December 21st is the first day of Hanukkah. The Jewish holiday celebrates the victory of the Maccabees and the re-consecration of Temple of Jerusalem. The flame needed to consecrate the temple with an Eternal Flame had to burn for eight days, but there was only enough oil for one night. Somehow, the oil lasted the full eight days and time to prepare more consecrated oil and the miracle is celebrated annually with Hannukah, the Festival of Lights.

Celebrate Hanukkah yourself or with someone you know who celebrates it with a traditional menorrah candelabra. Spin a dreidel or wear a Hanukkah apron in blue and white while making food for the feast. Crank Adam Sandler’s “Hanukkah” song or dress up as another SNL favorite as Hanukkah Harry, as played by Jon Lovitz!

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With some of the more painful holiday traditions like Black Friday and the inevitable cornucopia of leftover turkey dishes that continue into December, some of the sweeter things about the holiday season are rearing their red noses.

Wednesday at 8PM, CBS affiliates will be airing the stop-motion animation classic, “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.” The Rankin-Bass special first aired 1964 and has been a fond, family tradition. Based on the popular Christmas carol, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” the story follows Rudolph from outcast reindeer from Santa’s sleigh team to finding acceptance alongside his friend Hermey the Elf (who would rather be a dentist than make toys in Santa’s workshop) and on the Island of Misfit Toys.

Tune in for the first (and arguably one of the best) of many holiday specials to take the airways by snow-storm this season! Gain some inspiration for some fun holiday costumes for a parade or holiday pageant. Head on over to our “How To” section to see how to make a Yukon Cornelius costume inspired by one of the main characters in Rudolph… Or pick up your own Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer or Elf costume!

If you’re like me, you’re already burnt out on all this holiday cheer. It’s not even Thanksgiving yet, and already, radio stations have been “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” non-stop. This onslaught of seasonal sap started even before Halloween with Christmas items stacked on shelves before all of the trick or treat goodies were handed out!

If the Christmas spirit’s got you down, you may not be able to take a blowtorch to Frosty the Snowman (or better yet, pitch a Yule Log at him, for a festive touch!), but you can Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas with these few survival tips:

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A tradition that marks the start of the Thanksgiving Day festivities and heralds the onset of the Christmas holiday season, the Macy’s Thanskgiving Parade is now in its 82nd year. Held in New York City and sponsored by the upscale chain department store, this year’s parade is on Thursday November 27th.

Among the featured floats, balloons, and performers are Dora the Explorer, the Harajuku Girls. Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, and many more! Miley Cyrus will also be on hand for the festivities, although it’s unknown whether or not she’ll be in full Hannah Montana mode.

And, as always, the special guests of honor, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be there to usher in the holiday season at the parade’s end.

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Sandwiched between two of the biggest holidays of the calendar year in terms of spending, Thanksgiving doesn’t get the same amount of respect given to Halloween and Christmas. Sure, there’s no trick or treating or fun, horror-themed costumes to wear (unless you’re going as a bloody Turkey, or one of Aunt Matilda’s “burnt offerings,” a gastrological nightmare if there ever was one!) and there’s no extravagant gift-giving to be had.

However, these should all be reasons to celebrate Thanksgiving! There’s no pressure to mob the malls (until Black Friday, at least) and who says you can’t dress up?! While you’re sitting around at a Thanksgiving Day Parade or watching Macy’s on TV, or checking out the slew of college football games that make up a big part of television scheduling, you can put on a Turkey Hat for comic effect. Or, better yet, make your family and guests wear Indian headdresses or Pilgrim Hats to get them into the festivities.

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Halloween hasn’t even reared its pumpkin head yet and already you’re probably seeing Christmas items and decorations right next to fright masks and Halloween candy. In these turbulent economic times, think about doubling up on some fun Halloween items that could merit extra mileage during during the holiday season. For example, get in touch with your goth side and sport a “Nightmare Before Christmas” Wreath of Jack Skellington skull heads that will add a touch of personality to your door through both seasons!

For a last-minute Halloween costume or films to show at your party, look to such classic (and not-so classic) films like “Nightmare Before Christmas”; the campy comedy-horror ’80s flick “Silent Night, Deadly Night” with an axe murdering Santa Claus who’s ho-ho-homicidal! (Check out our How To section for how to make your own Psycho Santa costume based on this film!); or “Santa Slay” featuring former professional wrestler Goldberg as a jacked, ripped, and demonic Santa who makes with all sorts of comedic chaos.

Saw V may have competition this Halloween as another possible horror franchise makes its way into theatrest on October 31st. While Saw is straight-ahead horror, Trick ‘R Treat blends horror and comedy, attempting to offer something different. Check out a trailer for the film here and read more about the film here.

Originally scheduled for release last year, Trick R Treat’s distribution was pushed back until Halloween of this year. In the anthology horror tradition of films, Trick ‘R Treat features four separate stories that end up intertwining by the end of the film. Boasting an all-star cast featuring Anna Paquin (of the X-Men series of films and HBO’s new series,Tru Blood), Leslie Bibb, and Brian Cox, among others; the film’s four stories all center around the traditional “rules” and rituals of Halloween and a mythos laid down by the (potential) series itself:
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In less than a week, Peter Cottontail makes his trek down the Bunny Trail delivering all sorts of Easter goodies. Chances are, if you have little ones eager to see the Big Bunny himself, make arrangements for the Easter Bunny to pay a visit to the family egg hunt with an assortment of fluffy rabbit costumes with full, faux fur bodysuits, oversized bunny paws and feet, and a large over-the-head mascot style mask with stand-up or floppy ears.

Add some “hip” to your Easter Bunny’s “hop” by accessorizing with rap-themed accessories, like an oversized Flavor Flav clock and viking helmet.

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It’s not too late to pick up some St. Patrick’s Day-themed items in time for March 17^th. Whether you’re attending a local parade, throwing your own blarney bash, or making your rounds throughout the neighborhood on a whirlwind Pub Tour by bus, there’s plenty of time to still get your green on. Whether you’re wearing a full-fledged Leprechaun costume, or keeping it a little more low key, there’s something for everyone who’s looking for a touch of the Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.

For a more understated yet festive look, deck yourself out in green beads or any one of several leprechaun hats in a number of styles and sizes ranging from oversized, a velvet or glittery green bowler, or a green-and-white plaid jeff-styled Gatsby hat. Grab some green hairspray to decorate your ‘do and make it match your pint of green beer or even try on a green wig, making the sidelines of your local parade or counter at the bar a sea of shimmering green to rival even the Emerald Isles herself. Sleante!

President’s Day is right around the corner. Many children celebrate their old presidents with school plays and if you are looking for a last minute costume idea, let us help you!

First of all, check out the President’s Day costume idea section to see who is the most popular this year among all presidents.

But don’t stop here. There are tons of related costume ideas for school plays and parties… Here are the top ideas:
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