Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day are among the biggest federal holidays in the US. Some of these holidays have notable traditions, from food to activities. This blog will briefly discuss the three holidays to look forward to this quarter: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks and share our blessing with family and friends. Traditional dishes include turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and, my favorite, sweet potatoes. I know some of you will get to experience this through “Taste of America” so make sure to sign up! For some families, watching football is an essential Thanksgiving Day activity while for others, shopping on Black Friday is an annual tradition. As a New Yorker, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City was always a big deal for me, and you can enjoy it on tv too.
Though Christmas Day is the only federal holiday celebrated in December, many people also celebrate other holidays around the same time, such as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Because many holidays are celebrated, it’s wise to wish each other “happy holidays” rather than “Merry Christmas.” Lights and decorations adorn many homes and streets during this time. You can see the elaborate decorations in neighborhoods such as Balboa Island in Newport Beach, Dana Point with its annual boat parade, and Costa Mesa and its Snoopy House.
There are many New Year’s Eve parties because people like to stay up and count down to the New Year. To me, one of the biggest New Year’s highlights is the New Year’s Eve crystal ball drop in Times Square, New York. I personally don’t recommend going to NYC to see the ball drop in person because you’ll have to be there before the city starts closing nearby roads. That means you’ll be waiting outside from morning til night. Besides, the ball drop is televised so you can see it anywhere. In Southern California, the Rose Bowl Parade marks the celebration of a new year. It’s worth the drive over to Pasadena to see and experience it at least once.
Happy Holidays!