Celebrate Mini Holidays From November 17 to November 23 With Feel-Good Fun and Wellness Tips

With the holiday season just around the corner, November is the perfect time to enjoy cozy comforts, embrace outdoor adventures and savor the little moments that bring joy. Each day offers an opportunity to pause, reflect and celebrate small, meaningful traditions that lift our spirits and boost our well-being. This week’s lineup of “mini holidays” makes it even easier to focus on self-care, connection and fun—whether you’re taking in the crisp autumn air on Take a Hike Day or sipping a warm apple cider topped with decadent caramel cream on Apple Cider Day.

These fun occasions aren’t just about celebration—they’re packed with feel-good perks too. Studies show that spending time in nature helps reduce stress and inflammation, hugging loved ones strengthens bones and playing board games with family and friends can lift your mood. So go ahead, indulge in the delicious flavors and simple joys of the season, and enjoy each day’s unique celebration. To make it even easier, we’ve gathered tips, recipes, and ways to spread kindness—perfect for brightening your November one day at a time. Dive into these delightful ideas and enjoy making each day a little special!

Sunday, November 17: Take a Hike Day

It’s the perfect day to hit the trails and spend time in nature. Enjoying a hike will leave you with more than a relaxed state of mind—time outdoors has been found to reduce health-sapping inflammation. That’s the word from researchers reporting in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. When they looked at data for 1,244 people, they found that those who had frequent positive interactions with nature had lower levels of inflammation markers (particularly those linked to heart disease and diabetes) compared to those who spent little time in nature. Turns out appreciating nature lowers the stress that can send inflammation soaring. To find hiking trails near you, download the AllTrails or Gaia GPS app.

Monday, November 18: Apple Cider Day

Give apple cider a delicious upgrade by topping it with homemade caramel whipped cream! This recipe from the pros in the Woman’s World test kitchen makes it easy. Tip: This creamy topper goes well with apple cider cocktails too!

To make: On medium-high, beat 1 cup of heavy cream with 2 tbs. of caramel sauce (such as Torani) until stiff peaks form. Transfer to a pastry bag fitted with star tip. Pipe over 8 glasses of apple cider or cider cocktails, then drizzle with additional caramel sauce.

Tuesday, November 19: Play Monopoly Day

Celebrate the day with a game of Monopoly! The key to success? Avoid holding on to your money, says Tim Barney, game manager at Top Trumps USA, which produces Monopoly board games. “People often hesitate to spend early, but if you don’t invest in properties, you’ll miss out on building a steady income stream.” When developing your property, focus on a single set as soon as possible rather than spreading yourself thin. “Always try to get three houses on each property—that’s when the rent increases dramatically,” he adds.

Thursday, November 21: World Hello Day

When you meet up with a friend or loved one today, say hello with a hug. Not only is it a great mood booster, but research suggests that the feel-good embrace can help keep bone loss at bay. In an animal study published in the journal Scientific Reports, subjects given oxytocin (the same hormone released during affectionate moments with friends and family) had 39% more bone strength and showed a 31% increase in bone density in their legs compared to those who didn’t receive oxytocin. Why? The hormone stimulates bone formation, a process that typically slows with age.

Saturday, November 23: Eat a Cranberry Day

Stock up on extra cranberries at the supermarket, and use them to dress up a cake with this sweet recipe for glazed cranberries.

To do: In a small pot, combine ½ cups of sugar with 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil and cook just until sugar dissolves, 2 min. Cool 5 min., then pour over 1 cup of fresh cranberries in a bowl. Chill the berries overnight, then spread onto rack over baking sheet to dry. Bake and assemble a layered cake, then top cooled cake with chocolate ganache and garnish with glazed cranberries. For extra sparkle, roll cranberries in additional sugar before adding to cake.

Send spare 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, P.O. Box 3199, Camdenton, MO 65020