We can always use an excuse to celebrate, especially as the days get shorter and the weather gets colder. From fun food holidays to creative family outings and your much-anticipated Thanksgiving feast, there are at least 30 opportunities to bring some cheer to November that will make you feel warm inside.
Here are 30 reasons to celebrate during the month of November.
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Nov. 1: World Vegan Day
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Vegan food isn’t just tofu and veggies. There are tons of alternatives for your favorite non-vegan foods, from desserts to bacon and burgers. Sample vegan fare with some tasty dishes, such as vegan chili “cheese” dip, tofu “crab” cakes, and dairy-free cheesecake. You won’t even miss the animal products in these plant-based foods.
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Nov. 2: Deviled Egg Day
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Love them or hate them, this picnic staple has its very own day in November. Whether you prefer your deviled eggs basic, paired with tuna, or with a little bit of a kick, they make an easy appetizer, side, or snack. Try cooking up a few different recipes to celebrate the day.
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Nov. 3: Sandwich Day
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It’s been said that the humble sandwich is the perfect food. And the right bread, meats, cheeses, veggies, and condiments can create endless tasty options. From classic peanut butter and jelly sammies to super indulgent (and inventive) combos, the delicious possibilities are endless. Get some fresh bread and all of your favorite fixings to indulge on this special day.
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Nov. 4: National Candy Day
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If you have a sweet tooth, National Candy Day is the holiday for you. This day gives you the perfect excuse to eat some leftover Halloween candy. You also can try a homemade candy recipe for an extra special treat.
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Nov. 5: National Doughnut Appreciation Day
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Although the origin of the doughnut is hotly debated, basic doughnuts—or rings of fried dough—first began to appear in literature in the mid-19th century. Since then, they’ve only gotten better. Try your doughnuts frosted, stuffed with marshmallows, or topped with bacon. Or go with the simple glazed doughnuts that have stood the test of time to celebrate the day.
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Nov. 6: National Nachos Day
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Sometimes they’re topped only with cheese, sometimes they’re loaded, and sometimes they’re spicy. One thing is for certain: Nachos are always decadent and delicious. Make some with all of your favorite toppings to indulge in the day.
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Nov. 7: Hug a Bear Day
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Grab your teddy bear and give it a good squeeze because today is Hug a Bear Day. If you don't have any stuffed animals but there's someone in your life who would enjoy one, celebrate the day by whipping up a new fuzzy friend using a teddy bear sewing pattern.
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Nov. 8: Cook Something Bold Day
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Cooking “something bold” can mean different things to different people. Maybe you're interested in whipping up an elaborate recipe. Or perhaps you want to try an ingredient you've never had before. No matter your cooking chops, today’s the day to put on your apron and have fun in the kitchen.
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Nov. 9: National Louisiana Day
Celebrate the state known for jazz, unique food, and its spectacular Mardi Gras festival with National Louisiana Day. It's a great day to indulge in some Cajun cuisine or a po' boy. If you happen to live in Louisiana, this one's for you!
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Nov. 10: Forget-Me-Not Day
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It can be difficult to keep in touch with faraway friends and family. So for Forget-Me-Not Day, take a few minutes to reach out to someone you haven’t talked to in a while, whether it’s over the phone, email, or social media. Or if you're feeling extra creative send someone a homemade card.
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Nov. 11: Veterans Day
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On Veterans Day, Americans honor the country's brave military service members. Take some time to learn how Veterans Day became a holiday, teach children about the importance of the day, and thank veterans for their service. Also, consider donating to one of the many charitable organizations that serve veterans.
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Nov. 12: Happy Hour Day
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What better reason is there to enjoy a tasty beer, glass of wine, or cocktail than celebrating Happy Hour Day? Check out your favorite watering hole for Happy Hour Day specials. Or learn to craft a fun cocktail at home.
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Nov. 13: World Kindness Day
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Spread kindness by doing a good deed, such as raking a neighbor’s yard or collecting their newspapers, writing a letter to a friend, or surprising your partner with their favorite dessert. Not only will it make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, but it’ll put some positivity out into the universe, too.
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Nov. 14: National Pickle Day
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Whether it's sweet, spicy, or sour, nothing adds saltiness, texture, and crunch to a sandwich like the perfect pickle. And if you're a pickle lover, this is your day. For a savory, Southern twist on a classic dill, toss sliced pickles in cornmeal and deep-fry them. Then, dip them in a spicy aioli sauce.
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Nov. 15: National Clean Out Your Fridge Day
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To free up some space for Thanksgiving cooking, use this day as a reason to clean out your fridge. Make a plan to eat perishable foods before they spoil. And consider donating some items to a local food pantry.
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Nov. 16: National Button Day
They keep our pants on and dress shirts together, and they add decorative details to blouses and blazers. If you're iffy with a sewing needle, learning how to sew on a button is a good beginner skill to familiarize yourself with. And National Button Day is the perfect time to start.
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Nov. 17: Homemade Bread Day
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The smell of freshly baked bread is totally intoxicating. While making homemade bread might seem a little intimidating, it’s actually quite simple. The trick to achieving a crusty outer layer is using steam during the baking process. Try your hand at baking a loaf of simple white bread, pumpernickel, or pita for Homemade Bread Day.
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Nov. 18: National Vichyssoise Day
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Say bonjour to your new favorite soup recipe! This French soup combines pureed leeks, onions, potatoes, cream, and chicken stock for a simple, but delicious dish. Although it’s traditionally served chilled, it can be warmed for those chilly autumn days like National Vichyssoise Day.
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Nov. 19: Play Monopoly Day
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When was the last time you played a six-hour-long game of Monopoly? Today, pretend you’re a kid again, and play Monopoly with your friends or family. It's the perfect excuse to throw a fun board game party.
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Nov. 20: Beautiful Day
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Do you think arranged flowers are beautiful? How about interesting artwork? Maybe you simply find beauty in a clean house. Whatever it may be, celebrate all of the things you consider beautiful today.
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Nov. 21: National Stuffing Day
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Even though it's known for being on the Thanksgiving table, there’s truly no wrong time to enjoy your favorite stuffing recipe. To celebrate the day, try out some recipes for classic stuffing, sausage and herb stuffing, and more.
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Nov. 22: Go For A Ride Day
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As the weather gets cooler, we start to hole up in our warm homes more often. Use this day to avoid getting cabin fever, and go out for a ride in whichever mode of transportation works best for you. Take a bike ride around town. Go for a drive. Or head out on a boat. Just enjoy a little time away from home.
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Nov. 23: Fibonacci Day
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Leonardo Fibonacci was a famous mathematician, and this day is celebrated as Fibonacci Day. When the November date is written in the month/day format (11/23), it forms a Fibonacci sequence: 1, 1, 2, 3. This famous sequence is a series of numbers where each number is the sum of the two numbers before it. Impress someone with this information, and try to count as far into the sequence as you can doing mental math.
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Nov. 24: Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day
Celebrate what makes you special today, whether it's your ability to hula hoop, paint, sing, play the guitar, or anything else. Show off that unique talent, and enjoy doing what you love.
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Nov. 25: National Parfait Day
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Celebrate this delicious French dessert with National Parfait Day. A parfait is a tasty treat that includes layers of fruit, yogurt, or ice cream. It's typically served in a tall glass, so the layers are quite distinct. Try making a citrus, cream, and blueberry parfait, or simply layer your favorite ingredients.
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Nov. 25: Thanksgiving* (Fourth Thursday)
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Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, food, and giving thanks. Whether the star of the dinner table is the turkey, the sides, the desserts, or the drinks, today’s a day to treat yourself while recognizing the good things in life.
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Nov. 26: Black Friday* (Friday After Thanksgiving)
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Ready to shop some sales? For many people, the Friday after Thanksgiving has become a day of scoring deals and getting a jump on holiday shopping. If you’re not interested in heading out into the crowds, you can find many deals online, too.
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Nov. 27: Small Business Saturday* (Saturday After Thanksgiving)
After the Black Friday crowds at big box stores die down, it’s time for small businesses to shine on Small Business Saturday. Head out to support your neighborhood shops today. Besides retail stores, don’t forget about locally owned restaurants and other businesses, too.
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Nov. 29: National Lemon Cream Pie Day
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You might still have pumpkin pie left over from Thanksgiving, but today is all about lemon cream pie (also known as lemon meringue pie). Learn how to make this sweet and tangy dessert for a change of pace from the savory Thanksgiving foods. After all, you always have room for another slice of pie.
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Nov. 29: Cyber Monday* (Monday After Thanksgiving)
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If you happened to miss the sales on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, there’s a good chance you’ll find some good prices online for Cyber Monday. Today’s the day to shop for deals from the comfort of home. Many retailers even extend their Cyber Monday deals into a whole Cyber Week.
* Denotes that date changes each year