Easter is a time of joy and happiness, and most of us get together with family and friends to celebrate and rejoice, search for dyed eggs, cook traditional Easter dinners, and have fun in the presence of loved ones.

Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox.

Origins of Easter

The holiday known as Easter is when Christians celebrate the rising of Jesus Christ from the grave.

For my family, Thanksgiving has always been the day that friends and relatives get together to thank God for His blessings on us for the last year. We'll have the kids and grandkids over, the house will be noisy and the aroma coming from the turkey and dressing in the kitchen will be maddening. Before we eat, we'll all gather at the table and give thanks not only for what He has given us, but what He has kept us from!

He kept me from having the big one take me to that big fishing hole in the sky.

There are few reasons to go on holiday other than to rest and re-charge the batteries before another eleven months of hard slog begins. With this in mind, many people look at a holiday with no more a goal than laying around pool side, soaking up the rays and eating and drinking all the things you have deprived yourself of throughout the year.

Nothing wrong with that type of holiday in essence.

While it is doubtful that the attendees of the first Thanksgiving actually had turkey on the menu, the Turkey was nevertheless an important part of the diets of many Native Americans. In the sixteenth century, turkeys were imported to Europe via Turkey the country, and the name stuck.

Most historians agree that the Wampanoag Indians introduced the Turkey to the Pilgrim settlers, in addition to squash, corn, and other foods.

Whether it's your first time or fifth time shopping for baby Christmas toys, there is always a certain amount of excitement in hitting the stores and having a go at what's new on the shelves this year. For babies this year, we are seeing a lot of old classics updated to a new, more current look, with new technology even for the little ones to be stimulated by and to peak curiosity.

Nothing is more fun than shopping for Christmas toys for toddlers. All of sudden, the task at hand is more important than what is going to be served at the holiday gathering! Seeing the surprise and delight in young ones' eyes can be enough to restore your own Christmas spirit. So, start early and have fun. Online shopping can take you the world over, but actually getting in the stores and watching some children in the toy sections can also inspire you this holiday season.

Are you wondering what your little ones are hoping to find under the tree this year? The top toys for Christmas, of course! There are more of these than you can imagine, but some stand out among the rest.

High on the list of hi-tech kids out there are robotics. This year you will see the introduction of a dinosaur named Pleo. Pleo is the most interactive robotic child friendly to date.

New toys for Christmas are just expected on the holiday. Though family members may feel it's more helpful to provide clothes and savings bonds, Moms and Dads in all sorts of situations will do their best to provide at least one neat toy for their little ones. So, how will you decide what is going to be the best buy for your money? First,look at your child and consider the age and the interests.

It's amazing to see and, maybe rather comforting also, that some of the best selling Christmas toys this year will be ones from the past with a new twist, and updated versions of the original product. Baby dolls, for example, resembling more and more the real thing, are expected to be in high demand. These babies are coming home with their new electronic potties and their instructions for potty training.

Every year, I enjoy hosting Thanksgiving dinner. It's a great celebration that I am more than happy to host year after year. This year, I thought I would plan a little cocktail party before dinner and actually enjoy my company before things get too hectic in the kitchen.

I don't make too many things to snack on during cocktails; I like to keep it strictly to drinks if I can.