Thread:61Storm/@comment-29709319-20181110010804/@comment-29709319-20181226023320

December 26: National Candy Cane Day, National Thank-you Note Day, National Whiner’s Day, and Boxing Day (Canada).

🍬National Candy Cane Day! In 1844, a recipe for a straight peppermint candy stick, which was white with colored stripes, was published. However, some stories tell of all white candy sticks in much earlier times. There are folklore tales of the origin of the candy cane, yet there is no documented proof of its real beginning. It has been mentioned in literature since 1866 and was first known to be mentioned in association with Christmas in 1874. As early as 1882, candy canes have been hung on Christmas trees. Fun candy cane facts: The average candy can is 5 inches tall. While most candy canes are not sugar or calorie-free, they do not have any fat or cholesterol. Striped red and white candy canes were first introduced in 1900. The first machine to make candy canes was invented in 1921 by Brasher O. Westerfield. Until then, they were made by hand. Traditionally the flavor for candy canes is peppermint, but there are a variety of flavors. Alain Roby, Geneva pastry chef, holds the Guinness World Record for the longest candy cane, measuring 51 feet long.

📃National Thank You Note Day is a day to get some note cards, paper, pen, envelopes and stamps to write special thank yous for the gifts you received. Taking the time to thank family and friends with a personalized message has special meaning. The receiver of the “thank you” will enjoy getting the card in the mail and the message you have written. Never underestimate the power of “THANK YOU!”

😦National Whiners Day! If you want to, you are allowed to whine about being too tired, overeating, having to go back to work, having so much to clean up or the long lines in the return aisle at the store. There is one thing the creator of this day hoped people across the country would not be whining about; this day is not intended for whining about what you did not get for Christmas and what you do not have but to remember all that you do have. Many people are less fortunate than others. Some are struggling to put food on the table or a roof over their heads; some may not have family and friends. You may want to whine about something (and today you are allowed) but remember to be thankful for each gift you did receive and all that you do have. (And help others when you can). Rev. Kevin Zaborney created National Whiners Day in 1986 in hopes of encouraging people to be thankful for what they have instead of being unhappy “whining” about what they do not have.

📦Boxing Day! There are various explanations regarding the origins of Boxing Day. Some point to the song of “Good King Wenceslas” as the source of spirit, if not the day itself. According to the song, the 10th-century Duke looked out on his land on St. Stephen’s Day (which is celebrated on December 26) and observed a poor peasant. He ordered food, wine and wood for fuel to be taken to the peasant and called for all Christian men to bless the poor in the same way. Boxing Day has been an official holiday in England, Wales, Ireland and Canada since 1871. In the Church of England, it was traditional during Advent for churches to display a donation box. After Christmas, the contents of the box were distributed among the poor. Among the aristocrats, it was traditional to give boxed gifts to their servants and employees. The day after Christmas is traditionally the day for employers to give a gift, a Christmas box, to their employees. The holiday is a primarily British holiday and is celebrated across the world in current and past British held commonwealths. Boxing day was renamed Day of Goodwill in 1994 in South Africa. The day also is known by Catholics as St. Stephen’s Day. In Ireland, Boxing Day is celebrated along with the Day of the Wren. December 26 is considered Second Christmas in Germany, Poland, Netherlands and Scandinavia. Most of the events on modern Boxing Day have little to do with the charity in the stories mentioned. Popular festivities include eating leftovers, soccer games, visiting and drinking.

I don't eat candy canes to often any more. But they are good. I would rather give a personal thank you than a note. Oh I ate to much, there's my whining...but it was worth it. Yum! I'll probably be celebrating Boxing Day with leftover.

Hope everyone's enjoyed their Christmas, I did. Little Miss Oakley should in another month have walking on her own down. She still has to hang on to something or someone, then she goes just as fast as she can. Didn't get to see Miss Bonnie she's being over rally of late, however Mama Thelma got to come. She's such a good puppy. Pssst, it's not official yet but there could be corgi puppies soon.🤞

Sending Christmas joy hugs!🐶💕🎄💕