When I think of holiday gatherings, board and group games still come to mind as a way to break the awkward silence when you’re finished with small talk about work, school or the weather, and need something to do.Here are 15 digital and analog games to try over the holidays. Lucky for us, many of these don’t even require carrying around a box to play anymore -- some are available as apps for our tablets or phones.

Giving everyone the benefit of the doubt, it is true that our country is undergoing some profound changes in demographics. We are more religiously and culturally diverse than ever before and this diversity will automatically evoke some strong reactions. Plus we have a rising population that does not feel affiliated with any religious tradition and this too contributes to the new cultural landscape.

Celebrations around the world are under way to mark the start of 2014, with thousands attending the traditional spectacular pyrotechnics in Sydney.

Around this time each year, millions of Americans are enjoying a three-day weekend heading into Memorial Day. It’s one of just 10 national holidays for a country that prides itself on a world-renowned work ethic. But in Japan, the government just unveiled its 16th national holiday. Does that make Japan a holiday-happy nation compared with the U.S.? Not exactly.

Firecrackers are essentially un-American, even though we associate them our most deeply patriotic celebration, the Fourth of July. The fact ...

The United States marks 238 years as an independent nation as it celebrates the Fourth of July with fireworks, food and music. Here are some highlight.

Much of what we think we know about Christopher Columbus turns out to be wrong.

For one thing, better food. For another, less explicitly genocidal overtones.

At Costco, the Black Friday deals won't begin until, well, Friday. The warehouse retail chain will again stay closed on Thanksgiving this year, bucking the trend of retailers opening their doors earlier and earlier.

A slew of national retailers are making a point of the fact that they aren't going along with the trend to open—and open earlier and earlier—on Thanksgiving Day.

Airlines say they expect an uptick in Thanksgiving travel. This November, jet fuel prices are down, but carriers are using the saved money to upgrade equipment and software rather than cut fares.

The Christmas Lights Across Canada Illumination Ceremony took place on Wednesday, December 3, featuring a Peace Tower carillon concert and fireworks. Throughout Christmas Lights Across Canada, the ...

Now Christmas is nearing, just what present do you buy for the person who has everything? The answer: Nothing. Yep, a big, fat nicely wrapped box of Nothing. And before you go and vehemently accuse us of being some sort of 21st century Scrooge, we’re actually referring to the items being sold by the truckload on Youneednothing.com, where visitors are being offered empty boxes of air, ranging from £26 for a simple box and a staggering £160 for a deluxe edition - which, as of writing...

Christmas carp is a holiday mainstay in many central European nations. Traditionally, it swims in the family tub for a day or two, sometimes becoming a sort of pet before it ends up on the plate.

As with final exams and the big game, the start of a new year has a tendency to turn even non-believers a tad superstitious. All around the world, 1/1 is a day rife with tradition and symbolic ritual.

How Norman Rockwell conceived the ultimate image of holiday burnout.

The Chinese bid farewell to the Year of the Horse this past week when they ushered in the Year of Sheep on February 19, 2015. Or maybe it was the Goat. Or perhaps the Ram! But what's up with that Yang?

St. Patrick's Day began in Ireland as a serious religious event, but Irish immigrants in the U.S. helped transform it into a celebration of Irish culture that is now marked everywhere from Tokyo to Toronto.

FORGET sharks, stingers and crocodiles, north Queensland councils are taking action to protect tourists from another tropical danger – coconuts.

Learn how to stay safe.

Barcelona mayor joins other leftist officials in decrying holiday that honours Columbus’s arrival in the New World: ‘Shame that a nation celebrates genocide’ As King Felipe presided over a military parade to celebrate Spain’s National Day, several of the country’s new crop of leftist mayors took aim at the origins of the holiday, siding with a growing movement that questions the commemoration of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the New World.

The 74-foot tree will travel from south Alaska to Seattle by sea, and then it will make the long journey to Washington D.C. by truck.

Good, well-made pasta is one of Italy's greatest contributions to the culinary world, and when paired with squash it fits nicely on the Thanksgiving table.

November gave Netflix users Jessica Jones and Master of None. December will give subscribers Adam Sandler's controversial film The Ridiculous 6, but don't worry, there are still some interesting titles to stream over the holidays. Bill Murray's anticipated Christmas special, A Very Murray Christmas, will be available to stream on Dec. 4. The special is being helmed by Sofia Coppola (whom Murray previously worked with on Lost in Translation) and...

Behold, the high wattage Christmas lights of Dyker Heights.

“Christmas has proven extremely difficult to Christianize.”

The heightened emotions that infuse the holiday season have helped make it prime time for marketers, and this year they seem to be finding that longer online advertisements in particular can leave even the most cold-hearted wiping away tears.

Christmas stories to help you and your family get into the festive spirit and enjoy the holiday season.

The secret to an awesome Christmas morning.

How the tradition of sending Christmas Cards started and the history of Christmas Cards.

The Italian fruit bread is readily available these days. But if you want to take your palate off the well-worn path, here's a look at other holiday breads to feast on, from pan de jamon to julekake.