November is snuggling under a warm blanket on a cool night, sipping hot cocoa, sitting in front of a fire and feeling thankful for all that you have. But this month has so much more fun for the whole family. You can celebrate your favorite author, spend a special day making sandwiches with your kids, be bold and adventurous in the kitchen, thank a veteran, learn new ways to recycle and get outside in the fresh air to hike. At the end of the month, your Thanksgiving might have fewer people at the table but we’re creating memories with our families that will last a lifetime.
Celebrate these things all month long:
- Aviation History Month
- Child Safety Protection Month
- National Adoption Awareness Month
- National Caregivers Appreciation Month
- Native American Heritage Month
November 1 - National Author's Day
- When I was younger, I had a favorite author, Judy Blume. I literally read every single book she ever wrote and I wanted to tell her how much her books meant to me. This was pre-internet so I had to send a letter to her book publisher hoping it would get to her. A few months later, I received a big envelope in the mail with an autographed picture and typed note from her. It made me feel so special but as special as that was to me, authors usually don’t hear from their readers. So this holiday was created to encourage us to reach out to our favorite authors and let them know how much their work means to us. With today's technology this couldn't be easier. Send your favorite author a tweet, post and tag them on Facebook or Instagram or do what I did decades ago...send them a letter.
November 3 - Sandwich Day
- Celebrate by making a super easy, yummy and nutritious lunch. Whether you love a traditional sandwich, you’re vegetarian or gluten free we’ve got some ideas for you.
November 5 - Men Make Dinner Day
- I love the quote on the National Day calendar describing this holiday, “This day was created for the men who do not know their way around the kitchen and are not familiar with cooking appliances, as well as for the women in their lives who need a break.” Ladies, get your man to prepare dinner and post your food porn on social media and include #MenMakeDinnerDay.
November 8 - Cook Something Bold Day
- This is the day to channel your inner Rachael Ray or Gordon Ramsay and be bold, take risks, cook something you’ve never tried before, cook a meatless meal, try a new veggie. Don’t worry if it doesn’t work out, there’s always take out.
November 10 - Young Readers Day
- Celebrate and read a book to your kids OR read with them. Join an adult book club or create one with your family. You can all read the same book at the same time, or if your family has different interests you can create a book nook or reading corner where everyone reads their own books in the same space. We’ve included a free printable, craft and book suggestions to get you started.
November 11 - Veteran's Day
- Veterans Day is sometimes confused with Memorial Day which is celebrated in May and honors those who died in service. Veteran’s Day honors all those who served honorably in the military during wartime and in peace.
- In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11th as Armistice Day to remind Americans of the tragedies of war which became a federal holiday in 1938. In 1954, Congress changed the name to Veterans Day.
- A wreath-laying ceremony is held each year on November 11th at 11 a.m. at Arlington National Cemetery at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
- Looking for a family activity for Veterans Day? Write a thank-you letter to a veteran or current member of the armed forces or create a care package to send overseas. Organizations like A Million Thanks and Operation Gratitude make it easy to send letters and care packages to men and women in the military.
November 15 - America Recycles Day:
- Many of you already recycle cans, glass and plastic but there are so many other things you can recycle and the bonus is that you can also organize your home, like this article suggests: 15 Handy Ways to Organize Your Home using Everyday Items.
- Here are other ways to recycle that are not as well known:
- RECYCLE CLOTHES: One survey found that the average American will toss out 81 pounds of clothing each year and that amounts to 26 billion pounds of textiles and clothing ending up in landfills. Here's one way to decrease the amount of trash in landfills, reduce greenhouse gases, save natural resources and reduce toxins (cotton is one of the most pesticide-dependent crops in the world) AND earn money. thredUP is an online secondhand shopping website where you can purchase like new clothing and accessories from top brands at a fraction of the cost (I've even purchased clothes with the tags still on them so they weren't like new, they actually were NEW). You can buy clothes on this website and SELL the clothes you no longer wear. It's super easy to order a clean out bag from the website, fill it and mail it to the company at no cost. You can receive credit to use to buy clothes or cash out and simply earn money.
- RECYCLE BRAS: Yup, bras! How many bras do you own? Go look in your drawer, don't worry I'll wait. Now how many bras do you actually wear? You're not alone if you have a drawer overflowing with a bunch of bras you don't wear because either you bought the wrong size, your boobs changed and they no longer fit, they're not comfortable or you just don't like them. But you keep them because you have no idea what to do with them. Well you're not alone. Did you know you can recycle them? The Bra Recyclers mission is to minimize the amount of bras entering our landfills and donate them to women or girls in need.
- Don’t leave the kids out! Involve them in saving the planet and creating new things from old items you have in your house.
November 17 - Take A Hike Day
- “Take a hike” was an insult telling you to leave or get lost but this holiday takes on a whole new meaning. Getting outdoors and getting lost in nature, especially with my family sounds like a perfect day to me. Take a hike at a local hot spot found in our guide by clicking here.
- Also, don’t forget to brush up on hiking safety.
November 21 - National Adoption Day
- Did you know there’s more than 120,000 children waiting to be adopted from foster care in the US? The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is spreading the word and helping kids find their forever homes. #nationaladoptionday
- If you know someone who has adopted a child recently, we’ve got wonderful ideas on How to Help Welcome an Older Child to a New Family.
November 26 - Thanksgiving
- Happy Thanksgiving!
November 27 - Black Friday
- The term "Black Friday" is the day in which retail stores have enough sales to put them "in the black" which means they are operating at a profit. This year supporting local businesses is even more important than before. Check back often for a list of local must shop at locations!
- For those of you who are not big shoppers here are Things to do on Black Friday Besides Shop.
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