The 5th Day of Kwanzaa
The 5th day of a week long festival celebrating the African American people, their culture and their history.

On the fifth day the black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, the farthest right green, the next red and then the next green candle. This represents the 5th principle of Kwanzaa – Nia (NEE-ah): Purpose.

source: Kwanzaa on the Net – Seven Days of Celebration

Kwanzaa yenu iwe na heri! Happy Kwanzaa!

Holidays on the Net is delighted to invite you to join us for our Kwanzaa celebration.

Kwanzaa is a seven-day festival, celebrating African American people, culture and history. It is a time of community gathering that begins on December 26th and continues through New Year’s Day.  

Join us as we uncover the story of Kwanzaa, including its beginnings in the 1960s and its celebration today by more than 18 million African Americans. Learn about the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa and how each is practiced during the Kwanzaa week. Discover the meaning of the seven-branched candelabra known as the Kinara, which is lit each day of Kwanzaa.

Test your knowledge and have some fun with our Did You Know Kwanzaa feature, including interesting facts such as: Did you know that karamu is a large feast enjoyed on the last full day of Kwanzaa? Karamu is the high point of the Kwanzaa celebration.

If you would like create your own Kwanzaa celebration at home this year, you are sure to enjoy our extensive selection of Kwanzaa crafts, recipes and other holiday goodies. And be sure to share the Kwanzaa cheer with your loved ones by sending a free Kwanzaa e-card.  

We look forward to celebrating with you during this special time. Happy Kwanzaa from our family to yours!

Happy Holidays,

Louie and the Holiday Elves

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures &
Folklore about About
New Year’s Eve &
New Year’s Day
Dec 29 : 2 Days till New Years Eve
3 Days till New Years Day

Did you know that many cultures prepare New Year’s foods that are believed to influence good fortune; or, avoid dishes that might cause misfortune?

In many Spanish-speaking countries, eating one grape at each stroke leading up to midnight (12 grapes for the next calendar year), is for good luck. Ollie Bollen – literally “oil balls” – are a traditional New Year’s confection in Holland. These puffed doughnuts are frequently filled with currants, raisins and/or diced apples.

In Japan New Year’s food is called osechi-ryori and is, traditionally, prepared before midnight on December 31 and enjoyed until January 3. There is meaning and symbolism for each food arranged in layers of lacquered boxes – jubako. Media noche (middle of the night) in the Philippines includes 12 round fruits (representing money) for each month of the New Year. Added to the spread on their New Year’s table, Filipinos believe an abundance of food that night is believed to ensure a prosperous new year.

There are, however, beliefs that exclude some foods as bad luck. These include lobsters, they move backwards and chickens, that scratch in reverse. Eating these on New Year’s day might cause a reversal of fortune.

Did you know that throughout the Southern United States, black-eyes are eaten every New Year’s Day?

As the story goes, black-eyed peas were used exclusively for cattle feed in the old South. During the battle of Vicksburg during the Civil War, the town was under siege for over 40 days. No supplies came in or out. Vicksburg was on the edge of starvation. The people had no choice but to eat those black-eyed peas, therefore starting a southern tradition. Today, black-eyes are eaten every New Year’s Day to bring good luck for the new year.

The New Year is a time of friends and family, and parties and fun. A time of fireworks, counting down and rockin’ out with good ol’ Dick Clark (& that Seacrest guy). It’s a time for resolutions, realizations, and a brand new year.

Join us for a new Did You Know holiday fact each day as we countdown to the new year. New Years Eve will be celebrated Thursday December 31st. New Years Day is Friday January 01, 2010!

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures &
Folklore about Kwanzaa
Dec 29 : Fourth Day of Kwanzaa

Did you know today is the fourth day of Kwanzaa?

On the fourth day the black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, the farthest right green. And then the next red candle on the left. This represents the 4th principle of Kwanzaa - Ujamaa (oo-jah-MAH): Collective economics.

The fourth principle is discussed. The family shares the Unity cup and the candles are extinguished.

Kwanzaa is a 7 day festival celebrating the African American people, their culture and their history. It is a time of celebration, community gathering, and reflection. A time of endings and beginnings. Kwanzaa begins on December 26th and continues until New Years Day, January 1st.

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)

Tick Tock Day
Have you accomplished all you hoped for this year? Honestly – who has? Well you better hurry ’cause time’s running out.

But you’re in luck – there’s still time to get it all done before the year is gone. But ‘ya better get going. And quick.

Oh. And Good Luck!

photo credit: ms_quarantine via flickr

( courtesy of www.wellcat.com )

The 4th Day of Kwanzaa
The 4th day of a week long festival celebrating the African American people, their culture and their history.

On the fourth day the black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, the farthest right green. And then the next red candle on the left. This represents the 4th principle of Kwanzaa – Ujamaa (oo-jah-MAH): Collective economics.

source: Kwanzaa on the Net – Seven Days of Celebration

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures &
Folklore about Kwanzaa
Dec 28 : Third Day of Kwanzaa

Did you know today is the third day of Kwanzaa?

On the third day the black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, and then the farthest right green candle. This represents the 3rd principle of Kwanzaa - Ujima (oo-JEE-mah): Collective work and responsibility.

The third principle is discussed. The family shares the Unity cup and the candles are extinguished.

Kwanzaa is a 7 day festival celebrating the African American people, their culture and their history. It is a time of celebration, community gathering, and reflection. A time of endings and beginnings. Kwanzaa begins on December 26th and continues until New Years Day, January 1st.

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)