holidays

Yom Kippur break fasts are notoriously epic — all manner of smoked fishes and delicate pastries are piled high on the best china (or, if you're feeding dozens, paper plates). For many of those gathered around a table heaped with traditional Eastern Euro

How Yom Kippur Fasts Became All About The Feasts

1:46pm September 29, 2017

by Deena Prichep

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.

A mourner walks through a cemetery in Jinjiang during the Tomb-Sweeping Festival in 2015.

World News

China Preps For Its Big Spring Clean, As The Tomb-Sweeping Festival Approaches

4:32pm March 31, 2017

by Colin Dwyer

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.

Renae Quinn's favorite valentine ever was a very punny one from her late husband on the Valentine's Day before they were married.

Arts

Drawn From The Heart: Your Most Memorable Valentine's Day Cards

9:56am February 14, 2017

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.

The Gingerbread Demolition lets people destroy gingerbread houses for charity.

Run, Run, Fast As You Can! We're Smashing Your House, Gingerbread Man

2:03pm December 29, 2016

by Tove K. Danovich

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.

After Shish's handwritten sign erupted on social media, the restaurant painted a sign on the window to announce the event.

World News

'No One Eats Alone On Christmas': Restaurant Serves Free Meals To Homeless, Elderly

5:37pm December 24, 2016

by Tori Whitley

The Muslim-owned restaurant is expecting hundreds to attend their free, three-course meal on Christmas day.

The holiday season can be a difficult time to avoid alcohol.

Health & Safety

Eat, Don't Drink And Still Be Merry: Staying Sober Through The Holidays

2:39pm December 12, 2016

by Sarah Hepola

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.

Wreathes and red ornaments adorn this entrance to the White House.

For The Holidays, The Obamas Open Up The White House One Last Time

6:00am December 03, 2016

by Scott Horsley

Volunteers started working the day after Thanksgiving to give the White House its annual holiday charm.

All that holiday grubbing really does pack on the pounds. How much? Researchers tracked the weights of 3,000 people in Germany, Japan and the U.S. and found a weight spike after every major holiday.

We Really Do Get A Little More Santa-Like, Physically, During The Holidays

5:12pm September 21, 2016

by Angus Chen

All that holiday grubbing does indeed pack on the pounds. How much? Researchers tracked the weights of 3,000 people in Germany, Japan and the U.S. and found a weight spike after every major holiday.

When Mary asked Helen what she wants for Christmas, Helen said: "All I ask is to be in good spirits and in good health so I can come and show myself off when we have the party."

When Mom Has Alzheimer's, A Stranger Comes For Christmas

5:10pm December 21, 2015

by Vanessa Rancaño

The holidays can be difficult for families dealing with Alzheimer's, especially if the person with the disease is the one who used to be the heart and soul of Christmas.

Queue Listen Now

While the days of sharing mixed tapes and audio cassettes may be long gone, exchanging playlists doesn't have to be.

Economy

Need A Last-Minute Gift? Don't Want To Buy Stuff? All Tech Has Ideas

10:56am December 21, 2015

Sometimes, they say, the best things in life aren't things. In that spirit, we've come up with a few ideas of last-minute presents for your plugged-in friends and family that don't involve shopping.