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The Legend of the Poinsettia as a Christmas Plant

The poinsettia is America’s most popular flowering holiday plant! Native to Mexico, the plant is...
Outdoor Christmas Tree

How Do Christmas Trees Grow?

These days, many of us found our Christmas tree at a garden supply store or a local church selling...
Irish Stew

Best St. Patrick's Day Recipes

A selection of our favorite St. Patrick’s Day recipes—including soda bread, corned beef and cabbage...
MLK Speech

9 Facts About Martin Luther King Jr.

How much do you know about Martin Luther King Jr.? Here are 9 surprising facts about this...
When is Mardi Gras?

Mardi Gras 2021 (Fat Tuesday)

This year, Mardi Gras will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 16! Why do we celebrate Mardi Gras?...
Mount Rushmore

Presidents' Day 2021

This year, Presidents’ Day is Monday, February 15! Which presidents do we celebrate on Presidents’...
Shamrocks for St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day 2021

Saint Patrick’s Day is Wednesday, March 17! Who was Saint Patrick? Why are shamrocks a symbol of...
Memorial Day

Memorial Day 2021

Memorial Day is Monday, May 31! Learn all about Memorial Day, including the true meaning of this...
Mother's Day Coffee

Mother's Day 2021

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 9! Again this year, many of us are rethinking how to give extra...
Valentine Cupids

Valentine's Day 2021: What Is the Real Meaning of Valentine's Day?

Valentine’s Day is Sunday, February 14! Do you know the real story behind Valentine’s Day? This...
Groundhog Day Celebration (Resize)

Groundhog Day 2021

Groundhog Day will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 2! This curious holiday comes from our...
Oak Tree

Arbor Day 2021

Arbor Day occurs this year on Friday, April 30. Dedicate a tree to someone who is special to you,...
Arbor Day

Earth Day 2021

This year, we celebrate Earth Day on Thursday, April 22. The connection that we have to nature,...
Inauguration Day 2017

Inauguration Day 2021

Enjoy some Inauguration Day history, fun facts, and firsts. Who was the first president to be...
Easter Bunny & Flowers - OFA Message

When Is Easter 2021? | How Easter's Date is Determined

Easter 2021 will be observed on Sunday, April 4! Find out how the date of Easter is determined, why...
daylight-saving-time-clock

Daylight Saving Time 2021: When Does the Time Change?

Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 14, 2021, at 2:00 A.M.  On Saturday evening, our...
Janus, god of two faces

How Did the Tradition of New Year's Resolutions Start?

From the Babylonians who resolved to return borrowed farm equipment to medieval knights who would...
29 Leap Year Fence

What Is a Leap Year?

Leap years keep our calendars in check! Allow us to explain why leap years are necessary and share...
Christmas Firsts

Christmas Firsts: The Origins of Christmas Traditions in America

Do you know who wrote the first Christmas card? Which president put up the first White House...
Winter Tree at Sunset

New Year’s Day Weather Folklore

A new year is always ripe with possibilities. Though we have our forecasts, we also enjoy the...
Kwanzaa Dinner

Kwanzaa 2020

Kwanzaa 2020 begins on Saturday, December 26, and lasts through January 1, 2021. Learn about the...
Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2021

Monday, January 18, 2021, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States. Here is why we...
Reindeer Antlers

Why Santa's Reindeer Are Female

Christmas falls in late December and reindeer lead Santa’s sleigh, as the story goes. In the wild,...
Recipe for Good Luck Hoppin' John

Hoppin’ John: A Traditional Southern Dish for New Year's Day

Welcome in the New Year with Hoppin’ John, a traditional New Year’s Day dish, and luck will follow...
New Year's Day Clock

New Year's Day 2021

Happy New Year! Ever wondered why January starts the new year? Find out all about New Year’s Day,...
Grapes New Year

New Year's Traditions From Around the World

Many New Year’s traditions that we take for granted actually date from ancient times. This year,...
Santa Claus Elf

Christmas Facts and Trivia

Where did the phrase “Jiminy Christmas” come from? What about “Godspeed”? Why do some people write...
Mistletoe Meaning and Lore | Why We Kiss Beneath It

Why Do We Kiss Under the Mistletoe?

Why do we kiss under the mistletoe? Of all the plants used in Christmas decor, not many have as...
Homemade Cranberry Wreath

How to Make a Cranberry Wreath

Our gardening editor just made this Cranberry Wreath. A fun project using raw cranberries, this DIY...
Embedded thumbnail for How to Make a Christmas Wreath

How to Make a Christmas Wreath

Make a Christmas wreath from scratch! Plus, enjoy a good forage in your own yard or garden for...
Christmas Table

Natural Decorating for Christmas

Have you decked the halls? Go natural this Christmas! It’s time for nature’s green to make a...
Classic Deviled Eggs

Christmas Appetizer Recipes

Ho, ho, ho! Here are 12 of our favorite Christmas appetizer recipes. Whether it’s classic deviled...
Christmas Wreath

The Story Behind Your Christmas Wreath

This time of year, there are Christmas wreaths adorning everywhere imaginable—from doors and fences...
Paperwhites

How to Grow Paperwhites

Paperwhite narcissus, with their clusters of fragrant, small, white flowers, have to be the easiest...
Thanksgiving Dinner Overhead

Thanksgiving Day 2020

In the United States, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November—this year, on...
Boxing Day Gift

Boxing Day 2020: What Is Boxing Day?

Boxing Day is celebrated on December 26! This year, that’s a Saturday. Why is it called Boxing Day...
Christmas Ornament

Christmas Day 2020

Christmas occurs on a Friday this year! Discover why we celebrate Christmas Day on December 25, the...
Saint Nicholas

St. Nicholas Day 2020

Was Saint Nicholas a real person? Is he the true Santa Claus and Father Christmas? Find out about...
Full Homemade Thanksgiving Dinner

Best Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes

Few feasts are so steeped in tradition as Thanksgiving! And cooking Thanksgiving dinner for your...
Poinsettia is an unlikely Christmas flower.

Poinsettia Care: How to Keep Poinsettia Plants Alive

How do you take care of your Christmas poinsettia? See our tips on keeping poinsettias alive after...
Apple Crumb Pie for Thanksgiving

Best Thanksgiving Pie Recipes

When it comes to Thanksgiving desserts, a traditional pie is a sure bet for us. But which pie to...
Chanukah

Hanukkah 2020

Hanukkah begins on Thursday, December 10, at sundown. Learn about Hanukkah history, customs, and a...

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