Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day, Let Us Talk About The Basics Of It

By Gail Leino

Groundhog Day was originally celebrated to pay respect to the Indian ancestors. The Delaware Indians considered groundhogs their honorable ancestors. They believed that their ancestors began their life as an animal and then centuries later they emerged as men and made their living through hunting. It was in 1723, the Delaware Indians settled in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, which is a campsite that is halfway between Allegheny and the Susquehanna Rivers.

Another interesting fact about the Groundhog Day is that the name Punxsutawney has originated from the location ponksad-uteney “town of sandlfies” and the name woodchuck has originated from the legend known as “Wojak, the groundhog”, which was known by Indians as their ancestral forefathers. Through different references, the first ever Groundhog Day celebrated was at Pennsylvania Dutch Folklore Center at Franklin and Marshall College.

It was until the year 1966 that the Groundhog Day ceremony was kept secret, which was celebrated in Punxsutawney and only the prediction of Phil was being shared. After that every year on February 2nd, people get together at Gobbler’s Knob, which is a wooded knoll just outside Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Residents say that Phil is never wrong in his predictions. If Phil sees his shadow, then it means that the winter is going to go for another six weeks, but if he does not see his shadow then it means that spring is on its way. It is about 90% of the time that Phil sees his shadow.

Nowadays, Groundhog Day is a fun excuse for a party. Animal decorations top off this celebration.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino takes a common sense approach to planning and organizing events, celebrations and holiday parties with unique ideas for Groundhog Day party supplies and fun party themes. She explains proper etiquette and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free holiday printable games and free birthday party activities. Over 100 adorable Themes with Groundhog Day Party Supplies to fit your birthday celebration, holiday event, or "just because" parties is at the Party Theme Shop. Party themes include cartoon characters, sports, movie, TV shows, luau, western, holidays, and unique crazy fun theme ideas.

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Hanukkah

Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights
By Gail Leino

Also called Hanukkah and Chanukah, Hanukkah is one of the most important Jewish holidays. It takes place every year in mid to late December. Though the date varies on the western calendar, it always begins on the 25th day of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar. The celebration begins with the menorah, which holds nine candles. Eight candles represent the eight days of Hanukkah, and the ninth, the Shamash, is used to light the other candles.

The Hanukkah tradition recognizes oil as one of the central themes of Hanukkah, and this is reflected in the foods enjoyed on the holiday, foods like latkes, or potato pancakes, sufganiyot (jelly-filled donuts) Cheese Blintzes, and cheeses and dairy products are the staples of the Hanukkah diet, so obviously that would be incorporated into any Hanukkah celebration.

Supplies for traditional Hanukkah games such as the Dreidel Game, in which participants sit in a circle, and are given twenty candy drops (peppermints, special foil-covered chocolates that look like coins, or even pennies) and they spin the Dreidel, a toy that looks like a spinning top, which, alluding to the miracle of Hanukkah, have letters on each side:

Nes (N-miracle), Gadol (G-Great), Haya (H-happened), and Sham (S-there, meaning in Israel).

Each player gets equal amounts of candy or coins. Each player places one in the center, or “pot” and each player will take turns spinning the dreidel. If it lands on Nes, the player gets nothing. If it lands on Gadol, the player gets all the pot, and each player again contributes a candy to allow the game to go on. If it lands on Hey, the player collects half the pot, and everyone contributes again. If it lands on Sham, the player puts one of their candies back into the pot. The player with all the candies, wins the game. If time is a constraint, just give a specific amount of time, and the one with the most pieces wins.

The most important thing about Hanukkah is celebrating the miracle of the menorah, which burned for eight days on enough oil for only one day. That miracle is the basis for the festival of lights, called Hanukkah. Each day of Hanukkah, a candle is lit, progressing until the festival of lights is complete, with all eight candles burning, and one and all giving thanks for the miracles God has given in their lives.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies (http://partysupplieshut.com), using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has a huge selection of free party games, coloring pages, word find, word scramble, printable baby and bridal shower activities. Hanukkah Party Games (Hanukkah-fun.com), holiday party planning tips, trivia, history, recipes, printable activities and free coloring pages.

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