Whew. Halloween sure takes a lot out of a costume fan. I’m exhausted. Luckily for us, November is filled with relaxing days to recoup before the Holiday Season strikes. You can relax with a warm Monte Cristo on Sandwich Day, November 3rd. On the 15th you can get into the green spirit with America Recycles Day. Perhaps the most intriguing one is November 20…Absurdity Day. I’m not sure how you’re supposed to celebrate but I bet anything goes.

November 4: King Tut Day. This day recognizes when young King Tutankhamen’s tomb was discovered. Host a small Egyptian themed party. Have guests dress as pharaohs and mummies. Modify party games with a Nile-style and have puzzles for the kids. It’s a great opportunity for teachers to start a new history unit.

November 5: Guy Fawkes Day. “Remember, remember, the fifth of November.” This is an English holiday commemorating the foiled Gunpowder Plot. Halloween is not as big in the UK as it is in America and very often you’ll see British children more excited about the 5th. There may be bonfires, masks, fireworks, and toffee apples.

November 11: Veteran’s Day. Most cities across the US hold a parade on this day to honor military veterans and the fallen. Try to make it to an event near you and take note how the uniforms have changed over the years. Colors and styles are very different today than even 20 years ago.

November 13: Sadie Hawkins Day. Andy Capp created Sadie Hawkins day so Dogpatch’s most famous spinster could catch a husband. The idea may be a bit crude these days, but we can still have fun with it. Some schools host ladies’ choice dances. Ladies, you should take a more active role and do some of the asking. It can be a lot of fun.

November 27: Thanksgiving Day. Here’s a chance to gather with your friends and family and express your gratitude for the love you have in your life. It reminds us all that we don’t need big successes to be happy. Have the family over, let the kids be silly and dress up, and eat lost of yummy food, like stuffed prunes, sweet potato pie, and fried turkey.

November 28: Make Your Own Head Day AND Red Planet Day. Both of these sound like a blast to me. On Make Your Own Head Day, make masks and paper mache heads. Use permanent markers to create funny faces on squash and pumpkins. If you’re really brave, get out the face paint and makeup and let the kids go at. Teachers can take this time to explore the senses and brain functions.

Red Planet Day rocks. I’m a big fan of space and the “final frontier.” Wear alien antenna, make alien masks, and watch silly movies like Spaced Invaders. You can learn about Mars, our closet neighbor and best candidate for a colony. Have an alien party with Mars Cake (shake a little cocoa powder over uneven and lumpy icing).

Here are just a few of the many holidays this month. Hopefully, you’ve found a few that get your creative costume juices flowing. Enjoy Autumn while you can.