Calendar celebrations are those festivities determined by a recurring date each year. We all know which major ones I mean: New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, Mardi Gras, Easter, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas.
It’s easy to tell when a calendar celebration is close. Just step into an American supermarket and the store decorations will reveal what holiday is next. However, these businesses often hasten the arrival date. Right after New Year’s you may see Valentines and candy for sale, and Christmas decorations may appear before Thanksgiving.
In the past, calendar celebrations took place on the actual date. For example, Lincoln’s birthday was celebrated on February 12th. However, in 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Bill, which moved some federal holidays to Mondays to provide works with a number of three-day weekends throughout the year. Not only that, but the combined Lincoln’s birthday with Washington’s birthday (January 22nd) and called it Presidents Day. Now we observe it on the third Monday in February.
One thing to keep in mind is that not every global group uses the same calendar. For example, in the US today, we follow the Gregorian calendar. That means we start our year on January 1st. In contrast, the Chinese and some other Asian groups abide by the Lunar Calendar. Thus, the Asian New Year generally begins around February 1st. In contrast, according to the Hebrew or Jewish Calendar, their New Year begins in the Fall of each year. And on religious documents such as a marriage certificate the date is entered according to the Jewish Calendar as well as the Gregorian date. And those who are Orthodox Christians, Armenians, Russian, Serbian, and Georgian, celebrate Christmas on January 7th.
The Day of the Dead
Decoration for Day of the Dead (to honor ancestors)-Latin America-Aztec/Spanish-Ceramic/glaze-1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″
Decoration for Day of the Dead (to honor ancestors)-Latin America-Aztec/Spanish-Ceramic/Glaze-1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″
Decoration for Day of the Dead (honors ancestors)-Latin America-Aztec/Spanish-Ceramic/Glaze-1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″
Decoration for Day of the Dead (honors ancestors)-Latin America-Aztec/Spanish-Ceramic/glaze-1 1/2″ x 1 1/2′
Decoration for Day of the Dead (honors ancestors)-Latin America-Aztec/Spanish heritage-Ceramic/Glaze-5 1/2″ x 7 1/2″
Decoration for Day of the Dead (honors ancestors)-Latin America-Aztec/Spanish heritage-Ceramic/Glaze-5 1/2″ x 7 1/2″
Decoration for Day of the Dead (honors ancestors)-Latin America-Aztec/Spanish-Ceramic/glaze-5″ x 3 1/2″
Decoration for Day of the Dead (honors ancestors)-Latin America-Aztec/Spanish-Ceramic/glaze-5″ x 3 1/2″
Catrina figurine (concept originally created by Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada)
Decoration for Day of the Dead (honors ancestors)-Latin America-Aztec/Spanish-Wood/paint-2 3/4″ x 2 3/4″
Decoration for Day of the Dead (honors ancestors)-Latin America-Aztec/Spanish-Ceramic/Glaze-6″ x 8″ x 3″
Decoration for Day of the Dead (honors ancestors)-Latin America-Aztec/Spanish-Papier mache/paint-3″ tall
Decoration for Day of the Dead (honors ancestors)-Latin America-Aztec/Spanish-Paper/Ink-4″x 6″
Decoration for Day of the Dead (honors ancestors)-Latin America-Aztec/Spanish-Papier mache/paint-2 1/2″ x 1/2″ x 2 3/4″
Decoration for Day of the Dead (honors ancestors)-Latin America-Aztec/Spanish heritage-Papier mache with wheels-2 1/2″ long
Decoration for Day of the Dead (honors ancestors)-Latin America-Aztec/Spanish-Papier mache-3″ tall
Decoration for Day of the Dead (honors ancestors) Latin America-Aztec/Spanish-Papier mache-3″ tall
Chinese New Year
Money holder for special occasions-China/Vietnam/USA-Chinese/Vietnamese-Paper/ink-4 1/2″ x 2 3/4″Gift money holder-China/Vietnam/United States-Asian culture (Not necessarily just Buddhists)-Paper/ink-3 1/4″ x 5″Observes Chinese Year of the Dog (2018)Year of the Dog 2018 Red Envelope Adults place money inside for unmarried childrenCalendar-each animal represents specific characteristics of person born in its year.-China/Any other country where Buddhists reside-Buddhist-Embroidered cloth/Stuffing-51″Piggy bank (front)Piggy bank (side view)Decorated Lion Incense burnerChinese Lion
Hmong New Year
Demonstrates sewing skills of young women eligible for marriage-Vietnam/Laos/China-Hmong-Embroidered cloth-15 1/2″ x 3″
Christmas
Celebrates Christmas-USA-American/Global-Plastic/metal-2 1/4″ x 1″
Easter Sunday
Cascarones (hollowed eggs filled with confetti)
The First Day of Spring – Martenitsa
Hung on trees the first day of Spring-Bulgaria-Bulgarian-Red/white thread and string-Each ball 3/4″
Halloween
Halloween HeadbandArticulated human skull (side view)Articulated human skull (front view)Fake stack of horror booksFake horror books (side and back view)Halloween decorations-USA-Halloween celebrants/Popular culture-Wax-6 1/2″ tallHalloween decorations-USA-Halloween celebrants-Wax-6 1/2″ tallHalloween decoration-USA-Halloween celebrants/Popular culture-Plastic-5 1/4″
Hanukkah
Necklace with battery-lit menorahGambling toy for Hanukkah-Eastern European origins, now wherever Jews reside-Jewish-Wood-1 1/2″x3/4″Gambling toy-Mexico-Latin American-Plastic-1 1/2″x1″Large Star of DavidYamaclaus: Santa Claus yarmulkah (skull cap) with hair clipColored candlesHanukkah gelt (money)
The Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah)
Blown on ritual occasions, particularly Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashonah)
Kwanzaa
To celebrate Kwanzaa-United States (African American Cultural Center, Los Angeles)-African American-Wood-6″ tallTo celebrate Kwanzaa-United States (African American Cultural Center in Los Angeles)-African American-Wood-10 1/4″ x 4 1/4″To celebrate Kwanzaa-United States (African American Cultural Center in Los Angeles)-African American-Wood-10 1/4″ x 4 1/4″ (candles-6″ tall)
Mardi Gras
Thrown from floats to revelers on the streets; Last celebration before Lent and the ensuing serious Easter celebrationMardi Gras necklacesClose-up of house trailer pendant attached to Mardi Gras beadsMardi Gras beads with house trailer pendantWorn during Mardi Gras at last party before Lenten seasonMardi Gras MaskFor Mardi Gras festivitiesMardi Gras MaskCelebrates Mardi Gras-New Orleans, Louisiana, USA-Roman Catholic roots-Plastic-1 1/2″Celebrates Mardi Gras-New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, Origins in Roman Catholic roots-Plastic-1 1/2″Miniature baby bottlesMiniature baby dollMiniature baby dollCostume Accessory-USA-Popular culture-Plastic/cardboard-10 1/2″ x 7 1/4″Costume Accessory-USA-Popular culture-Plastic/cardboard-10 1/2″ x 7 1/4″Costume accessory-USA-Popular culture-Plastic-6 1/2″ x 3 1/2″For Mardi Gras celebrations
The 4th of July / Independence Day
Cowboy hat with star decorations
Passover
Covers head in synagogues during services. Orthodox Jews wear head coverings at all times.
Bag for Plagues SetPart of the Plagues Set-Toy LocustPart of the Plagues Set-Moses leading his peoplePart of the Plagues Set-Cattle diseasePart of the Plagues Set-FrogPart of the Plagues Set-Pharaoah casting the Jews out of EgyptPart of the Plagues Set-Invasion of wild beastsPart of the Plagues Set-Turning water into bloodPart of the Plagues Set-giving up one’s first bornPart of the Plagues Set-hail stonesPart of the Plagues Set-licePart of the Plagues Set-DarknessPart of the Plagues Set-Boils
Purim
GroggerMordecai MaskHaman MaskEsther Mask
St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day Decoration“Luck of the Irish” RockOrnamentation for St. Patrick’s DayCelebrates St. Patrick’s Day-USA-Irish-Carboard/Fabric/Sequins-15″ x 12″St. Patrick’s Day ButtonsSt. Patrick’s Day NecklaceSt. Patrick’s Day ScarvesSt. Patrick’s Day Bowler Hat
Thanksgiving
Good luck determined by two people trying to break it. Whoever gets the longer piece with the top still attached will have the good luck-USA-American-Turkey breast bone-4 3/4″
U.S. New Years / Western Countries New Year
Noise MakersNoisemakerNoisemaker for New Year’s EveHorn for New Year’s EveNoisemaker for New Year’s EveCelebration for the New Year-Any English speaking country-Any culture that follows the Gregorian calendar-Paper-14 3/4″Celebration for the New Year-Any English Speaking country-Any culture that follows the Gregorian calendar-Paper-14 3/4″
Valentine’s Day
Commemorates St. Valentine’s Day“You are my Sweetheart” RockValentine’s Day ScarfCommemorates holidayCommemorates St. Valentine’s Day
