, doing puzzles is fun. Some people just like the challenge of completing them, and graduating to evermore complex and difficult puzzle-solving levels. For others, it is a way to kill time and eliminate boredom. Others still, do puzzles to keep their mind sharp or to learn new words.

Whatever the cause for your interest, spend National Puzzle Day doing puzzles. On this day, you can do crosswords, picture puzzles, Sudoku, or any other kind of puzzle that you prefer.

Did You Know?  Doing puzzles helps to keep your brain sharp. It helps improve memory. It also helps to avoid Alzheimer’s and dementia.