This Year, Consider Giving Presence Instead Of Presents
Science says consciously spending time with our loved ones is more important to them than receiving expensive presents.
holidays
'Grinch Bots' Attempt To Steal Christmas By Driving Up Toy Prices
Sen. Chuck Schumer is urging retailers to stop "Grinch bots" who use sophisticated software to buy out the most popular toys of the season and sell them for a hefty markup on third-party sites.
This Thanksgiving, Carve Out Time To Talk About End-Of-Life Wishes
Turkey dinner with a side dish of death isn't everyone's idea of a festive meal. But end-of-life planning advocates say the holidays are an ideal time to have these conversations with family members.
How Yom Kippur Fasts Became All About The Feasts
The Jewish holiday of reflection and hope tends to bring everyone to the heaping table of traditional foods when fasting is over, But celebrating with a huge feast was not always the case.
China Preps For Its Big Spring Clean, As The Tomb-Sweeping Festival Approaches
People in China are preparing for Qingming, a national holiday to celebrate ancestors that dates back millennia — but was banned for decades and has only recently been reinstated.
Drawn From The Heart: Your Most Memorable Valentine's Day Cards
No snark or anti-commercialism rantings here, just a dose of simple sweetness. Readers share stories and photos — and an NPR artist re-creates a couple of valentines that live on only in memories.
Run, Run, Fast As You Can! We're Smashing Your House, Gingerbread Man
They've been run over with cars, exploded by fireworks, bombarded by cannons and squished under children's snow boots. But in Australia, these baked buildings are demolished for charity — and fun.
'No One Eats Alone On Christmas': Restaurant Serves Free Meals To Homeless, Elderly
The Muslim-owned restaurant is expecting hundreds to attend their free, three-course meal on Christmas day.
Eat, Don't Drink And Still Be Merry: Staying Sober Through The Holidays
Before she stopped drinking, Sarah Hepola relied on alcohol to get her through the holiday season. "What nobody mentions about all the holiday spirit is how much booze it requires," she says.
For The Holidays, The Obamas Open Up The White House One Last Time
Volunteers started working the day after Thanksgiving to give the White House its annual holiday charm.