If you need a reason to celebrate, you should check out some of the most intriguing holidays that will occur before the end of this month. With so many things to be grateful for in November, there will be no shortage of celebration in the following weeks. However, even though this month already creates lots of possibilities to have fun with family and friends, why not enjoy even more opportunities to extend the festivities?

1. Button Day: November 16^th

Button Day is a great excuse to “button up” for the cold temperatures.  A day to appreciate collecting, using, or admiring buttons, there are an endless number of ways to celebrate this day. Because they come in all colors, sizes, shapes, and designs, buttons are pretty diverse. So you actually can celebrate this day any way you’d like–belly buttons included.

2. Take A Hike Day: November 17^th

Enjoy the feel of the sun on your back, the crunch of dirt beneath your boots, and the clear air of Colorado on a nice hike to celebrate National Take A Hike Day. Outdoor activity, the signature of our state, offers  an opportunity to enjoy the gorgeous scenery our surroundings afford.  Why not celebrate it in the perfect month for temperate weather?  This Fall has been abnormally mild, without snow on the ground until this week.  But whether hot or cold, the Colorado Rockies furnish splendid vistas while we enjoy this physical activity.  Just don’t forget to wear layers.  Connect with the outdoors and take a hike.

3. Great American Smokeout Day: November 19^th

Love barbecue, good friends, and a the smell of something delicious on the grill?  Grilling out is normally associated with the warmer summer months.  But even in the crisp November weather, you can still enjoy this participate in this fun activity with others to celebrate this holiday.  If you put on your coat, lace up your boots, and get smoking (or grilling), you and your family or friends will be able to enjoy some brisket, steak, chicken, burgers, veggies, or any other succulent meal hot off the grill.

4. Beautiful Day: November 20^th

On this day, appreciate the beauty in everything, especially the amazing scenery we find around us every day.  It’s a great day to stop for a few minutes and watch the sunrise, drink in the view of Pikes Peak covered in snow, or stroll through Garden of the Gods–which was recently ranked as the top park in the entire country by TripAdvisor.  Take time through out the day observing any beautiful sights, sounds, and smells that you might normally overlook.  As an added bonus, listen to the song “Beautiful Day” by U2 or “It’s a Beautiful Day” by the Beach Boys.  Relax, find the best way to enjoy your day, and take some time to realize how much beauty surrounds you.

5. National Parfait Day: November 25^th

Parfait is the French word for “perfect.”  While it was traditionally a frozen dessert layered with frozen custard or ice cream, nowadays it refers to almost any layered dessert (such as yogurt, pudding, mousse, or jello in addition to ice cream or frozen yogurt), often served in a glass to show off the layers.  These delicious concoctions can include sweet additions like crumbled cookies, syrups, fruits, nuts, or granola.  Use this day as an excuse to splurge a little in the dessert category.  Remember to use your creativity and imagination to whip up unique combinations in order to make the most of this day.

6. Square Dance Day: November 29^th

Don’t miss the opportunity to “swing your partner” and do-si-do … Square Dance Day celebrates the American tradition of square dancing. Although square dancing includes quite the variety of steps, most are pretty self-explanatory and can be picked up easily when the “caller” (the person telling you which step to do next) calls out the next move.  It’s a lot of fun to do with friends or family, and you can even wear your cowboy boots that sit in the closet for most of the year.  If you haven’t tried it before, check it out on November 29th and you will want to sashay right into December.

7. National Peanut Butter Lovers Month (November)

Not just a day, but the entire month of November is dedicated to the Peanut Butter Lovers out there.  Great with bread, fruit, pretzels, or with baking in cookies, cakes, pies, and other desserts, peanut butter truly can be mixed with anything you like.  A favorite of many throughout the country, there are multiple recipes online also if you ever run out of ideas on how re-purpose this distinct food. For example, here is a link to a delicious peanut butter, banana, and chocolate milkshake, a great way to appropriately celebrate this month: http://peanutbutterlovers.com/blog/spread-the-love-this-national-peanut-butter-lovers-month/

In any case, even if you decide not to celebrate any of these holidays in the next two weeks, have a wonderful Thanksgiving Break and Day. I hope that you have a great time with friends and also with family members, and if you ever get bored, give one of these fun celebrations a try.

Citations:

“November, 2015-2016 Holidays, Bizare, Unique, Special Days Holiday Insights.” Holiday Insights. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2015.