Thanksgiving celebrations are steeped in tradition, but how much do you know about the history of this holiday? Test your knowledge with this quick quiz.

1. During which historical event did Thanksgiving become an annual federal holiday?

a. World War I
b. The Civil War

c. The Great Depression
d. The American Revolutionary War

2. When was the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?

a. 1904
b. 1871
c. 1989
d. 1924

3. Under which president did the turkey pardon become an annual tradition?

a. George H. Bush
b. Abraham Lincoln
c. Jimmy Carter
d. Dwight Eisenhower

4. How long had the Wampanoag been living in the Cape Cod area when the English settlers arrived?

a. 100 years
b. 1,000 years
c. 10,000 years
d. 100,000 years

5. Which classic Christmas song was originally meant to be sung on Thanksgiving?

a. Silent Night
b. Jingle Bells
c. Winter Wonderland
d. Deck the Halls

6. Why did President Franklin Roosevelt move up Thanksgiving by one week in 1939?

a. To coincide with the launch of the final phase of the New Deal
b. To allow soldiers to spend time with their families before deployment
c. To appease businesses that wanted a longer Christmas shopping season
d. To make sure the annual football game wouldn’t be held in the snow

7. When was the first Turkey Trot?

a. 1831
b. 1643
c. 1919
d. 1896

8. What types of protein were likely eaten at the first Thanksgiving celebration in 1621?

a. Venison and seafood
b. Turkey and buffalo
c. Quail and ham
d. Chicken and lamb

Happy Thanksgiving!

Answers:
1-B, 2-D, 3-A, 4-C, 5-B, 6-C, 7-D, 8-A

While it’s almost impossible to avoid spending money around Christmastime, the festivities and gift-giving shouldn’t put you in debt. Here are a few tips for an enjoyable and affordable holiday season.

Create a budget
Write a list of all your holiday purchases including presents, food, drinks, decorations, and new outfits. Then, determine how much you can afford to spend on each category. To ensure you respect your budget, place the allocated money in an envelope, and use that instead of your credit card.

Stagger your purchases

Start shopping early and spread out your purchases over several weeks. This will help you avoid paying for everything at once or accumulating interest on a large outstanding credit card bill. You’ll also have more time to look for deals and stock up on items like gift wrap and non-perishable food when they’re on sale.

Buy local
If you purchase as much as you can nearby, you’ll save on gas and time. If you prefer to shop online, you’ll avoid exorbitant shipping fees. Additionally, sign up for newsletters from local stores as these sometimes contain exclusive offers.

Limit your expenses
There are plenty of simple ways to spend less during the holidays without missing out on the magic of the season. Among other things, you can:

• Gift your loved ones with memorable and affordable outings rather than pricey toys or gadgets

• Make certain presents by hand (personalized calendar, a gourmet goodie basket, etc.)

• Wrap your gifts in items you have on hand such as newspaper or reusable shopping bags

• Organize a clothing swap with friends to refresh your holiday wardrobe

• Host a potluck holiday meal

At the end of the day, the holidays are about spending quality time with loved ones, which is truly priceless.

Trends come and go, but some types of clothes are timeless. Here are the essential items you should have in your wardrobe, regardless of your personal style:

• Black dress shoes

• Stylish sneakers

• Plain Bermuda shorts

• Fedora, trilby or Panama hat

• Gray, navy or black suit

• Cotton fleece jacket

• Jogging pants

• Black or white T-shirts

• Baseball cap

• Black or dark brown belt

• White dress shirt

• A neutral tie

When shopping for these or other types of clothes, make sure to buy quality items and take proper care of them so that they last for years to come.

It’s often said that children are like sponges as they tend to absorb and mimic the values, attitudes, and behaviors of their parents. Here are some ways to be a good role model for your kids and consequently encourage them to live healthy, happy, and fulfilling lives.

Cook passionately
Involve your kids in the cooking, and try to use unprocessed, locally grown, and made products. Draw your kids’ attention to the colors, tastes, and textures of the food to help them develop their palate and curiosity.

Drive carefully

Resist the temptation to curse the motorist who cuts you off or brakes suddenly. Also, you should always drive smoothly and defensively when a child is in the car. In addition to keeping your kids protected, you’ll teach them how to stay safe on the road.

Ditch the screen
Dads who constantly have their phones out or who spend their evenings playing video games are showing their children that screens are a high priority. Discipline yourself to use your devices when your children are away or asleep, and spend lots of time playing fun games with your kids that don’t involve screens.

Be kind and affectionate
When you treat others with kindness, respect, and love, your child will want to do the same, not only because they look up to you, but also because they’ll see how much these behaviors enrich the lives of everyone around them.

Keep a tidy home
A clean house is more pleasant and hygienic to live in than a messy one. Instill in your kids a preference for an orderly home by giving them one. And be sure to split up the work equally with your partner to show your kids that household chores are everyone’s responsibility.

Finally, stay focused on improving the behaviors, you model. Everyone makes mistakes and no one is a perfect parent. However, if you strive to be better, it will make a big difference.

Are you thinking about making your side hustle your full-time job? Trading regular work for the thrill of pursuing your passion can be rewarding, but it’s definitely a step that requires careful deliberation. Are you ready to make the leap? Here are three signs that suggest you are.

1. Demand is skyrocketing
If you have more clients than you can handle and you’re sending some of them to the competition, it’s likely a good time to focus exclusively on your business. Just make sure the uptick in demand isn’t temporary. Consider talking with your customers to get an idea of whether their needs are short- or long-term.

2. Your revenue is increasing

If your profits have been steadily climbing for a few years, it may be time to make your side hustle your full-time gig. However, it’s important to build up substantial savings first, just in case things don’t go as planned.

3. You’ve been at it for a while
If you’ve worked your side gig for a number of years, you likely have a pretty good idea of whether it suits your personality and lifestyle. Being well acquainted with the ins and outs of your side hustle first will ensure you can cope with the demands of the business.

Not everyone has the discipline and skill set required to be an entrepreneur. Think carefully before you make a decision.

The coronavirus pandemic made large gatherings hazardous and led to government restrictions. As a result, many businesses had to adapt their practices, including funeral homes. Consequently, these essential service providers have started helping the bereaved host virtual funerals, an immersive and personal way to mark the passing of a loved one. This is fortunate, as it allows seniors and immunosuppressed individuals to safely participate in end-of-life ceremonies they would otherwise have to avoid.

An online homage
Many funeral homes are willing to assist families in hosting their ceremonies online. Funerals can be live-streamed either on social media or over a video conference platform. This type of service accommodates many of the features of an in-person event. Loved ones can read eulogies, music can be played and prayers can be delivered. Being able to carry out traditional rituals, even from afar, can help the bereaved process their grief.

While these services might sound impersonal, they’re part of a new reality and an effective way to safely pay tribute to a loved one. Plus, a virtual funeral can allow people to participate who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to attend, whether because they live far away or have reduced mobility.

Using various technologies, you can organize a safe, personalized funeral that avoids all physical contact. Consult the funeral homes in your region to find out what services they offer.