National Tooth Fairy Day
I know its been a while, but can you remember back to the first time your teeth fell out? Ahhh, the joy. The innocence. That exciting jingle of change, those sweet crisp bills, and the blind faith that your piggy bank would just keep growing each time you left one of  your teeth under your pillow. What bliss!

Well today lets give a shout out to our favorite fairy (or at least until Gay Pride weekend). For no one does the dental nightshift quite like that fairy we call Tooth.

Rabi’I (Islamic – The Month of the Migration)
This Muslim holiday marks the beginning of the month of migration, which commemorates the migration of the faith’s Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in the year 622.

Begun at sunset on the previous day, the holiday is celebrated on the first day of the third month of the Islamic calendar. (dates may vary depending where you live)

photo credit: via flickr

For Pete’s Sake Day
Enquiring minds want to know: Who the hell is Pete and why should we care?

Ash Wednesday (Christian)
The first day of  Lent and the period when Christians begin their 40 day* of fasting and penitence leading up to Easter Sunday.

Followers receive a mark of ashes in the sign of the cross on their foreheads signifying the belief that “from dust you came, to dust you shall return.” A version of which is stated by the priest when the ashes are administered to each follower.

The ashes used are from palm leaves left over from the previous years Palm Sunday observances.

*While the Lenten period is actually 46 days, Sundays are not considered part of the period of penance.

photo credit: via flickr

Mardi Gras
The last day of festive and sometimes rowdy celebrations leading up to the start of the Lenten season (Ash Wednesday). Mardi Gras is also know as “Fat Tuesday”, ” Shrove Tuesday”, or “Pancake Day”.

While Mardi Gras is celebrated throughout the southern US, it is most often identified with New Orleans, where it is celebrated with masquerade balls, King Cakes, and parades where beads, doubloons, cups, and trinkets are thrown from floats into the exuberant crowds.

Join us for our Mardi Gras celebration – Mardi Gras on the Net

Happy Mardi Gras!

Holidays on the Net is delighted to invite you to our bash in honor of Fat Tuesday.

Celebrated throughout the Gulf Coast, Mardi Gras is practically synonymous with New Orleans. But you don’t have to live in Creole Country to enjoy a good party. In fact, if you want to get in on the fun, just come join us at Holidays on the Net for our Mardi Gras Ball!

Learn all about the history of Mardi Gras, AKA Fat Tuesday (including just what’s so “fat” about this mid-winter Tuesday). Discover the magic of a Mardi Gras parade and investigate their myriad traditions, like throwing beads, doubloons and trinkets. Try out our recipe for the traditional King Cake, or make some of your own party goodies — maybe even your very own parade float!

 If you have young children, you will definitely enjoy our Mardi Gras coloring pages and craft projects, including instructions for making your own festival masks. And if you are planning a Fat Tuesday party, why not create your own Mardi Gras version of Trivial Pursuit, using the fun Did You Know tidbits we worked up just for you.

We look forward to celebrating with you! Please join us anytime between now and February 24th, the official 2009 celebration of Mardi Gras.

Happy Holidays!

Holidays on the Net

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore About Mardi Gras
February 23 : 01 day till Mardi Gras

Did you know that King Cakes are a traditional Mardi Gras food? The cake’s origins can be traced back to the Feast of the Twelfth Night, which honored the three kings who were present at the birth of the baby Jesus.

Inside the sweet bread-style cake, which is frosted in the traditional Mardi Gras colors, a tiny baby doll is hidden. The lucky eater who gets the piece of cake with the baby doll has to throw next year’s party.

While Mardi Gras is celebrated throughout the southern US, it is most often identified with New Orleans, where it is celebrated with masquerade balls, King Cakes, and parades.

This is the last fun fact in our count down to Mardi Gras.  Please visit our Mardi Gras celebration for our full list of Did You Know? Mardi Gras facts.