Happy Holidays

Today is Cinco de Mayo, a holiday to celebrate Mexican victory over the French. They lost the war, but the victory for this battle is a subject of deserved pride for Mexico. In typical American tradition, we have taken the holiday to heart and attacked it with our characteristic zeal. A quick surf online finds major recipe sites with large Cinco de Mayo recipes promotions. Party sites overflowing with holiday decorations ranging from subtle to terrifically tasteless. Liquor stores push displays of tequila and mescal to the front. Bars and restaurants hold events and offer specials to commemorate the season. In other words, Cinco de Mayo is another excuse for a party.

That really is what holidays are for me anymore, so I do not mind the crass exploitation and commercialism associated with their modern celebration. They are an excuse to decorate, try new foods and drinks, socialize and just have a right old time. I am atheistic, so religious meanings are not recognized in my celebrations, but that doesn’t mean that I feel the holidays (Christmas, Easter, Passover, etc.) are without cultural importance. In fact, I think that is their main role in today’s society – to bring people together in common celebration. Whereas some holidays are still observed by people of certain faiths or cultures solely, more and more are becoming mainstream. More and more are being adopted by the masses, regardless of religion or philosophy. And what is wrong with that? In today’s divisive world, some common glad-making should be most welcome.

I have not a drop of Latin blood in my lineage, but I will celebrate today’s holiday in style. Appropriate movies, appropriate victuals, appropriate beverages. I admit to having no decorations, but that is more a function of my minimalist decorating scheme than an avoidance of the holiday’s trappings. I could probably count the number of Louisiana natives in my area on one hand and have fingers left over for nose-picking, but this zone of the country celebrates Mardi Gras with gusto. Chinese New Year gets its druthers, as does St. Patrick’s Day. The whole atmosphere changes into something fresh and new and happy.

I think this is also why there has been such a proliferation of other secular holidays – Administrative Professional’s Day, Boss’s Day, etc. A time to have a special lunch or coffee time, give and receive gifts, shop for cards, buy flowers – a time for another party. I realize that many of these holidays have been sparked by a “where’s mine” attitude, but I also feel they become so quickly adopted because people are looking for reasons to make merry. We need holidays. It does not matter the reason, the history, the religion, the purpose – we want a party. We want pretty decorations and colorful lights. We want to gather with friends and loved ones. We want to shop and gift others with something special. We need the “excuse” to connect and turn our attention away from the mundanities and frustrations of our daily lives. Holidays are like vacations from the routine. A bright spot in a bleak week, month or year. Now, more than ever, we seem to need those.

I love holidays. I try to follow them and remember them as best as I am able. I set my settings for my American Greetings account to send me reminders for every birthday, special even and holiday known to man. When I get a reminder, I go into action. Looking for both online and print salutation cards, planning and purchasing gifts, considering little decorations and tokens to commemorate the day. A few minutes here and there to step away from my daily concerns and focus on something fun. But, not just fun for me, fun that will bring some happiness, perhaps, to another individual. To plan a gathering that would facilitate socialization with friends – an off-the-cuff gathering may be difficult to generate, but people seem to want to make time for a purposeful celebration.

Tonight I will pay my due to Cinco de Mayo. A large lowcarb margarita, homemade salsa and guacamole, my weird and wacky flatbread crackers, good movies and good times. Then its:

5Cinco de Mayo
National Hoagie Day
Oyster Day

6 Beverage Day
National Nurses Day
National Tourist Appreciation Day
No Diet Day

7 International Tuba Day

8 Iris Day
No Socks Day
V-E Day
World Red Cross Day

9 Lost Sock Memorial Day

10 Clean up Your Room Day

11 Eat What You Want Day
National Receptionist Day the second Wednesday in May
Twilight Zone Day

12 Fatigue Syndrome Day
Limerick Day

13 Leprechaun Day

14 Birth Mother's Day
Dance Like a Chicken Day
International Migratory Bird Day (2nd Saturday in May)

15 Hug Your Cat Day
Police Memorial Day
National Chocolate Chip Day

16 Love a Tree Day
Wear Purple for Peace Day

17 Pack Rat Day

18 International Museum Day
No Dirty Dishes Day
Visit Your Relatives Day

19 Boy's Club Day

19 Frog Jumping Day

19 National Bike to Work Day

20 Good Neighbor Day
National Be a Millionaire Day

21 Armed Forces Day
National Memo Day
National Waiters and Waitresses Day

22 Buy a Musical Instrument Day

23 International Jazz Day
Penny Day

24 National Escargot Day

25 Missing Children's Day
Tap Dance Day

26 Sally Ride Day

27 Sun Screen Day

28 Amnesty International Day

29 JFK Day

30 Water a Flower Day

31 National Macaroon Day
Save Your Hearing Day
World No Tobacco Day