CELEBRATING HOGMANAY

HOGMANAY CELEBRATIONS

Hogmanay in Scotland is the Scots word for the last day of the year. This is celebrated throughout Scotland throughout the night on the 31st December through to the next day and sometimes into the 2nd January, this is classed as a Bank Holiday in Scotland.

There are many customs, both local and national associated with Hogmanay. The most widespread is the practice of "first-footing", which starts immediately after midnight. This involves being the first person to cross the threshold of a friend or neighbour and quite often symbolises the giving of gifts, such as items like salt (less common today), coal, shortbread, whiskey or black burn (a rich cake) and this is intended to bring different kinds of luck to the householder.

The Hogmanay custom of singing "Auld Lang Syne" is a poem interpreted by Robert Burns, this was later set to music. It is now traditionally sung at the stroke of midnight, with arms crossed and linked in a circle, with people singing the words to "Auld Lang Syne", to celebrate the arrival of the New Year.

So if you are celebrating the traditonal Scottish way or holding a New Years Eve Party, we have a vast knowledge of organising parties, from supplying party essentials and party poppers to many more party supplies.

New Years Eve Party Ideas

NEW YEARS EVE CELEBRATION PARTIES

New Years Day is observed on January 1st, the first day of the modern Gregorian calendar, as well as the Julian calendar used in ancient Rome.

With most of the countries using the Gregorian calendar, New Years Day is truly the most closest thing to being the world's global holiday. This is traditionally celebrated with parties and fireworks, at the stoke of Midnight as the New Year starts.

New Years Eve in Central London is one the busiest night of the year, the Mayor's firework display on the Banks of the Thames attracts around 250,000 people, waiting in eager anticipation for the spectacular firework display.

New Years Eve would not be New Years Eve, without the tradition of one of the world's most famous clock 'BIG BEN'S 'BONG' at the stroke of Midnight. This is heard throughout Britain, either via radio, television or by being in London.

If you are celebrating New Years Eve by having a party or if you are going to a party to celebrate New Years Eve. we have a wide selection of accessories from party poppers, party hats and many more new year party supplies for this magical time of year.

Mozaik Tableware is perfect for Christmas Day and Festive Season Parties

Christmas is almost upon us and this is the perfect time to start thinking about preparing for Christmas day with family and friends.

Mozaik Tableware is a range of re-usable or disposable plastic plates, cutlery, bowls and platters that are perfect for Christmas celebrations on a tight budget. The white plates with a silver rim and the white plates with a gold rim are suitable for hot and cold food and also available in 4 sizes (15cm side plates, 19cm cocktail plates / side salad plates, 23cm party plates and 26cm dinner plates), which are ideal for entertaining guests and matched with the Mozaik metallised cutlery will make your table settings look like real upmarket tableware.

Mozaik clear bowls with a silver rim are ideal for salads and desserts which can also be washed and reused numerous times for future celebrations. The 30 piece Party for 6 set containing 6 x 26cm plates or 6 x 23cm plates, 6 x 19cm side plates, 6 x forks, 6 x knife and 6 x dessert spoons are available in 5 colours to match your colour theme.

We recommend purchasing Mozaik Tableware on Amazon.co.uk and having a look at the fantastic range.
If you are interested in bulk wholesale purchases, contact us at Party Tracker. 

Party Tracker Christmas Opening Dates 2011

The festive Christmas season is now in full swing this month and Party Tracker has some new Christmas themed fancy dress costumes and decorations to make this years celebrations different from all other years.
Our christmas fancy dress and christmas accessories, hats, tableware and New Years decorations will help you celebrate the end of 2011 in a joyous mood.
The Party Tracker website will be open 24/7 over the Christmas/New Year period and orders will be despatched on the open dates below.
We wish all our customers and friends a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

 PARTY TRACKER CHRISTMAS TRADING 2011

Monday	19 December 2011	9am - 5pm	Open
Tuesday	20 December 2011	9am - 5pm	Open
Wednesday	21 December 2011	9am - 5pm	Open
Thursday	22 December 2011	9am - 5pm	Open
Friday	23 December 2011	9am - 5pm	Closed
Monday	26 December 2011	9am - 5pm	Closed
Tuesday	27 December 2011	9am - 5pm	Closed
Wednesday	28 December 2011	9am - 5pm	Open
Thursday	29 December 2011	9am - 5pm	Open
Friday	30 December 2011	9am - 5pm	Closed
Monday	02 January 2012	9am - 5pm	Closed
Tuesday	03 January 2012	9am - 5pm	Open
Wednesday	04 January 2012	9am - 5pm	Open
Thursday	05 January 2012	9am - 5pm	Open
Friday	06 January 2012	9am - 5pm	Open

LAST UK ORDERS POSTING DATES FOR CHRISTMAS 2011

Standard Delivery	Thursday	15 December 2011
Special Delivery	Wednesday	21 December 2011
Courier Delivery	Wednesday	21 December 2011

To avoid disappointment, if you require products in time for Christmas, we recommend either selecting the Special Delivery or Courier Delivery option at the checkout to ensure you get your order on time.
We also recommend products required for New Years Eve are purchased before Christmas.

Christmas Tableware, Novelties and Party Supplies for Celebrating Christmas and Boxing Day

CHRISTMAS AND BOXING DAY CELEBRATIONS

Christmas Day is a much loved and favourite day for children and families alike. Traditionally the children wake up early, full of excitement and anticipation to check their Christmas stockings to find out what presents have been left by Father Christmas.

The reason behind the giving of gifts at Christmas was thought to have been related to the Three Wise Men bringing gifts (the Magi), to Jesus, to commemorate his birth.

The tradition for many Christians on Christmas Day is to go to Church to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Many families sit down for Christmas dinner, pull crackers and wear paper tissue hats. This is followed at 3pm by the Queens Speech. The Queens message is broadcasted on radio and television across the nation on Christmas Day. Queen Elizabeth broadcasted her first speech in 1957, but the tradition started by George V in 1932.

Boxing Day is celebrated on the 26 December, which is also, St Stephens Day. Boxing Day is the day to open the Christmas Box and share the contents with the poor. The Christmas Box originally made of wood or clay had gifts placed in them.

The tradition of giving gifts still continues today, with people giving gifts or money to tradesmen, milkmen, postmen, paper boys and many more people. Schools also send gifts in boxes to poorer countries.

To help you celebrate this magical and festive season, we have a wide selection of Christmas tableware and Christmas novelties brilliant for Christmas or Boxing Day. Christmas hats and head boppers are ideal for Christmas bazaars and fetes. A plush santa sack with fur trim is excellent for putting gifts under the Tree or using as a prop.

Christmas is a time for celebrating and at Party Tracker we have a varied and wide selection of fancy dress costumes, tableware, novelties and accessories for Christmas.
Contact us today, our party advisors are happy to help you choose everything you need for celebrating the festive season.

Scotland Winter Festivale - Burns Nights

SCOTLAND'S   WINTER   FESTIVAL

BURNS NIGHT - JANUARY 27TH 2012

Burns night is the celebration of Scotland's famous poet Robert Burns. This has been celebrated for over 200 years. It originally started by a few of  his close friends, after his death in 1796, to commemorate his death.  The tradition of starting with a PIPER and HAGGIS, has remained unchanged over the years.

Robert Burns who received no formal education was the son of a farmer and he was born at Alloway, near Ayr, Scotland. Reared on a diet of austerity and Calvinistic rectitude, He initially trained as a flax dresser, taking over the family farm with his brother on his father's death.

Following a number of passionate love affairs, he finally married Jean Armstrong who had borne him a child several years earlier and farmed near Dumfries, apparently unsuccessfully as he had to work as an excise officer to supplement his income. In spite of having two jobs, he composed numerous songs and poems. 

In Scotland, he is a cult figure as a rustic poet and the pride of his nation with his own celebratory night. His output during his short and hectic life was truly prolific and his works include many classic songs and poems which have become household names. 

One of the most famous poems has been adapted into a tradional song, this is sung throughout the whole of Britain on the stroke of midnight, to bring in the New Year.

AULD LANG SYNE

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And auld lang syne?

CHORUS:

 For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll tak a cup of kindness yet, For auld lang syne! And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp, And surely I'll be mine, And we'll tak a cup o kindness yet, For auld lang syne! We twa hae run about the braes, And pou'd the gowans fine, But we've wander'd monie a weary fit, Sin auld lang syne.
We twa hae paidl'd in the burn Frae morning sun till dine, But seas between us braid hae roar'd Sin auld lang syne. And there's a hand my trusty fiere, And gie's a hand o thine, And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught, For auld lang syne Meanings auld lang syne - times gone by be - pay for braes - hills braid - broad burn - stream dine - dinner time fiere - friend fit - foot gowans - daisies guid-willie waught - goodwill drink monie - many morning sun - noon paidl't - paddled pint-stowp - pint tankard pou'd - pulled twa - two.

At Party Tracker we have a wide and varied selection of  fancy dress costumes and accessories from Scotland paper bunting, a Tam O Shanter hat and a st Andrews wig.  We have a wealth of knowledge and experience within the party industry, visit our website for all of your needs for a fantastic Burns Night.

Scottish Theme Party Supplies for St Andrews Day

ST ANDREWS DAY CELEBRATIONS - 30TH NOVEMBER

On the 30th November, Scots all around the world celebrate St Andrews Day, which is their national day.

The national flag of Scotland is the cross of St Andrews.  This is said to be one of the oldest national flags of any country, dating back to the 12th Century.  This is known as the Saltire.

St Andrew was Jesus's first disciple and is the patron Saint of Scotland, Greece and Russia.  He was one the twelve apostle (of Jesus) and the brother of Simon Peter, and he was a fisherman by trade who lived in Galilee.

St Andrew is believed to have died on a diagonally transversed cross  The cross that St Andrew was crucified on has been adopted as the national flag of Scotland, the blue stands for the sky.

St Andrew's Day is often a celebration of general Scottishness with traditional food, music (especially bagpipes) and dancing.

On November 30th the world celebrates St Andrew’s Day, Scotland’s national day. There will be parties galore in Scotland and events happening around the world. Join the celebrations with hosting your own party and decorate the walls and ceilings with scotland bunting and guests can join in the festivities by wearing a plastic scotland bowler hat or a st andrews pop wig.

Let us take the stress out of you day and order online from the warmth and comfort of your home/office and let us brave the wet and cold and deliver to your door in time for St Andrew's Day.

Christmas Nativity Play Ideas and Nativity Costumes for Children

C H R I S T M A S  N A T I V I T Y  P L A Y S

It is the season that people love, Christmas, with family get together and entertaining, parties, and at the same time the much looked forward to but also on the other hand dreaded School Christmas Nativity Play.

The Nativity Plays are a much loved and traditional part of Christmas in primary school's across the UK for parents and local people associated with the school to enjoy.

The traditional Nativity Play recreates the scene of Jesus 'Birth' in the stables, and tells of how Mary and Joseph were visited by the The Angels, The Shepherds and the Three Wise Men. Also, in the past live animals were used, ox's and donkeys and various other farm animals, but these days the children dress up as Mary and Joseph, The Angels, The Shepherds and the Three Wise Men. The children also dress up as animals or use animal props for their nativity plays.

Historically, the first nativity play was not performed by children, but by monks in a cave in Italy. St Francis of Assisi performed the first nativity play in 1223 to remind people that Jesus was born to a poor family like them and not a rich family.

St Francis, played all the parts of the play himself using wooden figures, but after a couple of years other people played the parts of the characters and songs where sung, which they now call carols.

In Malta and Italy the crib is the most important decoration of Christmas. The City of Napels in Italy have decorated houses and churches with cribs since the 1020's. long before St Francis performed his first nativity play.

Napels is home to the worlds largest nativity crib scene. It is in the 'Museo Nazionale di S. Martino' and has 162 people, 80 animals, angels, and 450 small objects.

At Party Tracker we have a wide and varied selection of festive fancy dress costumes and accessories. This is the season that is busy from decorating the house, Christmas shopping, and attending all the Christmas events, and plays. To take the stress out of sewing or searching the shops with all the crowds of people in the cold, we already have a boys shepherd costume, a childs donkey costume, a girls angel costume and many more kids nativity costumes and accessories in stock, that are ideal for any Christmas Nativity Play.

Fireworks Bonfire Night Ideas for Saturday 5 November 2011

F I R E W O R K S  N I G H T

5 T H   N O V E M B E R

The bonfires are burning and blazing away, the effigy of Guy Fawkes on top disappearing before our eyes to a heap of dust.

Adults and children wrapped up in their winter coats, all cosy with their hats and gloves.

Sausages and burgers sizzling away, alongside with hot jacket potatoes, real winter comfort food. Marshmallows on sticks being toasted, just right for that cold night.

Sparklers that give off multi colours, WHIZZ, BANG and POP go the fireworks into the sky above. At Party Tracker whatever way you may be celebrating Guy Fawkes on Saturday 5th November 2011, we have 10" large sparklers ideal for any party, Glow in the Dark novelties to help you see in the dark, assorted glow necklaces and assorted glow bracelets for wearing during the fireworks show.
Visit our online party store today which is bursting with ideas to celebrate your Fireworks party with a BANG!!!

New Footloose Movie in UK Cinemas

FOOTLOOSE MOVIE OUT

It is that time when you need to dust out your old 80's clothes, remember the leg warmers and footloose tights.

There is going to be a remake of the original 1984 film, Footloose. This musical directed by Craig Brewer, and stars Kenny Wormald, Dennis Quaid, Andie MacDowell, and Julianne Hough is scheduled to be at the movies later this month.

Writer/Director Craig Brewer ("Hustle & Flow"," Black Snake Moan",) does a new take on the 1984 classic film. In a small Southern Town of Bomont, due to five teenagers tragically being killed on a night and Bomont's local councilman and the Reverend Shaw Moore prohibits loud music and dancing. This is the story when newcomer star Kenny Wormald's character, challenges the ban and falls in love with the ministers daughter Ariel (Julianne Hough).

So for your Footloose fancy dress party, put on your party wigs, dust off your dancing shoes, and head back to the 80's era. We have a variety of wigs and many dance accessories to get your 80's party into the swing.

Enjoy the New Footloose Movie in your local cinema.

Celebrate Guy Fawkes Fireworks Night on 5th November

FIREWORKS NIGHT NOVEMBER 5TH 2011

Guy Fawkes Night also known as Guy Fawkes Day and Bonfire Night is an annual event observed on the 5th November every year, primary in Great Britain.
In history itself on the 5th November, 1605, Guy Fawkes a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was caught guarding explosives placed beneath the House of Lords and was consequently arrested. Celebrating the fact that King James I had survived the attempt on his life, people lit bonfires around London, and months later the introduction of the Observation of the 5th November was enforced as an annual day of thanksgiving for the failure of the plots.

Bonfire Night these days tend to be large extravagant events and on November 5th, throughout Britain we commemorate the capture of Guy Fawkes with Bonfires and Fireworks, Sparklers and burning a effigy of Guy Fawkes.

If you are planning on going to an organised firework event, or having a bonfire party at home this year, we have a full range of party essentials, tableware and glow in the dark novelties available for arranging an awesome event.

Halloween Decorations and Halloween Trick or Treating Ideas for 31 October

HALLOWEEN  DECORATIONS

The nights are drawing in, the leaves are falling off the trees, Autumn is upon us and its that time of year when we all get excited about Halloween.
This is the time of year that children absolutely love, the dressing up, attending parties and trick or treating. At Party Tracker we have updated our website with an exclusive online shop purely for Halloween. We have a large range of decorations to decorate venues, schools, halls, or your home. If you are going Trick or Treating with the kids, our new Halloween range includes a Halloween skeleton trick or treat bag and a Halloween flameless flickering candle which are ideal for going out on the evening of Halloween.
We also have a full range of new Halloween fancy dress and accessories for dressing up and celebrating on 31 October.

Actress and Model Elizabeth Hurley Engagement to Ex Cricketer Shane Warne

LIZ HURLEY'S ENGAGEMENT TO SHANE WARNE

Elizabeth Hurley was born in Basingstoke, Hampshire, the daughter of Angela May and Roy Leonard Hurley. Her father was a Major in the British Army and her mother a teacher. She also, has an older sister and younger brother.

Liz, started her career as an actress in the late 1980's and a model in 1995. During the 2000's, she worked as a reality TV presenter.

Elizabeth landed her first modelling job at the age of 29 for the Estée Launder House in 1995. In April 2005, she launched her own beach line, which was launched in Harrods.

In 1987 she met and started dating actor Hugh Grant, but after 13 years together they anemically split, where she went on to have a brief relationship with Steve Bing and went on to give birth to her son Damien. In 2002 she met and started dating textile heir Arun Nayar and they got married in 2007, but they separated in 2010, which later led onto divorced.

She has been dating ex Australian cricketer Shane Warne for the last 10 months and he has just proposed marriage to her over dinner.
We have a vast and varied selection of party supplies ideal for celebrating engagement party's, including engagement confetti, balloons and tableware to suit almost any colour theme.

Halloween Ideas for 31 October 2011

H A L L O W E E N

Halloween is celebrated on the 31st October, which includes activities such as trick-or-treating, attending fancy dress costume parties, carving pumpkins, apple bobbing, telling scary stories and watching horror films.

The word Halloween is derived from the word "All Hallows Eve" which occurred on the 31 October, the end of summer in Northwestern Europe. "All Saints Day", or "All Hallows Day", was the next day, November 1st. Therefore, Halloween is the eve of "All Saints Day"

"Apparently" the origins of Halloween can be traced back to Scotland and Ireland, around the time of Christ. The Celts celebrated the end of Summer, which was a time when the animals would be put in barns for the Winter and a time of the Harvest Crops. The change of season was celebrated with a festival called Samhain, pronounced, 'Sow-ane', and means end of Summer.

There has been much superstition surrounding this time, including the belief in fairies and the spirits of the dead wonder around looking for bodies to inhibit. Since the living did not want to be possessed by spirits, they dressed up in costumes and paraded the streets to frighten and confuse the spirits back to where they come from.

In today's era, the dressing up in costumes has been much associated with trick or treating in outfits such as: the classic vampire costume, wicked witch costume and ghosty costume, just to name a few.
You will find that there tends to be a wide age group, from children to adults who like dressing up and getting into the spirit of this Halloween occasion.

Happy Halloween!

Beatle Paul McCartney Wedding Celebration to American Heiress Nancy Shevell

SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY'S WEDDING TO NANCY SHEVELL

Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney got married for the third time to American Heiress Nancy Shevell on Sunday 9 October 2011 at Marylebone Registry Office in front of a small wedding party of 30 guests. He previously married his first wife Linda in 1969 at the same registry office, Paul McCartney's first wife Linda, died in 1998. He then went on to marry and divorce Heather Mills, whom his daughter Beatrice from this marriage was flower girl.

Paul's children (designer) Stella McCartney (who designed the outfit for Nancy), daughter Mary, son Paul, as well as many famous stars, including former band member Ringo Star, Rolling Stone member Ronnie Wood, musician Jools Holland, model icon Twiggy, model Kate Moss, as well as numerous other stars partied into the night at Paul McCartney's house in St Johns Wood.

Around 130 guest attended the post wedding party where a marquee was erected with wedding accessories and the guests enjoyed a three course meal, followed by music, which was dealt with by celebrity DJ, Mark Ronson.

Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Awareness Month

PINK RIBBON BREAST CANCER AWARE MONTH

OCTOBER

During the whole month of October it is Breast Cancer Awareness month. The pink ribbon is also the international symbol of Breast Cancer Awareness.

The first known use of the pink ribbon in connection with Breast Cancer was in 1991 when the Susan G Korman Foundation handed out pink ribbons to participants in the New York City race for breast cancer survivors.

The pink ribbon was officially adopted as the national symbol of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in 1992.

Every year the month of October is officially Breast Cancer Awareness Month and throughout the month there is a considerable lot of Media and public awareness for the cause.

This month gives us all an opportunity to help raise funds for this charity, from wearing a pink glitter bowler hat or a pink pop wig with a hot pink and silver feather boa and if you are attending walk the walk with or without your bra showing, visit our Party Tracker website for all your pink fancy dress and accessories for this event.

Student Fresher Week Party Accessories and Novelty Fancy Dress Costumes

STUDENT PARTIES

We are now into September, time when students start thinking about starting or going back to College or University.
This is a very exciting time, nerve racking and can also be very busy.
All of us have dressed up at some time, had parties, or found some excuse for celebrating.

If this is your first year, most universities and colleges tend to have a Freshers week. This gives everyone a good excuse to dress up in obscure wigs or fancy dress costumes and being a Student you will probably have at least one or two parties or events to attend in the next few weeks.

All of us at partytracker.co.uk remember our university days and we now stock some awesome Rasta Imposta novelty costumes, wigs, hats and other fancy dress accessories that will help you stand out from the rest of the crowd which is a great way to meet new people and socialise with your new friends.
Contact us if you need any help with your party supplies or fancy dress costumes.

Vampire Ball Convention on 30 September 2011

VAMPIRE BALL AND CONVENTION

30th September 2011

On the 30th September 2011, there will be an 3 day convention and ball. This is going to be a three day event, celebrating vampires in the media. The vampires are from shows such as True Blood, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Moonlight, Angle, Being Human, and Forever Knight.

There will also be celebrities such as Eliza Duskhu, Marianna Klaveno, Allan Hyde, Julie Benz, Mark Metcalf, Brendon Brendon, Clare Kramer and Georges Jeanty, who are actors on these show, past and present.

If you are attending this Ball we at Party Tracker can help you with your vampire accessories, from a black cape to a classic vampire costume and all your other ghoulish requirements. We can't fly your orders to you, but in Human ways we can deliver to your door. So, for all your requirements, either for the Vampire Ball or Halloween needs visit our Party Tracker website today.

Shortbread Recipe for the MacMillan Cancer Coffee Morning

SHORTBREAD BISCUITS (HANDMADE)

MACMILLAN COFFEE EVENT

We are now in the month of September and I had not realised how quickly the Macmillan coffee event was approaching. So for this worth while charity, I had realised that with the support of my Party Tracker colleagues I had better start cooking.

This is not something that I tend to do, I usually pop down to the local supermarket and buy either biscuits or cakes. So out came the very dusty cook book (emphasis on dusty), and we at Party Tracker all decided, given my limited ability to bake cakes or biscuits on shortbread.
After following the instructions, which was more simple than I thought, the ingredients were put into a Mozaik clear plastic bowl, but then I had a bit of a panic (was not sure I had any butter or marg), but then some was found in the back of the fridge. But trying to mix it together was not as easy as I thought, but using a frosty white plastic fork to form a dough ball which took slightly longer than was anticipated. I finally managed to get the right consistency.

Following the instructions I put the dough on a lightly floured surface then rolled and cut out the shapes. These were put into the pre-heated oven, (yet again realised that there was no oven trays) so, after phoning around I managed to obtain one. These did not take quite as long as it said in the cook book, but then again I do have a fan oven, so would advice anyone else just to gauge the time, approx 20 minutes, or until golden brown. After they had cooled down, I placed them onto a red paper plates.

These have proved to be a great success, needless to say they have now all been eaten. So now onto my next cooking venture.

MacMillan Cancer Coffee Morning on Friday 30 September 2011

MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT COFFEE MORNING

SEPTEMBER 30TH 2011

On Friday the 30th September 2011, Macmillan Cancer Support are holding the worlds National Coffee Morning across the UK. This is to help raise funds to help change the lives of people affected by cancer. The first National Biggest Coffee Morning was held in 1991, and 2,600 people registered to hold a coffee morning. Since then it has raised over £60 million pounds for MacMillan Cancer Support.

Party Tracker will be supporting one of our employee's, as she attempts to hold a Coffee Morning, where she will be baking home made cakes, (she never home bakes), and raises money for this worldwide worthy cause.

If you are also planning a MacMillan Cancer coffee morning, we have a pretty selection of pink decorations and pink tableware with next day delivery available.

Coffee Mornings come in all shapes and sizes, at home and at work. The tradition of coffee and cakes are still a firm favourite, but more and more people are adding their own twist! Is anyone doing something out of the ordinary, perhaps a singing night with Karaoke hire or will you perhaps be trying out some unusual cake recipes, or maybe some old family recipe that has been handed down over the years. Keep up to date with our member of staff blog on this and follow the blog of her attempts at cooking with lots of practice before the major event.

Celebrate Rosh Hashanah the Jewish New Year

ROSH HASHANAH

(JEWISH NEW YEAR)

29 September 2011

The two day festival of Rosh Hashanah is observed on the 1st and 2nd day of Tishrei.

In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means literally, "Head of the Year", and it is the beginning of the Jewish New Year. The anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, it is the birthday of mankind, highlighting the special relation between G-D and humanity.

On Rosh Hashanah, most of the day is spent in Synagogue. The central observation of Rosh Hashanah is the sounding of the Shofar, the Rams Horn. The Shofar is sounded on both days of Rosh Hashanah, (unless the first day of the holidays fall on Shabbat, then the horn is sounded only on the second day).

Also on Rosh Hashanah, there are many observations: Everyone eats a piece of apple dipped in honey to symbolise a desire for a sweet new year, as well as many other food: They also bless each other with the words Leshanah tovah tikateiv veteichateim "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year".

Also, with any major Jewish holiday, the women and girls light candles each evening of Rosh Hashanah and recite the appropriate blessings. They also recite Kiddush on wine, make a blessing over the Challah and enjoy a festive repast.

Celebrate the Jewish New Year with some white tableware and cutlery.

Celebrate Autumnal Equinox Day with a Japan Style Party

AUTUMNAL EQUINOX DAY

Autumnal Equinox Day is one of the public holidays in Japan that usually occurs on September 22 or 23 every year. On the date of Autumnal Equinox in Japan standard time (Autumnal Equinox can occur on different dates due to different timezones) and the day of the holiday is not officially declared until the February of the previous year.

Autumnal Equinox Day became a public holiday in 1948, but in 1947 and before it was the date of

Shuki Koreisai, an event relating to Shintoism.

The Autumnal Equinox also signals the end of the summer months and the beginning of winter. At this time of year, days have been shortening since the Summer Solstice some three months earlier and the Equinox is the point where nights reach the same length as days. After this point, the Sun will shine lower and lower on the horizon until the Winter Solstice occurs in about three months time.

However, you may be celebrating the end of the summer, perhaps dressing up in a sumo wrestler costume, or in a geisha costume for that fancy dress party, or perhaps holding a Summer Solstice event, to celebrate the end of Summer and looking for tableware.
We hope you have a wonderful event celebrating the autumnal equinox day later this month.