Funky Holidays for February

(Sneak a peek at March)

I love this month. Mostly because I LOVE Valentine's Day. It's one of my favorite holidays all year long. I get to send everyone I love a card and maybe candy and flowers and hearts and chocolate and cupids and chocolate and stuff like that. And for me, that's fun!

According to Chase's Calendar of Events, a lot of other stuff is happening in February, too. Like Presidents' Day and Groundhog Day and the beginning of Lent! Not to mention, nationally and internationally, it's…

• Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month—now there's a New Year's resolution for you! Who sponsors this holiday? The Illinois Food Retailers Association!

• National Cherry Month

• Sweet Potato Month

• Library Lovers' Month—many a library has a community room—a great place for your book club to party!
• Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month—hmmm. I suppose you should hold a networking party so all of your business associates can meet each other. You never know what will happen!
• International Boost Self-Esteem Month—invite everyone over and tell them how great they are! We all need a little of that mid-winter, don't we?

Volunteer your time for these great causes…

• American Heart Month—give to the American Heart Association; if you can't give money give your time. The theme for this year is "Be An American Heart Saver!" Maybe you can host a "learn CPR" party?! Ever think of that?
• Black History Month—for information on this year's theme, contact the Association for Afro-American Life and History.

Let's take a look at the days…

February

G.I. Joe Introduced Anniversary - all the way back in 1964. Have your friends over to watch the new movie, the old cartoons, or even the old public service messages!

February 2

Groundhog Day - check out Party411 for a great Groundhog Day Celebration! You know, this is the day that the groundhog peeks out to see if he can see his shadow and if he does, there's six more weeks of winter. Who says he's a he?

Premiere of What's My Line - You may just want to have some friends over for your own version if Groundhog Day ain't enough! This day in 1950 began the 17 year run.

Thomas Crapper Day - this guy invented a sophisticated flush toilet mechanism. In fact, he perfected it.

February 3

Anniversary of "The Day the Music Died" - This is the anniversary of the death of Buddy Holly in a plane crash referred to in Don McLean's song, American Pie.

Shelley Berman, Joey Bishop and Nathan Lane's Birthdays - All great comedians. Have a joke party in their honor.

February 7

Super Bowl - check out our Super Bowl section for tons of stuff to watch and do and play and watch.

February 9

Gypsy Rose Lee's Birthday - Invite people over to strip! Just kidding…to watch the award-winning musical, Gypsy!!

February 10

Jimmy Durante's Birthday - On this day in 1893. "The Schnozz" was loved by all. "Goodnight, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are!"

Plimsoll Day - That's right! Samuel Plimsoll. He was responsible for amending Britain's Merchant Shipping Act and saved thousands of sailors' lives.

February 12

2010 Winter Olympics Begin- Have an opening ceremony watch party with the help of our Olympics Theme Party Guide.

February 15

President's Day - Okay so it's Monday, but the whole weekend is up for grabs! Check out Party411 for some ideas. In case you don't remember, we used to celebrate twice—one for President Lincoln and one for President Washington. And then someone came up with the big idea of making it one holiday. Get out that stuff left over from July 4th and have a winter BBQ!

February 23

First Cloning of an Adult Animal Anniversary - In 1997. I am not sure this is something to celebrate. You decide! If it's up to Dolly the lamb, she says, "go for it!"

Curling is Cool Day - Well. It is.

February 28

Purim - starring Haman and Queen Esther. If you don’t know about this holiday, call one of your Jewish friends and insist they take you to a Purim party—and try the hamantashen!

And that's it for February!

Holidays courtesy of Chase's Calendar of Events; published by Contemporary Books, Chicago, Ill.

Return to Holidays