By Haddon Libby
October 31st sets the stage for November with Halloween, a beloved holiday where costumes, candy, and spooky decorations reign supreme. From carving jack-o’-lanterns to trick-or-treating, it’s a night of playful frights that spills into November’s festive spirit. November weaves together heartfelt traditions and delightfully bizarre observances, offering something for everyone. Let’s explore how conventional holidays like Thanksgiving and Veterans Day intertwine with peculiar celebrations like National Absurdity Day and Plan Your Epitaph Day, creating a uniquely festive month.
November begins with All Saints’ Day, a Christian holiday honoring saints with church services and quiet reflection, paired with the quirky National Cook For Your Pets Day, where pet lovers whip up gourmet treats like tuna cupcakes for cats or peanut butter biscuits for dogs. The next day, All Souls’ Day invites families to light candles and visit cemeteries to honor the departed, while Plan Your Epitaph Day adds a darkly humorous twist, encouraging witty gravestone quips like “Gone to binge-watch the afterlife.”
On November 3rd, Cliché Day celebrates overused phrases like “better late than never,” inviting playful banter, while National Sandwich Day honors the humble sandwich—think classic BLTs or oddball combos like peanut butter and pickles. November 4th brings King Tut Day, commemorating the 1922 discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb, sparking fascination with ancient treasures, alongside National Candy Day, where adventurous eaters might try chili-laced lollipops or chocolate-covered crickets. This is also Election Day so remember to vote early and often!
Guy Fawkes Day on the 5th is a British staple, marking the foiled 1605 Gunpowder Plot with bonfires and fireworks—a festive nod to a near-disaster. Meanwhile, National Nachos Day on the 6th celebrates the chaotic joy of nachos piled high with quirky toppings like kimchi or gummy worms. On the 8th, try saying saying “She sells sea shells at the sea shore” or “Tres tristes tigres tragan trigo en un trigal” as it is International Tongue Twister Day. It is also National Cappuccino Day so caffeinated before saying your tongue twisters. Two day later, sweeten your day as it is National Vanilla Cupcake Day.
Mid-month on the 11th, Veterans Day honors our brave military veterans with parades and ceremonies, often at 11:11 AM to mark the Armistice. The ice cream lobby added National Sundae Day to Veteran’s Day with ice cream and toppings as tame as hot fudge or sprinkles to adventurous options like hot sauce or fried chicken.
National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day is an oddly specific commemoration on the 12th as pizza lovers are encouraged to shunning the fishy topping. Things get nicer on the 13th with World Kindness Day where people are encouraged to promote random acts like leaving uplifting notes. The same day, Sadie Hawkins Day flips tradition, encouraging women to ask men out. The 14th celebrates dill, kosher, gherkin, bread and butter, sweet or sour with National Pickle Day with the 15th being National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day when you are encouraged to dive into mystery jars, Tupperware and begin making room for Thanksgiving.
The absurdity peaks on the 20th with National Absurdity Day, a day perfect for debating whether cereal is soup or whether it is okay to wear mismatched socks. National Stuffing Day on the 21st preps for Thanksgiving with quirky recipes like oyster stuffing, while National Eat a Cranberry Day on the 23rd dares you to try cranberries in an assortment of ways that could include salsa or jerky. Thanksgiving Day on the 27th, a cherished American holiday, brings families together for turkey, gratitude, pie and lots of football games, followed by Black Friday’s shopping frenzy that’s practically a national sport.
Red Planet Day on the 28th marks the 1965 Mariner 4 Mars flyby, appealing to space nerds, while National French Toast Day offers sweet breakfasts with odd twists like French toast tacos. Finally, Electronic Greetings Day on the 29th embraces digital cards with dancing llamas or memes.
Sparked by Halloween’s spooky fun, November weaves gratitude, remembrance, and outright silliness into a month-long celebration. Whether you’re honoring veterans, baking for your pet, or doing something absurd, nearly everyday gives you a chance to spark some joy or a chuckle.
Haddon Libby is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Winslow Drake Investment Management. For more information on our services, please visit www.WinslowDrake.com.
