What is Japanese New Year?

The final countdown has begun…
Only few more days to “Osho Gatsu 2013" or “Japanese New Year 2013." This national holiday is the biggest and most important event on the Japanese almanac of annual festivities. From 1873 onwards, 1st January has been adopted as the “Japanese New Year”. Earlier, it was celebrated at the beginning of spring as per Chinese calendar. For winter holidays, schools and universities remain close two weeks before and after the New Year's celebration. Most business-houses, organizations, and establishments remain close from the 30th December through 3rd January. During holidays, many Japanese families travel to their native places to be with their extended families and friends.
How is Japanese New Year celebrated?
Japanese people nurture highly proactive approach in both personal and professional spheres of their life. Hence, it is quite obvious for them to start preparation for the shōgatsu holidays at-least one month ahead. Traditionally, they perform o-souji (cleaning of households or establishments) to welcome New Year in a new, fresh state. Entrance gates of the homes and offices are ornamented with flower wreaths along with bamboo, pine, and plum trees.

Omisoka Ritual: On 31st December eve, a bowl full of long toshikoshi-soba (made from a mixture of buckwheat and wheat flour) is served to the members of the family. This ancient ritual is called Omisoka. The long soba noodles symbolizes longevity. Hence, most Japanese families believe that finishing all toshikoshi-soba would bring a long, rich life. Even today, Japanese people preach that bad luck will follow in the coming year, if you fail to finish all your toshikoshi-soba.
 
Pre New Year Parties: On the last day of the previous year, bonenkai parties ("forget-the-last-year gatherings") are organized with the purpose to leave behind the past year's anxieties, tensions, and troubles. Japanese people view each New Year as an opportunity for a fresh start. In present-day Japan, generation X loves to spend the evening watching popular music shows or television program such as "kohaku uta gassen", featuring some of the Japan's most famous pop singers in spectacular performances.
 
Hatsu-mode Ceremony: January 1 morning (called gantan) is considered to be a very auspicious day. From the dawn, Japanese people dressed in brightly colored kimonos start flocking to Buddhist shrines and Shinto temples to pray for a healthy, prosperous and happy year ahead. This is one of the most important rituals of the year and is known as hatsu-mode. Families, friends and acquaintances greet each other "Akemashite omedeto gozaimasu (wishing you a happy new year ahead full of hope and good health). At the Shinto shrines, worshippers write their wishes/ prayers on wooden placards called ema, or draw paper strips of paper called omikuji from a large wooden box to know prediction of one's fortune for the upcoming year. If a person is lucky to pull out a good omikuji, he or she would safely retain the strip of paper. However, bad omikujis are tied or pinned to a pine tree, with the believe that the bad fortune will be left behind. As a part of New Year celebration, large temple bells are rung at midnight.

Otoshidama Custom: Kids get really busy on Japanese New Year’s morning. They get engaged with traditional games such as kite flying, spinning tops (koma), Japanese card playing (iroha karuta), Japanese badminton (hanetsuki) etc. Sadly, with passing of time, most urban children no longer feel attracted to these  once-popular past-time games. One particular ritual is still continuing with pomp and grandeur. It is called “otoshidama” where kids receive money as gift from parents, relatives, and other adults whom they meet during New Year.

Greeting Card Exchange: Japanese are particularly respectful towards their culture and traditions. Even today, irrespective of Internet boom, Japanese people have preserved their culture of sending New Year’s Postcards (nengajo) to friends and family whom they don’t often meet but eager to exchange news on their well-being. Interestingly, the Japanese postal service is so prompt that the New Year’s Greeting Cards are guaranteed to reach on the 1st of January. Most nengajo features paintings or pictures of Chinese Zodiacal animals.

Gourmet Foods and Wines: Most Japanese are connoisseurs of good foods and rice wines (Sake). In most families, a traditional meal, osechi-ryori is served. Wide array of preserved vegetables and grilled fish packed in lacquer boxes (known as jubako) are served to be eaten over the 3-day holiday period. Authentic osechi-ryori meals comprise of Tai (sea bream) with uni (sea urchin), Kuromame (sweetened and simmered soybeans), Iridori(chicken), Kurikinton(candied sweet potato and chestnuts), Tataki Gobo( burdock's deep roots), Kohaku namasu (carrot and radish salad  with vinegar), Tazukuri (dried sardines), Renkon ( lotus roots) and Kazunoko (herring ovary with eggs). These marvellous super-gourmet boxed meals are accompanied with ozoni (chicken-stock soup with veggies), omochi (fluffy rice cakes) and otoso (sweetened rice wine seasoned with Chinese medicinal herbs).

10 Japanese New Year Messages
•    Time has arrived to say adieu to old pains, tears and worries; Here comes the new beginning that will bring peace, happiness and cheer. Let us welcome the Osho Gatsu 2013!
•    A New Year has just begun...May All Mornings be full of SMILE, All Afternoons be full of  HOPE, All Evenings be full of LOVE, and all Nights be full of PEACE. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013!
•    I prayed to God in highest heaven, To make your heart a permanent place for love, health, peace and joy. Wish you a Happy and Colorful Shogatsu!
•    Just new blooming Sakura blossoms spread blissful and radiant fragrance around…..May the New Year bring a new beauty and freshness in your life. Akemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu!
•    A New Year has arrived to gift us another chance to get everything right. Cheers, Happy New Year!
•    Let's make resolution not to repeat last year's mistakes and make some new ones. Happy New Year, cutie pie!
•    This New Year, stay away from planning “resolutions” for your life. Enjoy go-with-the-flow days with blasting parties!
•    Let's make a New Year resolution to make-up quickly after a fight. Happy New Year, my loving sweet heart!
•    Honey, Thanks for not laughing at my absurdly irritating behaviours all through 2012. I am feeling extremely optimistic about 2013. Happy New Year, dearie!
•    My simple New Year resolution is to make you loose weight. Akemashite Omedeto, buddy!

Kwanzaa- commemorating African values

Kwanzaa is an elaborate seven-day long harvest festival most popularly celebrated among the African-American communities. Interestingly, this grand festival is commemorated just a day following the Christmas Eve, on December 26. The festivities of this grand day continue till January 1. Essentially, the festival renders an opportunity to the peasants and others to enjoy a plentiful of harvest and at the same time offer their sincerest thanks to the almighty for bestowing their kindness in form of sufficing harvest to the mankind. The name, Kwanzaa, has drawn inspiration from a very popular Swahili phrase, “matunda ya kwanza” which basically means the first and the finest fruit of the harvest taken during the harvest season.

Looking at the historical aspect, the festival came into existence, in the year 1966, with the unrelenting efforts of Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga, a great learned professor with unmatched expertise in black studies. This time of the year was historically popular for some of the most drastic changes taking place in the lives of the suppressed African-Americans. Karenga, during this time, got inspired to honor these changes and pay respect to the efforts of certain blacks for bringing changes in their existence. Ever since then, these historical days are well celebrated and commemorated, every year, in form of this grand Kwanzaa festival.
Each day out of the seven days long celebrations is dedicated to a different principle, which holds tremendous significance among the community people. The principles, briefly include, umoja meaning unity, kujichagulia meaning self-determination, ujima signifying collective responsibility and duties, ujamaa signifying cooperative economics, kuumba significant of creativity, nia giving a sense of living and purpose and imani meaning faith.

Like every other festival, Kwanzaa too is celebrated in its true spirit with family get-together and unity. The celebrations of the grand day take place in church, community center and at home. During the celebrations, the streets, homes and churches are decorated with the auspicious green, black and red colors. These colors were treated as important symbols of the ancient Africa that was reeling under social changes. In particular, the color green is representative of the fertile land, red is significant of the blood that was shed in abundance during the struggle for freedom and the color black is the representative color of the Africans.

Decorations in the houses and the streets are commonly observed during the celebrations of this festival. Apart from these, the women don their traditional kaftans and clothing made of fresh fruits to groove into the spirit of this festival. The above mentioned principles are elaborately discussed by an elderly at home as well as by the father in the church. Further, candle light processions, performances by special artists in churches and community centers are also observed as part of festivities of the day.

Food is yet another attraction of the grand celebrations. Traditional ingredients, especially, sesame seeds, collard greens, peanuts, sweet potato and spicy sauces of sorts are must inclusions in the Kwanzaa dishes. The food is cooked and savored together by families and friends.

Send Beautiful Kwanzaa Cards to your family and loved ones.

Merry Christmas - It's a Celebration Time

We are yet again approaching towards the celebration of one of the biggest festivities of the decade, The Christmas Eve. This year’s Christmas again revives hopes and desires among the Christian followers for a peaceful and blissful new year, 2013. The Christmas celebrations of the year 2012 brings a new wave and passion for the commemoration and celebration of the inimitable lord Jesus’s birth and the advent of his preaching and path all over the world. This day is widely observed as a civil holiday all over the world and is celebrated with much fanfare among both Christians and non-Christians. Taking a quick peek at our historical records, the day December 25 had been chosen to celebrate the auspicious birth event of Lord Jesus, as it corresponded with the day falling exactly nine months after the conception of the lord in his mother’s womb.

The Christmas 2012 promises to bring new excitement and fun, especially for the movie lovers, as some of the most sought-after movies are slated to get released around December 25th. The first and the most awaited one is Life of Pi, releasing on December 20. The movie is based on Yann Martel’s novel, Life of Pi, slated to be the most successful commercial novels of its time. With a credible star-cast, comprising of Irrfan Khan and Tabu, the movie promises to be an out-an-out entertainment package with special effects and sci-fi interventions. The other movie to look for this Christmas is Boxing Day, a Tolstoy adaptation.  The movie unveils an interesting plot about two men lost in the chilly and snowy winter of Colorado. The movie is all set for its release on December 21. Other interesting movies to catch up are Seven Psychopaths and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?

Apart from the movies, you can try your hand at some of the most exquisite recipes of Christmas. The heavenly chocolate crackled cookies truly reflect the spirit of Christmas and are well cherished by both youngsters and adults. The recipe of the same is a simple yet delectable amalgamation of chocolate chips, butter, sugar and flour blended together in a tasteful manner! The other recipes to look for this Christmas are peanut butter cookies, gingerbread cake, and Christmas punch. Apart from these desserts, you can experiment and savour a number of Christmas appetizers, soups and salads. As there is no end to creativity, this year, you can show your creative bent in making these traditional dishes more delectable and of course, different.

Remember the trend for this Christmas 2012 is more glitz and glamour in your home decoration! Splurge into more artifacts and decorative that are shiny and glitzy. Decorate your home with sparkling candles, lights, extra-shiny Christmas tree, glamorous pine-cones, paper angels, bells, stars and more.  The idea of an icy and white Christmas décor seems to be the best for celebrating this year’s chilly Christmas. Indulge yourself more into blue and white colors to get the right feel of the wintery Christmas. However, remember to keep it subtle and elegant!

Hanukkah - Festival of Lights!

Hanukkah is one of the most popularly celebrated eight-day long festivals of the American-Jewish community. The festival is commemorated to celebrate the spirit of the re-dedication of the holy temple in Jerusalem, especially after its revolutionary desecration by some illegal Syrian-Greek forces. The festival signifies the spirit of the powerful struggle illuminating in the bosom of every Jew to live his life under the commandments and rules of the God. The festival honors the Jewish way of life and its principles which are literally treasured close to the heart by each and every member of the Jewish community presiding all over the world.

Every year, this grand festival is celebrated on the 25th day of the “Kislev” month, a Hebrew month according to the Jewish calendar. There is no one particular day for celebrating this festival as the Jewish calendar is lunar in nature. As a result, every year, the first day of the festival falls on a different day, however, between the months of November and December. Interestingly, since most of the Jewish population is well settled in Christian societies, the festivities of this grand day are more or less similar to the celebrations of Christmas.

The festival is also known as the festival of lights as the all the streets, houses and churches get enlightened with the brightness of lights and candles. In fact, one of the most unique aspects of the festival which makes it different from Christmas is the lighting of the candelabrum, a unique nine-branched Hanukiah. Since the festival is celebrated for good eight days, the Hanukiah is lit on every night of the eight-day long festival.

The festivities are not considered complete without the spinning of the traditional dreidel, a game which has four sides and Hebrew letters written on each of the sides. Essentially, as per the rules of the games, the letters need to be moved in a way that every turn culminates into a meaningful word. The game is appropriate for playing for both adults as well as children of all the age groups. It is believed that even babies are made part of the game as they utterly enjoy the moving of the spin around its axis.

For the children, Hanukkah holds special importance because of the fun element related to the festival. Apart from playing the Dreidel game, the children get an opportunity to relish the traditional latkes, also known as the potato pancakes and donuts, traditionally called the Sufganiyot. Special books, dedicated on the history and evolution of the festival are published for the children. These books are popularly called the Hanukkah books and are read among children, under the guidance of the adults.

More typically, the festival is celebrated among the family members united together. The festivities are enjoyed with near and dear ones, savouring the customary fried foods, especially the Latkes and donuts.  However, the relatives who are settled in far lands and are unreachable are popularly greeted with the Hanukkah photo cards which carry inspiring messages about the festival.

Get over the anxiety to write Thanksgiving Letter

Thanksgiving letters are the perfect way to express your sincerest thanks and appreciation to your near and loved ones. They also give you the right channel for expressing your heart-felt appreciation for the favors endowed on you by your colleagues or seniors. Make it count that this letter can literally do wonders in your personal and professional life, especially if you run short of words or hesitate to express your innermost feelings to your known and associates. Thanksgiving letters, when written in the right words and format, can become your perfect and dependable tool to convey your gratitude and respect to those who have cared and loved you.

Ironically, writing a thanksgiving letter is much easier than it is thought to be! Many people are so over-burdened with the thought of wording the letter correctly, that they end up taking a step-back for the fear of going wrong. Putting the right words, phrases and format can literally cause anxiety among people, which is completely uncalled for. Remember, the golden rule is to write from your heart! The letter, nevertheless how imperfect, if written with sentiments of love and purity, reaches the receiver in its right spirit.

Here are some steps that may help you write your perfect thanksgiving letter-

1) Before beginning to think of words, be sure of the person to whom you want to address the thanksgiving letter to. In case, the list of receivers is long, make sure to write their names, along with the relationship you share with them, in a piece of paper.

2) Next, take one person at a time and think of all the things that you are thankful for. Next, choose not more than top five things that have created a difference in your life or touched your heart in a way. Now when you write the letter, make sure to name these specific things that you are thankful about.

3) Now follow the format that you normally follow while writing formal letters, i.e.- name, address, city and phone number.

4) Start your letter with a salutation and proceed with words of appreciation and thanks, mentioning all the gifts or things the receiver has done for you. ‘

5) If you are addressing the letter to your close relative, jokes on turkey or over-stuffing oneself on this Thanksgiving Day are all allowed and well appreciated in a positive light.

6) Make sure to dispatch your letter quickly without causing any delay of sorts.

The Auspicious Gurpurab

Gurpurab, commemorated as the auspicious Guru Nanak Jayanti, is celebrated as the birth anniversary of most revered Gurus of the Sikhs, Guru Nanak Ji. This is the biggest and undoubtedly the most sacred festivals of the followers of the Sikh religion. Guru Nanak Ji is revered in almost every household of the Sikh follower for he is believed to be the first ever teacher as well as the forerunner of this celebrated religion, Sikhism. Apart from Sikhism, the day is marked with huge celebrations among the certain sections of the Sindhis as well as Hindu Punjabis. Every year, the festival is celebrated in the month of November.

It is believed that the religious beliefs and customs of Sikhism have been propagated due to unrelenting efforts of ten main Gurus, the first among them being Guru Nanak Ji. The birth anniversary of each one of these Gurus is celebrated as Gurpurab. Guru Nanak Ji’s birth anniversary is religiously followed and celebrated by each and every follower of this religion.

The festivities
This auspicious day generally commences with Prabhat Pheri, basically an early- morning procession carried out by a group of ardent followers. The procession culminates with the singing of religious hymns around the localities and finally a visit to the Gurudwara where prayers are offered to the almighty. It is followed by a procession of Akhand Path, which is a non-stop reading session of the holy book, Guru Granth Sahib and is carried out for forty eight hours. The reading session is carried out inside the Gurudwara by selected ardent followers of the religion and is open for all the believers to pay attention to.

Further, the celebrations are marked by yet another important procession carried out by the selected five beloved ones. The procession is better known as the Panj Prayas. Typically, in this procession, the holy book, Guru Granth Sahib is placed in a beautifully decorated palanquin. The palanquin is then rotated around colonies and localities to give a chance to the devotees to offer their prayers and respect to the almighty. On the other hand, like every procession, this one’s too accompanied by a group of believers who sing the hymns and attract the attention of the passersby towards the Lord.

Apart from the traditional celebrations, the followers indulge themselves into social service activities as well. Followers devote themselves in the preparation of a grand feast, better known as the langar, in the Gurudwara which is kept open for all devotees to relish. Distribution of water to the needy, food to the hungry and karah Prasad (auspicious sweet) to the devotees completes this festival. An element of fun is added to the celebrations with huge family dinners and get-togethers followed by bursting of crackers.
Guru Nanak Ji was a great teacher, saint and a seer. He showed the right path to re-affirm their faith in the almighty, to all his followers. His preaching and lessons on peace, love and righteousness are cherished even today and well celebrated on the Guru Nanak Jayanti.   

Thanksgiving Day- The Do’s and Don’ts

Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in different names and styles, pertaining to varied cultural beliefs, all over the world. However, the reason for which the festival is celebrated remains common in all the religions and cultures. The day gives a chance to the humanity to express its sincere thanks to the almighty for bestowing mighty and plentiful harvest. In the Unites States, the day is celebrated with grandeur, just a few days before Christmas, on the fourth Thursday of November. On the other hand, in Canada, this grand day is celebrated on the second Monday falling in the month of October.

Over the past few years, the essence of thanking the almighty for its greatness in bestowing humanity with harvest has blurred. Today, Thanksgiving Day has simply been relegated to just another day for enjoying grand meals, expensive drinks and loud get-togethers. This makes it all the more important to restore the colour and festivity of the day to enjoy it in the right spirit.

Here is a list of all the essential do’s and don’ts that one must follow to restore the spirit of the grand day and celebrate it with one’s near and dear ones.

Do remember the traditional meals
Thanksgiving Day signifies family re-unions and get-togethers. It’s the time of the year when the entire family unites, offers prayer to the Lord and enjoys a great meal together. To groove in the spirit of this festival, remember to cook the traditional meals. Pumpkin pie, roasted turkey, stuffed or mashed potatoes and cranberries are the most common food items associated with the day. One can of-course be more creative and make these traditional meals more interesting!

Do invest on preparing good salads
Salads can appear to be the most mundane or the most creative part of your Thanksgiving menu. Make them more interesting by adding spicy and tangy dressings. A bowl of sumptuous salad would be a really good option for those who don’t want to regret stuffing themselves with mashed potatoes and other high-on calorie meals.

Do send your invites in advance
Remember to send out the invites of the Thanksgiving dinner to your guests much in advance so that they have adequate time to adjust their hectic schedule. Also, sending out proper invitations days earlier gives a fair idea of the total number of guests that are expected to come. This will help to make a proper shopping budget of the food and sundry needed for the grand dinner.

Don’t avoid food to enjoy the grand dinner
Unless one wants to experience a bloated belly after the grand dinner, it is important that one takes proper meals- a healthy breakfast and lunch, before splurging on the Thanksgiving dinner.

Don’t add varieties in appetizers
A huge variety in appetizers made of potatoes and pumpkin can lead to over-stuffing and bloating. As a result, one really doesn’t enjoy the main and the most anticipated Thanksgiving dinner. Keep two to three varieties in appetizers and make sure to keep a considerable gap of time between the serving of main meal and appetizers. 

Bhai Dooj

Bhai Dooj is celebrated all over the country to revere the sanctity of the bond shared between a brother and a sister. The day is celebrated as a grand festival and reminds us about the glorious relationship of a brother and his sister. Bhai dooj is signified by the umpteen prayers offered by the sisters to the almighty for bestowing well-being and healthy life to their brothers.  The festivities of this day are mostly observed by the Hindus all over the world.  The day falls on the last of the Diwali celebrations. Going by the Hindu calendar, Bhai Dooj coincides with the second day of the Shukla Paksha, better known as the fortnight of the month of Kartika.

According to the legendary stories, decades ago, the much feared God of death, The Yamraj, paid a visit to his sister Yami, on this auspicious day of Bhai Dooj. Yami welcomed his brother with a beautiful garland and smeared a spiritual tilak on his forehead. She also served him with sumptuous dishes and sweets. Both the brother and his sister enjoyed the dishes to core. Out of his love and affection for his sister, the Lord Yamraj vowed to protect all those men who received the auspicious mark ( tilak) on their forehead. Ever since, the day holds immense significance in the Hindu culture and is celebrated with much fan-fare and dedication by the brothers and sisters.

The day signifies an eternal bond of love between the brother and his sister. Bhai Dooj is form of a ceremony wherein the dutiful brother vows to protect his sister and stand by her pillar-strong in times of difficulties or need. The sister in turn, shows respect and affection for her brother by welcoming him whole-heartedly, cooking great meals for him and smearing his forehead with the auspicious mark.  With the tikka ceremony, the sister offers her sincerest prayers to God for his protection and a healthy, fun-filled life.

The festival is also known by the name Bhai Bij in states like Haryana, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat. To add more charm and zeal to this festival, various innovative ceremonies are performed on this day, one of the most important being, exchange of gifts. The sisters shop for their brother’s favorite sweets whereas the brothers gift shopping coupons to the sisters.

Thanks to the technology, those who are far away can greet each other via e-cards, affectionate messages over emails and not to forget, the virtual tilaks! 

Time To Celebrate Children’s Day!

Children’s Day… a day for the children and by the children! The children’s day signifies the commitment of the country towards the well-being and welfare of our children. This day is celebrated with much fanfare and joy to revel the innocence and purity associated with childhood. It is known to all that the day is celebrated with fun activities and innovative sessions, especially organized for the children. However, the day is also marked by tremendous social endeavors undertaken by government and non-profit organizations for uplifting the well-being and social rights of the under-privileged children.  Children’s Day is observed in India on November 14. The organization, on this day, promotes various well-being and developmental steps to bring improvement in the living condition and educational arena of the children all over the world. In addition, in many countries, Children’s day is well marked as the International day for the Protection of Children from mal-practices and sexual abuse.

The Historical Aspect
There are numerous theories supporting the reasons for commemorating this day, however, going by the Indian theory, the day coincides with the birth day of the first Indian Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, born on November 14, 1889. Pandit Nehru, more affectionately known as Chacha Nehru, was one of the most ardent propagators of the Indian freedom struggle against the Britishers. He was also known for his eternal love and affection for the country’s children. He fought for the educational and social rights of the children as he strongly believed that they are the future of our country.

The Celebrations
In many schools, Children’s day is celebrated like a grand festival. A wide range of fun-filled and educational activities are organized to make this day memorable and special for the children. For many children, the day is a great reliever from their mundane schedule of studies and gives a chance to rejoice their precious childhood. Some of the attractions of the day are foot-tapping music for the children, dance, feast and competitions of sorts organized by the school.

The day can become memorable for the child with the participation of the parents. The parents can well take initiatives of organizing a small party for the children at home or at their favorite food outlet. Apart from gifts, words of appreciation and affection from the parents can do wonders to boost the morale of the children and bring them closer to their parents.

It is in the last five years that the awareness of the children’s day has almost doubled all over the world. Thanks to the technology, the influx of affectionate SMSs and inspiring messages are reaching almost every mobile handset, thus leading to an increased awareness. The media too has been putting in commendable efforts to recognize and reach help to the disadvantaged children all over the world.

With these unending efforts of media and other organizations, today, we can proudly say that each and every child of our country, nevertheless his class, is precious for the development of our country.

Best Diwali Games to Play and Enjoy

To help you make your Diwali party the most memorable party of the year, here are top ten games to play:

Tombola, Housie, Bongo or Lotto: Called by different names, but almost similar in rules and nature; these are great fun gambling games. Any number or age group of people can play this game. In Housie and Tombola every player gets a ticket with a table of numbers or alphabets printed in small boxes on it. Players have to mark out these numbers on their tickets when called out and achieve a winning combination like first five, first line, second line, third line and full house. Bingo is also similar to Housie while in Lotto picture or symbols are used instead of numbers.

Card Games: Playing cards is an integral part of Diwali parties. But avoid gambling on the auspicious occasion. There are a number of card games that you can play on Diwali like Flash, Rummy, Bluff, slash, 28, etc. However now-a-days experimental card games have evolved replacing these traditional games. You can thus try games likeAK47aka Ace, King, 4 and 7; where these four cards become jokers. These four cards when in hand, can be exchanged for any color or card to make desired sequence. Muflis is the opposite of Flash; where the person with the least number of cards wins. Similarly the other games that you can play includes Blackjack, Kissing-Missing, Discard One, Matha, Lallan-Kallan, 1942 A Love Story,13cards, and so on. Playing such new varieties will keep the card game interesting and the spirits high.

Pin the Missing Part: In this game a picture is pasted on the wall or a board and a part is missing, which you need to pin blindfolded. The player is first taken in front of the picture and then his eyes are blindfolded. The player is circled at his place and then asked to approach the picture and pin the missing part at the right place. This sort of game though is more popular in children, but with some added difficulties and variations these can also be played by the adults.

Board Games: Board games like Bluff/Liar’s Dice, Dice, Jumble Words, Snakes and Ladder, Cash ‘n Guns and so on. These games can make a good time pass and a great part of the entertainment program.

Passing the Parcel: As a family fun activity you can play passing the parcel where people of all age groups can take part and play together. Arranging such games help whole family to play together and thus share the happiness and the bond of togetherness.

Dumb Charades: Dumb Charades is full of fun elements. You can play this game in two groups. In this game one member at a time from each team comes forth and is given a movie/song to enact. The player enacts the movie/song by actions and expressions without speaking a single word; and his team members have to guess that name and win points. The team with most points earned wins the game.

Musical Chairs: Musical chairs is a well-known game for parties and it is a good entertaining activity for Diwali parties. Arrange the chairs in the centre of the hall and play music. While the music is on players move around the chairs and as the music stops, players have to take a chair and the player left standing is out of the game. At the end of every round one chair is removed and the same is repeated. In the end the last sitting player wins the game.

Treasure Hunt: Depending on the available space and resources you can plant a nice Scavenger or Treasure Hunt game either for children or for family groups. Divide the game into few rounds/parts and give hints at the beginning of first round to find the hidden clue/key to reach the next level and so on. The first team or child who ever finds the hidden treasure wins the game.

Contests: Arranging contests like best dressed person, lighting diyas, rangoli making, diyas decoration, firecrackers competition etc.; make a great fun activity.

Crackers: Fireworks is the best part of Diwali. Firing crackers not only reflects the enthusiasm of the festival, but it does also symbolize warding off evil and darkness. Lighting crackers like Chakri, Anaar, Fuljhari, etc. are one of the best childhood moments. Even the adults love bursting fireworks.
Happy Diwali!!!

More : Diwali Messages, Diwali Cards, Diwali Greetings

Diwali Home Decoration Ideas

Apart from lighting, pooja and sweets, home decoration is another very big task on Diwali. Deity of wealth and prosperity, Goddess Laxmi loves beauty and cleanliness; and blesses the well-kept houses. Make sure to clean every room and exterior of your home. You should start cleaning week ahead of the festival to avoid last moment clubbing of many jobs.

Once done, let’s start decorating the home. Here is a set of Diwali home decoration ideas to help you decorate your house beautifully.

Diwali Decoration Ideas
Diwali home decoration ideas varies from person to person according to their budget. Below is a list of decoration tips:

Decorate the House from Outside:
1.Lighting the exterior of the house with LED lights is a trend these days. You can choose various series of the lights, having varied color combination and pattern of decoration.
2. You can combine the lightings with candles, earthen diyas and lanterns.
3. If you have a garden you can decorate your plants with serial lights and hanging lanterns.

Make the Entrance Welcoming:
1. Make rangoli in the doorway or at the main door of your house. You can make rangoli either with the wet/dry colors or you can also use flowers for this purpose. Even there is an option to buy readymade rangoli stickers from the market as well.
2. Adore the rangoli with beautiful flowers and earthen diyas.
3. Decorate entrance with traditional torandwars, bandhanwars and embellished door hangings.
4. Paper lanterns also make a beautiful part at the entrance decoration.

Beautify the Interiors:
1. Place a pair of earthen diyas at every door.
2. Use flower garlands for decorating the pillars, doors, walls. This will give a beautiful look to the interior and fill natural aroma inside the house.
3. New curtains, cushions, bedsheets, rugs or carpets are an effective way to do Diwali home decoration. And if not new then just clean all your cushions etc and give them a press to look tidy and nice.
4. You can also bring in wall hangings and paintings to decorate your house.
5. Drawing Goddess Laxmi’s feet at the doors look very creative and beautiful.
6. Place a large earthen or glass pot filled with water in the living area and decorate it with floating candles and fragrant flowers.

Tips to Make Your Decoration Unique:
Here are unique Diwali decoration ideas to make your home most appealing:
1. Diwali Decoration with Theme: Select a theme for the Diwali home decoration and plan everything according to it. Like if you choose Rajasthani theme you can get Rajasthani printed bedsheets and cushions along with Rajasthani handlooms, sculptures, wall hangings, puppets and paintings, etc. and combine them with earthen diyas, flowers and lights. Similarly your theme can be based on color, work from other states and culture.
2. Eco-friendly Decoration: This Diwali go eco-friendly by recycling used products to decorate your home. You can use your sarees and dupattas as curtains or for wall decoration. You can use old electric bulbs as diyas or as flower vase. Hang all the previous Diwali cards in a series, on a string tied up on the wall. You can use Christmas decorative as well.

More - Diwali Messages, Diwali Quotes

Significance of Halloween Props

What is Halloween?

Halloween has dual spirit of both festive as well as superstitious feel. It is thought that the origin of Halloween is the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain in which people used to light bonfire and wear costumes to keep the roaming ghost away. Now Halloween, which is also known as All Hallow’s Eve is celebrated each year on 31st Oct. With time it has become more secular. The event is now celebrated with all the child friendly activities and fun. The most significant activities in Halloween are trick-or-treat, costume parties, making pumpkin’s jack-o’-lanterns, lighting bonfires, playing pranks and visiting haunted attractions. 

Artifacts and Symbols associated with Halloween

Jack o Lantern and Pumpkin:Jack o Lantern is a carved pumpkin and to make this, generally a very large pumpkin is used. As per the Irish folktale, the name “jack-o’-lanterns” has come from a man named Stingy Jack in Ireland. The same tradition had been brought to America by Irish immigrants. America is a home of the pumpkins and so pumpkin as Jack o Lantern became a tradition.

Turnip: In Ireland and Scotland, turnip was traditionally used on Halloween. There big potatoes and turnips were served as an early canvas. But then the immigrants to North America had started using Pumpkins which were larger and softer than turnips.

Trick or Treat :Children celebrate Halloween by playing trick-or-treat activity, which is also known as guessing. From house to house children go in the Halloween costumes and ask for a treat or trick. In treat, the house-owner has to give candies or money or anything as a treat and if not done then trick is played that includes some mischievous activity on the house-owner or his or her property.

Dunking or Apple Bobbing: It is one of the games associated with Halloween. The game is known as “dooking” in Scotland. In this game, apples are floated in tub or large basin and the participants have to remove them by using their teeth. In one variant of the dunking, the participants hold a fork in teeth and then kneel on the chair to get the apples out with fork.

Haunted Places: Haunted attractions add thrill in Halloween. There is no mention of using these in earlier history till the used by the Junior Chamber International (Jaycees) for fund-raising purposes. Haunted ideas generally include haunted houses, hayrides and corn mazes. During festive season it has become a very good business generating sector in USA.

Some Superstitious Associated with Halloween

There is one very interesting superstitious associated with Halloween. It dates back to 18th-century in Ireland and related to a matchmaking cook. The cook might conceal a ring in her mashed potatoes on Halloween night with the hope that her true love would find it on the dinner table.

There is also another story like this in which it was believed that if a woman eats a sugary concoction made out of walnuts, hazelnuts and nutmeg,  before going to bed on Halloween eve, then in her dream she would see her future husband.

Navratri

As the name suggests, “Navaratri” is formed by two words i.e. "nava" (for "nine") and "ratri" (for "nights"). So, Navratri is a 9-day festival observed in the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated two times during an year: one at the beginning of summer, and two at the onset of winters. The latter begins with the day of Ashwina of the bright fortnight. Seeds are sown, sprouting is observed under the blessing of the planets. The festival is celebrated twice a year because we thank the Almighty for maintaining the balance in nature.

Many legends are attached to this festival; all are related to Goddess Shakti and her many forms. The festival holds a special importance to Gujaratis and Bengalis; they celebrate the occasion with great fervor and enthusiasm. Raas Garba is the major attraction for tourist in this season. Dandiya (a form of Raas Garba) is jovially played by men and women during the Navratri.

Navratri is a festival of Goddesses. Just as the child looks to the mother for power, we the earthlings look up for our Goddesses as they are the source of power. While the first three days are dedicated to Goddess Durga, the Warrior Goddess, the next three days celebrate Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and prosperity. The last three days worship Goddess Saraswati, Goddess of knowledge. Thus, Navratri offers an invocation to Goddesses for a healthy and happy life.

In certain traditions, a way of celebrating Navratri includes observing fasts that breaks on the Mahanavami. On Mahanavami, people prepare delectable sweets and make an offering to nine young girls; representing the nine avatars of Goddess Durga. The tenth day marks Vijayadashami, or what is popularly called as Dusshera.

Ganesh Chaturthi

Lord Ganesha is a popular Hindu deity since He is invoked before the beginning of any auspicious journey. The diety with the countenance of an elephant is synbolic. The head of Lord Ganesha signify Atman or soul and his body suggests Maya or earthly and human desires for pleasures. ‘Ganesha Chaturthi’, thus is a holy day when the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha is celebrated ardently all over the nation. Another name for ‘Ganesha Chaturthi’ is ‘ Vinayak Chaturthi’. It is usually a ten-days festival, that falls in the Hindu month of Bhadra (mid-August to mid-September) and ends on Anantha Chaturdashi.

Believers of Lord Ganesha around the world warmly welcome the idols of Ganesha in their houses. They worship the idol for ten days from Bhadrapad Shudh Chathurthi to Anantha Chaturthi. On the eleventh day, Lord Ganesha is dressed up elaborately; and the idol of Ganesha is then set to be transported to a river or a sea. He is raised high on a platform, surrounded by a crowd of worshippers dancing and singing all through the way. This cheerful procession is a farewell to Lord Ganesha to his heavely abode to Kailash, taking away with himself the adversities in human life. The festival ends with the loud chants of the believers: "Ganpati bappa morya, pudcha varshi laukar ya" (Hail Lord Ganesh, return again soon next year).

The festival is celebrated largely in the Indian states of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. People rejoice the festival as it is believed that Ganesha brings home good luck and prosperity. Ganesha Chaturthi is, therefore, considered an opportunity to wish your loved ones loads of good fortune. Greeting cards are a popular choice. Though, people who want to send their messages in no time go for E-greetings on the festival. Also, sending across charming gifts is another way to convey your blessings to your near and dear ones!

Happy Ganesha Chaturthi!

Teachers' Day (India)

Teachers' Day is a great expression to pay tribute to the teachers who spend their lives in nurturing the young citizens of the country. The role of a teacher in any society is remarkably significant: they inculcate good values and morals among their students, thus becoming helping hands in the building of a nation.

Teachers' Day is celebrated around the world on October 5 every year. Nations usually eulogize a native teacher and celebrate the occasion on their birthday or any other significant day associated with education. Hence, the day of celebration varies from one country to another. Around eighty nations all over the world celebrate the day; and 11 out of them share a common Teachers' Day on February 28.

Coming in a few days in India, Teachers' Day falls on September 5 every year. The day commemorates Dr. Sarvapali Radhakrishnan's since 1962. Dr. Radhakrishnan was the President of India during 1962; also, he was an accomplished philosopher and educator.

Indian schools organize a grand festival on the day. The ceremony usually begins with a speech dedicated to teachers. It is furthered by elaborated feast, dance and songs. 

Usually, students perform the role of the teachers in schools, to express their gratitude. The beauty of Teachers' Day is that it cultivates the bond between a student and their teachers.

Traditional ways of greeting one's teachers is by dedicating them a greeting card. In fact, these days there are so many creative gift ideas for Teachers' Day. Also, with changing times devotional messages to teachers can be easily sent through E-cards. Gifts and cards are beautiful way to articulate your affection and respect for your teacher.

We all have been students sometime in our lives; and Teachers' Day gives us a chance to dedicate a day to our honorable educators.

Onam

Onam is a Hindu festival, celebrated by the people of Kerala in India. Also known as Vamana Jayanti, it solemnizes the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the homecoming

of the legendary Emperor Mahabali. The festival falls in the month of Chingam and lasts for ten days. 

The festival is acknowledged for its colorful and vibrant celebrations like Onnapotan  (a Kerela art form), Puli Kali (Masked leopard dance), intricate flower carpets and the like. Besides these festivities, prayers are being offered in Hindu temples by Hindus and the non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the sacred temples. Onam is a venerated feast for Mahabali, a revered figure since the primordial times.

The celebrations of Onam begin on the Atham day, ten days before Thiruvonam.  The ten respective days of festivity start with 

Atham, followed by Chithira that makes way for Chodi, in succession comes Vishakam subsequently followed by Anizham, Thriketa, Moolam, Pooradam, Uthradom and finally comes, Thiruvonam, also known as “Second Onam”. Colors, flowers, new clothes, performing various folk-dance and other cultural activities become the hallmark of Onam. It is the picturesque fervor that adds to the dramatic element in Onam.

It is amazing to see the legacy of Onam going in the modern times. It’s a ritual that marks the succession of the Keralite traditions and customs. People who cannot make it to the festival send their loved ones greeting cards, online and through mails. Greeting cards in Onam keeps the spirit of the festival alive in people near or far. The festival of color and flowers has gained immense popularity. Thus, the ongoing revelry and rejoice! 

Eid-ul-Fitr

Eid-ul-Fitr is a Muslim holy day that celebrates the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting in the Islamic belief. To understand it better, the Arabic words ‘Eid’ means ‘festivity’ and ‘Fitr’ implies ‘breaking the fast’. It falls on Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar. The day was commenced by Prophet Mohammad. It brings an air of festivity in the Muslim communities, giving them a sense of brotherhood and unity. The day is observed with a salat i.e. Islamic prayer, usually performed in an open ground or a hall. The festival of Eid is an occasion to eulogize Allah and celebrate his ideals.

Eid also brings to light the humanitarian ideas delivered in the Quran. The festival allows the Muslim brothers perform acts of charity and make them empathize with the poor and the needy. The charity (also called Zakat) includes providing the poor with rice, barley, dates, rice etc, so that the poor can have their belly-fill on the holy day. Also, they need to go to Eid on foot and ask Allah for forgiveness; that gives them humility.

The festivity is furthered with sumptuous cuisines such as Murgh musallam, Mrouziya, Nawabi Biryani; and desserts such as Seviyan, Sheer Korma and the like. Eid-Ul-Fitr is called the ‘Sweet Eid’; for its famous for its sweet dishes. Eid-Ul-Fitr marks the climax of Ramadan, and hence fasting on this day is denied to Muslims. So, the Eid food is quite popular among the Muslim kinsmen. The Muslim brothers staying far greet each other with greeting cards and through the medium of social media. Eid can be understood as a thanksgiving to the mighty God. It is like celebrating Allah as a festival, singing His glory and His supremacy.

Independence Day

The date 15th August, 1947 has now become emblematic of freedom, independence and a shackle-free existence for every Indian. The day reminds the citizens of India of their liberty from an oppressive nation, turning into a self-ruling, peaceful democracy. Every year on the fifteenth day of August, the country flamboyantly monumentalizes the history. The president hoists the national flag jovially at the Red Fort in New Delhi, the capital of India. The Red Fort is further adorned with various cultural activities like folk dances, songs and folk-art. The tableau is indeed a reflection of the colors of India.

The pride in the Independence Day comes about with the commemoration of the struggles of the freedom fighters; they form the backbone of India. People all over the country celebrate the day with the national flag attires, sending each other greeting cards and gathering together; feeling the sense of community. Also, flying kites is yet another popular idea that runs across the nation. Flying kites together is a symbol of liberation and fraternity: the crux of an Independent nation.

Independence Day is a phenomenal experience for every Indian. It is a reminder for the citizens of India that we have to respect, protect and obey the constitution of our country. Moreover, in this age of globalization, the patriotic sentiments are expressed through patriotic poems, e-greeting cards, blogs, and especially through social media. Our nation is growing steadfastly, but we must not forget the hardships faced by our ancestors. We can widely spread our jingoistic spirits by proliferating it among our brothers and sisters across the world.

Janmashtami

Janmashtami is celebrated all over India with full zest and vigour in the month of August or September on the ashtami of Krishna Paksh or the eighth day in the month of Bhadon according to the Hindu calendar with great devotion and zeal. Janmashtami is also known as Gokulashtami, Krishnasthami, Srijayanti.

Lord Krishna is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Since Krishna’s childhood is spend in Mathura and Vrindavan,these places are particularly famous for its grand celebrations.

On this auspicious occasion, temples and homes are beautifully illuminated. Night long prayers are offered and religious hymns are sung in temples.

Devotional songs and Raslila (incidents from Sri Krishna's life are enacted in form of dance) is performed to mark the celebration of this festive occasion all over Northern India.

Janmashtami festivities continue for two days and reach its peak at midnight of the first day. This is the time when Lord Krishna is said to have been born. Devotees fast all day long and break it after the birth of Bhagwan Krishna at midnight.

In some parts of India, Janmashtami is celebrated with the event of dahi-handi. Also in some of the temples little kids are dressed up as Nand-Kishor.

The most enjoyed and the most watched event is that of Dahi-Handiwhich is carried out with much fanfare and joy in which people form human pyramids in order to break the handi (Earthen Pot) suspended from top with the help of a rope. The exciting process involves throwing water by the onlookers to prevent the boys from breaking the earthen pot. Dahi Handi ritual is most popularly celebrated in Mumbai.

People make beautiful Jhankis depicting the entire life of Lord Krishna right from the time of his birth. Various jhankis include bith of Lord Krishna in jail, Vasudev, father of Lord Krishna taking out of the jail to his friend Nand, River Yamuna in floods finally bowing to the feet of Lord and making way, exchange of Lord with the baby girl etc.

Celebrate this holy event by spreading warm wishes and love everywhere.

Friendship Day

Friendship Day is the perfect time to let your friends know how special they are and how cherished is your friendship. The first Sunday of August each year is marked by friendship day celebrations.

Friendship day, was first celebrated in the US in 1935. Since then, this event has been celebrated by people of all ages in several countries, in addition to the U.S. As more nations joined in the celebrations, Friendship Day came to be known as the International Friendship Day. It is celebrated with exchanges of gifts, flowers  and cards.

Friendship is a relationship between two people who hold mutual affection for each other and care for each other. Many qualities are necessary for a good friendship including honesty, trustworthiness, loyalty understanding and support.

A good  friend can provide an immense amount of support and comfort in good as well as bad times. They are the backbone of our childhood fun, college memories  and workplace bonding. Friends are worth one's love and care. 

Friendship day is not just another day to celebrate, party or have fun, it is also about respect that one should learn to give to the friends. So, no matter how busy you are, take out time from your schedule to spend time with your friends.

Cheers to the most loved relationship of Friendship!

Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is a festival which means a bond of protection. It is symbolized by Rakhi, a sacred thread of protection embellished with the love and affection of a sister for her brother. This festival is observed in India where it holds immense significance.

It is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravana. It is also called Rakhi Purnima in most parts of India. 

Rakhi is celebrated by the Hindus and as well as by Sikhs. It is obseved by the tying of a rakhi (sacred thread) by a sister on her brother's wrist. Sister prayers for her brother's well-being and long life and the brother vows to protect her from all adversities.  

This is also an occasion for family get together. Sisters start the preparation at least a fortnight before the festival. In order to make the day special, they buy rakhis, rakhi gifts, pooja thalis, sweets, etc.

The thali for the Rakhi is decorated with diya, sweets and flowers and most importantly the Rakhi. After the puja and the aarti, the thread tying ceremony comes wherein sisters tie rakhi on their brother's wrist and ask God to bless them with his blessings and  keep their brothers away from the trials of life. The ritual and customs come to an end as brothers shower their sisters with Rakhi gifts. Gifts are the special part of Rakhi celebration. It can be in the form of money, clothes or household items. Then sisters offer sweets to their brothers. These sweets include anything from Jalebi, Kaju Katli, and Burfi.

All together Rakhi strengthens the eternal tie of love between brothers and sister.

Parents' Day

Parents' Day is celebrated worldwide on the fourth Sunday of July. This year it will be celebrated on 22^nd July. It's a special day dedicated to parents and it is observed in the honor of uplifting parenthood. It is an excellent time for celebration, merry-making, get- together and reliving the moments of childhood spent with parents. Though Mother's Day and Father's Day were already being celebrated, there was no such day which celebrated both the parents together till Bill Clinton, the president of America took the initiative and filled in the void.

In US, organizations, citizens, federal, local governments as well the legislative assemblies encourage Parents' Day through several activities, proclamations and educational efforts. 

Parents' Day is a holiday observed for "recognizing, uplifting, and supporting the role of parents in the rearing of children". Children can express their love and gratitude to their parents for their love, support and care. 

Parents' Day is a time to send cards and gifts to parents and to people who play a role of parental importance in the lives of the children. It is a time when families are united over parties, lunch or dinner. Organizations such as the United Civil Rights Councils of America or the local church services give special tribute to the parents who are seen as role models. “Parents of the year” is the honor given by the council at national, state and local levels.

Parents are the best friends for life. There's no one who understands us better than parents do. Spending the weekend together or doing what they love to do most are the things that you can do to make this Parents' Day special for them and letting them know that you care.