Holidays & Special Occasions Lensography

A Holiday is a day set aside for festivity or observance by the government or a religious group. The word holiday comes from "holy day" so it is not surprising many holidays have religious roots. Other holidays celebrate a day of national, or cultural significance. Holidays are often celebrated by time off from work as well as various festivities. Almost all holidays involve food, whether feast, cookout or picnic.

This 2-day holiday covers New Year's Eve on Dec. 31 and New Year's Day on Jan 1. Out with the old and in with the new as Father Time is replaced by the Baby New Year. New Year's resolutions, black-eyed peas, ball games, top hats and the dropping ball at Time's Square are some of the traditions of the New Year.

Hearts, cupids, cards, flowers, lace doilies and candy -- these are symbols of February 14 or Valentine's Day. Find out more about this most romantic of holidays in the Valentine's Day lens.

Growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, St. Patrick's Day was a very minor holiday in my family with no fanfare and little mention. However, St. Patrick's Day has become one of my favorite holidays. I love the story of Saint Patrick - his life in captivity as a slave in Ireland and how he turned such a horrible situation into a life of deep faith.

I also enjoy the tie to Irish culture, the wearing of the green, Celtic Music, and the shamrock (which represent the trinity). For more on St. Patrick's Day, visit the St. Patrick's Day lens.

One of the most special holidays in the Christian faith is Easter which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus -- an event that demonstrates his deity. Celebrated with church services, hymns, Easter eggs, baskets, bunnies and bonnets, Easter is a celebration of life. Find out more in the Easter Lens.

A day to honor and celebrate mothers with flowers, candy, jewelry, perfume and lost of love.

Fathers Day is a special time set aside to honor our fathers. It has come to mean much more to me now that my own father is gone. Find out more in the Father's Day Lens.

Growing up in Washington DC with frequent trips to Nashville in the summers, the 4th of July was always a major holiday wherever we were. Red, white and blue decorations, firecrackers and fireworks, patriotic music and cookouts -- the 4th of July was a favorite holiday of my family.

The tragic events of September 11, also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/11, were a series of four suicide attacks upon the United States in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001. 9/11 has been added to days we observe, not with celebration but with remembrance.

Halloween used to be a minor holiday for children in the US, but in recent years it has grown into a wildly popular celebration with Halloween lights, decorations, parties, and all sorts of trappings. Find Halloween articles, photos, poetry and more in the Halloween Lens

Thanksgiving is a holiday that originated in the United States and Canada as a holiday of prayer and thanks unto God. Celebrated here by our Pilgrim forefathers, Thanksgiving continues to be a holiday associated with harvest, bountiful food, family, friends and faith.

The favorite holiday of the Christian and Western World for centuries has been Christmas -- the celebration of the birth of Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem. Celebrated on December 25 with gifts, church services, Christmas trees, Christmas carols, decorated stores, and manger scenes, Christmas is my favorite holiday.

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