Back in the Pleistocene Age (or, at least, the late 20th Century) when I was a third grade teacher, we would do these class social studies units on topics like “communities” or “cultures”… And we would invariably get to talking about “celebrations around the world,” making it necessary to do some kind of craft activity that involved the weaving of paper placemats or the eating of appetizers of international origin.
I laugh about it now, but the truth is that always liked these units. They were fun. And, besides, I have a fondness for tapas.
But one of my favorite activities was the reading of Byrd Baylor and Peter Parnall’s children’s book, I’m in Charge of Celebrations (http://tinyurl.com/42bz5qj). The girl narrating the story has a deep love for her desert environment, and she’s come up with a number of special personal celebrations based her experiences living there. There’s “Dust Devil Day” and “The Time of the Falling Stars” and a bunch of other interesting and clever events that she uses to mark her year. Basically, she’s created days no one would ever find on a standard calendar, but she’s highlighted those singular moments of joy — the kind felt in the privacy of one’s heart — and, if it were possible to create a Hallmark holiday card just for them, we all would.
I always made my students come up with their own special celebration as an accompanying class project, but that was as much for me as it was for them. I still think back on days from my childhood and teen years that were memorable enough to warrant their own celebration in my world. And, as an adult, I have a number of them, too.
I started writing my first novel in August of 2000, and that personal little holiday of mine is coming up next week. It was important to me not just because I was finally writing the first draft a book, but because I knew I’d made a commitment to the task. So, my celebration is not actually focused on the writing but, rather, on the determination and the resolve of that moment.
There are other special dates, too. Dates I’m certain no one but me celebrates — at least not for the reason I’m pausing to honor it. But that doesn’t make them any less important to me than other favorite holidays, like my son’s birthday or Christmas or (because I think the Bill Murray film is hilarious and have to watch it every year) Groundhog’s Day.
What about you? Do you have personal celebrations in addition to the national holidays and traditional birthdays or anniversaries? Or, if you could make up a day of celebration, what would it be for?? (I would have thought up National Ice Cream Day, but we actually already have that on the 3rd Sunday of July…and, believe me, I celebrated!)
I’ll give away an According to Jane (http://tinyurl.com/3eufueb) tote bag, an On Any Given Sundae (http://tinyurl.com/3thfm7o)
t-shirt and a sturdy pair of A Summer in Europe (http://tinyurl.com/3qk8nt8) luggage tags to one commenter. I’ll randomly draw a winner’s name on Sunday afternoon. Good luck ;).
Great blog, Marilyn. I love the idea of creating your own special celebrations.
We do that, as a matter of fact. We celebrate our daughter’s Gotcha Day on June 19th. This is the day that we actually held her in our arms after traveling to China in 2000. And how do we celebrate? By going out for Chinese, of course. Plus, we try to give her a little gift to commemorate the day.
Our other day is June 22nd our daughter’s Adoption Day. (A year later in 2001) This is when her adoption was official here in Wisconsin. Two big celebrations in our little family.
Oh, Liz, I love these celebrations in honor of your daughter!! “Gotcha Day” has an especially great ring to it.
I have no doubt she’s going to really appreciate these holidays you created in her honor even more as she gets older. Thanks for sharing this!!
Marilyn Brant`s last blog was …Creating Celebrations/Giveaway!
What fun, Marilyn! I celebrate The Ides of March. LOL. Sick, right? But the day now has new meaning for me, and I’m renaming it Chase The Squirrel Day. This last March, I got an IDEA (yes, in capitals) that wouldn’t let go. Now I’m deep in Squirrel Creation Mode. Can’t wait to share with the world, but it’s too early yet. At any rate, the important part of celebrating that day for me is to celebrate creativity, innovation, a new beginning, and jumping on an opportunity. Hmm, can I add ice cream to that?
Hmm. Now I’m intrigued, Amy.
Amy, I love the way you think! (But you already knew that, didn’t you?
) I would add ice cream — and brownies! — to anything that celebrates creativity, invention, opportunities and new beginnings! Like Liz said, too, I’m very intrigued by your Chasing the Squirrel Day and look forward to hearing more about it when you’re ready to tell the world!
Marilyn Brant`s last blog was …Creating Celebrations/Giveaway!
I have an ‘I’ve finished the book’ celebration’ and an ‘I’ve sent the book off to my editor’ celebration.
I also love the idea of creating your own celebrations, and I loved this blog!
Michelle Diener`s last blog was …IN A TREACHEROUS COURT is released!
Michelle, I don’t think there’s any moment more celebratory for a writer than that “I finished the book” moment! Of course, release days are pretty great, too
. Congrats, again, on yours this week!!
Marilyn Brant`s last blog was …Creating Celebrations/Giveaway!
Lol, ok national Chocolate day would be fun
But then again that is Easter here.
So how about a national give a present day (cos I love pressies!) And I always want one during the summer or fall since it is so long until my bday and xmas. Yes I am obviously 5 years old
blodeuedd`s last blog was …Review: Midnight Brunch at Casa Dracula – Marta Acosta
Blodeuedd, yes!! National Chocolate Day is definitely something I can get behind
(although I like your presents idea, too). I figured someone HAD TO have come up with a date to celebrate chocolate, so I checked online and came across this site — Bizarre Food Holidays (http://library.thinkquest.org/2886/foo.htm). Just look at what I found:
American Chocolate Week–March 14-20
National Chocolate Day–October 28
National Chocolate Day–December 28
National Chocolate Day–December 29
National Milk Chocolate Day–July 28
National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day–November 7
National Chocolate Mint Day–February 19
National Chocolate Chip Day–May 15
National Chocolate Eclair Day–June 22
National Chocolate Covered Anything Day–December 16
National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day–March 24
National Chocolate Custard Month–May 1-31
National Chocolate Pudding Day–June 26
National Chocolate Ice Cream Day–June 7
National Chocolate Milkshake Day–September 12
Squeee!!!
We can practically celebrate all year…
Marilyn Brant`s last blog was …Creating Celebrations/Giveaway!
blodeuedd`s last blog was …Review: Midnight Brunch at Casa Dracula – Marta Acosta
Totally agree with National Chocolate Day!
I think all women need a Spa Day at least once a year! It couldn’t be on the same day as the spas would all be full!
Kathy P`s last blog was …Review: Inmate 1577 (Karen Vail) by Alan Jacobson
Kathy, ooooh, I love this idea! I’ve never had a spa day, but I have a good friend who swears by them. Must try this!!
Marilyn Brant`s last blog was …Creating Celebrations/Giveaway!
What a great idea! It’s funny how when we’re writers and so used to rejection and disappointment that we often forget to celebrate and think about those accomplishments. We should feel proud of what we’ve done and celebrate!
Thanks, Lori! I feel that way, too. There are so, so many occasions where we deal with challenges — esp. in the publishing industry — but we should definitely take time to celebrate those great moments as well
.
Marilyn Brant`s last blog was …Creating Celebrations/Giveaway!
What a fun idea! I bet you were a great teacher.
I might have an early Chocolate Mint Day today. And I’ll also have a Finish Reformatting 4 books and 1 short story day today. Besides the chocolate mint, I’ll celebrate with a meal my husband is making and another watermelon. I might even get a DVD for tonight if the one I want is there.
Thanks, Edie
. I loved the *teaching* part of being a teacher — the time spent with the kids and the projects and the class discussions. The meetings and school district politics? Not so much, LOL.
And with all that reformating you’re doing, you deserve whatever Chocolate Mint celebration you can come up with!! Glad to know there will be more Edie Ramer books available soon.
Marilyn Brant`s last blog was …Creating Celebrations/Giveaway!
For far flung family, I began compiling national and international days coinciding with their birthdays. The most successful, to date, came from a wildlife group — 4/7 International Beaver Day — http://www.beaversww.org/about-us/international-beaver-day/
What fun to contemplate newly created, personal days.
Please enter my name in the contest.
Liz, you’re entered! And what a great idea to combine a family member’s birthday with an national/international celebration — I *love* this and am going to do it for my brother’s birthday this month — thank you!
Marilyn Brant`s last blog was …Creating Celebrations/Giveaway!
Thanks to everyone for stopping by (!!) and congrats to Kathy P., who’s the winner of the drawing.
Please email me (MarilynBrant AT Gmail DOT Com) with your street address and I’ll send the tote, t-shirt and luggage tags to you!
Marilyn Brant`s last blog was …Creating Celebrations/Giveaway!
I love making celebrations out of little things, and don’t do it often enough. The other day I lucked out, though. A friend and I went to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner and guess what? It was National Cheesecake Day!
Robin`s last blog was …299
LOVE it, Robin!!!
.
I can’t imagine a better way to spend National Cheesecake Day
xo
Marilyn Brant`s last blog was …Creating Celebrations/Giveaway!