HOLIDAYS

A sign in Irish on Achill Island in Ireland.

8 Fun Facts About the Irish Language

You may hear an "Erin go bragh" or two, but even on the most Irish of holidays, we don't hear much of the Irish language—which is a shame.

This dog thinks it's spelled "St. Patty's Day." We'll let it slide.

St. Patty’s Day vs. St. Paddy’s Day: Which Is Correct?

You can always avoid the issue by spelling out “St. Patrick’s Day,” but here’s how to properly abbreviate it.

This woman's shirt is green and blue, probably to symbolize the complicated history of colors associated with St. Patrick.

Why Do We Wear Green on St. Patrick’s Day?

Wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day is a tradition that has been around for a few centuries, but it didn’t start with St. Patrick.

Can Catholics Eat Meat This St. Patrick’s Day? It’s Complicated

For practicing Catholics, meat is off limits on Fridays during Lent. But they might be able to make an exception this March 17.

The History of 9 St. Patrick’s Day Traditions

Why do people wear green on St. Patrick's Day? And why do they dye rivers green? Let’s dive into the history of some popular St. Patrick’s Day traditions.

These facts about St. Patrick's Day might surprise you.

13 Lucky Facts About St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day used to be a dry holiday in Ireland—and its signature color used to be blue. Read on for more surprising St. Patrick's facts.

Why Is It Called “Corned Beef” If It Doesn’t Contain Corn?

Corned beef and cabbage has beef, cabbage, and not a speck of corn. What gives?

Forgot to grab a Valentine's Day gift? That's okay—these last-minute picks can help.

12 Great Last-Minute Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

From tea subscription boxes to date night experiences, these last-minute Valentine's Day gifts will still seem thoughtful—and they'll never know you got them right before the holiday.

"Love the Avenger" by Jean Honore Fragonard, circa 1790.

Why Is Cupid Associated With Valentine’s Day?

Cupid’s connection to love and romance dates back centuries.

This Valentine’s Day, You Can Watch a Raptor Eat a Rat Named After Your Ex

’Tis the season to celebrate love—and also see your ex symbolically become hawk food.

Groundhog handler John Griffiths holding Punxsutawney Phil on Groundhog Day 2020.

9 Surprising Facts About Groundhog Day

The history of Groundhog Day stretches back hundreds of years. But, as it turns out, the furry animal isn’t the best at getting the forecast right.

A couple walking through the courtyard of the Taj Mahal.

7 Grand Romantic Gestures From History

From Richard Wagner’s symphony for his wife to the Taj Mahal, these are the most impressive demonstrations of love from history.

Several Valentine’s Days have been marked by tragedy.

5 Terrible Things That Happened on Valentine’s Day

February 14 is often celebrates as a day of love—but it has also been marked as a day of tragedy.

Taylor Swift at Texas's AT&T Stadium during her 'Reputation' tour in 2018.

Chicago’s Newest Pop-Up Is a Taylor Swift–Themed Break-Up Bar

Calling all anti-heroes, heartbreak princes, and new romantics: This bar is for you (and every other Swiftie).

Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with these festive facts.

11 Fascinating Facts About Chinese New Year

Kickstart the Year of the Rabbit with these 11 facts you might not have known about Chinese New Year.

Why Queen Elizabeth II Kept Her Holiday Decorations Up Through February

Keeping holiday decorations up at Sandringham House until at least February 6 was part of the queen's holiday tradition for a very sweet reason.

Be sure to wish your cat a "Happy Mew Year!" on January 2.

25 Offbeat Holidays You Can Celebrate in January

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve may be over, but Thomas Crapper Day is on the horizon.

Why the Color of Your Underwear Matters on New Year’s Eve

New Year's Eve can feel like a statement of intent. And for some, the color of your underwear can play a vital role in shaping the next 12 months of your life.

Illustration to Robert Burns' poem "Auld Lang Syne" by J.M. Wright and Edward Scriven.

A Brief History of "Auld Lang Syne"

On New Year’s Eve, after the ball has dropped, revelers queue up "Auld Lang Syne"—that song that makes you cry, even though you don’t understand it and know almost none of the words.

David Schwimmer and Courteney Cox ring in the new year in 'Friends.'

18 Memorable New Year-Themed TV Episodes

Revisit classic New Year-themed episodes of such beloved TV shows as 'Friends,' 'The Office,' '30 Rock,' 'The X-Files,' 'M.A.S.H.,' and beyond.

A Brief History of Times Square’s New Year’s Eve Celebration

New Year’s Eve in Times Square is one of the most famous traditions in New York City. Learn how Manhattan's most colorful party came to be.

Halloween isn't the only holiday with spooky superstitions.

Odd Lang Syne: 7 Creepy New Year’s Superstitions That’ll Keep You Up Past Midnight

From ogre-like demons to beating bread against the wall to ward off evil spirits and more, some New Year’s superstitions and traditions are spookier than others.

How to Say ‘Happy New Year’ in More Than 30 Languages

Whether you say xīnnián kuàilè (“happy New Year” in Chinese) or gelukkig nieuwjaar (“happy New Year” in Dutch), there are plenty of ways to ring in 2023.

Say “thank you” now, return the gift later.

6 Simple Tips for Returning or Exchanging Gifts

There are many perfectly valid reasons for wanting to either exchange or return a present. These simple tips should help point you in the right direction.