On September 22, you can show your love for pachyderms on Elephant Appreciation Day! More than just animals you see at the zoo or circus, elephants are fascinating creatures that prove they’re special and worth a day of appreciation. Here are nine fun facts about elephants and why they make the world a better place.   African elephants are the largest land mammals on Earth. Compared to Asian elephants, they’re slightly larger. Want to tell the difference? African elephants have larger ears, while Asian ones have smaller, rounded ears. Elephant trunks are actually long noses. An elephant uses its trunk to breathe, smell, drink, and trumpet, as well as grab food. One elephant trunk has around 100,000 different muscles! Elephants, like humans, show a range of emotional intelligence. Grief is just one of the emotions elephants express. They’ve also been..

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Get those steins ready — Oktoberfest is around the corner! Held annually in Munich, Germany, Oktoberfest is a traditional beer festival that runs from late September to the first weekend in October. Many other cities host their own Oktoberfest celebrations modeled after the German event. Whether you’re flying to Deutschland, headed to a friend’s party, or hosting your own Oktoberfest extravaganza, here are seven mugs to wet your whistle while you drink:   Ceramic My Cave Mug: For those who feel the best way to kick off a party is with 20 ounces of your favorite brew, be the first to set the rules for Oktoberfest — your party, your cave, your rules. With “My Cave My Rules” emblazoned against a black background, this sturdy stoneware mug will hold up to any Oktoberfest shenanigans. Mug Brawny Builder: The saw as..

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We love grandma and grandpa at Karmakiss! In honor of Grandparents Day on 9/13, we have prepared a gift shopping list just for you, of 13 grandparent gifty items! Our Wise ol’ Timer Granny and Gramps are the perfect option for grandparents to time a cup of tea or anticipate their next grandchild visit! Designed to look like the wise old version of grandparents, these timers have a whimsical, fun look that would look adorable in grandma’s kitchen.                                                                           Steeping a good cup of tea is just more fun with the Tea Infuser Mister Tea that features a relaxing mister waiting for his tea to..

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Calling all procrastinators! Be Late for Something Day has just passed – Did you to show up a little, fashionably, or very late (within reason) to the next thing you need to do? What did you do with all that free time before you had to go somewhere? Here are five ways, we at Karmakiss indulged in this silly holiday, and sending you great gift ideas for the almost-always-procrastinator in your life:   Sleep in: Take some extra time to snuggle under the covers or catch a few zzz’s. This Tropical Talking Clock in Ocean White will wake you up when you need to with the alarm sound of waves crashing on the shore. Savor another cup of coffee: Rushing to work in the morning doesn’t really give you a chance to slow down and enjoy your coffee (or tea, or choice of..

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Labor Day. The day when we celebrate a year of working hard by hardly working, or not working at all. Families barbecue at home or head out of quick three-day weekend excursions. It is a quick respite from back-to-school. Whether you do a “staycation” in your own backyard or a quick hop to a nearby city, enjoy your labor-less long weekend and save a little cash by sticking close to home. From East Coast to West Coast, cities offer fun and inexpensive family options. There are nationwide state parks offering options for everyone from restaurants to golf, hiking, to boating. Camp onsite in tents or cabins for a fun Labor Day getaway at family-friendly prices. One of my favorite places for free entertainment any time of the year is Washington, DC. From the Smithsonian museums to the National Zoo, there..

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On August 26th, it’s National Dog Day! Also known as World Dog Day or National Dog Appreciation Day, this celebration is for recognizing the number of dogs that need to be rescued every year. It also serves to acknowledge the dogs that work to save lives, bring us comfort, and keep us safe. For all dogs everywhere, we salute you with a sampling of our 20 cutest pups: The Alaskan Malamute is one of the oldest sled dogs in the Arctic, with a super thick coat and muscular body, plus an affectionate personality. Like Lassie, Collies are devoted and graceful, as well as highly intelligent, with a fully luxurious coat that needs great care. Friendly, mellow, and the “gentlemen of the dog breed,” English Setter loves a lot of exercise to keep its body and mind in shape. All-red in..

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Forgiveness is hard. There is no way getting around it. There are quotes on how having an unforgiving heart only hurts the person not forgiving. In the end, finding forgiveness is a journey like grief that is personal and can vary in length for each person. Embracing forgiveness in all of its incarnations is important for growth and survival. 1. Watching other people forgive in the face of horrible tragedy is one way that I learn to try and forgive. In the recent weeks, I was staggered to watch the Charleston church members almost instantly forgive the seemingly unforgivable massacre of their church members. 2. A visit to the Holocaust Museum showed me how even people targeted in the Holocaust forgave and are still forgiving. My little moments of feeling unforgiveness in my heart were far eclipsed when I listened..

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Oh, Canada! An ode to the majestic Country of Canada today, a place where some might call the best part of North America. Today officially marks the first day of July, and also a special day for all Canadians. Check out these fun and quirky facts about a country that has so much to offer besides Hockey, maple syrup, and a spectacular landscape that is just simply undeniable. How many points are on the Canadian flag’s maple leaf? The correct number is 11!  1982 is the year that Canada officially became its own country.  Feel like sending some good ol’ fashioned snail mail? You can send mail to Canada’s government, for free!  Your favorite sport of Basketball was invented in Canada.  Out of Canada’s 35 million people, 9.5 million people speak French.  77% of the world’s maple syrup is made..

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Fire up the grill and wave the flag high — it’s the Fourth of July! Celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, parades, and other patriotic parties across America at one of these seven eventful places to visit this year:   The National Archives in Washington, DC. On the morning of the Fourth, the National Archives celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence with its annual Fourth of July program, including patriotic music, family activities and entertainment, and a dramatic reading of the Declaration by historical reenactments, followed by a parade. Best of all, it’s free! Atlantic City Boardwalk in Atlantic City, NJ. On July 3 and 4, Atlantic City showcases a fantastic fireworks show choreographed to music off ocean barges that’s viewable along the beach and boardwalk. Follow up the show with popular patriotic music. While the show is free,..

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Father, Dad, Daddy, Pops, Old Man…all classic names that we have deemed to give the men in our lives who have brought us into this world. One day may not be enough to emphasize the love and appreciation we have for our fathers, but while it is still Father’s Day, sit for a second and check out these seven reasons why Karma Kiss thinks dads are the absolute best! 1. They get what they need to get done, with or without the kids. Super-Dad much? 2. Dads know how to “keep it real”, even when their daughters are growing up right before their eyes.   3. Even Darth Vader proves to be an awesome dad, contrary to popular belief! 4. Dads will literally do anything for their children. Would your dad something like this for you? 5. Dads are more than..

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1.   BBQ: The 3 most important letters in summer. Legend has it that Father’s Day was made in late-June by a dad who just wanted to get BBQ-friendly gifts. This can range from actual meat in a big cooler to mean-looking BBQ tools to turn and poke stuff with. Crown your king with this Barbeque King Apron & Oven Mitt Set.  2.    An Apple (case) for the Dad: While teachers and kids are out for the summer, dads are not. Help him measure his steps and his sleep and all other manner of fun things to measure with the ultimate dad gift: A protective case for his prized Apple products – Chocolatier Ipad Case/sleeve.   3.    Bright Lights: For the father who enjoys cycling for sport or for his healthy lifestyle. Make sure dad has something to keep him cycling safe in the night..

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Do you know the donut? The fun circle shaped pastry has its own celebration day: National Donut Day on June 5th – TODAY! While you nibble and dunk your donut of choice into your coffee or milk, here are thirteen fun facts to help you appreciate it even more.  It’s All In The Name: The origin of the name “donut” is as mysterious as the hole in its center. Some say the 19th century Dutch came up with the concept with their “olykoeks” or oily cakes. Others give the history to the French with their “pets de none” or “nun’s farts” pastries. Whalers in the 1800’s celebrated successful trips by frying their version of donuts up in whale oil. There is ongoing debate as to “doughnut” v. “donut” with no one settling on one name or the other. Whatever the origin, our..

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