1.
Take a trip to China Town. Somewhat confusingly, the Chinese 'Mid-Autumn Festival', or 'Moon Festival', actually falls sometime in September or early October – on the Autumnal equinox. This is one of the most important holidays in the Chinese calendar. It is celebrated with brightly lit lanterns, burning of incense, fire dragon dances, and the consumption of special 'moon cakes'. This year it is on 12th September.
2.
Have a cocktail. European settlement of Manhattan, New York, began on 3rd September, 1609. Celebrate with a Manhattan cocktail, made from whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters.
I'll drink to that.
3.
Hold a party. September 15th is Agatha Christie's birthday. Get into the detective spirit by holding a 'How to Host a Murder' party. These are great fun, and you can pick the kits up really cheaply on ebay - I'm talking less than $10.
4. Re-discover your inner child. September 18th is
Play-Doh Day. What better reason to take a trip down memory lane? Play-Doh is
easy to make, and you'll be surprised how much fun it still is all these years later.
5. Talk like a pirate.
Ahoy thar, me hearties. SeptembARrrr 19th be
International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Wear an eye patch. Pillage a trusty parrot. Drink copious quantities o' spiced rum. Seek buried treasure. Most importantly demand all ye come across address ye in scurvy pirate lingo.
6.
Read a book. September 21st is H.G. Wells' birthday. Honour the father of science fiction by delving into the genre at
your local library.
7. Drink German beer. Germany's
Oktoberfest – known as the 'Largest Volksfes (People's Fair) in the World' – attracts over 6 million people, who between them consume almost 7 million litres of beer. The festival begins in late September and continues through to the first weekend in October.
8. Watch a Bollywood movie. The Hindu festival of
Navaratri begins on September 28th this year. The nine-night festival is dedicated to Durga (the mother goddess) and symbolises the triumph of good over evil. Check out the 1966 film of the same name.
9.
Call your Grandma. In Japan, 'Respect for the Aged Day' falls during September, as does 'National Grandparents Day' in Northern America. Wherever you're from, maybe it's time to call your old Gran for a chat.
10. Watch a movie. In September 1985, the wreck of the
Titanic was finally located. If you can't bring yourself to sit through all three hours of the DiCaprio / Winslett film (1997), maybe you should seek out earlier cinematic versions of the story released in 1943 and 1953. Or you could really flirt with fate by taking a memorial ocean voyage.
Titanic
