What Holidays are Left in 2018? | The Remaining Holidays are Seasonal

The 2018 Holiday Event Season is Over Booked

Turning a Down Year Around | Use the Seasons to Brighten the Mood

2018 has been a tumultuous year at best and a down right dog fight at worst. Now that we’re through with half of summer, it’s time to begin looking at how you can brighten the end of your year with a happy, holiday event. This time of year is also the time where we look back at the time that has already been spent and if you’re like many folks planning to celebrate an upcoming holiday, you’ll want to make it something people can remember over whatever bad things got us to this point. It sounds a little political, but it’s true; the 2018 holiday season will be one where people will want to wash away the bad and welcome in the good of 2019. With that said, it will be important to follow a plan. If you do, your success rate goes up dramatically and you can be assured that your party will be one to be remembered. Once the balls starts rolling, it cannot be stopped so look below to see what’s left of the 2018 holiday schedule of observed holidays in America.

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Aug 7, Tuesday, Purple Heart Day

Aug 21, Tuesday, Senior Citizens Day

Aug 26, Sunday, Women's Equality Day

Sep 3, Monday, Labor Day, Federal Holiday

Sep 9, Sunday, National Grandparents Day

Sep 11, Tuesday, Patriot Day

Sep 15, Saturday, National Clean-Up Day

Sep 17, Monday, Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

Sep 18, Tuesday, Air Force Birthday

Sep 21, Friday, National POW/MIA Recognition Day

Sep 23, Sunday, September equinox

Sep 24, Monday, First Day of Sukkot

Sep 28, Friday, Native Americans' Day, CA

Sep 30, Sunday, Last Day of Sukkot

Sep 30, Sunday, Gold Star Mother's Day

Oct 1, Monday, Child Health Day

Oct 4, Thursday, Feast of St Francis of Assisi

Oct 13, Saturday, Navy Birthday

Oct 16, Tuesday , Boss's Day

Oct 31, Wednesday, Halloween

Nov 1, Thursday, All Saints' Day

Nov 2, Friday, All Souls' Day

Nov 4, Sunday, Daylight Saving Time ends

Nov 6, Tuesday, Election Day

Nov 10, Saturday, Marine Corps Birthday

Nov 11, Sunday, Veterans Day

Nov 12, Monday, Veterans Day observed

Nov 22, Thursday, Thanksgiving Day

Dec 2, Sunday, First Sunday of Advent

Dec 3, Monday, Chanukah/Hanukkah (first day)

Dec 7, Friday, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

Dec 8, Saturday, Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Dec 10, Monday, Last Day of Chanukah

Dec 12, Wednesday, Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Dec 13, Thursday, National Guard Birthday

Dec 21, Friday, December Solstice

Dec 24, Monday, Christmas Eve Observance

Dec 25, Tuesday, Christmas Day

Dec 31, Monday, New Year's Eve Observance

The Next Holiday is Labor Day

Monday September 28, 2018 is Labor Day in the United States

Labor day is held on the First Monday of September every year. It was originally organized to celebrate the union's which has millions of workers on their rolls. Labor Day represents our economic strength and the power of the American worker that backs the power of our economy. Of course their should be a holiday to celebrate American workers and Labor Day is that day. If you plan on throwing a Labor Day party, here's what you need to know about Labor Day so you can plan for the perfect party.

Celebrating a Day Off of Work

The federal government recognizes the first Monday of September as Labor Day; a federal holiday. Many people plan end of summer trips around the extra day workers receive to enjoy their personal time. Many celebrations of Labor Day include celebrating the United States. Some parties use fireworks as a way to celebrate. No matter how you choose to celebrate Labor Day, you can be sure that most of the country is celebrating along with you.

The First Day Off for Labor Day

The first Labor Day celebration was held in 1182. At that time, the Central Labor Union wanted to create a federal holiday celebrating the American worker. Parades were scheduled and held in various cities around the country, The reason for the September date of Labor Day was mainly imposed to break up the long period of time between Memorial Day and Halloween. Labor Day was the perfect cause and September was the perfect month.

May Day is Labor Day Around the World

Many countries celebrate May Day as their Labor Day. Even Hawaii has, Lei Day, to celebrate the island's culture. All the world's workers who put in an effort to produce the products and services we all require requires a committed workforce to handle the demand of a hungry global economy. Luckily for American workers, the government stepped in to give us the next great holiday on our list of holidays, Labor Day.

Holiday Dining "Out"

The days and weeks that surround the most special holidays of the year give us all an opportunity to take some time to enjoy the blessings received in the days and weeks before and after the beginning of a new year. Now is that time.

A perfect retreat from all the hustle and bustle of Christmas is a quiet alcove table inside a warmly lit restaurant. Most anyplace will do if you are so inclined. If you expect a little more you can expect to pay a little more too. The holidays bring out the revelers and the holidays bring out the hawks too.

My experience inside the hallowed halls of dining establishments big and small, east and west gave me some insight into what you can expect once you mosey up to the bar to wait for a table. No matter how well prepared for some peace and quiet relaxation during a busy holiday season, you can be sure that this trip out to eat will probably cost more now than it would in January. The laws of supply and demand get skewed and for good reason.

Almost 60% of a restaurants revenue pours in During November and December. The reason for this influx of cash is because of the reasons I spoke of earlier. We all need to get out and enjoy our blessings. The establishment knows exactly what you want and how much you don't care about paying some more. The only thing you should be aware of is that as the bill gets bigger the flaws become bigger too.

A perfect example of good food gone bad is the establishment that is privately owned, high priced and hard to get into. Here is where the most common errors are created to benefit the house. I know you didn't expect to be entering a casino to enjoy a great holiday meal but be aware that may be the case. Some may win but many will lose too.

A common error is to run out of that $95 bottle of wine after four bottles. Some how they continue to pour; like Jesus and the fishes. Think what you like but the industry is rife with possible errors. I just tell you about what I might have or might not have seen before.

Another error is portions. Look at the portions before the event and during the event. Many event planners have associates who have only one responsibility; to make sure the food and beverage is what it is supposed to be. The prices you're paying will be higher by 4 or 5%, make sure you get what you pay for.

Back to the alcohol. So much money is lost by corporate and private diners during the holiday season due to mislabeled or over-reported bar tabs that a small countries could live for a year. Make sure, have spies and don't get drunk.

So the place you could lose is obvious. You lose by not paying attention or by not caring. I know a few restaurateurs who can recognize both easily.

The better qualities of eating out during the holidays are as advertised. You can sit back and relax and enjoy the ambience around you while the hustle and bustle of holiday shoppers scurry around the warmed brick, Oak or Stucco walls of the restaurant you're in tonight.

Sit and relax with friends. When you do you can get more than you paid for too!

Call ahead and then come to the restaurant in person. Find someone who will be working that evening and inform them that your party will be present and anything they could do to make you meal memorable would be appreciated.

I tip even before the meal sometimes to get the best services wherever I eat.

Call back again before the gathering and prompt the restaurant to give more. Most places will accommodate the squeaky wheel because so few wheels squeak these days. Know what you would get regularly and then reward the workers and the establishment whenever effort is given to make your meal special.

Tomorrow I will continue with my remembrances of busy holiday schedules where the staff made thousands of dollars a night. The reason why was obvious; the people like to party during the holidays.

If Christmas is your Birthday

I joke with my wife every time the conversation comes up. "Do you remember when the doctor told us Sean was going to be born on Christmas?"

I don't have to think for long because it is something that poises on my consciousness all the time; all year long. If the conversation or thought comes up I know where the file is and I retrieve it quite fast. The memory that my son was born on Christmas is something I would never had thought of before the moment I found out.

There's some self indulgent comedy or self-praise in the telling of the story. You see, when we were with the Obstetrician for our visit to confirm our pregnancy a question was posed to Mrs. Walsh.

"When was your last cycle Mrs. Walsh?"

I cringed at the question as I usually do when confronted with obviously private questions of innards. But as the pause stretched into an obvious faux paux I found the courage to compete to the answer.

"March 21st." I blurted out and cupped my mouth as soon as the date escaped my mouth.

"I mean.." "right, honey?"

"It was somewhere in there.." "The 21st."

I don't remember how long it took for our Dr. to tell us but I remember it wasn't long. Like the time it takes to look down at what your writing as you write a date and then look up to spill the beans.

"You're going to have a Christmas baby." and we're now officially doomed... Poor Sean.

Tomorrow I'm going to finish this tale, tell you about his birthdays and then think up a plan once and for all for the Birthday boy or girl born on Christmas.

Francis Walsh
Houston Banquet Planner.com

Decorating for the Holidays

This year we have something special to be thankful for; our first home. This year our blessings were many and as the holidays arrive we are sharing more of ourselves with others inside and out of our new home.
Decorating for the holidays is up to you and your family traditions. Ours has always included warm highlights made inside and out; even when our house was much smaller. Now that our space has grown our ideas about decorating have changed as well. Our favorite decorating ideas come from tradition and knowing how to bring it all together is key to making spirits bright this Christmas season.

Christmas decorating was once not so much about decorating a space as it was a time of reverence to those who had come before and those who would come after. Before the celebration was holy is was holy. The observers of Christmas past decorated with reverence to the environment and some of those traditions still hold true today.

Our holiday presents, spirits and bows are spread among the green boughs of fir and pine. Garland hangs around the corner of our warm fire. The banisters that children will look through to catch a glimpse of ole St. Nick have them too.

We share in these traditions and in our home our decorations show the appreciation we have in the past and the future.

Our hallways have garlands strung over the doorways and more leading guests through the foyer and into the great room. Garlands can be freshly picked in the North East. Look for light green vines that run in great distances over the ground and under the fallen leaves of New England.

Imitation garlands can be purchased for reasonable prices at JC Penny and of course our favorite dollar stores. Getting to the stores first is sometimes key to getting as much of the green stuff as you need. Buy the garland in bulk and decorate later with Holly and berries of crimson.

Windows are great places to hang wreaths made of garland or fir. The choice for us was to hang them inside of the house instead of outside. The fresh pine aroma leaves our house smelling of the forest long after the cherry pie has cooled on the rack. Ribbons of red and bows and balls can be hung from a great window wreath and the theme can move from one window to the next; making the design complete.

Fireplace decorations can include wicker boxes filled with pine boughs and pine cones dusted with glitter. Silver glitter and glue dabbed on the tips of each cones arms make them shimmer against a fire of warm lighting.

Decorate with lights for the holidays. Christmas lights come in every color of the rainbow and then some. White lighting inside the home brightens up corners when the main lighting is dim. White lights around picture frames and mirrors give each design element a new feel. Holiday decorating yourself is easy when you combine a few elements into a cohesive design.

Fill a fresh tree with hanging decorations and lights that match the rest of the traditional fresh-cut design. Tip your hat to your neighbors and invite them over for some friendship this year. Be inspired enough to inspire others.

Let your inspiration come from your tradition and revere the season with your decorating effort. Enjoy the rewards of gathering friends and family together during the best season of the year. Use these tips throughout the house and make your spirit bright this year.

Thank you to 1800flowers on YouTube for this video:

The Best Holiday of the Year

Everyone has their favorite piece of pie or person. Those things that make us feel warm and fuzzy inside are things we gravitate toward; feelings of comfort. This month we get to enjoy the best holidays of the year. According to research, Christmas is the most loved holiday of the world. More people celebrate a Christmas celebration than any other. Having the spirit of Christmas takes on a whole new meaning when spirituality must share space with a celebration of the season. Christmas is loved by all because it is a holiday of giving. He who gives shall receive and that's what makes Christmas so great.

Don't Forget about Giving

The Salvation Army will be there for you to give to if you choose. The worthy cause of salvation and the army that produces it can surely be the recipient of your offerings but then there are those who may need you more than you know. Family and friends who struggle could be recognized and rewarded for their good deeds. Taking care of those around you is just as good a place to take your donation of time, love or money. Don't forget about giving to those who you really love and could use your offer.

Don't forget about God

I cannot say that my God is your God but if I know you then I probably know who you look to as God. So, with that said I should recommend that this time of year be spread with plenty of reverence and gratitude to those who made it all happen. In my case my God listens to me on a regular basis. When times are good he hears from me less often but the problems I bring are pretty much the same. If you believe Jesus was born on Christmas and was resurrected from the dead or if you believe another religion which I know less of than my own Roman Catholic teachings, then I should wish that you find time to grow closer to your God. It only reaffirms who you are to yourself and from a solid foundation great things can be accomplished with the help of spiritual hope. I hope that you get a chance to spend some time with your God this time of year.

Forget About Yourself for One Moment

I must say that at times it is hard to think about anything else but me. Now would be a good time to think about that struggle. The struggle of self and success. The struggle of making worth from an otherwise worthless situation. I came into the world free and I'll be going out free. Everything else in the middle costs.

From the moment I looked away from myself I began to see the world like I had never seen it before.

I wish you would request a connection on facebook so you can read more even after the holiday.

Thanks to FreddeTI on YouTube for this Tom Lehrer classic video:

Read CARNE VALE (Mardi Gras, Carnival season is here) Rick Waters Carny Fiction

The upcoming holidays are fast approaching.

Chinese New Year: Geng Yin (Year of the White Tiger) February 14th, 2010

Fat Tuesday February 16th (Mardi Gras)

Our favorite time of year is here. Not only do we have a new fiction titled CARNE VALE - Flesh Farewell, we also are fans of Geng Yin AND Mardi Gras. Next week will be spent celebrating just enough to be sure that we are really celebrating this year of prosperity and determination. "This year is the best year in a long time for an Aquarian born in the age of Aquarius. This year we say Farewell to the Flesh in the most symbolic and important festivals and celebrations of the year.

We welcome you to begin reading "CARNE VALE" and subscribing to the author of this and other great blogs online. The streaming information comes refreshed and uploaded daily via internet feeds, micro blogs, social networks, personal brands, and domains.

"Who Dat"

With the New Orleans Saints winning the Super Bowl, expect Fat Tuesday to extraordinary indeed. We will report from Bourbon Street all next week. Subscribers to CARNE VALE get special content directly from the author upon request.

FD Walsh

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