And it’s true that Valentine’s, like most other retail holidays, has become very commercialized (although take it from me, we really aren’t looking for the men in our lives to spend hundreds of dollars on us… no matter what Hallmark or Kay’s Jewelers may imply).

Since Valentine’s Day tends to be more for the ladies, here’s a lesser known holiday where spouses can show true appreciation for those every day tasks that each one performs…

January 26th – Spouse’s Day is a time to enjoy and appreciate your better half. You can use this day as a prelude or warm up to Valentine’s Day, perhaps. But, its not as much of a gift giving event. Rather, use it as a time to show your spouse that you care and appreciate all of the things that he/she does for you and for the household. Over the long years of a relationship, its easy to take for granted the many things your spouse does. He/she’s always there. They do so many big and little things as a routine event. So, take today to notice and to say thanks. As for the “enjoyment” part of the day…we will leave that up to you to enjoy your spouse however the two of your desire….

Celebrate Your Spouse is a post from: Deliberate Legacies

“Promise me you’ll never forget me because if I thought you would I’d never leave.”
“It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn’t use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like ‘What about lunch?’”
“If ever there is a tomorrow when we are not together, there is something you must always remember: You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think, but the most important thing is, even if we are apart, I’ll always be with you.”

Getting a sense that there is a person who creates the books and characters we love is a great way to make reading special and personal.  Children enjoy knowing that A.A. Milne wrote the books about his real-life son, Christopher Robin, and his stuffed animals.  (And although my son, Eli, hasn’t really attached himself to the Winnie-the-Pooh series, he did latch on to Thomas the Tank Engine and was fascinated that the stories began as bedtime stories that Rev. W. Awdry told his son who also happened to be named Christopher.)

Spread a picnic blanket or a bedsheet on the floor of the family room or playroom.  If there are any stuffed animals in the household from the Hundred Acre Wood (Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, etc.), place them on the blanket, alongn with paper plates or plastic ones from a child’s tea set.  If there are no stuff animals, you could have your children pick their favorite character and make paper plate masks to wear.

Since Pooh loves honey, serve honey graham crackers or honey cookies.  If blowing out candles is important, use cupcakes with a honey frosting.  (Hansen Honey is highly recommended.)  Drinks could be juice or herbal tea with honey or good ol’ fashioned milk.

As a family, read some of Milne’s work, either the classic books Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner or his poems “When We Were Very Young” and “Now We Are Six” or have a family movie night (with each family member picking their favorite character and cheering when he/she first comes on the screen).  At dinner time or just before bed, ask the children if someone wrote a book about the stuffed animals in their house, what adventures would they have?  What would be a good title for the book?  Be sure to share about some of your childhood adventures with your favorite stuffed animal.

I got this idea about celebrating A.A. Milne’s birthday from The Book of New Family Traditions by Meg Fox.  Meg Fox got the idea from Kids Celebrate!: Activities for Special Days Throughout the Yearby Maria Bonfanti Esche and Clare Bonfanti Braham.

P.S. I know that this year, the 18th of January also happens to be when we are celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. day.  The holiday to honor him falls on the 3rd Monday of January each year (so not always the same date).  Martin Luther King, Jr. was a great man who felt compelled to speak out where there was inequality.  I found that this article had some excellent ideas on practical ways to celebrate MLK day with your children and teach them about the inspiring work he did.

Celebrate the Birthday of A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh Author is a post from: Deliberate Legacies

January 10th – Peculiar People Day is in honor of uniquely different people. Un-ordinary, extraordinary, unusual, strange, odd, uncommon, intriguing, different, abnormal, and quirky…. These are all things that we think of to describe the word “peculiar”. Most of these characteristics can be viewed as good, or not so good. Today is a day to look for the good in your peculiar acquaintances.

If you are peculiar, this is your day to be honored and appreciated. Chances are, you will find something peculiar about yourself, if you look hard enough. If you can’t find anything peculiar about yourself, then give some recognition and appreciation to your quirky friends and family.

Celebrate Peculiar People Day is a post from: Deliberate Legacies