The Gift of Giving

Tuesday, Nov 30th, 2021

It's always a pleasure to receive gifts, but what doesn't get as much love is the act of giving, and the satisfaction that comes with it. Fortunately, November 30th, or Giving Tuesday, is your opportunity to step up and make a difference!

According to National Today, Giving Tuesday was founded in 2012 by New York’s 92nd Street Y and the United Nations. This initiative was introduced as a day to inspire people and companies to take action and create a better world. NP Source recorded in 2018 that Facebook raised more than $125 million for charity, which was up 178% from the previous year. Interestingly, a study by National Today shows that men and women tend to differentiate when it comes to giving: women are more likely to support human services, whereas men are more likely to donate to health-related charities.

Although the word ‘giving’ is mostly associated with money in some sort of way, there are many different ways to celebrate Giving Tuesday, even if you aren’t in the position to donate cash. You can sign yourself – or even your whole family – up for volunteering hours to different charities, whether it's a soup kitchen, senior home, or local SPCA branch. You can go through your home for gently used items, donating them to others in need, or you can spend the evening picking up litter in your community. However you choose to spend your Giving Tuesday, we hope you choose to be part of the difference!

Ready, Set, SHOP! 

Monday, Nov 29th, 2021

Ready, set, SHOP! Cyber Monday, in all its glory, is finally here. We feel that this is the one Monday out of the year you should be able to shop guilt-free. So without further ado, let us present to you Zazzle's Cyber Monday deals!

As if Cyber Monday wasn’t exciting enough! This year, we want you to keep coming back to Zazzle for more. That’s why our sale changes every 3 hours! Yes, we'll have 25% off sitewide and 50% off cards & invitations throughout the day, but check back every 3 hours for 50% off products, including selected t-shirts, mugs, ornaments, wrapping paper, and more! And if that didn’t thrill you enough, did we mention that selected fleece blankets will also be making a discounted 3-hour appearance?!

Where did Cyber Monday come from? Investopedia tells us that Cyber Monday was coined in 2005 by Shop.org and refers to the Monday that comes after the Thanksgiving weekend. Although Cyber Monday first started in the US, it’s now happening around the world. In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic pushed more and more people to online shopping with Black Friday.com reporting sales at $9.81 billion. With this, companies are choosing to put more effort into their Cyber Monday deals and marketing. Whether you're shopping for yourself or crossing names off your Christmas list, these deals are bound to please!

Christmas Shopping Made Simple

Sunday, Nov 28th, 2021

If the thought of Holiday shopping is weighing you down, we’re here to help! Not everyone has the time or the patience for shopping, so that is why we’ve created a simple quiz for you to use to make your shopping pain-free. Head over to “QUIZ: What Should I Get For Christmas?” on our Zazzle Ideas page and start crossing names off your Christmas list today!

While finding the perfect gift for your loved ones is half the battle, there are a few more things to consider when Christmas shopping:

1. Have a Plan - write down all of your gift ideas on paper correlating to their recipient. It’s too easy to veer off course, and sometimes...start shopping for yourself!

2. Online Shopping / In-Store Shopping - While there's some peace and mind to in-store shopping and having all your gifts physically with you, there are some perks to online shopping too. These would include not having to place yourself in busy stores, wait in ridiculously long lineups, and not that we would judge, but you wouldn't need to get out of your pajamas either!

3. Shipping Times - Christmas is the busiest time of the year for couriers so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that if you’re not careful, your packages could arrive after the holidays. If you're shopping online, make sure to take note of their shipping deadlines or pay that little extra for expedited shipping. Find more info on Zazzle’s shipping info page.

And if you still need a little more help or guidance with your Christmas shopping, here is one more Zazzle Ideas page we’d highly recommend, “30 Best Christmas Gift Ideas for 2021”.

Your One-Stop Ornament Shop

Saturday, Nov 27th, 2021

Let's be clear: your Christmas décor wouldn’t be complete without ornaments on the tree. Nestled between the tinsel and branches, some of them even have a story to tell! From your kid’s school-made ornaments to family heirlooms tied with a string, ornaments are a staple of the holiday season.

According to Christmas HQ, the idea of decorating the tree started in Germany, where families would add fruits and nuts to their tree. It wasn’t until the 1800s that German immigrants brought this tradition over to America. Today, we've come a long way from fruits and nuts!

Here at Zazzle, we’ve made searching for the perfect ornament easy with our selection of Christmas ornaments. On this page, you can find our bestsellers, new designs, and those trending from our partnered brands, including Disney Princess and Winnie the Pooh. And if that’s not enough to get the ball rolling, you can design your ornament from scratch, with over 20 different shapes and styles to choose from. Use ornaments to mark special occasions like weddings, the birth of your new baby, or use them to remember your recent travels!

Happy Shopping This Black Friday! 

Friday, Nov 26th, 2021

It’s not too late! Even if you weren’t one of the dedicated shoppers on our website for 12:01am, there’s still time to take advantage of our Black Friday sale, happening RIGHT NOW! Cross the rest of the names off your Christmas list today, with Black Friday deals on Zazzle!

Most would assume that Black Friday got its name due to stores going from a financial loss, otherwise known as 'in the red,' to a financial gain, known as 'into the black.' Whatever the origin, Black Friday is now known throughout America as one of the best shopping days of the year.

According to National Today, 74% of Americans are expected to shop on Black Friday. That’s almost three-quarters of all Americans! Today, companies are choosing to not only offer sales in-store but online too. The best part about companies extending their Black Friday sales online is the comfort of shopping from home and eliminating the often cold November morning spent in lines outside of the stores. And don’t forget the sometimes-aggressive shopper that might very well tackle you for a discounted toaster.

Do you know what pairs well with our Black Friday sale? Zazzle Plus, of course! Zazzle Plus not only provides FREE shipping on all your purchases but also guarantees VIP early access to the best deals of the season, additional discounts on your orders, and the opportunity to use Zazzle Live for help from our professional designers. Can it get any better?!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday, Nov 25th, 2021

How do you spend your Thanksgiving Day? Does it start with the glorious smell that hits your nose while preparing turkey, sweet potato pie, and stuffing? Would you prefer to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, or does your family get together to cheer on your favorite football team? Maybe you even do both! Regardless of how you spend your 'Turkey Day', we hope it’s with the ones you cherish the most.

So, how did Thanksgiving start? According to History.com, the first Thanksgiving Dinner – although not officially called Thanksgiving at this time – was back in November 1621. A celebratory feast was planned by Governor William Bradford after a successful harvest. This feast lasted three days and also welcomed Native American allies.

Fast-forward a few centuries, and Thanksgiving is now the opportunity for friends and family to give thanks for what we have and share (while drowning in turkey carvings). It’s said that on Thanksgiving we eat more than double our normal calorie intake. Now, let us introduce you to 5 Thanksgiving Fitness Activities you can do with your family on Zazzle Ideas. And don’t forget about all the Thanksgiving Day party supplies – such as napkins and paper plates – that can elevate your Thanksgiving Day, right here on Zazzle!

All You Have to Do Is Call

Wednesday, Nov 24th, 2021

“Friends are the family we choose for ourselves.” There are a lot of quotes about friends and the importance of friendship out there, but here at Zazzle, this is our favorite. It’s a timeless sentiment, and unsurprisingly, it’s never been attributed to any singular person; rather, it’s something everyone can agree on. When you meet someone whose company you never tire of, whose sentences you can finish, and who’s basically a pseudo-brother or sister, you know you’ve got yourself a true friend.

With the holidays approaching, then, it may be time to show your friends how much you appreciate them, and to give them something truly special. Do you want to provide them with something practical but personal, like one-of-a-kind stationery? Or do you want to play to their interests with a sports item or game? If you’re stuck for ideas, then it’s worth paying attention over the next few weeks to see if they mention anything they need, which you can slyly take note of for later. You could also imbue the gift with some extra significance by adding a photo or inside joke.

There are, of course, six New Yorkers who know a lot about the ins and outs of friendship (when they’re not on a break or refusing to share food). Check out our officially licensed FRIENDS apparel here; could we BE selling any more clothes? And remember, you can also create cards for all of your friends this holiday season with our selection of Christmas cards or Holiday Card Maker, making it easier than ever to spread good cheer among your acquaintances, colleagues, sympathizers, compadres, associates, and contemporaries! 

A Sequence of Events

Tuesday, Nov 23rd, 2021

Alright, brace yourselves: today, we will be talking about math, specifically, the Fibonacci sequence. This November 23rd, we’re commemorating the discovery of a famous numerical pattern, which consists of numbers that are the sum of the preceding digits. For example: 1, 1, 2, 3 is a list ordered in this way, because 3 = 2 + 1, 2 = 1 + 1, and 1 is the same as 1.

However, the importance of this sequence extends far beyond such equations. When writing a book called Liber Abaci in the Middle Ages, which introduced Hindu-Arabic numerals to the western world, the mathematician Leonardo Bonacci, also known as Fibonacci, commented on a particular sequence in nature. He used the population growth of rabbits as a case study: if you start with one pair of rabbits (1 + 1 = 2), then a little later on, you’ll have three rabbits (2 + 1 = 3), as they multiply following the Fibonacci sequence.

Remarkably, this pattern recurs throughout our universe. According to National Today, petals, leaves, galaxies, and DNA molecules all develop in the same way, and the Fibonacci sequence has even proved useful in computing, stock trading, and architecture. That’s our math lesson over, then, but as you can see, math isn’t the only subject that Fibonacci crops up in! 

Unwrapping the History of Gift Wrap

Monday, Nov 22nd, 2021

It’s a universal truth, like gravity or the speed of light: wrapping paper makes gifts look more appealing. Whether tied up with a bow, embellished with a gift tag or placed in a decorative bag, it’s wrapping paper that seals the deal when it comes to holiday prep.

In yesterday’s Moment, we spoke about two conscientious brothers, the McCormacks, who took it upon themselves to establish a new holiday. Today, we want to give a special mention to another pair of enterprising brothers, who, in 1917, began selling wrapping paper in Missouri. When their store ran out of the tissue paper customers used to wrap their gifts, they found a substitute among their supplies: an obscure kind of paper they used for lining envelopes. As soon as it was put on their shelves, it sold out almost immediately, and the brothers produced their own wrapping paper in subsequent years. Furthermore, the family's name was Hall, and the company they would go on to found was Hallmark!

Of course, wrapping paper has its antecedents in furoshiki: the Japanese practice of wrapping gifts in cloth, which has been around since the 1600s. There’s also evidence to suggest that gifts of money were wrapped in ancient China, around the second century BCE. For a more modern approach, however, check out our “Ways to Take Your Gift Wrapping Game to the Next Level” article, as well as our extensive range of wrapping paper designs! 

Say Hello to Hello Day 

Sunday, Nov 21st, 2021

Hello, bonjour, hola, nǐ hǎo, shalom, guten Tag… It's the first word you learn in every language, and it's one you'll put to use on a daily basis. Greetings, dear reader, on this, the 49th World Hello Day!

While we're getting reacquainted, we should introduce you to Brian and Michael McCormack: siblings who sought to encourage communication and kindness in the aftermath of conflict in the true spirit of brotherhood. In the name of preserving peace, the brothers spent all of their money sending letters to world leaders, hoping that they'd participate in the holiday and embrace its message. The movement succeeded, and since 1973 the holiday has been celebrated in almost 200 countries by world leaders, authors, and Nobel Prize winners.

If you'd like to follow in the footsteps of these thoughtful brothers – and the many celebrities they've inspired – then it's an easy holiday to celebrate. To 'play,' you simply need to say hello to 10 people; if they're in a different state, country, or continent, or you use a different language to do it, so much the better! Join in the fun this November 21st, and you'll ensure that we won't be saying goodbye to this special day anytime soon.

If you're interested in participating in Hello Day with more than just a 'Hello,' check out our marketplace of fun and unique Hello gifts!

Children Are the Future!

Saturday, Nov 20th, 2021

Here at Zazzle, we firmly believe that children make the world a better place. When it comes to Universal Children's Day – a day that celebrates children worldwide and promotes the importance of their welfare, we're keen to get involved and pay children the recognition they deserve.

That's been the ethos of the United Nations since 1954, too, when World Children's Day (or Universal Children's Day) was established to champion "international togetherness." Five years later, on November 20th, 1959, the U.N. adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, and in 1989, on the same date, they introduced the Convention of the Rights of the Child. Children are a crucial part of the family unit and society, and their continued protection from exploitation and poor living conditions is a goal towards which we should all strive.

You can read more about the details of these conventions on SavetheChildren.org; Save the Children is itself an international organization that campaigns for the rights of children in more than 100 countries. Suppose there's a charity partner you work with, whether it relates to children's welfare or something else. You can pick up some advice about supporting it in our "Online Fundraising Ideas for Nonprofit Organizations" article. And at the very least, you can show your son, daughter, nephew, or niece how much you appreciate them with a personalized gift for kids! 

Tips for Your Trips! 

Friday, Nov 19th, 2021

The holiday season is almost upon us once again, and with a veritable gauntlet of celebrations – including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve – only a few weeks away, it's essential to travel swiftly, smartly, and safely. November and December are always busy months at airports, railway stations, and bus terminals, but thankfully, there's more than enough advice to go around!

For example, if you're traveling to see family or friends this year, then choose a more opportune time to depart: don't wait until the day before Thanksgiving to go, as USA Today points out. Pack light to minimize delays at the airport carousel, or consider driving or catching a bus if you're moving across the U.S. Have your passport, boarding pass, or any COVID documentation you need close to hand, and ship gifts ahead of your arrival to prevent you from lugging them around – Zazzle's Shipping Deadlines page can help you out there.

To see a complete list of tips and guidelines, we recommend looking at Travel and Leisure's "7 Tips to Travel Better This Holiday Season." Our "How to Celebrate Christmas During COVID-19" and "How to Celebrate Thanksgiving During COVID-19" articles contain some further tips about traveling during the holidays, but advice may differ from area to area. And as always, the early bird catches the plane: there's no substitute for preparedness and punctuality!

The Birth of Disney! 

Thursday, Nov 18th, 2021

They've hosted a dinner theater club, they've celebrated Christmas together numerous times, and they've even secured their respective stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. That's right – it's Disney's premier couple we're paying tribute to this November 18th: Mickey and Minnie Mouse!

Ninety-three years ago, Mickey and Minnie made their first public appearance in the Disney short, "Steamboat Willie." Technically, however, they actually made their debut in an earlier film, "Plane Crazy," a six-minute short produced around six months before "Steamboat Willie." The films were a roaring success in the 1920s, and the animated couple was the subject of dozens of cartoons in the next decade.

Did you know that Minnie's full name is Minerva? Or that Mickey, along with being Walt Disney's alter ego, was inspired by Charlie Chaplin's happy-go-lucky tramp? Head to ABC for more Disney trivia, and then to Zazzle.com to check out our Mickey & Friends merchandise! 

A Toast: To National Homemade Bread Day!

Wednesday, Nov 17th, 2021

Would you like to guess what day it is today? See if you can follow our crumbs and find the answer. You've got to crust your instincts—at yeast that's what we think. Wheat love to tell you the answer, but we think you might almost have it. No? Have things gone a-rye? We thought you were on a roll. That's ok, we'll tell you the answer because our puns have gone kind of stale anyway. Don't be sour, dough. Today is National Homemade Bread Day!

Bread has been a staple of our diet for thousands of years. In fact, a 2018 archaeological dig in the Black Desert in northeast Jordan found burnt crumbs of bread in ancient fireplaces that were found to be 14,000 years old. This was significant as it seemed to contradict the previous assumption that bread emerged after the onset of agriculture. "Bread was being made by hunter-gatherers before they started to cultivate any plants," said Dr. Tobias Richards, who co-authored the study.

While that may be fascinating to read, we're sure you're more interested in bread that's not so far past its expiration date. Today, after all, is about the freshest of the fresh, homemade bread. If you're going to fire up the oven and get into the spirit of the occasion, check out this list of the 33 Best Bread Recipes. If you become passionate about baking and start compiling bread recipes, you might want to browse our selection of recipe binders.

We hope you loaf National Bread Day as much as we do!

It's National Entrepreneurs' Day! 

Tuesday, Nov 16th, 2021

Here at Zazzle, we admire entrepreneurial spirit. That's why we think it's important to recognize that November is National Entrepreneurship Month and that today is National Entrepreneurs' Day!

Former President of the United States, Barack Obama, first proclaimed a National Entrepreneurs' Day back in November 2010. In 2011, he went one step further and declared November National Entrepreneurship Month. Subsequent presidents Donald Trump and Joseph Biden have followed suit and kept the ball rolling. In his presidential proclamation, issued in late October, President Biden recognized that the last few years and the COVID-19 pandemic had been particularly tough times for businesses. Still, he commended entrepreneurs for their 'incredible fortitude' and their ability to find 'innovative and effective ways to adapt their businesses as we fight a once-in-a-century crisis.'

As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, there'll be yet further opportunity for innovative and adaptive folks out there. If you've eyed an opportunity and you're thinking of becoming your own boss in the not too distant future, check out this list of 'Nine Tips All Entrepreneurs Need To Hear When Starting A Business' over at Forbes. You can also peruse our very own list of '5 Books Every Aspiring Entrepreneur Should Read' on Zazzle Ideas.

Make the Write Move... 

Monday, Nov 15th, 2021

Grab a pencil, a pen, a notebook, a journal, your laptop, an antique—possibly haunted—typewriter ridden with cobwebs, or whatever other writing implements you have to hand. And start putting some words down on that page because today is National I Love to Write Day!

National I Love to Write Day is the brainchild of Delaware author John Riddle, who created it back in 2002 in the hope that it would inspire people to write and, in turn, lead to the development of tomorrow’s great authors. ‘For many people, that (I Love to Write Day) will be the beginning of their writing career,’ said Riddle. ‘I Love To Write Day has the potential to launch the career of the next John Grisham, Mary Higgins Clark, Stephen King or Toni Morrison.’

Have you spent years thinking that ‘someday’ you’d sit down and flesh out that novel, script, short story, or poem idea you have? Well, then, let today be that day. Let I Love to Write Day be your motivation. Facing the tyranny of the blank page is a daunting task, we know, but you’ll regret it if you never try. And remember, as the aforementioned Stephen King once said, ‘The scariest moment is always just before you start. After that, things can only get better.’

If you like some writing tips to help you get going, check out this list of 8 Great Ways to Start the Writing Process by Penguin Random House.

Happy Friendsgiving!

Sunday, Nov 14th, 2021

It’s a little over one week to go before Thanksgiving, and for increasing numbers of people in the United States, that has come to mean one thing: Friendsgiving is just around the corner!

If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, Friendsgiving is where a group of friends meet for a more informal Thanksgiving-style meal, usually on the weekend before the traditional holiday. It may have started as a Thanksgiving replacement for those unable to travel home to their families, but it’s now become its own separate event. One might assume that the hit TV show Friends inspired Friendsgiving, and that’s certainly an understandable assumption. As Real Simple notes, the early episode in which the whole gang ends up together for Thanksgiving after a series of events leaves them unable to travel home captures the spirit of the occasion perfectly. However, it wasn’t until 2007 that the first mentions of Friendsgiving started showing up in online forums and on social media.

Regardless of its origins, Friendsgiving has become incredibly popular in recent years—putting it right up there with Galentine’s Day on the list of Millennial holidays. And we completely understand why! It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the near-familial bonds we share with our best friends. Whether you’re a long-time observer of the holiday or you’re celebrating it for the first time, check out this list of 26 Friendsgiving Party Ideas over at Cosmopolitan for ways to spice things up. You can also visit Zazzle, for Friendsgiving party supplies—such as invitations, paper plates, and much more!

Be Kind Today... And Always!

Saturday, Nov 13th, 2021

‘You want to know how to change the world, son? One random act of kindness at a time.’

The above quote, which you might recognize, comes from the movie Evan Almighty and from the lips of Morgan Freeman, who is playing God, no less. It's a wonderful sentiment, and though it might seem somewhat simplistic, there's reason to believe that our little good deeds can have far-reaching implications.

You've probably heard it said that kindness is contagious. Perhaps you've even noticed this phenomenon at play in your own actions and reactions. Maybe somebody did a kind act for you, and later that day, you took an opportunity to pay it forward. Well, the idea that kindness is contagious seems to be based on more than just anecdotes. In fact, several studies, both behavioral and even biological, have suggested that kindness can cause a positive ripple effect. As a result, your one random act of kindness can have a much greater impact than you might ever know.

We bring this up because today, November 13, is World Kindness Day—the perfect opportunity for you to create a few positive ripples in your environment. If you'd like to play your part in this celebration, consider leaving positive messages on sticky notes around the office, visiting a senior citizens center, creating bookmarks and leaving them in library books as a bit of surprise, or simply buying a coffee for the person behind you in the queue at your local café. For more inspiration, check out some beautiful stories of kindness over at RandomActsofKindness.org!

Your Favorite Hour Now Has It's Own Day! 

Friday, Nov 12th, 2021

There’s no need to make elaborate excuses or come up with flimsy reasons to justify it to yourself; once the clock strikes 5, you can hit the bar guilt-free because today is National Happy Hour Day!

That’s right, everyone’s favorite hour has finally spawned its own full day! But from where did the Happy Hour tradition itself come?

Well, most online sources cite old issues of Our Navy, which claim that members of the USS Arkansas crew would organize ‘Happy Hours’ to entertain themselves and boost morale on the ship as early as 1913. Another blog refers to reports of these naval Happy Hours in publications such as the Washington Times. The events involved various forms of entertainment and sporting contests between the men, and the practice seemed to spread throughout the Navy. Whether or not alcoholic beverages were consumed is unclear, but bans on having alcohol onboard Navy vessels, which took effect in 1914, were in place for at least some of the reported events. Other sources claim that post-work, pre-dinner cocktails became popular during prohibition when people would visit speakeasies before going for evening meals with friends. The term Happy Hour used in the Navy was commonly adopted.

O you…You left for the bar a long time ago, didn’t you?

If you did make it this far and you’re considering celebrating the occasion from the comfort of your own home, check out this handy list of great cocktail recipes. With this Neon Happy Hour Wall Clock, you can even give your home bar a more authentic feel for future happy hours. Whatever you do today, though, have fun and drink responsibly!

Honoring Our Veterans!

Thursday, Nov 11th, 2021

It is, of course, Veterans Day in the United States - a day for honoring those who have so gallantly served our country in the US Armed Forces down through the years. Veterans Day started as Armistice Day, which celebrated the end of World War 1 on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month of 1918. However, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday to Veterans Day in 1954 and expanded it to honor all veterans.

Today, we celebrate the holiday with ceremonies, parades, periods of silence, and other events, but there are less traditional ways to honor those who have given, and continue to give, so much for their country. This year, why not send a care package to a troop stationed overseas or visit a veterans’ hospital? Even something as simple as sending a card is a much more direct way to show your appreciation for, and impact the lives of, those veterans who are still with us. For more ideas about how you can help, check out this list of 30 Veterans Day Activities or contact one of the Veteran Support Organizations.

If you’d like to buy a gift, check our Veterans Day Gifts, or show your support with some of our officially licensed Armed Forces merchandise.

Can You Tell Me How to Get To . . . 

Wednesday, Nov 10th, 2021

How to get to Sesame Street?

Well, hello there, and welcome to Sesame Street! We were just practicing our counting! Can you guess how many years it’s been since Sesame Street first aired? It’s more than thirty (ha ha ha…), more than forty (ha ha ha…), even more than fifty! Can you believe it? It’s been fifty-two years since we met Elmo, The Count, and all their friends. And can you guess why we’re doing all this counting? Why, because today is National Sesame Street Day!

“If you keep practicing, you can do anything.” — Elmo

Writer Joan Ganz Cooney, psychologist Lloyd Morrisett, and puppeteer Jim Henson created Sesame Street with a mission in mind: to educate children of all backgrounds through entertainment. Thanks to the show’s encouraging life lessons and hilarious one-liners, it was (and still is) a huge success in the US and beyond.

Join the celebrations today by picking up some official merchandise from Zazzle’s Sesame Street store, or donating to The Sesame Street Workshop, the show’s non-profit organization that helps children all over the world to “grow smarter, stronger, and kinder.” And remember:

“Keep calm and eat cookies.”— Cookie Monster

Creativity Takes Courage – Henri Matisse

Tuesday, Nov 9th, 2021

What’s your favorite work of art? Van Gogh’s famous The Starry Night? Something you stumbled upon at a local exhibition? Or maybe it’s an elaborate scribble one of your kids proudly signed and stuck on the fridge? Art of all descriptions can add so much meaning to our lives, but between work, family, and social commitments, it’s easy to go months without even thinking about it! Well, today is a great opportunity to make amends, because it’s National Go To An Art Museum Day.

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”– Pablo Picasso

While the best way to appreciate art today is, of course, to visit a museum, if you won’t quite make it before the weekend, there are lots of other ways to get your fix of artistic expression. Take some time to read about influential American artists like Andy Warhol and Norman Rockwell, browse the wonderful range of fine art posters available on Zazzle, or pick up a pencil and get your own creative juices flowing! You never know, you might just produce your first masterpiece ...

Ready? Set? Math!

Monday, Nov 8th, 2021

When was the last time you cracked open a science book? Or did some math in your head? Well, there’s no time like the present! Today is National Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math day – the perfect time to brush up on some neglected skills!

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest” –– Benjamin Franklin

Educators first started talking about 'STEM' in the 1990s, when they noticed that many kids needed extra encouragement to pursue studies in science, technology, engineering, and maths. More recently, an 'A' was added to the acronym to represent 'art', and to emphasize how these areas of knowledge work best when they come together. Steve Jobs famously credited a calligraphy class with inspiring Apple’s beautiful typography. Similarly, ancient philosopher Pythagoras (discoverer of Pythagoras’s theorem), was a multifaceted thinker, who contributed to mathematics, philosophy, AND music theory!

Now, we probably won’t discover any groundbreaking geometry theories by the end of today, but there are lots of ways to celebrate STEAM day! Try teaching your kids about where rain comes from, or doing an art challenge together. And don’t miss out on all the great STEM merchandise on Zazzle! 

Movie-Lovers, Assemble!

Sunday, Nov 7th, 2021

After a long wait, fans of the Marvel Comic Universe can finally rejoice: Eternals, the next installment of the sensational saga, is here, and it’s set to be a super significant chapter in the series. Got your popcorn? Awesome! Here’s some intelligence we’ve gathered on the upcoming battle!

"When you love something, you protect it."

Avid followers of the Marvel comic books may be familiar with the Eternals, an alien race who’ve secretly lived on earth for thousands of years. The Eternals look just like humans, but their genetic mutations give them god-like strength and immortality. They strive to protect humanity from their enemies, the Deviants, and in this on-screen retelling of their tale, they’re being portrayed by some major names in Hollywood. While we can never predict exactly how the powers that be will adapt the Marvel comics for the silver screen, one thing’s certain: this movie is going to bring the Marvel series into a whole new dimension.

Still curious to know more? Well, you’ll have to see the movie to get the full story! In the meantime, get to know the characters in our officially licensed Marvel: Eternals merchandise store. 

This Is Nacho Average Email Update . . .  

Saturday, Nov 6th, 2021

Mmmm! Can you smell that cheesy deliciousness? It’s salty and melted, with a hint of something spicy... Nope, it’s not your imagination, it’s National Nachos Day! Nachos are a favorite snack for many Americans, but most aren’t familiar with the origins of the dish. Can we tempt you with a little nacho trivia? Let’s tuck in!

It’s rare that a famous dish can be traced back to one specific chef, but for nachos, this just so happens to be the case. Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya García is credited with inventing nachos one evening in 1943, when a group of soldiers’ wives came to the restaurant where he worked. Variations of the tale differ on whether Anaya was the chef, and had run out of ingredients, or was the restaurant’s maître d’, and couldn’t find the chef, but in any case, he had nothing to serve the group, and improvised by melting cheese over tortilla chips and jalopeño slices. And safe to say, we’re all very grateful for the happy accident!

Our Zazzle creators and customers are BIG nacho enthusiasts, so you’ll find a generous spread of nacho-themed gifts such as t-shirts, invitations, and trinkets on Zazzle. Happy Nacho Day folks!

Rock It Like a Redhead! 

Friday, Nov 5th, 2021

Happy Friday everyone! And what a wonderful Friday it is, because today is National Redhead Day! Being a redhead is a blessing only bestowed on a lucky fraction of the population; in fact it’s estimated that red hair occurs in as little as 1-2% of people. That’s roughly the same number of people who have blue eyes, and it’s pretty special!

If you’re one of those fortunate few, you have two fellow redheads to thank for your national holiday: Adrienne and Stephanie Vendetti, authors of How to be a Redhead, and creators of HowtobeaRedhead.com. Tired of struggling to find products that suited their complexion and natural red locks, Adrienne and Stephanie began a self-directed search for redhead-friendly cosmetics. One book, a website, and a whole redheaded empire later, they’ve gathered a wealth of information for redheads AND inspired a whole day of celebration for red hair. And we’re so glad they did!

Join the celebration with a Zazzle t-shirt or mug, proudly featuring Disney’s redheaded princesses: The Little Mermaid’s Ariel and Merida from Brave!

Who Can Take the Sunrise and Sprinkle It with Dew? 

Thursday, Nov 4th, 2021

The Candy Man can! That’s right folks, it’s National Candy Day, and have we got a treat for you! Today’s moment is a golden-ticket-worthy tour of one of America’s finest traditions – candy!

Did you know there are candy shops in the United States that have been open for a century, and longer? Or that 65% of American candy bars have been around for more than 60 years? Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups stand strong at the top of this list, having been invented by Harry Burnett "H. B." Reese in the 1920s. Reese had humble beginnings making candy in the basement of his home, but today, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are one of the most loved treats in the USA!

Now we at Zazzle can’t boast a century-long company history (yet!), but we can appreciate the simple pleasure of indulging in a little candy. So in honor of this sweet national celebration, check out our range of customizable candy favors and gifts! And to put the cherry on top, pick up some candy-themed merchandise from our officially licensed Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory store.

No Worries- It's National Stress Awareness Day 

Wednesday, Nov 3rd, 2021

Today is National Stress Awareness day! That means it's time to talk about everyone's not-so-favorite topic - stress. With the increasing pressures of work, school, relationships, and family life, stress is unavoidable. It's essential to understand what stress is and how it affects your body in both the short-term and long-term effects. Stress is your response to anything that happens that requires you to make a change or do something differently. Stress can be both good and bad, but it's how you react to stress that's important. National Stress Awareness Day exists to remind you and bring you back in touch with your stressors and how to manage them.

There are also two types of stress. Eustress is good stress helps us respond well to our environment, pressures, and changes. Distress is bad stress that creates health problems, anxiety, depression, and negative behavior/thoughts.

Being stressed isn't always easy to identify in yourself because everyone handles stress differently. Some people become more animated and full of energy, while others become withdrawn and fatigued. This article from WebMD outlines some ways to manage distress. One of our favorite ways to manage stress is to put our issues down on paper. That's where journals, notebooks, and coloring activities come in for managing our mental well-being and helping us express ourselves and explore what is stressing us out. We also recommend reading our Stress-Free Weekend Activities article for other types of stress-free ideas.

No matter how stressed you are, National Stress Awareness Day is here to remind you that there are ways to help relieve tension and manage your stress.

Elected  

Tuesday, Nov 2nd, 2021

National Election Day is a time of note here in the US, intended to create a sense of national unity among Americans who had been divided by the Civil War. It wasn't until 1845 that a uniform date was established for elections. Before then, voters cast their ballots on different days for different positions within the government. This change did give people across the country a common day to celebrate their freedoms. Some states still hold local elections at other times during the year, but they must hold federal polls on election days during even-numbered years. In odd-numbered years, states only hold elections for nonfederal positions within their governments. Dozens of countries around the world have established national election days as a way to promote democratic participation in government.

You can read more about National Election Day here in the Farmers Almanac- including the recipe for Election Day Cake- yes, there is a time-honored tradition of Election Day Cake! Don't forget that there are plenty of statement-making items & election designs here on Zazzle for all things voting-related. 

Feliz Día de los Muertos! 

Monday, Nov 1st, 2021

Halloween is over, but Día de los Muertos is about to begin! The Mexican ‘Day of the Dead,’ which actually takes place over two days (November 1st and November 2nd), encompasses elements of Halloween, All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day, and has its roots in the Aztec, Toltec, and Nahua peoples of Central America.

Unlike Halloween, however, which has a darker, scarier vibe, Día de los Muertos is a colorful, happy celebration. Offerings are made to deceased family members on home altars known as ofrendas, and skeletal costumes and masks are donned in tribute to people’s ancestors. Marigold flowers, or cempasúchil, are placed on graves, and their bright colors are said to “guide wandering souls back to their place of rest.”

If you’d like to read more about this unique, beautiful holiday, then we’ve got two places for you to start. “Everything You Need to Know about Día De Los Muertos” is an explanation of the festival’s origins, symbols, and traditions; meanwhile, “Interesting Día De Los Muertos Traditions and Facts” reveals, among other things, the connection between James Bond and the Mexico City parade. And of course, if you’re hosting your own Día De Los Muertos event, then we have all the invitations and officially licensed Disney/Pixar’s Coco merchandise to make you the life and soul of any party!