It is widely beleived that the festival originated in India as a Hindu festival, similar to Deepavali, a thanksgiving ceremony to the deity of the Ganges for giving life throughout the year. According to the writings of King Rama IV of Thailand in 1863, the festival was adapted by Buddhists in Thailand as a ceremony to honour the original Buddha, Siddhartha Guatama.

The word 'Loy' means to float and 'kratongs' are small rafts, made from the stems of banana plants being about six to ten inches in diameter. They are decorated with folded banana leaves, flowers, joss sticks and a candle. People will also cut their fingernails and hair and add them to the raft as a symbol of letting go of the bad parts of themselves. Many Thais also believe that floating a krathong will bring them good luck. Todays festival honors the Goddess of Water, Phra Mae Khongkha in addition to the teachings of the Buddha.

On festival day, thousands of people gather beside the canals and rivers all over Thailand, they light the candle on their Kratongs, put some coins inside and silently make a wish - placing their kratongs in the water they release them to the current. They watch intently as the float drifts silently downstream, hoping that the candle will not go out. Its flame is said to signify longevity, fulfillment of wishes and release from sins. The night is considered to be highly romantic for couples or lovers. Couples who make a wish together on Loy Kratong are said to stay together forever.

Legend has it that the first kratong was made and launched by Queen Noppamas, a consort of the Sukothai king Loethai (14th century). Today Loy Kratong often features Noppamas Queen beauty pageants and contests for the most attractive Kratong. The Loy Krathong festival is also associated with the start of the tradition of vegetable carving.

Another feature of the festival in Phuket is the launching into the air of khom fai – delicate paper balloons about a metre in height and half a metre in diameter, lifted by a small flame burning in the base. Hundreds of these taking off and mingling with the stars are a thoroughly uplifting sight. These are believed to help rid the locals of troubles and are also taken to decorate houses and streets.

The main celebration of this festival in Phuket takes place at Saphan Hin, just southeast of Phuket Town, but many other places join in, including most of the island’s hotels and beach resorts.

Arlington, MA January 21, 2011 — Another calendar page has turned and it's time to celebrate the Chinese New Year  (or Lunar New Year) with wishes for success. It's the Year of the Rabbit, and Gift Baskets Overseas.com—experts in International Gift Delivery—has unveiled another expanded catalog featuring a variety of Chinese New Year gift baskets that will help customers take the hassle out of sending gifts overseas.

The newest entries make it simple for customers to send stunning gifts for anyone in the USA, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Customers can send well wishes with baskets of fresh flowers, gourmet treats, and  high-quality spirits. Choose from baskets overflowing with traditional Chinese New Year gifts like Mandarin oranges, rice cakes, and teas as well as modern favorites such as chocolates, coffees, and fresh fruits. Best of all, when customers order from GiftBasketsOverseas.com, they don't have to worry about gifts getting trapped in customs or recipients having to pay taxes.

Followers of the Chinese zodiac suggest that this year will be marked by diplomacy and kindness. Business owners are encouraged to take advantage of the Year of the Rabbit through generosity. Join in the celebration with GiftBasketsOverseas.com’s impressive selection of spa gifts, first-rate foods, and exceptional drinks. And, since they know you want to send something to everyone, GiftBasketsOverseas.com offers corporate discounts on bulk orders.

“The Chinese New Year is a festive time of year, and we've worked hard to offer gifts that are just as high-quality as they are gorgeous,” says David Skol, Chief Gift Officer. “It's a time of feasting, merriment, and good wishes, and we've chosen gifts that reflect these grand celebrations."

It's time to forget grudges and welcome prosperity. Friends, family, and co-workers will gather, feast, and exchange blessings for days. Chinese New Year gift hampers from GiftBasketsOverseas.com are designed to send your messages of joy. Send Lunar New Year gifts all over the world: Check out the newest catalogs at GiftBasketsOverseas.com and wish someone special a New Year full of food, fun, and fortune.

GiftBasketsOverseas.com is a BBB accredited company based in the United States specializing in delivering superior quality gifts to over 120 countries. GiftBasketsOverseas.com has become renowned globally for its ability to provide online ordering convenience as well as multilingual customer service and its dedication to providing secure payment options. Learn more about the company at www.giftbasketsoverseas.com.

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Arlington, MA (Press Release) August 10, 2010 - Ramadan is just around the corner, and to celebrate Gift Baskets Overseas—the experts in International Gift Delivery—has launched a line of exquisite gifts to send to Turkey, Egypt, and UAE – among others – to commemorate Ramadan around the world with style and beauty. This year, for the entire lunar month lasting from August 11th to September 9th on the Gregorian calendar, the Muslim people will refrain from food and drink during the day to cleanse their spirits and practice patience. During this holiday they also send gifts to those in need to commemorate the gift of the Qur’an to the Prophet Mohammed. At the end of the month, there is a great three-day festival full of delicious foods, beautiful clothes, and still more charity. This year, make sure you’re a part of the gift-giving and good works by sending gifts to Egypt, Lebanon, Pakistan, Turkey, UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar – major countries in which Ramadan is celebrated.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the year according to the Islamic calendar; during this month the Muslim people refrain from eating, drinking, and smoking during the hours from sunrise to sunset each day. This difficult activity is meant to teach them patience, spirituality, and modesty. During this time of fasting, performed for Allah who is said to have made the practice obligatory, the Muslim people also pray more than usual to ask for forgiveness, request guidance, and cleanse their spirits. Although this is a time of spiritual enlightenment, the Muslim people are not expected to be superhuman; after the time of prayer at sunset, they are allowed to break their fast and eat whatever they want until sunrise the next day. This is the perfect time to share delicious gourmet gift baskets and decadent sweets hampers with friends and family in Turkey, UAE, and Egypt.

Charity work is also a very important part of Ramadan; during this time the Muslim people are commanded to give food, drink, clothes, and shoes to those who cannot afford them on their own. The holiest night of the year, Laylat al-Qadr (The Night of Decree, Night of Power, or Night of Measures), is celebrated on an odd-numbered date during the last ten nights of Ramadan; although the exact night of celebration can vary according to diverse traditions, most people will celebrate it on the 6th of September. It is said that this is the night that the Qur’an was revealed to the prophet Mohammed.

At the end of the month, the fasting is ended with a lush three-day celebration called Eid ul-Fitr (Festival of the Breaking of the Fast). At this time, Muslims dress in their best clothes, visit family and friends, and indulge in great feasts to celebrate the victory of Ramadan, the attainment of higher spirituality, and forgiveness. It is a time of great joy and charity, and people give gifts of rich foods and sweets to children, family, friends, and especially the needy – no one is to go without experiencing the richness of the celebration at this time.

“This Ramadan and Eid ul-Fitr we’re offering rich foods, delicious sweets, and wonderful Ramadan gifts to people in UAE, Egypt, Turkey, and others so they can spend their time in prayer, fasting and feasting, and sharing spiritual enlightenment rather than worrying about how their gifts are getting where they’re going,” says David Skol, Chief Gift Officer at Gift Baskets Overseas. “We want to bring people closer together—even if they are on opposite ends of the earth—by sharing gift-giving practices and making it easy to participate in them. This year we’re offering a wide selection of delicious, fun, and beautiful gift baskets. We invite everyone to send gifts to their Muslim—and even non-Muslim—friends; we offer parents the opportunity to teach their children about diverse cultures; and we make it easy for corporations and business-owners to be sensitive to the religious practices of their employees.”

Ramadan and Eid ul-Fitr Gift Baskets from GiftBasketsOverseas.com are designed to meet your dietary needs, make an unforgettable impression, and share your victories with quality, beauty, and elegance—not only on sacred days, but anytime you need to send a special message. Take a look at the new catalog and find the ideal gift for your special celebration today.

About Gift Baskets Overseas

Gift Baskets Overseas is a BBB accredited company based in the United States that specializes in delivering superior quality gifts all over the world. By maintaining professional relationships with established, local florists and gift delivery companies in each region, Gift Baskets Overseas has become renowned globally for its ability to provide online ordering convenience as well as multilingual customer service, and its dedication to providing secure payment options. Learn more about the company at www.giftbasketsoverseas.com.

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Purim is upon us, and to celebrate Gift Baskets Overseas—the experts in International Gift Delivery—has launched a new online catalog showcasing a wide variety of beautiful—and delicious—Purim gift baskets for delivery in the United States and Israel. Every year Jewish people gather together in dazzling costumes to share wondrous feasts and to remember a time when their people’s existence was at stake, but this year they will celebrate with the help of Gift Baskets Overseas’ dedication to delivering gifts that comply with strict Kosher laws.

Purim is celebrated each year on the 14^th day of the Hebrew month of Adar (during leap years it is Second Adar or Adar II); this year the celebration will begin at sundown on Sunday, February 28, 2010 and will last two full days until March 1, 2010. This day of Purim, or “lots,” is observed in memory of the day after justice prevailed over the enemies of the Jewish people during the time that they lived under the rule of King Ahasuerus of the Persian Empire. As it is recorded in the Book of Esther, Haman, the vizier to the king, plotted against the Hebrew people and tricked his king into allowing him to murder them all. According to the story, Haman was allowed to cast lots to determine the day that his evil plan would come to fruition. But Esther, the King’s wife, who was secretly Jewish, foiled Haman’s plans, exposed him for the unjust person he was, and replaced him with her own cousin, Mordecai.

In memory of Esther’s bravery, victory over oppression, and God’s deliverance of the Hebrew people, Purim is a day full of bright clothing and costumes, dancing, and Kosher feasts. In addition, people remember the story through public readings of the Book of Esther as well as by remembering those who are in need. Jewish tradition mandates that on Purim everyone should send at least two gifts of food and sweets to people who are less fortunate than themselves. This year Gift Baskets Overseas is making sure there is no excuse not to celebrate this amazing moment in history by offering delightful confections and guaranteeing compliance with Kosher laws in their stunning Purim gift baskets.

“This Purim we’re offering Kosher foods, delicious sweets, and wonderful gifts to people in the U.S. and Israel so they can spend their time sharing costumes, feasting, and reading the Book of Esther rather than worrying about how their gifts are getting where they’re going,” says David Skol, Chief Gift Officer at Gift Baskets Overseas. “We want to bring people closer together—even if they are on opposite ends of the earth—by sharing gift-giving practices and making it easy to participate in them. This year we’re offering a wide selection of delicious, fun, and Kosher gift baskets. We invite everyone to send gifts to their Jewish—and even non-Jewish—friends; we offer parents the opportunity to teach their children about diverse cultures; and we make it easy for corporations and business-owners to be sensitive to the religious practices of their employees.”

Purim Gift Baskets from GiftBasketsOverseas.com are designed to meet your dietary needs, make an unforgettable impression, and share your victories with quality, beauty, and elegance—not only on sacred days, but anytime you need to send a special message of hope. Take a look at the new catalog and find the ideal Purim gifts for your special celebration today.

About Gift Baskets Overseas

Gift Baskets Overseas is a BBB accredited company based in the United States that specializes in delivering superior quality gifts all over the world. By maintaining professional relationships with established, local florists and gift delivery companies in each region, Gift Baskets Overseas has become renowned globally for its ability to provide online ordering convenience as well as multilingual customer service, and its dedication to providing secure payment options. Learn more about the company at www.giftbasketsoverseas.com.