November Holidays that have Nothing to do with Turkey

Written By J’Nel Wright

It seems like the month of November gets a bad rap. October has the month long ghoulish frenzy and fun-sized treats. December is, well — you know–December! But what about November? Yes, there’s the turkey and shopping but did you know there are plenty of reasons to celebrate all month long? Here are some surprising reasons to celebrate in the month of November, and they have nothing to do with turkey.

Nov 1: All Saints Day

Nov 2: All Souls Day

These two days are often overlooked because of the recovery time needed from Halloween festivities. After spending an evening hearing “Gimme some candy!” from every trick-or-treater, it’s nice to spend a day thinking about those who dedicated their lives to serving others, and think about those loved ones that have passed on.

Nov. 2: National Deviled Egg Day. Still feeling devilish from Halloween? Check out this blog post from our Pinterest board that has a round-up of 50 Deviled Egg recipes.

Nov 3: Speaking of others, November 3rd is “Stay-at-Home Mom and Wife Appreciation Day”. In the event Mother’s Day didn’t go so well, here’s another chance to get it right.

Nov 3: Sandwich Day

If you are looking for ideas on how to play up this day, here are tons of delicious suggestions on our Pinterest Sandwich board. And, make sure to give this amazing Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sandwich a try from our friends over at Butter With a Side of Bread. It's perfect for this time of year.

Nov 5: Ladies, be sure to circle this date on your calendar. It’s “Men Make Dinner Day”. Please note: sandwiches from two days ago do not count.

Nov 7: Book Lovers Day. A snowy afternoon, a warm blanket, and a great book—sheer bliss! Add a mug of hot cocoa and I may never leave the house.

Nov 8: Cook Something Bold Day. While “bold” is a subjective term, it could mean simply trying something new. For example, if you have toyed with the idea of buying a fondue pot, perhaps today is the day.

Nov. 12: US Marine Corps Day. The eve of Veterans Day is a fitting time for a Marine-sized birthday celebration. The Marine Corps is celebrating its 240th birthday this year. 

Nov 11: Veterans Day. Never forget.

Nov 15: Clean your Refrigerator Day. Looks like you may not be eating what is left of the “bold” dinner, so today is a good time to say goodbye to that and the other mystery packs lurking in your fridge.

Nov 15: America Recycles Day. Recognized by President George W. Bush in 1997, today was created to build awareness of the positive impact recycling has on a community. This day also helps promote the importance of purchasing items made from recycled materials.

Nov 17: Great American Smoke Out. Aren’t you getting tired of standing out on the chilly deck while everyone else is enjoying pie? This is the year to quit smoking. Since 1977, today has offered the challenge to kick the “butt” out the door, if only for one day.

Nov 17: Take a Hike Day. This might prove helpful if you are trying to complete the Great American Smoke Out challenge.

Nov 19: National Adoption Day. As the focus of the holidays center on families, today is the perfect day to celebrate the gift of adoption. This day also raises awareness that there are thousands of children still waiting for a permanent place in a loving family.

Nov 20: Universal Children’s Day. This day was first proposed in 1954 by the United Nations General Assembly who saw the need to recognize and celebrate the world’s greatest resource: children.

Nov 21: World Hello Day. In an effort to promote world peace, you can do your part by simply saying hello to your neighbor or people you meet. Try saying hello to ten people today.

Nov 23: Eat a Cranberry Day. Hey, you don’t have to ask me twice. Cranberries are an excellent source of vitamins and antioxidants. And, they taste terrific. Here are 21 cranberry recipes courtesy of CoastalLiving.com.

Yes, we have much to be thankful for in the month of November. These holidays are a nice reminder how easy it is to show gratitude in a variety of ways that last well beyond the month of November. They can be something worth celebrating all year long.