Hoping Everyone Is Enjoying Summer Vacation So Far!– Written by Fatima, GiGi’s NYC Participant

Happy August Gigis Playhouse NYC!

There are so many holidays to celebrate in August 2025 such as National Girlfriend Day, National Water Balloon Day, National Ice Cream Sandwich Day, National Watermelon Day, National Friendship Day, National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, National Son and Daughter Day, National Back to School Prep Day, and National Bowtie Pasta Day just to name a few.

National Girlfriend Day is celebrated on Friday, August 1st this year, and some people celebrate the occasion in a lot of different ways including personalized gifts, romantic dates, heartfelt notes, or simply spending quality time together. Plan a special evening out, whether it’s a fancy dinner, a casual outing, or a fun activity like bowling or seeing a movie. Engage in an activity she enjoys, whether it’s a hobby, a place she loves to visit, or a shared interest. Prepare her favorite dish from scratch or order in from her favorite restaurant. You could also enjoy a relaxed evening in with movies, games, or simply talking and connecting. For something more extravagant, planning a surprise trip, a weekend getaway, or a fun day trip might be something your special woman would love. Another way to make your girlfriend feel like the most special woman on earth is to express your feelings in a heartfelt letter or card telling her why you appreciate her. If you’re opting to purchase a gift choose one that is meaningful and reflects her personality or interests. This could be a piece of jewelry, a custom-made item, or something related to her hobbies. Another idea is to give her small tokens of appreciation that show you’re thinking of her, like her favorite snacks, flowers, or a thoughtful trinket. You could also send flowers, a gift basket, or a sweet treat to her workplace or home. Make a scrapbook, playlist, or video montage of your favorite moments together. Other ideas include treating her to a relaxing spa day with manicures, facials, or other pampering treatments and taking a cooking class together and learning a new skill while enjoying each other’s company. Some women most appreciate acts of service where you help her with chores, errands, or tasks she’s been needing to do. And, finally, if your special woman enjoys social media, post a public message expressing your love and appreciation for her.

National Water Balloon Day is also celebrated on Friday, August 1st this year, and a lot of people celebrate the occasion in a lot of different ways including organizing a water balloon fight, playing toss games, or even trying unique activities like water balloon piñatas or a water balloon obstacle course. Remember to prioritize safety and clean up afterward. If choosing to gather friends and family for a classic water balloon fight, consider dividing into teams and setting up boundaries. Toss water balloons back and forth, taking a step back after each successful catch. See how far you can go before one breaks.  Another idea is to organize teams and have them race while carrying water balloons (perhaps on a spoon or in a cup) to a designated spot. A third option is to play a game of Simon Says, but with a watery twist, using commands like, “Simon Says throw a water balloon.”

National Ice Cream Sandwich Day is celebrated on Saturday, August 2nd this year, and most people celebrate the occasion in a lot of different ways including making your own, visiting an ice cream shop, or even enjoying a virtual celebration with friends. It’s a day to indulge in the classic treat and get creative with different flavors and combinations. To create your own ice cream sandwich, choose your cookies or wafers considering chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal cookies, or even brownies. Then, select your ice cream. Explore different flavors and choose your favorite. Next, assemble your creation by sandwiching the ice cream between the cookies and freeze it for at least an hour to let the flavors meld. Finally, dig in and enjoy! Host an ice cream sandwich social by inviting friends and family. Make it a fun gathering where everyone can create their own ice cream sandwiches. Share your creations by taking photos and sharing your unique combinations on social media by using #IceCreamSandwichDay. Get creative with flavors and toppings by exploring international variations trying recipes from around the world, like the Vietnamese version with bread, or the Persian one with wafers. You can also play with using mochi, waffles, or even banana bread as the “bread” for your sandwich. Consider adding sprinkles, chocolate sauce, nuts, or other toppings to your ice cream sandwiches. 

National Watermelon Day is celebrated on Sunday, August 3rd this year, and a lot of people celebrate the occasion in many different ways. One way includes hosting a watermelon-themed picnic or party with games like seed-spitting contests and watermelon eating competitions. Get creative with watermelon recipes, like smoothies, salads, or even grilled watermelon. You could also enjoy watermelon slices with a pinch of rock salt or experiment with watermelon-flavored treats like popsicles or sorbet. You can also explore watermelon carving or art projects. Don’t forget to learn fun facts about watermelons, like the fact that they are technically berries. You can also learn how to pick a ripe watermelon. Watermelon is one of my favorite fruits to eat for dessert. On this day I am planning on eating watermelon for dessert after a long day of work at Citi Field.

National Friendship Day is also celebrated on Sunday, August 3rd this year, and a bunch of people celebrate the occasion in a lot of ways. One way to celebrate this special day is to reach out to friends with a personalized message, either by text, email, or social media, letting them know that you appreciate them. You could also throw a party, watch a movie, meet new friends, enjoy some favorite friendship quotes, gift friendship bracelets, and reconnect with old friends. I am looking forward to cultivating my friendship with my good friends from Canada. Their names are Aldo, Dolores, Christina, Daniella, and Annalisa. They are every bit awesome and amazing. I have known them for a long time – since I was born!

National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day is celebrated on Monday, August 4th this year, and a lot of people celebrate the occasion in different ways including baking your favorite chocolate chip cookies, trying a new recipe, sharing your cookies with friends and family, or even participating in a cookie exchange. You can also look for free cookies or deals at local bakeries or restaurants or even participate in a community campaign to spread cookie joy. This is a great day to experiment with different types of recipes and chocolate chips. Add nuts or try another fun new twist on the classic recipe. In addition to sharing your cookies with loved ones such as neighbors, friends, and family, consider sharing the love by offering cookies to first responders. Make it even more of a day of giving by donating homemade cookies to a local charity or organization. If you don’t want to bake, consider visiting your local bakery to sample different types of chocolate chip cookies. Better yet, plan a bakery crawl to sample chocolate chip cookies from various establishments. Hotels such as DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels often offer free chocolate chip cookies to guests and the public on this special and tasty day. Other activities for this day include reading a cookie-themed book like If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. You can also explore fun cookie facts. Consider posting about your cookie celebration using hashtag #ChocolateChipCookieDay. On this day I am planning on eating chocolate chip cookies while working at Citi Field during my break.

National Son and Daughter Day is celebrated on Monday, August 11th this year, and some people celebrate the occasion in a lot of different ways including spending quality time together, engaging in shared activities, expressing appreciation, and creating lasting memories. Some ideas for celebrating this day include going to a favorite park, museum, or movie theater. Another idea is to host a barbecue or engage in a gardening project. You could also cook a special meal together, bake cookies, or work on a craft. Enjoy a family game night with board games or video games. Alternatively, you could plan a movie marathon and create a cozy movie experience at home with your favorite films. If you’re the adventurous type who enjoys the great outdoors, go for a hike, bike ride, or visit a local park. On this day I am planning on doing a lot of fun things outdoors as a family since I am not scheduled to work at Citi Field. 

National Back to School Prep Day is celebrated on Friday, August 15th this year, and most people celebrate the holiday by reviewing school supply lists, sorting through existing supplies, organizing desks and backpacks, refreshing learning spaces, and setting academic and personal goals. A fun and supportive way to celebrate the day is by volunteering at school events or helping new students. This is a great time to set academic and personal goals for the year, fostering excitement and confidence. You can also participate in back-to-school themed activities like scavenger hunts, craft projects, or a school supply shopping spree. Attending school orientations, meeting new teachers, and connecting with other families is usually done this time of year. Prepare for the first day of school by practicing the morning routine, packing lunches, and choosing outfits to alleviate first-day jitters. For parents and families, consider volunteering at your child’s school to help at school events or assist with new student orientation. Host a back-to-school picnic or party to foster a sense of community and excitement for the new year. Connect with other parents and teachers, sharing tips and resources for a successful school year. Offer support, encouragement, and positive reinforcement as students prepare for the new challenges and opportunities of the new academic year. Engage in educational activities, like a back-to-school themed obstacle course or a book exchange. Orientation and school tours provide opportunities for new students and families to familiarize themselves with the school. Put together a warm, welcoming, and inspiring environment with banners, posters, and other decorations.

National Bowtie Pasta Day is celebrated on Thursday, August 28th this year, and a lot of people celebrate it in a lot of ways including enjoying a meal of bowtie pasta, sharing photos of your bowtie pasta creations, learning to tie a bowtie, or even throwing a bowtie-themed party. Cook your favorite bowtie pasta recipe, or try a new one. Consider a Caprese salad with bowtie pasta or a classic pasta dish with a variety of sauces and toppings. Try your hand at making bowtie pasta from scratch. Organize a potluck-style tasting party where everyone brings a pasta dish to share. Get creative with uncooked bowtie pasta! Use it for crafts, like building structures or creating art. Consider supporting organizations like the BowTie Cause or the BowTie Foundation which supports underprivileged youth.  

Before I get started on the September blog post I recommend a Greek restaurant located at 31-14 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11106 called Bahari Estiatorio since I enjoy eating Greek food and I am dating a Greek Orthodox guy named Peter Colombos from Gigi’s Playhouse. My favorite Greek dishes are pan-fried zucchini & eggplant served w/ skordalia, a spinach pie with green onions and feta that is baked in phyllo dough, kotopoulo souvlaki which is marinated and skewered chicken, souvlaki hirino which is marinated and skewered pork with tzaziki, pastitsio which is pasta layered with seasoned beef & topped with béchamel, mousaka which is eggplant & potato layered with seasoned beef and topped w/ béchamel, spanakorizo which is rice pilaf with spinach, bamies laderes which is okra baked with tomatoes, onion, and garlic, gigantes plaki which is lima beans baked with onion, tomato, and parsley, and kritharaki which is orzo with tomato sauce. I suggest that you try this restaurant. I think you will love it.

My favorite summer tradition includes seeing my friends from Canada when they come to visit New York. We do a lot of fun things together including a baseball game, overnight sleepovers, and the powwow at Queens County Farm. We also like to go bowling locally together. 

What are your summer traditions every year? Feel free to drop them in the comments section below. 

See you in September for another blog post.

Until then, enjoy the rest of your summer! Stay hydrated, and have fun with your family and friends.

Happy almost fall.

With love and happiness,

Fatima