By Looking to keep your week from being mundane? There are plenty of excuses to shake things up! You can enjoy plenty of relaxation with holidays like National Cocktail Day and Solitude, which encourage you to take a break and kick back.
Pet lovers will appreciate Respect Your Cat Day, which provides you with a chance to boost your bond with your kitty. Plus, wrap up National Craft Month with our tips on snagging crafting supplies for less. Keep reading for ideas on how to celebrate these mini holidays!
Monday, March 24: National Cocktail Day
The perfect way to end a Monday? Treat yourself to a Paloma cocktail. The classic sip is tangy and refreshing, and adding agave syrup gives it a slightly sweet twist. Make your own with this easy recipe created by the mixologists in the Woman’s World test kitchen!
To make a Paloma: Pour 2 Tbs. of fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice and 1 oz. of tequila into an ice-filled glass. Stir in 1 tsp. of agave syrup and top with 2 oz. of club soda. If desired, garnish with a fresh sprig of thyme. Makes 1 cocktail.
Wednesday, March 26: Solitude Day
This holiday is all about enjoying some well-deserved “me time.” The good news? You don’t have to opt for total solitude, like hiking in the woods alone without cell service, to feel rejuvenated. In fact, researchers reporting in the journal PLOS One found that subjects felt most restored when they had access to media, like a phone, book or music, during their alone time. The researchers say that’s because these ‘extras’ provide comfort and reduce feelings of isolation while still allowing for some time to focus solely on you!
Friday, March 28: Respect Your Cat Day
One way to show your cat respect today is to allow her to come to you instead of picking her up. “Be approachable and get low to the ground,” advises cat behavior consultant Stephen Quandt (CatBehaviorHelp.com). To boost your bond while giving your cat space, try the “slow blink” method. “This tells them you like them,” says Quandt. To do: Look in the cat’s direction and narrow your eyes, which is a cat’s version of a smile. Then close your eyes for a few seconds. In one study, doing this led cats to blink back (a sign of happiness) and made them more likely to approach.
March 1–31: National Craft Month
Whether you like to knit, sculpt, fold or weave, this holiday is for you! To mark the month-long occasion, consider stocking up on crafting supplies—for less. A surprising way to save? Surf over to Etsy.com, where you’ll find shops selling anything from beads to scrapbooking supplies in bulk for an affordable price. You can also find people who are selling low-cost supplies (or scraps that you can use for crafting), and in some cases, giving them away for free on buy-and-sell websites like Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp.com. Prefer to shop in-person for supplies? Simply head to your local Michaels craft store and bring your ID! The company gives customers age 55 and older 10% off their entire purchase—including sale items.
Help a Hero
Give away gift cards!
If you have extra gift cards to national chain stores or restaurants, send them to Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.). The nonprofit will use them to assist families of fallen officers. Please note the gift card balance and mail to Concerns of Police Survivors, Attn: Sara Slone, P.O. Box 3199, Camdenton, MO 65020
