I looked through the blog archives with the intention of re-running my 'Holidays, ranked' post today, and could not find one!. Turns out I had not gotten around to ranking the holidays, and since today is Thanksgiving in the US, I had to take 10 minutes away from meal prep and bust out my rankings.
Two notes about the rankings. One, these are just holidays/celebrations that I personally recognize or resonate with me. So we don't have things like 'Bastille Day' or any of the scores of religious celebrations that are important around the world. So don't take offense if I left off a day that is meaningful to you.
Second, as always these rankings are unscientific, unresearched, highly subjective, and 100% accurate. Use at your own risk.
To the list of Holidays, ranked:
10. Columbus Day - Holds a soft spot for me because in grade school Columbus Day was often the same day as my birthday, which i always thought was cool. Like they were closing school for my birthday.
9. President's Day - Needed something in the #9 slot. That's about it for this one.
8. Fourth of July - Hot weather, beach, barbecue, beer, patriotism. Pretty good mix.
7. New Year's Day - Whether you are shrugging off a hangover or just gearing up for the new year ahead, all-around a good day. Bonus points if the Gamecocks are in a bowl game that day.
6. St. Patrick's Day - Sentimental pick as my son's name is Patrick and he always loved the idea of having his own holiday.
5. Labor Day - Great way to unofficially end the summer and take a day to rest up for the Q4 push that many of us deal with
4. Memorial Day - Similarly, great way to start the summer and to take time to remember and thank those that served and sacrificed
3. Halloween - Probably overrated at this point, but the kids love it. But if you are an adult getting really wound up for Halloween, you may need to think about some of your decision making
2. Christmas - The big daddy of holidays. Still strong after all these years. Watch 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' again soon.
1. Thanksgiving - A holiday primarily identified by food? I will take all that you've got.
Of course you could dispute these rankings, but sadly you'd be wrong.
Happy Thanksgiving to all who are celebrating today!