December is a magical month filled with twinkly lights, traditions and festive gatherings. All around the world, people celebrate holidays with time-honored customs, food, decorations, clothing and gifts.

November represents all the beautiful autumn colors of yellow, orange, red, green in slightly muted tones. Chilly temperatures make way for crackling indoor fireplaces, and the distinct aroma of burning wood that wafts through the crisp fall air.

October suddenly feels a little different as we enter the middle period of fall, which brings cooler temperatures and the promise of favorite sweet and savory autumnal dishes.

September brings in a rush of new energy with return to school or work and a more regular schedule. It’s hard to be oblivious to this change, which is usually marked by Labor Day, as we go from a leisurely summer pace to a more focused entrée to fall.

The month of August generally moves a slower pace in the Northern Hemisphere with the buzzing of cicadas cutting through the dense heat of long summery days and fireflies sparkling haphazardly through the night.

Long, hot summer days, fireflies blinking through the evening skies and fireworks to celebrate various holidays from the Canada Day to the Fourth of July to Bastille Day mark the month of July.

June is one of the best months of the year as school years are coming to an end, the temperatures are warming up and not yet scorching, and summer entertainment and travel spreads out on the calendar horizon over the long summer months.

May always feels like a turning point, like we’re finally jumping into spring with two feet as warmer temperatures grace longer days and flowers are in full bloom. The month of May is a time for celebrations around the world, from the Flower Festival in Girona, Spain to Cinco de Mayo in Mexico and the United States to Mother’s Day, May Day and Memorial Day.

By the first of April, after pranks have been pulled and the reality that spring is finally settling in, it somehow feels like the curtain of winter is lifting to brighter and slightly warmer days. Easter and Passover and celebrated this month as are Cherry Blossom Festivals around the globe, as well as festive spring happenings.

​For centuries, March has been considered a powerful month of change from the weather to daylight hours to new beginnings. It’s also a month of hope as the dreary winter months begin to fade into the background with the advent of spring.

February is a time for celebration around the world, from Setsubun in Japan to Carnaval in Brazil to the Blue Dragon Festival (Zhonghe) in China.

Happy New Year! With a new calendar in a brand-new year, I always feel like January is a positive, inspirational time – a fresh start to make great(er) things happen and to leave whatever no longer serves us in the past.

The holiday season is upon us as twinkly lights adorn trees and homes, creating a festive glow during colder, shorter days.

By November we’re deep into the autumnal season where the sun may still warm our shorter days, but by evening the signs of winter reveal themselves through cooler temperatures and often frosty ground coverings in the morning.

As the days get shorter and the temperatures become cooler, October shows its colors, in more ways than one, marking the middle point of autumn with a beautiful display of colorful fall foliage.