NATIONAL WEDDING MONTH

January 31, 2026January 1, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 6 Comments

Ahh, February. The month of all things “love.” Why not honor weddings during the month that honors American Hearts, Valentine’s, and Chocolate Souffle?! February is National Weddings Month; a celebration of the beauty of unconditional love and the excitement of marriage and wedding parties.

Did you know that more than 2.4 million couples get married in the U.S. every year, and about 16 thousand of them get married on Valentine’s Day?! Even though the majority of weddings do take place during the summer months (specifically June, August, and September), February does own the most weddings to a single day. Since it’s known as the most romantic month on the calendar, it seems fitting to give weddings an extra special celebration in February.

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According to the National Association of Bridal Consultants, it’s also the month that most brides and grooms-to-be start doing serious wedding planning. That may be because December is the most popular month for proposals!

So, let romance win in February and celebrate all things wedding-related.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalWeddingsMonth

National Weddings Month is an excellent time to celebrate romance and the excitement of weddings.

Share a picture from your wedding.
Begin planning your wedding.
Visit wedding venues for your big day.
Call florists, DJs, bands, banquet halls, caterers, and dress shops.
Design your announcement and invitations.
Send Save-the-Date cards.

Share your plans and excitement on social media, too. Include tips and recommendations for the best businesses for weddings. Businesses, celebrate the month with promotions and deals. The brides, grooms, and parents will thank you! Check out this playlist too. For the ceremony, reception and everything else.

Use #NationalWeddingsMonth or #WeddingMonth to post on social media.

NATIONAL DARK CHOCOLATE DAY

January 31, 2026January 2, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 6 Comments

On February 1st, National Dark Chocolate Day reminds us to indulge a little. Many tout dark chocolate as the healthier chocolate. However, for some, it can be an acquired taste.

Also known as bittersweet chocolate, dark chocolate is different from milk chocolate. Candy makers add milk or butter to milk chocolate, giving it a creamier consistency. Dark chocolate includes no added milk or butter. Instead, the percentage of cocoa solids remaining in the chocolate determines how dark the chocolate is. The higher the ratio, the darker the chocolate. It may also have a slightly bitter taste.

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Chocolate comes from the seed of the tropical Theobroma cacao tree. We have been cultivating cacao for at least three millennia, and the plant grows in Mexico, Central America, and Northern South America. Our earliest known documentation of using cacao seeds dates to around 1100 BC.

Fermentation helps develop the flavor of the cacao seeds. Otherwise, the seeds are too bitter to eat. Once fermented, the beans are dried, cleaned, and roasted. After roasting, the shell is removed to produce cacao nibs. Processors then ground the cocoa nips into cocoa mass, pure chocolate in rough form. Next, they usually liquefy the cocoa mass and mold it with or without other ingredients. At this point in the process, it is called chocolate liquor. The chocolate liquor may then be processed into two components: cocoa solids and cocoa butter.

Besides being lower in calories and fat, dark chocolate has many other health benefits. It also serves as a decadent ingredient in many desserts and sauces.

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL DARK CHOCOLATE DAY

Eat some dark chocolate. Bake with dark chocolate. Add dark chocolate to a savory dish. Share dark chocolate recipes. Host a dark chocolate tasting. Learn about the health benefits of dark chocolate. Use #NationalDarkChocolateDay on social media.

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NATIONAL DING-A-LING DAY

December 11, 2025November 29, 2025Jensperspectiveblog 2 Comments

National Ding-a-Ling Day on December 12th encourages us to reconnect with people we once talked to often.

Ding-a-Lings on this day call the people they haven’t heard from in a while. It may be an old classmate, co-worker, or neighbor from years ago. Or perhaps a call will go out to the child who used to mow the grass during the summer. How about that couple who carpooled for soccer? What was their name? Many people slip out of our lives who would love to hear the ding-a-ling of a call from you. Why don’t you join the Ding-a-ling club and call someone this year?

NATIONAL DING-A-LING DAY HISTORY

In 1972, Franky Hyle placed a free ad in Chase’s Calendar of Events with his PO Box Number in Melrose Park, IL stating that for $1 you can join the National Ding-A-Ling club. The club, with 871 original members, would call friends and relatives they haven’t heard from in a while every year on December 12. In a 1975 Lakeland Ledger article, the idea for the club developed during a discussion among friends about people being friendlier and led to the meaning of the term ding-a-ling. After looking up the word, they found it meant “One who hears bells in his head.”

From this evening discussion, Hyle created the National Ding-A-Ling club. The tradition grew, and on December 12th, millions of people will call those individuals dear to them.

HOW TO OBSERVE #DingALingDay

Call someone you haven’t heard from in a long time and use #DingALingDay to post on social media.

Ding-a-Ling: Phone a friend? Maybe not!
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Bittersweet CHOCOLATE WITH ALMONDS DAY

November 6, 2025November 6, 2025Jensperspectiveblog 16 Comments

On November 7th, National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day ushers in one of the more healthful ways to enjoy chocolate. Dark chocolate is chocolate liquor to which sugar, cocoa butter, and vanilla have been added. It has less sugar and more liquor than semisweet chocolate. However, the two of them may be interchangeable when baking.

Recent studies reveal health benefits from eating small quantities of Dark chocolate. The addition of almonds increases health benefits as well. Pairing the two of them gives us a delicious and healthy snack. Make them a part of your lunch or enjoy them as part of an afternoon snack.

In 1742, Eliza Smith included the only chocolate recipe in her cookbook, The Compleat Housewife, printed by William Parks. The simple recipe combined grated chocolate, orange flower water, and sugar. But, no almonds.

However, plenty of recipes include almonds and chocolate. You only need to know where to look. When combining chocolate and almonds, remember that both keep well, too. So, sharing during the holidays is easy. Make a little or a lot of a recipe to spread the holiday cheer when using dark chocolate with almonds.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE WITH ALMONDS DAY HISTORY

The National Confectioners Association sponsors Bittersweet Chocolate With Almonds Day.

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE #BittersweetChocolateWithAlmondsDay

Chocolate and almonds can improve just about any day. Try one of the recipes below or one of your favorites to celebrate. Make enough to share or invite friends to get creative with chocolate recipes in your kitchen. Are you looking for other ways to add chocolate and almonds to your day? Here are some ideas to share:

Top your oatmeal with some chopped dark chocolate and almonds. It will add crunch and flavor.
Make up some granola for a mid-snack using chocolate and almonds.
Roll up some delicious energy bites with these two amazing ingredients and put them in the freezer for a quick and easy craving quencher.
Enjoy them separately! Add dark chocolate to your morning coffee, and top your salad with almonds. You might be missing the “with” but we won’t tell.

While you are celebrating, be sure to use #BittersweetChocolateWithAlmondsDay to post on social media.

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NATIONAL CHOCOLATE DAY

October 27, 2025September 13, 2025Jensperspectiveblog 1 Comment

National Chocolate Day, on October 28th, recognizes one of the world’s favorite tastes. While many specific chocolate-related holidays exist throughout the year, National Chocolate Day celebrates all things chocolate.

Chocolate earns its day of honor by being America’s favorite flavor. (Some sources designate July 7 or December 28 as Chocolate Day or International Chocolate Day.)

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How is chocolate made?

Chocolate comes from the seed of the tropical Theobroma cacao tree. Humans have been cultivating cacao for at least three millennia. The plant grows in Mexico, Central America, and Northern South America. Historians document the earliest known use of cacao seeds at around 1100 BC.

The intense, bitter taste of cocoa requires the bean to be fermented to develop the flavor. Research suggests that chocolate, when eaten in moderation, can lower blood pressure.

Once fermented, the beans are dried, cleaned, and roasted. After roasting, the shell is removed to produce cacao nibs. The cacao nibs are then ground into cocoa mass, which is pure chocolate in rough form. The cocoa mass is usually liquefied then molded with or without other ingredients. At this point in the process, it is called chocolate liquor. The chocolate liquor may then be processed into two components: cocoa solids and cocoa butter.

Unsweetened baking chocolate – cocoa solids and cocoa butter in varying proportions.
Sweet chocolate – cocoa solids, cocoa butter or other fat and sugar.
Milk chocolate – sweet chocolate with milk powder or condensed milk.
White chocolate – cocoa butter, sugar, and milk but no cocoa solids.

Chocolate is a good gift. You can give a variety of chocolate, too. That way you’re more likely to give someone their favorite kind. However, please remember to not give dark or milk chocolate to someone who is allergic to it. White chocolate is the safer option.

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE DAY HISTORY

National Confectioners Association created National Chocolate Day

Chocolate celebrations include…

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CHOCOLATE DAY

Visit your favorite restaurant and indulge in a delicious chocolate dessert. Another idea is to host a chocolate tasting party. Invite friends to bring their best chocolate recipes to share.

Use #NationalChocolateDay to post on social media.