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.

Ramadan

The holy festival of Muslims, Ramadan is celebrated all over the world. The month of Ramadan begins with the sightings of the new moon. This time calls for fasting among Muslims. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar. The name ‘Ramadan’ is said to have the implications: As the sun scorches the ground, in a similar way all the sins get burnt out with good deeds during the time of Ramadan.

Ramadan is a month when Muslims fast for the whole month from dawn till the sun goes down. Fasting is necessary during this time and it is observed mainly to educate themselves in humility, spirituality and Patience. 

Through this festival, Muslims purifies their soul, practice selflessness and focus their concentration on God. Apart from fasting Muslims 
involve in charity during this time. It is a time to mend the broken relationships and focus on Allah (God) to guide them to the right path. According to the Islamic tradition, the month of Ramadan is the time when the God is believed to have revealed the first verses of the Qur'an to the Islamic prophet Muhammad. To honor this, it is customary to read one third of the Qur'an in each night of Ramadan during the evening prayer. The idea is to finish reciting the holy book by the end of the month.

Fasting, according to the Muslims, is also a way they sympathize with the people who suffer from hunger and thirst and have little to eat every day. They devote themselves to charity to help the ones in need; they believe that the act of generosity and kindness is a way to purify their souls.




Ramadan is a month when prayers are recited through night and day. The verses of Quran are recited during the evening prayers which are known as Taraweeh prayers. Visiting each other and celebrating together is a part of the custom. It is a time to strengthen unity, brotherhood and sisterhood among their communities.

The fast ends with the festival of Eid ul Fitr.  This festival calls for celebration and merry- making. Women at home prepare several dishes and sweets at home. Gifts are distributed, families and friends are united. The very word Eid ul Fitr is synonymous to joy and thanksgiving.

Bastille Day

Bastille Day is celebrated in order to honor the French culture.  On 14th July 1789, French people stormed and seized the Bastille prison in France and started the French Revolution to overthrow King Louis XVI. Since then 14th July is celebrated as Bastille day is France. It's also a historical symbol of revolt against injustice, thus it is celebrated in many countries across the world.

Bastille day brings along with it a patriotic fervor. Many large scale public events take place in France and its capital city Paris. It is a festive occasion that splashes fireworks painting the sky in different hues.  Firework event takes place mainly in Eiffel tower which hosts the most spectacular firework show of the city. Other places for fireworks are the Saint Germain des Près district, and around Montparnasse.
 
The Bal du 14 Juillet is a giant dance party traditionally held in the place where Bastille, the prison stood. Though it is a traditional event, each year brings in a new theme, providing people with opportunity to get dressed in different costumes and enjoy live music.

A large military parade also takes place in Paris on 14th of July to celebrates the birth of democracy in France. Service men and women including cadets from French military schools, navy and French Foreign Legion also take part in the parade. Military air crafts paint the sky in national color, flying overhead. The parade ends with Paris fire brigade. The president inaugurates the ceremony and addresses the thousands of people standing in line.

Bastille Day is also a time to celebrate picnics with friends and family and enjoying the holiday with sentiments of patriotism.

So send along Bastille Day Cards to your friends and loved ones and be a part of the celebration.

National Chocolate Day

Chocolate day is promoted on a number of dates throughout the year- Local, National and International. It is observed on different dates in different countries. For instance ,14^th February is the National Chocolate Day in Ghana, the major exporter and producer of chocolate in the world. In America it is observed on October 28^th.

The lip smacking taste of chocolate makes it the favorite sweet of all. From kids to adults, chocolate is loved and preferred by almost everybody. There's nothing like to feel a chocolate melting in your mouth and savoring its taste. The rich and creamy content of a chocolate is enough to melt it down under normal human body temperature, 98.6 degrees. That's why perhaps chocolate is always soothing and pleasing to our taste buds.

The credit goes to the ancient Mayan civilization for the discovery of chocolate before it found its way to Europe. Today chocolate is the favorite dessert of the world. Whether blended as a subtle flavor or in its own form, it is used to prepare countless drinks and foods all over the world.

The findings of the National Confectioners Association (NCA) reveal that chocolate is America's most preferred flavor. Chocolate is the favorite of almost 52% of the American adults and 65% of Americans prefer milk confections over any other flavor. If we trace back the history, Daniel Peter was the person who created milk chocolates in 1876, in Switzerland.

According to NCA chocolates come in varied flavors- White chocolate, semi-sweet, bittersweet, dark chocolates are just a few of the rich and smoothy kinds that creates a fantasy for your tastes.

Besides being a treat to your taste buds, chocolate offers an array of health benefits as well. Several medical studies have revealed that chocolate helps reducing your blood pressure, gives a boost to your mood and is of benefit to your cardio-vascular system. The reason behind this is that, technically speaking, chocolate is derived from cocoa tree, found in Central America and Western Africa, which makes it a vegetable itself.

Despite its benefits, chocolates have its own share of criticisms. It has its fair share in contributing towards obesity and acne. But let not that take you down because all food eaten in excess leads to obesity so a moderation should be maintained in eating them, it includes chocolates as well.

Even if chocolate has got its criticisms, nothing can deter people from having it. For an argument, its great taste and psychological goods makes chocolates all the more worthwhile.

Send chocolaty Chocolate Day Cards to your friends and dear ones along with chocolate boxes on this great day -

4th of July

4^th of July is celebrated in United States in the honor of America's Independence from the Great Britain. On 4^th July 1776, America found its independence and a democracy was born

 

The people of United States get worked up in patriotic fervor to celebrate the spirit of Independence. Largely, the Independence day in United States is observed as a Federal holiday. Banks, schools, offices and some businesses also remain closed due to this event. If 4^th of July is on Saturday, it is observed one day prior to it, and if it is on Sunday, the celebration is observed on Monday. 

 

Very few people in US actually work on Independence day. It is a day to spend with family, hang out somewhere away from home, enjoy barbeques, picnics. One can exhibit a great emphasis on the American tradition of political freedom on this particular day. American flags fly high outside many houses and buildings.

People arrange games and competitions in their localities. These activities include America's favorite outdoor games like Baseball and basket ball. To take a dip into the cool in the warm summer independence day, they arrange for swimming competitions as well. Parades and cultural activities are also a part of celebration on the independence day.

Independence day is also a day for celebrating the positive aspect of Political freedom of America too. Many political leaders make appearances in the public events to show their love and regards to American history, culture and origin and their citizens. The people in US on this day thank their first generation people for fighting the liberation movement for the democratic independence of America.

Fireworks display plays a large role in the festive atmosphere on 4^th of July. There's also fireworks display competition in America where the best show gets aired on different American Television.

Some employees even takes one-two days off early to plan a weekend vacation during this time. All together it is a festive day for the people of United States. 

Send 4th of July Cards to your family and friends and celebrate the spirit of freedom on this grand day.