How to Celebrate National Pokemon Day

Whether a diehard fan of Pokémon for many years or new to the adventure, this day has many opportunities for enjoyment and fun! Try out these ideas for celebrating National Pokemon Day, or come up with some creative celebrations of your own:

Host a National Pokemon Day Party

Invite friends who are also fans to gather for a National Pokemon Day party where tons of fun Pikachu and Ash Ketchum adventures can be enjoyed. Hook up a Nintendo Switch gaming system and get ready for friends to have a great time playing. Don’t forget to have everyone dress up in a costume as their favorite character from the game!

Of course, snacks and decorations for the party should be Pokémon-themed. In addition to playing Pokémon video games, other activities for kids might include Pin the Tail on the Pikachu, a Catch ‘Em All game with hidden colorful balls (like an Easter Egg hunt) or making a papercraft of Pikachu ears. So much fun is ready to be explored!

Make Some National Pokemon Day Themed Snacks

Whether hosting a party or just taking some treats into the office to share with coworkers, fun culinary adventures can be explored in honor of the day. Food and snacks can be creatively themed around the Pokémon characters, including recipes for ideas like these:

• Poké Ball Pizza. It’s simple to turn a standard homemade pizza into something special by making it into a Poké Ball. On a round pizza, make the lines and small circle down the middle of the ‘Poké Ball’ with black olives, placing cheese on the top of one side and pepperoni on the top of the other side. Bake and enjoy!
• Bulbasaur Cake. A creative baker can shape a cake into this adorable Pokémon character. The legs and bulb can be made from formed rice crispy treats and the whole thing covered in blue-green fondant icing.
• Poké Ball Cookies. With the same idea as Poké Ball Pizza, decorate round cookies with white on one side, red on the other, and use a black icing in a piping bag to make a circle in the middle and lines on each side.

Play Pokémon Go

Although the summer of 2016 ushered it in as a huge fad, the game Pokémon Go is still as fun as ever and can be enjoyed alone or in groups. This simplified version of the game can be played as an App on a smartphone. Although there isn’t as much buzz around the game as there was a few years ago, it is still ranked as one of the leading mobile games in the world and live events are even sometimes held (i.e. Go Fest).

The game continues to evolve and provide new adventures as participants get outside to search for special and rare characters to add to their collections. Pokémon items can even be traded with friends, whether competing against them or playing on a team with them. Some people really enjoy the fact that they can dress up their avatars in costumes!

Serve Pokémon Cocktails

Get into the spirit of the day by serving and enjoying a variety of fun colored cocktails that are inspired by the various characters. Or, if the party is filled with kids, feel free to make them into cute mock-tails without alcohol. Try these out, or get creative and make up some new ones:

• Squirtle Squad Shot. Channeling the blue-green color of the Squirtle Squad, this delicious drink can be made by combining ⅓ shot each of three different ingredients: spiced rum, coconut rum and blue curacao. A chaser of pineapple juice is a delicious finale for this one.
• The Pikachu Martini (Pika-tini). Brightly colored yellow follows the color of the character who inspired this drink. Make it using mango puree, mango Absolut vodka, Campari and grenadine. Layering the liquids makes a fun yellow and red presentation. Garnish with a maraschino cherry and a triangle slice of mango (as a nod to Pikachu’s ears).
• The Fire Breather. Originally depicted as large clowns, these characters spew flames out of their mouths. Make this drink using a shot of Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey, a bit of grenadine, a shot of Bacardi rum and ginger beer.
• Jiggly Puff Pina Colada. Made with fresh fruit (pineapple and strawberries) as well as white rum, coconut milk, lime juice, orange juice and Coco Lopez, this blended drink is an absolutely delicious dessert-like treat with a tropical island flair.

No matter which generation a person became a fan or which starter Pokémon got someone going on their first adventure, it can all be celebrated and appreciated on this day, National Pokemon Day!

History of National Pokemon Day

Marking the anniversary of the Japanese release of Pokémon Red and Green on February 27, 1996, this day is a favorite for fans of the franchise. The game was developed by Game Freak and released by Nintendo to be played on the Game Boy. Featuring collectible pocket monsters, the game was first released in Japan as “Pocket Monsters: Red” and “Pocket Monsters: Green”, which were then followed up later in the year by the special edition of “Pocket Monsters: Blue”.

As far as the celebrations of National Pokemon Day are concerned, the Pokémon Company always seems to have a bunch of treats lined up for fans in celebration of this day each year–from Snapchat filters to figurines and everything in between!

In 2018, the Pokemon Company announced several new products and features for its annual holiday, including the U.S. release of the “Pikachu Talk” app for Amazon’s Alexa devices and Google Home devices.

Also teaming up with Snapchat, the company decided to release three new Snapchat lenses featuring the classic Pokemon Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle. Bulbasaur was released first, followed by Charizard and Squirtle. Each lens features a Pokemon sitting in the bottom corner of the post, along with a halo-like effect around a Snapchatter’s head.

Starting February 2020, the company arranged for fans to be able to vote for the “Pokémon of the Year”, which allowed fans to choose their favorite characters from each category. That year, Greninja won overall, while the Charizard won from the Kanto region and Johto won from the Umbreon region.

Then, by 2021 excited fans were keen to celebrate the game’s 25th anniversary. Events included hosting a virtual concert with rapper Post Malone, special PokemonTV programs, other special activities in Los Angeles, California, and the release of a new Nintendo Switch game, called Pokemon Snap.

Plus, in celebration of the 25th anniversary, the Pokémon franchise teamed up with the Levi’s brand to release a special edition line of 90’s inspired clothing including Pokemon character inspired denim jackets, jeans, jeans shorts, hoodies, t-shirts and more.

International Polar Bear Day aims to raise awareness of the issues threatening these creatures and encourage change.

How to Celebrate International Polar Bear Day

We can all do our bit to help protect these vulnerable creatures and ensure that they thrive. To celebrate this special day, why not donate some money to the Polar Bears International organization to help fund its research into polar bears and their conservation?

You can also choose to adopt a polar bear, either for yourself or a loved one, through organizations such as the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

If you’re lucky enough to live near one, visit a local zoo or polar bear sanctuary to get up close and personal with these amazing animals. These kinds of organizations also contribute to conservation and research, for example by caring for orphaned cubs, so it’s great to support them and their efforts. And any intrepid explorers out there can even encounter polar bears in the wild through careful and considerate ecotourism opportunities.

Polar Bears International hosts various live events in the run-up to and on International Polar Bear Day, so check out their website to see what’s on offer. You can also make use of their polar bear tracker, which allows you to follow real-life bears as they make their way across the Arctic landscape.

With climate change posing one of the biggest threats to wildlife and people everywhere, International Polar Bear Day is also a great time to commit to lifestyle changes that will benefit the planet and all its inhabitants. Talk with your friends, family and colleagues about what climate change is and share some facts you’ve learned about how it affects polar bears. Help reduce your carbon footprint by recycling more, using less water, bicycling to work or buying items from environmentally friendly companies.

Together, we can all work to create a brighter future for polar bears!

More About Polar Bears

Polar bears are the apex predators of the Arctic, perfectly adapted to the icy landscape and ocean. It’s thought that they diverged from the brown bear as far back as 6 million years ago – as they moved north, they gradually evolved to brave the formidable polar conditions.

With their thick fur and ample body fat providing plenty of insulation, along with their small ears and tails minimizing heat loss, these ice bears are often more at risk of overheating than they are of freezing! Pair this with their large, padded paws, which turn them into powerful swimmers as well as proficient Arctic explorers, able to spread their weight on thin ice and grip onto the slippery surface, and it’s no wonder these marine mammals dominate the food chain.

Polar bears are spread across the Arctic Ocean, from Alaska in the west to Russia in the east and with around two thirds found in Canada. They mainly eat seals, which they catch either by creeping up on them while they rest on the ice or more commonly through a method known as ‘still-hunting’, in which they lie in wait besides seals’ breathing holes, poised for their dinner to appear.

The Inuit and other Arctic peoples have a close relationship with these magnificent bears, showing them great respect in both their culture and their hunting techniques. Legends and folk tales depict the nanuq (the Inuit term for polar bear) as a wise and spiritual being with an affinity to humans. And when it comes to hunting, they make use of almost all parts of the bear for food, clothes, fuel and medicine, meaning nothing goes to waste.

History of International Polar Bear Day

Organized by Polar Bears International, International Polar Bear Day aims to raise awareness of the plight of polar bears and the threats they face, including disruption to denning and the effects of climate change.

Commercial activities such as oil and gas exploration, shipping, mining and tourism have been affecting the polar bear’s habitat and ability to survive, in particular by encroaching on the terrain that mother bears use to build dens and raise their cubs.

Alongside these industries competing for precious space in the Arctic, the polar ice cap on which the bears depend is also melting due to climate change. They live off of the sea ice, relying on it for hunting, traveling, breeding and denning. And it’s vital that they maintain sufficient fat reserves to protect against the cold. Depleted sea ice affects both their food source and their habitat, increasing the risk of starvation and making it harder to raise cubs.

As a result of these developments, polar bears have been classed as ‘vulnerable’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which means this beautiful species could decline by over a third within three generations and is potentially at risk of extinction if temperatures continue to increase.

International Polar Bear Day is therefore all about conservation. To celebrate, people take the time to learn about polar bears, their ecosystem and how our actions have been harming their existence. They also pledge to reduce their carbon footprint and to speak with others about the effects that climate change has on polar bears.

Wish I had time for just one more bowl of chili.

Some like it hot, some like it mild, some like it on top of a baked potato and some prefer it with or without beans – but however it is most appreciated, National Chili Day is the perfect excuse for millions of spicy food fans all around the world to chow down on a bowl of this delicious fiery favorite.

How to Celebrate National Chili Day

Though not an official public holiday, National Chili Day is widely celebrated with many restaurants offering free samples of their own unique recipes. Others mark the day with a huge chili party for family and friends – or simply make sure they have a big bowl of chili for lunch!

Try out these fun ideas for celebrating the day:

Make a Big Pot of Chili

Even people who don’t really do much cooking can make a pot of chili to enjoy with a whole group of friends. It really is one of those meals that allows pretty much everything to be thrown into a pot and simmered while the flavors meld together.

A classic chilli recipe usually consists of a protein (often meat as well as beans), some sauce (usually tomato sauce), some veggies (corn, onion and diced tomatoes are typical) and spices for flavor (chili powder, garlic, cayenne pepper, onion powder and paprika). Toss in some jalapenos or other chili peppers for a little bit of kick. Let the whole thing simmer for a while and enjoy!

Enjoy a Chili Contest

Chili is a food that people love to gather around–and it’s great for competing too! Whether participating in a chili cookoff that pits top chefs against each other, or a chili-eating contest where the winner consumes the most chili in a short amount of time, this is a dish that can be filled with fun.

Today’s chili cook offs can get pretty serious, where contestants often use ingredients that will help them to create the most intense flavor possible. They also try to be unique, using interesting meats such as sausage, turkey or even venison, as well accessing a variety of chili peppers to create just the right amount of heat.

Get into the competitive spirit by participating, or just enjoy watching and rooting for a favorite person to win. Can’t find a chili contest in the local area? Don’t let that get in the way–go ahead and start one in honor of National Chili Day!

Get Creative with Chili Recipes

Getting involved in this day can be a delightful culinary experience! Take things far beyond the ordinary by including unique and interesting ingredients into that pot of chili. While the classic recipes are certainly amazing, these types of ideas get things moving to a whole other level:

• Chorizo Sweet Potato Chili. Give that pot of chili a delightful twist using a paleo friendly recipe that is a quick fix (can be on the table in around 30 minutes!). Chopped vegetables and some spicy chorizo sausage are flavors that meld together deliciously.
• Short Rib Black Bean Chili. Beginning with short ribs as the protein base, this chili is slow cooked with the bones to add tons of flavor and depth. Mildly spicy, the black beans round out the taste into something delightfully delicious.
• Spicy Chocolate Chili (Vegan). Sweet potatoes, maple syrup and cocoa powder work together in this recipe in a surprising way. Filled with beans and veggies, then topped with cilantro, lime and pumpkin seeds, this unique recipe will keep the whole family coming back for more!
• Kale and Barley Chili. Keep things super healthy with this chili that is filled with healthy greens. Add some white beans in for extra protein and bulk!

History of National Chili Day

The inaugural celebration of National Chili Day was in 2006 when it was founded by restaurant owner, Rich Kelly, of the Hard Times Cafe in Arlington, Virginia. But the background of the dish obviously goes back much further than that!

Though many people believe chili originated purely in Mexico, modern thinking suggests that it was probably truly created in Texas and is a blend of Native American, Spanish, and Mexican cuisines. This claim is supported by the fact that the first-ever written reference to chili occurred in the city of San Antonio, Texas in 1828. This is just one of the many delicious varieties of food that fall into the category of Tex-Mex.

However, one legend dates chili back a little further, stating that some immigrants who came from the Canary Islands brought the recipe with them to San Antonio when they settled there in the 1700s. This was before the name “chili” came to be and it was simply referred to as “Spanish stew”.

Eventually, by the 1880s, a popular way to eat the dish in San Antonio was by picking up a “bowl o’ red” at a chili stand in an open-air stall, usually run by a “chili queen”. The popularity of chili began to spread throughout the US, and it was given a huge boost when it was featured at the 1893 World’s Fair which took place in Chicago, Illinois.

The dish that is now known as simply “chili” has, in the past, often been referred to as “chili con carne”, which just means chili with meat. Of course, today, many people make it without meat, and it can easily even be made into a vegan dish with no animal products of any kind.

Some people do tend to spell it differently, depending on where they are from. Most Americans will include only one “l” in the word, while some British folks and people from other parts of the world may add an additional letter to spell it “chilli”. But no matter how it is spelled, this is certainly a tasty dish that is worthy of celebration!