15 Things to Do With Family on a Summer Day

Summer is a wonderful time to create lasting memories with your family through exciting and engaging activities. As a family, we used to do many of these outings when our kids were little.

Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or educational experiences, countless opportunities exist to make the most of the season. To help you plan a fantastic summer day out, here's an expanded list of fifteen unique and enjoyable activities that will entertain the whole family.

15 Family Outings for a Summer Day

1. Visit an Outdoor Water Park: Dive into a day of splashing fun at a local outdoor water park. Enjoy thrilling water slides, lazy rivers, and wave pools that keep everyone cool and entertained.

2. Explore a Wildlife Sanctuary: Take a trip to a nearby wildlife sanctuary and discover the wonders of nature. Learn about various animal species, observe birds, and spot a few elusive creatures in their natural habitats. This is especially fun when the weather is pretty cool.

3. Go Fruit Picking: Visit a nearby farm and indulge in summer's sweet and juicy bounty. Spend the day picking fresh berries, cherries, or peaches, and enjoy a delicious picnic surrounded by picturesque orchards.

4. Plan a Beach Day: Pack your beach essentials and head to the nearest sandy shore. Build sandcastles, play beach volleyball, swim in the refreshing ocean, and soak up the sun while creating unforgettable memories.

5. Attend an Outdoor Concert: Check your local events calendar for open-air concerts or music festivals happening in your area. Enjoy live music, dance to your favorite tunes, and let the rhythm bring the family together. What's nice about this activity is that as the day rolls into the evening, if the kids are little, they can sleep while mom and dad enjoy a nice night out, all together as a family.

6. Organize a Scavenger Hunt: Create an exciting scavenger hunt in a local park or even in your own backyard. Prepare clues, set up challenges, and watch as your family members work together to solve the mystery and claim the prize.

7. Plan a Family Bike Ride: Explore your town or city on a family bike ride. Pick a scenic route, pack some snacks, and enjoy the fresh air as you pedal through parks, along bike trails, or along the waterfront.

8. Visit a Science Museum: Stimulate your mind and feed your curiosity by visiting a science museum. Engage in hands-on experiments, marvel at interactive exhibits, and delve into the world of science and technology together.

9. Have a Picnic in the Park: Pack a delicious picnic basket filled with sandwiches, fruits, and snacks, and head to a nearby park. Find a cozy spot under a shady tree, lay out a blanket, and enjoy quality time together surrounded by nature.

10. Take a Nature Hike: Explore the great outdoors by taking a family hike. Find a scenic trail suitable for all skill levels, observe wildlife, breathe in the fresh air, and revel in the beauty of nature.

11. Enjoy a Movie Under the Stars: Look for local outdoor movie screenings in parks or drive-in theaters. Bring blankets, popcorn, and cozy up as you watch a family-friendly film beneath the starry sky. This is the only thing my family hasn't done on this list!

12. Visit a Local Farmers Market: Explore the vibrant atmosphere of a farmers market and indulge in fresh produce, homemade goodies, and artisanal crafts. Teach your children about healthy eating while supporting local businesses.

13. Plan a Camping Trip: Disconnect from the digital world and immerse yourselves in nature on a family camping trip. Pitch tents, build a campfire, roast marshmallows, and bond over stories and stargazing.

14. Explore a Botanical Garden: Take a leisurely stroll through a botanical garden, and admire the stunning displays of colorful flowers, unique plants, and serene landscapes. Some gardens even offer educational workshops and activities for children.

15. Visit a Theme Park or Amusement Park: Experience an adrenaline-filled day of roller coasters, games, and attractions at a nearby theme park. Enjoy thrilling rides, indulge in tasty treats, and make unforgettable memories together.

In conclusion, these fifteen activities provide a diverse range of options for family fun during the summer. From water parks and wildlife sanctuaries to picnics in the park and camping adventures, there is something for everyone to enjoy. So gather your loved ones, seize the sunny days, and make the most of this delightful season by engaging in these exciting and memorable experiences.

Happy Independence Day Week, and Happy Canada Day! Get busy making memories. 

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June 14, An Auspicious Day on the Holiday Calendar ~ A Holiday Review

People love to know what kind of "Holidays" or "Special Events Days", are out there because there are just so many!  If you want to be in the KNOW, sign up for Days of the Year, you will find out that there are holidays and days of remembrance for just about everything and anything!

Today June 14th is Flag Day and I must admit that it comes just at the right time.  In a couple of weeks the two  largest countries on the North American continent will be celebrating holidays where their own country's flag plays an important role.  But don't let that stop you from showing your Flag pride today!  Show us where you are now and where you have come from!  There are flags for every country available, just remember if you are flying more than one flag, your new home's flag is on top!  For Americans it's the stars and stripes and for Canadians it's that lovely maple leaf!

Now if you live in either Canada or the USA, you will know that Canada Day on July 1st and Independence Day on July 4th are 2 very important holidays and both our countries celebrate them with lots of festivities, pride and the waving of our flags.

Most important for us all is the displaying and flying of our flags, signalling our pride in our homeland!

It is a good two weeks before these great holidays and a wonderful  time for us to look at our flags and make sure that they are in proper condition for the trooping of the colors.

There is nothing sadder than seeing a flag that is torn, ragged or tattered from use being flown on such an important holiday.  So might I suggest that today is a good day, no, it's a great day to take down your flag temporarily and check it over for wear and tear. 

If your flag is in any other shape than perfect, it's time to get a new flag!

Being Patriotic means more than just flying a flag.  It means that you will not fly a flag that is tattered and torn or worn out.  Doing that,  (for me anyways) is a sign of disrespect for the country that I love.

A beautiful pristine flag is what I will be flying so that everyone will know that I love my country and am proud to fly it's flag.  A perfect flag that sets a smile on my face and gratitude in my heart.  

 While this particular flag is not the least expensive one, it is made in the USA and it has the highest customer satisfaction rating. That says a lot to me, but you make up your own mind. Just make sure that you have a beautiful flag to fly high!

For Canadians who might be reading this review, you are NOT left out!  July 1st is coming quickly and that beautiful red and white flag needs to be as spotless and fresh looking as any flag can be.  So now there is no excuse for you to be flying a flag that would rather not be seen.

Be wonderful, be patriotic and be proud! We do live in two of the greatest countries in the world and we have every reason to be proud! Happy Flag Day and I know now that you will be ready for the next two big holidays as well!

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GIFT IDEAS FOR DAD

Father's Day is celebrated every year on the third Sunday in June. Remember to do something for your father that shows you know and appreciate him because that is what Dad really wants for his day and/or even his birthday. If you want to add a small physical gift, here are some wonderful and affordable gift ideas for Dad.

On this page we'll review a few great gift ideas for dad including a picture frame, a couple of coffee mugs, a t-shirt, an apron, a keepsake journal and a Hallmark movie. I am sure that you will find something here that is within your budget and that is perfect for your Dad.

Click here to see this Hallmark card for dad on Amazon.

A PICTURE FRAME 

Featuring a contemporary, clean and modern design, this frame suits many household styles. It holds one 4 inch by 6 inch vertically oriented picture of daddy and me. In fact, there are a variety of designs by Malden that read differently. From this one to one that reads, The Boys, Dad, Godfather, Daddy's Girl and more.

Find Malden's Daddy picture frames here on Amazon.

A COFFEE MUG

There's a modern theme on this blue space-themed, camping-style, stoneware mug from Our Name is Mud. The front side reads "Coolest Dad in the Galaxy" and the other, "You're Out of This World." It holds 16 ounces of your dad's favorite steamy hot beverage and is microwave and dishwasher safe.

Find this Coolest Dad mug here on Amazon.

AN ART POTTERY MUG

If you think that the dad in your life is not into the space-themed mug shown above, you might consider something like this personalized, handmade art pottery coffee mug from Laura Lynn Pottery. It is a handsome piece that holds up to two cups of dad's favorite hot drink. It comes with your choice of dad-themed words including dad, daddy, papa or grandpa and you can request others terms of endearment by contacting the artist. Done in an attractive color combination of buff clay and satin black glaze.

Find this dad-themed art pottery coffee mug here on Etsy.

A T-SHIRT

A t-shirt might not seem like a totally original gift idea. However, it surely is a practical one and Life is Good has and has had some fun designs like the one shown above, which reads, "Dad, You're One of My Favorite Parents." Guaranteed to make people smile and perfect for dad all year long.

Click here to buy your Life is Good Dad-themed t-shirt from Amazon.

CUSTOMIZED APRON

I love this personalized apron. Etsy creator By Barva takes a photograph of the father or other individual in your life and transfers a likeness of the image and the name of the individual onto an apron. Perfect for any dad who likes to cook and/or grill.  Of course, aprons are not the only product they produce. You can also have a drinking glass customized in the same fashion or even a t-shirt.

Check out By Barva's apron and their other dad-themed items here on Etsy.

A GUIDED KEEPSAKE JOURNAL

Dad Tell Me Your Story is a thoughtful gift idea. It is a glossy, hardcover book, journal-style that helps guide your father to put his memories and thoughts on paper. When finished, it becomes a treasured memento of dad's life. Features 100 numbered pages and a family tree. Subjects cover a wide variety from childhood to adulthood. It even includes blank pages for photos or illustrations or small paper mementos. It is available in hardcover or paperback though I would think if dad is going to invest time filling out the pages, you might prefer to preserve them in hardcover.

Find this keepsake journal here on Amazon.

A FAMILY FRIENDLY HALLMARK MOVIE

Hallmark's Safe Harbor movie (2009) is based on the true story of a married couple who are set to retire and spend their retirement on their sailboat. However, before they manage to leave, a friend asks them to look after two teenagers who have been sentenced to juvenile hall. The hall is at capacity and unable to take them and when it is suggested that the teen boys be put to work getting the boat ready for their trip, the couple agrees. Soon they find themselves with four boys.

The situation brings a set of challenges from attitude to fire but, in the end, there are positive changes in all four boys who decide they do not want to break up their newly created 'family.' The couple questions their own situation, their sailing trip, their choice not to have children and the future.

Starring Treat Williams, Nancy Travis, Reiley McClendon, Myra Turley and Cameron Monaghan, Safe Harbor is a good viewing opportunity for dad to share with the family. 

Click here to order your copy of Safe Harbor from eBay.

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What will you be giving your dad for Father’s Day this year?

Brenda
Treasures By Brenda

MORE GIFT IDEAS:

Mugs For Old Guys and Vintage Dudes
From a series, 31 Days of Coffee Mugs, comes a fabulous "old" guy mug.

The Best Lego Gift Ideas
If you're looking for a great Lego gift idea that is not a Lego set, you will find some of the best choices here on this page.

The Best Ghostbusters Ecto-1 Gift Ideas
Who could forget the car from the movie Ghostbusters? On this page, we celebrate the Ecto-1 with five of the best Ghostbusters car themed gift ideas.

The Best Sizzlin' Hot Barbecue Aprons
Summertime and the living is easy. Great weather, good music and your trusty friend, the barbecue, will help you prepare some good food. Before you throw your meat on the grill though you might want to throw on a fun, spirited and practical...

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Visit Your Relatives Day – A Holiday Review

National Visit Your Relatives Day is celebrated yearly on May 18.

A Holiday Celebrating Family

Having recently returned from a visit to two of my grown children in two different states, along with their families, I was intrigued to discover the delightful holiday known as Visit Your Relatives Day.  And I highly recommend visiting family, both your close nuclear family  and extended family. 

So many events occur in family life – weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, new baby, graduations, etc. - each become more special when family can celebrate together.

Grandson and his G-Ma

On my recent visit, not only did I get to see my daughter and her husband in one city, but my daughter & I then traveled together to a nearby state to visit her brother and his family. The main feature of the trip was to celebrate my grandson's 21st birthday. 

In years past, families generally lived near each other, making spending time together fairly easy.  Today's lifestyles tend to take family members in many directions, with siblings and parents, aunts & uncles, cousins and grandparents living vast miles apart. Therefore, having a holiday to celebrate visiting family is a nice reminder to find ways to spend time together. 

Family Visits

With today's technology of cell phones, video calls, and the internet, it is easier than ever to 'keep in touch' with family on a regular basis with video calls and email.

But there really is no substitute for actual face to face interaction.  Physical contact with our relatives both near and far is important to our health and well-being.  It is also marvelous to be able to reconnect with each other and celebrate our memories and shared history.

Summary

Virtual communication is a long-distance treat between real-time visits, but there is really nothing that replaces an actual hug from a grandparent, holding your sibling's new baby in your arms, or being there in person to share your grandchild's birthday. 

So, on National Visit Your Relatives Day, reach out to a relative in any way you can, and always keep in touch. 

National Visit Your Relatives Day
May 18

For More Holiday Reviews, Check out ReviewThisReviews: Holidays

 The Relatives CameCheck Price Visiting FamilyCheck Price

 

*Holiday Review of National Visit Your Relatives Day is written by Wednesday Elf

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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National Scrabble Day – Holiday Review

 National Scrabble Day is celebrated each year on April 13, which is the birthday of Alfred Mosher Butts who invented this iconic board game. 

Scrabble Game

The game of Scrabble is based on the crossword puzzle and anagrams and was originally called Criss Cross. It was developed by an architect named Alfred M. Butts in 1931. The game was later redesigned and renamed Scrabble. First sold in Great Britain in 1954, this popular game is now found in three out of every five American homes. The games range from a Junior Edition to the standard game, a deluxe game and even travel-sized games. 

Scrabble is a word game played by two to four players. You score points by placing tiles, that each contain a letter, on a game board which has a grid of squares. Many of the letters are worth one point, while certain letters are worth more points. There are extra-point squares on the board for doubling or tripling a letter or a whole word.

Scrabble is a fun game for kids through adults. A board game that is a family friendly strategy word game. It also makes a great party game.

A Personal Scrabble Game Story

We were playing Scrabble one evening at the home of friends. Hubby Bob had a 7-letter word which would have given him 50 bonus points, in addition to the points he would earn from his letters. Playing all 7 letters in a single turn is called a BINGO. There were three places on the Scrabble Board where he could have played his Bingo on a Triple-Word Score, giving him 3X the points. 

Believe it or not, there were 3 players ahead of Bob before his next turn and, naturally, we each took those triple-word places ~ not having a clue that Bob had this 7-letter word. 

Bob's word was BAZOOKA, which would have scored him 22 points for the points on the letter tiles, times 3 for the triple-word space, PLUS the 50-point bonus for a total of 106 points! 

B3+A1+Z10+01+01+k5+A1=22 

Of course now there was no place left on the board to play. Obviously, it was a big disappointment not to be able to play such a great word, but Bob eventually did play KAZOO for 18 points. The rest of us DID hear about it for several minutes as the game continued. And it became a favorite story every time we'd get together to play games. LOL.

Summary

So, on April 13, or any day, get out the Scrabble game and have a wordy good time! 

More Scrabble-Related Reviews:

• 5 Fun Scrabble Decoration Ideas by Brite-Ideas
• Games Day by Wednesday Elf

National Scrabble Day

April 13

*National Scrabble Day Holiday Review written by Wednesday Elf

A Variety of Scrabble Games

 Hasbro Scrabble Deluxe Edition (Amazon Exclusive)Check Price Scrabble Board Game, Word Game for Kids Ages 8 and Up, Fun Game for 2-4 Players, Classic Crossword GameCheck Price Scrabble Score Pad: scrabble score sheets:100 score Pages _ Perfect size at 8.5 x 11 in / 21.59 x 27.94 cm/A4.Check Price WS Game Company Scrabble Deluxe Travel EditionCheck Price

 

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St. Patrick's Day Socks Reviewed

Get Ready to Wear Your Leprechaun and Shamrocks for St. Patrick's Day!

St. Patrick's Day is only a week away.  Last year, we let the holiday slip-up on us and we were not prepared to wear our green.  For me, I work at home, so there was no one around to pinch me for not wearing green.  However, our son works in an office that has apparel restrictions. 

Thinking outside of the box this year, I wanted him to be able to have fun wearing the traditional green shamrocks or leprechauns. The only things I could think of that would be hidden apparel that he could wear were undershirts, boxer shorts and socks.  It is already too warm to wear a thick undershirt and you can't really show off boxer shorts in the office setting. I thought socks would be the perfect choice.

I had no idea there were so many St. Patrick's Day socks available! Since he still needed to appear to be in dress code with his black socks, I opted for black socks with green shamrocks, but I also purchased the socks with the St. Patrick's Day puppy on them for after work.

 

Fun St. Patrick's Day Socks

If you are free to wear whatever your heart desires on St. Patrick's Day, there are a lot of fun designs on socks for you.  Choose from leprechauns, clovers, lucky horseshoes, the puppy I chose, just plain green socks or a combination of fun designs.  

Whatever your preference, embrace the luck of the Irish and have fun sporting the green on St. Patrick's Day.  Above all, avoid being pinched!

Be sure to look for the socks that ship from Amazon for faster delivery!

Which is your favorite?

 Parquet St. Patrick's Day Dog Novelty Socks for Men…Check Price Good Luck Sock Men's St. Patrick's Day Leprechaun Socks, AdultCheck Price 15 Pairs St. Patrick's Day Socks Shamrock Clover Stripe Crew Socks Green Irish Leprechaun Socks for Adults Men Women Party Holiday Gift Cosplay, 15 StylesCheck Price Triple M Plus Men's Mid Calf Green Dress socks,One size fits most men; Sock Size 10-13. (Bright Green/Black 1 Pairs)Check Price

 

 

More St. Patrick's Day on Review This Reviews!

March 17th St. Patrick's Day Some Facts and Fiction You May Not Know!
What do you know about St. Patrick's Day? Is it Fact or Fiction? Read on and I know you will learn something new! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Crafting in St. Patrick's Day Green
Craft ideas for St. Patrick's Day! Creating crafts in green is a fun way to add to the pleasure of St. Patrick's Day.

The Famous Wigleys Corned Beef Reviewed
Enjoy the "Best" corned beef! Wigleys Famous Corned Beef will not disappoint. Perfect for St. Patrick's Day and the traditional boiled dinner.

Galway Bay - A Must-Read Irish Historic Fiction
Galway Bay is a story of an Irish mother's love and so much more. A beautifully-written historical fiction based on a the epic tale of a family who survives the Great Starvation.

Irish Mug Reviewed
An Irish mug for St. Patricks Day or just to celebrate your Irish ancestry.

St. Patrick's Day Socks Reviewed by:

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A Valentine's Day Music Collection

If you are looking for romantic Valentine's Day music, look no further. Take inspiration from this review of a few Valentine's Day music ideas. It includes a couple of my favorite soundtracks that are available on compact disc and a a couple of others that sound fantastic. I have arranged my picks by release date. Enjoy.

FRENCH KISS SOUNDTRACK (1995)

French Kiss is a great movie that also has a beautiful soundtrack with light pop music. The movie a very popular romantic comedy starring Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline. It features a variety of artists that you will recognize, including Van Morrison, Ella Fitzgerald and Zucchero. Find your copy of the French Kiss soundtrack here on Amazon.

CHOCOLATE SOUNDTRACK (2000)    

I will admit, I am biased because I thoroughly enjoyed the movie Chocolat but, regardless of whether or not you have seen the movie, if you appreciate instrumental music, you will find this soundtrack beautiful. The movie starred Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp and the CD transports you to the setting of the movie, small town France. It is a perfect backdrop for your Valentine's Day dinner.  Released in 2001, it contains about 40 minutes of perfectly romantic music. Find your copy of the Chocolat soundtrack here on Amazon.

DISNEY'S FAIRY TALE WEDDINGS (2005)

Another instrumental collection, people who love Disney's love stories will enjoy this compilation. It includes songs from Beauty and the Beast, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Lady and the Tramp and numerous other Disney shows. Whether you listen to this on a CD or through Amazon's streaming service, would be great background music for Valentine's Day. Find Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings here on Amazon.

MARTINA MCBRIDE'S MY HEART (2005)

Martina McBride’s CD My Heart was released by Hallmark for Valentine’s Day in 2005. It features eight romantic songs that were picked by McBride herself. Some are her own songs; others, covers. This CD is shorter than some but it was quite successful upon its release. McBride sounds lovely in this compilation, which is good for Valentine’s Day and any other romantic occasion even a wedding. If you want to add it to your collection note that I found a better selection of this CD from sellers on eBay. Look for Martina McBride's My Heart here on eBay.

VALENTINE'S DAY SOUNDTRACK (2010)

Released slightly more recently in 2010, the soundtrack to the Valentine's Day movie is another great choice. The movie included a wide variety of popular actors including Julia Roberts, Jamie Foxx and Anne Hathaway. The CD includes recordings from a wide variety of artists who you will recognize including the likes of Taylor Swift, Willie Nelson, Jewel, Amy Winehouse, Nat King Cole and Maroon 5. Find your copy of the Valentine's Day soundtrack here on Amazon.

NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL A LOVE SONG (2023)

Definitely the newest in this series, this set was released in February of 2023 from the people who have presented more than 110 CDs in the NOW Music series. This compilation is packed with new and old love songs by artists you know including but not limited to the likes of Ed Sheeran, Fugees, Sam Smith, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Elton John, Sting, Billy Joel, Norah Jones, Seal, Lana Del Ray, Kacey Musgraves, Nelly Furtado, Miley Cyrus, Dua Lipa, Ariana Grande, Kylie Minogue, Little Mix, Justin Bieber, John Mayer, Cold Play, Pretenders, Robbie Williams and Christina Aguilera. I think this one would make great listening for anyone but would be especially fun for a mixed generation gathering since it presents something for everyone. Find your copy of Now That's What I Call A Love Song here on Amazon. If you want a mix of music that includes today's artists, this is the compilation for you.

Do you have any favorite Valentine's Day music?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Brenda

Treasures By Brenda

QUICK LINKS:

Discover the movie CHOCOLAT.

Love chocolate and France? You will enjoy the movie Chocolat!

Discover the French Kiss movie and soundtrack.

Yes, I love French Kiss. Learn more here.

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15 Ways You Can Decorate Your Home for Valentine's Day

Hey there! Are you getting excited about Valentine's Day? I don't usually go overboard, but lately, with the stress in the world, a little extra love around the house may not be a bad idea.

If you're looking for inspiration on decorating your home for the occasion, you're in the right place. There's nothing like adding a touch of love and romance to make your home feel cozy and inviting.

From candles and flowers to homemade crafts, there are many ways to make your home feel festive for Valentine's Day. So, I've got some great ideas to try out if you're planning a romantic night in with your significant other or want to add love-inspired decorations. Let's make your home the perfect place to celebrate the year's most romantic day.

Here are 15 Ideas on How to Add a Little Valentine Funk to Your Home:

1. Romantic ambiance is always calming, so how about using candles, soft lighting, and dreamy music.
2. Add red, pink, and white accessories throughout your home.
3. Fill vases with red and pink flowers, such as roses or peonies.
4. String and fairy lights look beautiful all year 'round; place them in a setting with other love-related accessories.
5. Use heart-shaped decorations, such as garlands or balloons.
6. Create a romantic photo wall with pictures of you and your significant other.
7. Make or purchase a homemade Valentine's Day wreath for your front door.
8. Set the table with a romantic tablecloth, candles, and flowers.
9. Cook a romantic dinner for two and set a special table setting.
10. Add romantic accessories in your bedroom in red and white.
11. Create a spa-like atmosphere in your bathroom with candles and rose petals.
12. Make a homemade dessert, such as chocolate-covered strawberries.
13. Put some love notes around the house for your loved one to find.
14. Make a romantic gift basket filled with your loved one's favorite things.
15. Create a movie night setup with romantic films and snacks.

If I had to choose which of the 15 ideas would be my personal favorite, it would be to put up a Valentine's Day wreath on the front door. A wreath is simple and delivers a positive message about love.

After scanning the above 15 suggestions, which would be your favorite? Or add another idea in the comments!

_______________________________________________

More Valentines Day Love:

A Fun Valentine's Word Scramble Book for Adults

The Evolution of Valentine's Day - A Bit of Interesting History

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A Review of The Evolution of Valentine's Day: From Ancient Rome to Modern Times

As we all know, Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated on February 14th each year. It is a day to express love and affection to those close to us.

Valentine's day has progressed into something almost unrecognizable from the debated time it became a thing.

Roman Festivals?

The history of Valentine's Day is not well-documented, but it is believed to have originated from ancient Roman festivals. 

The Roman festival of Lupercalia, celebrated in mid-February, is thought to have played a role in the development of Valentine's Day. 

This festival honored the gods Juno and Faunus and included the exchange of love notes and the pairing of couples through a lottery.

Christianize a Pagan Festival or to Honor St. Valentine?

However, Valentine's Day as we know it today is thought to have been influenced by the Christian Church. 

One theory is that it was created to Christianize a pagan festival, while another suggests it was designed to honor Saint Valentine, a martyr who was executed on February 14th. 

Saint Valentine was a Catholic priest imprisoned and executed for secretly marrying couples during a time when marriage was banned by the Roman Empire. He was later canonized as a saint, and his feast day was set on February 14th.

Gradually Becoming a Day of Celebrating Love

During the Middle Ages, Valentine's Day was celebrated as a day for exchanging love notes and gifts, similar to how it is celebrated today. 

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Valentine's Day became more commercialized, and it was common for people to exchange gifts such as flowers, chocolates, and cards.

The Modern World Saw the Rise of Valentine's Day as a Day of Love in the Early 20th Century

Valentine's Day became popular in the United States in the early 20th century. During this time, Hallmark began mass-producing Valentine's Day cards, further popularizing the holiday. 

While the history of Valentine's Day is not well-documented and is shrouded in mystery, it is clear that it has evolved over time to become a day for expressing love and affection to those close to us. 

Whether it originated as a pagan festival, a Christian holiday, or a day to honor a martyred saint, it has become a beloved annual tradition celebrated worldwide.

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WestJet Christmas Miracles

For today’s post, I thought I would rework an old post and offer up a bit of Christmas cheer in the form of a review of an event that a Canadian airline sponsored in 2013. Here's my story. 

We were at a Christmas party when someone said, "You have to see this." They turned on the television and pulled up a video on YouTube. We all watched with amazement as the passengers from two planes scanned their boarding passes and visited with Santa Claus. What happened next, was truly unexpected. 

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS REAL TIME GIVING (2013)

See for yourself what happened in this video called WestJet Christmas Miracle: Real Time Giving or Twas the Night Before Christmas.

Quite a video, isn't it? It must have been totally unbelievable at first. The passengers on that plane will never forget that flight with WestJet and nor will I. Not that I was there, of course. I was a participant via the video, just like you will be if you watch now.

SANTA'S BLOOPERS (2013)

And don't miss the Santa's Bloopers video. I love a good blooper reel!

FLASH MOB (2012)

But it turns out that the Christmas 2013 was not the first time Westjet 'performed' for Christmas for in 2012, the employees performed as a flash mob at the Calgary airport:

With over 50 million views of that 2013 video, Westjet definitely scored a public relations coup with their Santa Claus project 'Twas A Night Before Christmas and they made a pretty memorable day for all of the passengers involved. According to one newsreel that I read at the time, Westjet was planning for the next year right away.

MIRACLE MILES (2022)

Fast forward now with me to 2022 when I discover that WestJet has another Christmas Miracle video, this one called Christmas: Miracle Miles.

A quick peek on YouTube shows that WestJet may have done a similar video throughout the intervening years. I won't share them all here with you but I will smile at the kindness displayed in these videos.

 
Merry Christmas!

Brenda

MORE CHRISTMAS READING:

Hallmark Christmas Movies

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How to Create a Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Gift Set

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Rustic Wall Mounted Wine Racks

These rustic wall-mounted wine racks make a perfect gift idea for any wine enthusiast on your list, and for any occasion.

Rustic Wall Wine Racks - Reviewed

A wall-mounted wine rack is a nice addition to any kitchen or dining area. They are easy to hang and will display your favorite wines and wine glasses all within reach.

We always have a couple bottles of wine on hand for special occasions and when friends drop by. Our problem was always that we didn't have the cabinet space to store the wine bottles.

It's always a good idea to have a couple of different wines on hand. Fran and my daughter enjoy dry wines, as for me I like a wine that is more on the sweet side. So, this handy wall-mounted wine rack can hold a variety of wines along with your wine glasses.

The wine rack in the photo above was a gift from our son and daughter-in-law. It is handmade from recycled pallet wood. They both had a hand in making this wine rack, my son cut and assembled it, while my daughter-in-law added the inscription, "May Your Glass Always Be Half Full".

Our wine rack measures 18 inches across x 14 inches high x 5 inches deep, and easily accommodates four bottles of wine and four wine glasses hanging underneath. As you can see it's also perfect for our Christmas Snowman.

Although it took me a year to hang it on the wall, the installation was quick and easy. It attaches to the wall with two wall anchors and a couple of 2-inch screws. It is a perfect addition to our kitchen and hangs on a side wall above our sink.

These wine racks are sure to be a perfect gift for wine lovers and can be found on Amazon in a variety of styles.

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