POSTS WITH TAG: holiday

Entertainment

Times Square Ball Drop: How Did this New Year's Eve Tradition Begin?

Posted by Eden M. Kennedy
on Dec 31, 2011 at 9:35 AM

 

times square ballHow did a giant ball slowly descending on Times Square become our national symbol of New Year's Eve, and why on earth is Dick Clark in charge of it? Our story begins way back in the twentieth century, when The New York Times persuaded the city of New York to rename the area in front of their building Times Square. Let's just think about that for a moment, because before that most squares were named to commemorate an inspiring person or heroic/tragic event (Washington Square, Trafalgar Square). But to have a commercial enterprise get naming rights made Times Square the NCAA Tostitos Fiesta Bowl of 1904.

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Entertainment

New Year's Eve 2012 TV Specials to DVR (Because You Never Make It to Midnight)

Posted by Adriana Velez
on Dec 28, 2011 at 11:42 AM

new years eve times squareGot plans for New Year's Eve? Whether you've got a swank NYE party to attend, a casual get-together with friends, or you're just kickin' it tired parents-style at home in your pajamas, there's so many New Year's specials on TV you may want to set your DVR. How many of us make it 'till midnight, anyway?

Dick Clark used to own the airwaves on New Year's Eve, but now he's got company -- a rival celebration on NBC with Carson Daly, plus Demi Lovato hosting on MTV, and David Archuleta on Fox. Even Anderson Cooper is in on the fun (WHAT WHAT!). Check out our guide to New Year's Eve on the tube.

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Entertainment

8 Hanukkah Songs for 8 Days of Celebration (VIDEOS)

Posted by Jill Baughman
on Dec 19, 2011 at 7:07 AM

Jon Stewart Stephen ColbertHanukkah is only a few days away, can you believe it? People all around the world will soon be lighting up their menorahs and spinning dreidels and making latkes and handing out gelt, celebrating and spending some QT with their loved ones. 

Even though Christmas carols tend to take over this time of year, there are plenty of sweet, moving, and, let's face it, totally hilarious Hanukkah songs out there to help get you into the spirit. Have a listen to some of our favorites -- and then be inspired to fry up some sufganiyah.

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Entertainment

9 Reasons Why 'New Year's Eve' Is the Next 'Love Actually'

Posted by Adriana Velez
on Dec 8, 2011 at 7:39 PM

new years eveFolks, I think we have a bomb on our hands. A big holiday bomb bursting with overpaid A-list actors and cheesy movie cliches. I'm talking about the movie New Year's Eve. It's another one of those horrible holiday ensemble movies.

Remember Love Actually? That movie sucked. Oh I watched it all the way through anyway -- twice. (I'm a glutton for punishment.) But it had too many plot lines and it all got tied together too neatly. This one's going to suck, too, I can already tell. Here are 9 reasons why I know I'll hate New Year's Eve.

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Entertainment

Big, Hairy ‘Glee’ Spoiler Should Have Been Kept Under Wraps

Posted by Adriana Velez
on Dec 7, 2011 at 2:07 PM

artie gleeAre we all looking forward to the Glee Christmas episode? That show is getting CA-RAZY now, what with the gay love triangle, inappropriate teacher/student relations (maybe), teen strippers, not to mention practically pole dancing on stage -- what is going on? And HOW will they possibly top it -- while still embracing the holidays in true Glee spirit?

Unfortunately, I already know their secret weapon for the Christmas episode. And it's awesome. And totally unexpected -- except they're already telling people about it! What the holly?!? Why would they do that? Don't they want to keep us in suspense?

Warning: SPOILER after the jump! Click only if you want the surprise ruined for you too, and let's face it -- who can resist?

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Entertainment

British Navy Spreads Christmas Cheer With Sexy Mariah Carey Lip Sync (VIDEO)

Posted by Adriana Velez
on Dec 6, 2011 at 6:01 PM

hms oceanWhat's Christmasy and sweet and sexy and filled with long-distance longing? This video the crew of HMS Ocean made to Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You." The British Royal Navy members went all out for this one, singing along with Mariah in cute costumes. A few go shirtless and, oh my, is it getting a little warm in here or is it just me?

You can tell these crew members are DYING to get home for the holidays -- and no wonder. Their seven-week deployment turned into a 7 1/2-month tour when the crew got sent to Libya and further operations. But they've kept their spirits up and mustered the moxie to put on quite a show!

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Entertainment

3 Ways Kim Kardashian Could Have Saved Her Holiday Card

Posted by Linda Sharps
on Nov 22, 2011 at 2:35 PM

Breaking holiday news, you guys: after what was reportedly a giant pain in her sizable rear end getting her Christmas cards ordered, Kim Kardashian recently had to ditch the entire lot because the luxury stationery she chose featured one of her wedding photos. Oh, why do bad things happen to good people?

I mock, but I have to say, I sort of feel her pain. I can't say I ever thought I'd have something in common with Kim Kardashian, but even though my holiday card photos involve a rickety self-timer and a Lego-strewn living room backdrop and two feral children and, like, zero makeup artists, I'm still wincing over the idea of poor Kim having to start all over. I hate ordering holiday cards so much I might have stayed married for an extra couple months, if I were her.

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In The News

10 Surprising July 4th Facts You Probably Don't Know

Posted by Emily Abbate
on Jul 1, 2011 at 6:17 PM

American Flag July 4 Interesting FactsWhat better way to kick off the Fourth of July weekend than with a little Independence Day trivia.

Let's take a look at 10 surprising facts, guaranteed to be excellent conversation starters at this weekend's celebratory barbecue.

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Healthy Living

Being Un-American on Memorial Day Weekend Is Good for You

Posted by The Stir Bloggers
on May 25, 2011 at 10:38 AM

memorial day may 30Memorial Day is fast approaching, and along with it comes a highly anticipated three-day weekend. I don't know about you, but on Monday, May 30, I plan on sitting on the beach and spending the day doing absolutely nothing.

It's not often that I get to say that. And the truth of it all is that I'm not alone. On Memorial Day weekend, it's almost assumed that everyone takes a little time off. But the rest of the year? Not so much. On average, the typical American worker gets three weeks paid vacation time, and only 57 percent of us actually use up all the days we're entitled to. Compare that number to the whopping 89 percent vacation time workers use in France, and that's just absurd! I know Monday's already a national holiday, but I'm taking it upon myself to also declare it the beginning of a national EMERGENCY.

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Healthy Living

5 Earth Day Promotions That Are Good for You, Too

Posted by Emily Abbate
on Apr 20, 2011 at 4:03 PM

earth day recycling Earth Day, April 22, is fast approaching. While some people will celebrate all things green with river cleanups and walk-to-work initiatives, others are taking a more retail-based approach.

Stores everywhere, including Old Navy and Origins, are doing cool things to commemorate Earth Day and get you in the door. I know what you're thinking: What's the big deal? Well what if I told you that stopping by all of these spots this Friday will actually make you healthier and happier? Starting at Starbucks ...

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