My favorite holidays are the ones I created or created with the help of a friend. When I was young, I lived in Denver, not far from City Park where an ancient elm resided. A plaque beneath the tree said “Shakespeare Elm: The scion from which this tree was grown was taken from the tree at Shakespeare’s grave at Stratford-on-Avon.” The plaque also noted that the tree was planted on April 23, 1916, which is exactly 300 years after Shakespeare’s birthday — April 23, 1616. (And exactly 110 years before today —April 23, 2026, hence this post.)
How could such a momentous occasion not be celebrated? Many years ago — decades ago! — a friend and I baked elm tree cookies, made a “pin the leaf on the tree” game, stirred up gallons of green punch, even baked a tree shaped cake with candles. We sent hundreds of invitations to friends, family, Denver notables, the media, but on April 23, only family and friends showed up. And two cops.
The cops stood apart from all of us, though they did nibble on cookies and take tentative sips of punch. At one point, one of the cops turned to the other and said in amazement, “They really are having a birthday party for this tree.” Apparently, they had been dispatched to the site in case we were staging a drug rendezvous or some such. As it turns out, it was lucky that no one showed up. Since it ended up being simply a family picnic, we weren’t fined for putting on a public event without a license. Whew!
In honor of that tree and that friendship, I celebrate April 23 every year, if only with a nod to the past and a text to my friend.
I used to celebrate the birthday of “Pat Bertram,” the day I signed up for the internet and started a new life with a new name (Pat Bertram is my pseudonym, though it is a form of my offline name). Somewhere along the way I stopped celebrating, perhaps because that online persona gradually morphed into my offline persona. Still, next year will be the 20th birthday of that Pat, and it should be — will be — celebrated.
I never forget to celebrate the first day of winter. I call it the End of the Creeping Darkness because the nights stop growing shorter and light gradually begins returning to the world. Truly something to celebrate!
Perhaps my favorite holiday was one that could come only once in a lifetime — the day my father turned 35,000 days old. Of course, I had a party for him; how could I not!
And this isn’t the end, of course. There are always holidays to celebrate or create.
Until then, happy birthday, Shakespeare’s Elm!
Since I don’t have a picture of that Elm party, I’m attaching a photo of my father’s party.
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Pat Bertram is the author of Grief: The Inside Story – A Guide to Surviving the Loss of a Loved One.
Bertram's Blog 
April 23, 2026 at 9:01 am
congrats, I wa never that creative. It sounds like fun. I don’t celebrate much anymore. Just Christmas and Easter. I send gifts to my children on birthdays and anniversaies and of course the two previously mentioned holidays. Other than that nothing.. Just not enough energy, time or money. Have a great 4/23/26.
April 23, 2026 at 9:42 am
To be honest, my celebrations include maybe putting up tiny tree, maybe just a centerpiece (the Easter centerpiece on my table is still up), but mostly I just acknowledge the day. that’s about all the energy I have.
April 23, 2026 at 10:27 am
So glad to hear that I am the only one wondering where my get up and go, got up and went.
April 23, 2026 at 10:47 am
They all sound better than Festivus.
April 23, 2026 at 11:27 am
I didn’t even know what Festivus was, so I had to look it up. Yep, mine are all better than that!
April 24, 2026 at 5:45 am
I wondered if you’d have to look it up.
April 23, 2026 at 4:37 pm
Your party for the tree was inspired! I also love the celebration of 35000 days for your dad. I could go on … but I won’t. I’ll just say I loved this entry.
April 23, 2026 at 4:48 pm
Thank you.
April 23, 2026 at 5:51 pm
It probably won’t surprise you that my favorite holiday is Halloween. I also love Hanukkah, as it feels like a magical holiday to me. And I often celebrate book birthdays (there’s one next week) and this blog’s birthday. And, of course, I try to do something memorable on my own birthday. If it’s a milestone birthday, I’ll go all out!
April 23, 2026 at 6:22 pm
Of course Halloween is your favorite! It doesn’t surprise me at all. And happy book birthday!
April 23, 2026 at 6:35 pm
Thanks! Here’s hoping more people pick it up in the next week or two!
April 24, 2026 at 4:59 am
My favorite holiday is the day after any of them. It is what it is and I am not worried about it. Viewed from a different perspective I could say “everyday is my favorite holiday”.
April 24, 2026 at 5:26 am
I like that!