It is hard to calculate the number of festivals and holidays around the world because there are simply too many of them! People have all kinds of local festivals, and some international festivals are celebrated in different ways in various countries. Have you ever wondered why people need festivals?

Some of the festivals come from religious beliefs, such as Christmas. It originated among Christians but has now become a public holiday for everyone around the world. However, there are other reasons why we hold festivals. They break up the flow of the year and blind us together as families and communities.

Festivals and holidays are fun escape from our regular schedules. Without holidays our weeks would run together into years of boredom. What is October without children ringing our doorbells asking for candy? What is November without turkey on the table and family around it? What is February with no heart-shaped boxes decorating the kitchen counter? The answer is : boring months.

We also celebrate festivals because they are reasons to reconnect with family and long lost friends. Many people do not have the freedom to meet families and close friends at any time. Festivals and holidays give us the chance. Furthermore, festivals, festivals bring us together as a community. Many people make holidays the times they reach out to other people. The bright and hearts decorating department stores in February, the blinking lights hanging on lamp posts in December—these help us feel connected to something larger than ourselves.

In a world where get-togethers and barbecues do not happen as much as they used to in decades past, in a world where no one borrow sugar from his or her neighbor any longer or bakes a cake when someone moves on to the block, festivals tie us together.

Therefore, everyone should make the most of their festival times. Get out and decorate your home at Christmastime. Surprise your spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend with a Valentine’s Day gift. And definitely have fun at Halloween. Even if you do not enjoy Halloween, I guarantee the children in your neighborhood will appreciate your dressing up, putting a graveyard in your front yard and passing out candy!

Chinese New Year kicks off on February 12th with a 16-day festival celebrating China's most important holiday. 【小题1】The answer dates back centuries.

The holiday originated with the Chinese lunar calendar, which is why you'll often hear it also referred to as Lunar New Year. According to History. com, the calendar's existence dates back as early as the 14th century, B. C. during the Shang Dynasty. Unlike the Western calendar, 【小题2】 It was reset each time a new emperor took control. Because it is often set according to both lunar phases and the solar solstices(夏至), the kick-off to Chinese New Year varies annually

On average, Chinese New Year starts with the arrival of the new moon that occurs sometime between the end of January and the end of February. It lasts until the Festival of Lanterns, which is when the full moon is in place. 【小题3】 , which gives everyone plenty of time for celebration. Don't miss the Chinese New Year celebrations we can all celebrate.

Traditionally, red envelopes containing money are gifted during the Lunar New Year celebrations, a custom that goes back to ancient times. However, 【小题4】According to the University of California, Irvine, one popular source is the legend of a young orphan who, during the Sung Dynasty, won a battle against a huge monster terrorizing the village of Chain-Chieu. As a reward, the village elders gave the child a red envelope full of money. Whatever the reason, the red envelope is part of Chinese New Year to this day. Find out more about why red is the color of the Chinese New Year.

Firecrackers are another big part of Chinese New Year, and 【小题5】 A fairy, disguised as an elderly man, saved a town from a terrible monster by throwing bamboo sticks into a bonfire. The explosions produced by the bamboo scared off the monster. As a result, the firecrackers set off during Chinese New Year celebrations prevent the evil spirits of the past.

We always enjoy pointing out some unusual holidays to add to your calendar. Now jot these down, learn something new and have fun!

Random Acts of Kindness Day （February 17）

If you have encountered a homeless person and given money, that's a random act of kindness. The idea of this day is to get lots of people doing something kind for someone they don't know with no expectation of getting anything in return. This concept is trickier with social distancing but even a big smile and a “hi!’’ from across the street qualifies.

I Forgot Day （July 2）

Did you forget to call Grandma on her birthday or return that soccer ball you borrowed from a friend three months ago? Today is a good day to clean the slate. Make a list of things you meant to do but forgot. Work through the list, and don't get discouraged if you don't accomplish everything in one day. Just remember to keep the list in a place where you'll see it. Otherwise, you know what will happen.

DOGust First （August 1）

If your family is one of the many that adopted dogs from animal shelters last year, you may not know, for example, Luna or Cooper's actual birthday. The North Shore Animal League thought of that problem in 2008 and picked today as the birthday of all shelter dogs. Give your pup extra love today, and consider what you can do to help other sheller dogs.

World Vegetarian Day （October 1）

It’s not hard to go without meat for one day, but how about one month? The North American Vegetarian Society asks people to help reduce greenhouse gases by pledging to cat no meat, fish or fowl （basically chicken or turkey） in October. The pledge is tricky for kids to make on their own because Mom and Dad are usually in charge of preparing meals. Ask them if you can participate or if the whole family could try it. You will probably be surprised about how many tasty meals are meatless.