Fantastic February Days
Sunday, February 1st, 2009 by tcg
February is a fun winter month. It’s packed with the party occasions Valentine’s Day and Mardi Gras. Sit back with a warm mug of hot chocolate and a box of Almond Rocca while we peruse the upcoming holidays.
February 2: Groundhog Day. The sleepy little Punxsutawney Phil peeks his head out of his hole on February 2nd. If he sees his shadow we’re doomed to more winter. If it’s cloudy and he stays out to play, spring is on its way.
February 3: The Day the Music Died. In 1959, Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper perished in a plane crash. Many songs and movies have told their stories. In stead of dwelling on the sad, I think it’s a great day for a Hop. Get out your poodle skirts, pedal pushers, Letterman sweaters, and 1950s garb. Serve cream sodas, root beer, hot dogs, and pretzels. Get crazy with a sundae eating contest.
February 5: National Weatherman Day. Dress up as your favorite meteorologist. Tell your friends what weather to expect. You can even hang a weather symbol on your door or wall to let everyone know to take their umbrellas or snow boots with them to lunch.
February 13: Friday the 13th. You could wear a hockey mask all day, but that may get in the way of work. Instead take a page from one of my former teachers, Mrs. Todd. Celebrate the superstitions and bad luck bringers of the world. Walk under a ladder. Spill some salt. Open your umbrella indoors. Gasp! Set aside your triskaidekaphobia (fear of 13) to relish in the bad luck. Every Friday the 13th was a holiday in her classroom and a lot of fun.
February 14: Valentine’s Day. Be careful with Cupid’s arrows. It’s safer to share some sweet treats with your classmates and coworkers. Refresh forgotten friendship by sending Valentine’s Day cards. Pick the silliest box of cards you can find and mail them to everyone you know. Your old friends will get a kick out of “I choo choose you!”
February 16: Presidents’ Day. Someone decided it was easier to lump all the presidents into one day. Lincoln was born 12 February, Washington was born 22 February, and Polk was born 2 November…all the presidents deserve recognition, not just the cool ones. Have your students dress as the presidents and tell a little about themselves. Learning can be fun.
February 24: Mardi Gras. Today’s your last chance for a King Cake. Host a masquerade party for your friends. Plan party games to break the ice and keep the fun going. Each winner receives a few strings of beads. Kids love winning and wearing beads. Have fun guessing who’s who.
February 26: Tell a Fairy Tale Day. What a great day for playing dress up! Dad can be a troll and son can be a frog. Mom can be a baker and daughter can be swan. Invite the neighborhood kids over to write a fairy tale. Each child adds a sentence as the story progresses. It can get pretty silly. Check you local library for activities.
February is Black History Month and American Heart Month. Don’t forget to enter the Mardi Gras Mask contest!
Tags: fairy tale, february holidays, friday the 13th, mardi gras, sock hop
