Holidays

Everyone loves a good holiday, no matter whether you're commemorating a special occasion or just looking for a day out of the office. Read about important holidays in these articles.

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Forget caroling, feasting and having any sort of fun at all on "Foolstide," the catchy but hateful nickname some Puritans gave Christmas in the New World.

By John Donovan

Can a Halloween attraction be sued for being too scary? It's already happened. When else did attractions get out of control - at least for some visitors?

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

You thought your drunk uncle was the worst part about Christmas? These tragedies, large and small, should put things in perspective.

By Clint Pumphrey

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Have Halloween decorations gotten so good that when people spot a real dead body, they think it's fake? That's been the case in these ghoulish instances.

By Chris Opfer

National Bologna Day is no baloney. This annual October 24 "holiday" offers fans an unapologetic way to pay homage to the most democratic pressed meat of our time.

By Laurie L. Dove

The American Halloween is just one of many celebrations around the globe with roots in ceremonies to honor the dead who've returned to visit their loved-ones. Want to join the Hungry Ghosts Festival or snack on a sugar skull?

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

Though Mother's Day seems to be filled with sweetness and light, it had a rather heavy origin, arising as a post-Civil War plea for peace. So how did the holiday change over the years?

By Laurie L. Dove

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We love pepperoni and mozzarella on our pizza, so why not throw it in the bird? Yep, stuffing (or dressing) doesn't have to be boring. Are you daring enough to mix it up?

By Maria Trimarchi

Incorporate these scents into your home for a lovely seasonal fragrance.

By Blythe Copeland

The story behind Passover is a classic one: of slavery and freedom, unheeded warnings, horrific wrath and great rejoicing. It's remembered during an eight-day festival that begins with a meal called the Passover Seder.

By Julia Layton

Even though we don't keep most of our resolutions, we still make them every year. Turns out, this practice has been going on for thousands of years. What compels us to do this?

By Laurie L. Dove

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Only 20 percent of the people who make resolutions will see them through. Why does our resolve vanish, and what can we do about it?

By Maria Trimarchi

Can't say "Xmas"? Sure, you can! Despite (or perhaps, because of) Christmas' popularity among Christians and non-Christians alike, there are lots of myths connected with this holiday.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

For many children, the holidays summon visions of sugarplums and fanatical devotion to a magical old man with a sack of gifts. But there's a dark side to yuletide traditions. Welcome to the domain of Krampus!

By Robert Lamb

On the fourth Thursday in November, Americans will gather to eat turkey and sweet potatoes, just like that first Thanksgiving ... Actually, not like that first dinner. Join us as we debunk some of the many Thanksgiving myths.

By Chris Opfer

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The folks at HowStuffWorks are here to help you get creative for your next Valentine's Day gift. So read on for their 10 Unexpected Valentine's Day gift ideas.

By Kiersten Aschauer

Every year, more than 20 percent of the world's population plunges into a period of feasts, festivities and fireworks in celebration of Chinese or Lunar New Year. How did this holiday get its start?

By John Kelly

Is decorating a Christmas tree part of your annual holiday traditions?

How do parents show kids they love them on Valentine's Day without breaking the bank? Let HowStuffWorks and TLC give you tips and tricks to make this Valentine's Day a budget-friendly occasion with lots of heart.

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Many kids put a lot stock in the Easter bunny myth, and look forward to the arrival of their cotton-tailed friend all spring. But is it harmful for them to believe past a certain age?

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

Valentine's Day is the most romantic day of the whole year ... unless your man totally drops the ball. What's so hard to remember about picking up a dozen red roses and a bottle of wine on the way home from the office? Here's what he doesn't want you to know.

By Chris Obenschain

The table is cleared and everybody's full, so gather around because we've found the 10 best Thanksgiving movies to watch with friends and family this November.

By Laurie L. Dove & Suzie Dundas

In the rush to come up with a creative and inexpensive Halloween costume idea in a hurry, don't make the mistake of confusing unique for tasteless or timely for tacky. It can be hard to draw the line between a costume that's clever and one that's inappropriate.

By Sara Elliott

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Many Mother's Day customs spread to Mexico from the United States in the early 20th century. But did you know that the holiday got its official start because of an editorial in a newspaper?

By Martha Barksdale

On the third Sunday of every June, sons and daughters across the U.S. honor their fathers with cards and gifts. It was started by a woman to honor the single father who raised her.

By Heather Kolich