Groundhog Day and me don’t get along. This holiday was just “observed” on Feb. 2^nd. For the full 4^th grade year, Lisa Figuro called me a “groundhog” almost everyday. It was my first experience with bullying. I’m done talking about it! Further, at A Table In Time, we like winter and many states benefit from a hefty snow pack! So, let’s exclude the harry varmint from this month’s discussions! February themes and ways to celebrate over memorable conversation still abound!

National Freedom Day celebrating the end of slavery (and the 13^th Amendment) occurred on February 1^st.  Celebrating the Bill of Rights (first ten amendments of our constitution) would engender interesting conversation. Conduct the evening by picking a number out of the hat that corresponds with one of the amendments.   Read and discuss each amendment’s meaning, relevancy, and challenges to it in today’s world…one amendment per course (not all need to be discussed)! Serve an “American” menu (apple pie?) and invite a lawyer or historian as a guest to add depth to the discussion. Start the gathering by reading The Bill of Rights out loud. Here’s an accompanying cocktail, The Mid-Winter Marg to shake up the discussion!

The Chinese New Year, the year of the Monkey is on the 8^th, followed by Mardi Gras on Feb. 9^th. Pull up horoscopes for those born in a “monkey” year. Learn what’s symbolizes “lucky” and “unlucky” this year (white, blue and gold are the “lucky” colors, for example. Add them to the table decor). Understand the Chinese Zodiac calendar (represented by twelve animals) and discuss with your guests what animal they might represent and why. This is an easy gathering for picking up “take out” food!

Valentine’s Day, the most commercialized celebration of “love translated into chocolate” occurs on Feb. 14^th.   Definitely include a chocolate dessert! Some questions[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][1] for the gathering:

• What fictional character would you like to have as a friend?
• Tell us about your favorite pair of shoes and why you love them so much.
• When was the last time you were stood up?
• Where do you source your chocolate habit?

President’s Weekend or Washington’s Birthday (the only president unanimously electedby all state representatives [2]) is celebrated as close to the 22^nd of February as possible. This year it’s observed on Feb. 15^th. Some questions for the gathering:

• If you’re running for President of the United States, what from your past could the opposition use against you?
• What would the United States be like if we had a king and queen?
• Whose presidential biography would you like to write and why?

Ask friends, new and old, neighbors, family and those acquaintances you’d like to know more. In February come back to the table!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] Many of the questions listed were inspired from a notebook I purchased at Barnes and Noble called, “500 Writing Prompts”; www.piccadillyinc.com

[2] *http://www.ducksters.com/biography/uspresidents/president_fun_facts.php

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