DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

    Every year on January 17th, the people of San Bartolome de Pinares, Spain , celebrate St. Anthony's by riding their horese, donkeys and mules through piles of burning tree branches.    The unique tradition of leaping over and through flames dates back 500 years, but the men and women of San Bartolome de Pinares still celebrate it religiously.  They gather all the branches they can find in the days leading up to the festivities, and when dusk falls on the eve of Saint Anthony's, they light the branches into a bonfire.  Riders jump and run their mounts through the burning piles of the branches in the middle of the village, accompanied by sound of drums and Spanish bagpipes.    Jumping through the flames is said to bring the animals the protection of St. Anthony Abad, acknowledged as the patron saint of domestic animals, ever since the Middle Ages.  Locals believe the fire purifies their animals and protects them against illnesse...

   If you're planning a trip to Thailand next year, one thing you might want to take into consideration when you choose your holiday dates,  are Thailand's public holidays.  Thailand has at least 16 public holidays a year, where everyone gets a day off, which is more than almost any other country in the world.  Thailand's public holidays are amazing, with fairs, festivals, concerts and more.  Most months have at least one public holiday, some have more.  Check out all of Thailand's public holidays and you can choose the best time to come to suite your particular interests. January- New Year's Day , Thai's do actually celebrate the Western New Year, even though the Thai New Year isn't until April.  Most people go home to visit family, which means if you're outside Bangkok, the roads can be pretty packed.  In Bangkok, it's like heaven,  as all the traffic jams disappear and the normally polluted air is clean from the lack of cars....

    The dawning of the bright new year is celebrated worldwide. -  In Australia the largest celebrations are held in Melbourne and Sydney.  It is party time and wonderful fireworks displays especially along Sydney harbor.  Over a million and a half partake in this annual event in each of the cities.  - In Brazil , the Corrida de Sylvestre , the Saint Sylvester marathon is a yearly event where athletes parade downtown in Saint Sao Brazil.  Brazilians also traditionally wear white on New Years Eve. - In -Canada , New Years Eve is either celebrated with family or friends in parties and social gatherings.  It is traditional in Montreal to go out to dinner and a show for New Years Eve, as an alternative to staying home with family.  There are fireworks and party goers everywhere on the streets of Montreal and Toronto. The Montreal streets are still lit up from Christmas. -  In Quebec the tradition is a bit different fr...

     Visitors from all over the world will be playing in the snow and enjoying the winter festivities at one of the biggest winter celebrations that Canada has to offer.  Quebec, Canada has been host to the winter wonderland known to locals as "Carnaval de Quebec", for more than 50 years and shows no signs of slowing down anytime in the near future as this year's carnival will see more than 400 unique activities.  It has been dubbed as the "The coolest Part in the World", and why not?  It has all of the offerings that you would expect form traditions Nordic culture, only they have went all out and included events for people of all generations, tastes, and backgrounds.       The Winter Carnival got its start in 1894 and has grown each consecutive year by updating events and festivities to fit every lifestyle.  Starting at the end of January and lasting up until the middle of February.  Quebec opens its doors ...

   Now that all of the major holidays are over (Halloween, Christmas and Thanksgiving), there are still many different holidays and festivals found throughout the United States and all over the world.  I have sent out liaison's to scour the globe to bring you these different festivities and holidays from people like you and me and how they celebrate the rest of the year.  If you know of anything you  would like seen or heard of please leave me a message or a note and I will send out someone to investigate everything  I can find out  about that celebration.  I will leave no rock unturned to find it!  Starting with January and throughout the rest of the year.  I have also not been very receptive to leaving my own comments.  I love reading your comments!!!  I will make it one of my 1st priorities to give my responses to the comments made to my blog, and if you have a blog I am going to com...

   When January comes along, you may think that the food holidays have come to an end, but you'd be wrong.  January is filled with many food holidays.  Here is a list of the food holidays you can look forward to in January. January 1st-Apple Gifting Day - This is such a fun day to celebrate.  A fun way to enjoy this national food holiday is to bake an apple pie or some other favorite apple dessert that you may like.  Christmas may be over, but it's never a bad time to bake a gift for someone. January 2nd-National Cream Puff Day - If you're tired of baking, never fret.  You can always head to your local bakery and pick up some delicious cream puffs. January 3rd-Chocolate-Filled Cherry Day - Go out and enjoy a handful of some chocolate covered cherries.  I can't seem to find any that are filled with chocolate. January 4th-National Spaghetti Day - Who doesn't love spaghetti (besides me)?  On this food holiday, shake things up by maki...

January 1st-New Year's Day - You already knew this one.  Celebrate by getting ahead start on breaking your New Year's resolutions. January 2nd-55MPH Speed Limit Day -Observe the 55 MPH holiday by driving the speed limit in your state or country. Or if you don't like it just say "I can't drive 55"! January 3rd-J.R.R. Tolkien Day -Invite a Hobbit over for dinner! YAAAA! January 4th-World Hypnotism Day - Try to hypnotise your children into doing what you want them to do. (like that's going to happen). January 5th-Bird Day - Go out and pet a parrot and keep your fingers away from the beak. January 6th-Epiphany -Go to church and ring some bells. January 7th-I'm Not Going To Take It Anymore Day - Got a beef with someone, go up to them and yell this catchy little phrase to them. January 8th-Bubble Bath Day - When's the last time you've seen any man take a bubble bath.  Women, go ahead and have a "calgon take me away night". ...