Days Worth Celebrating: December
‘Tis the season to be jolly! December is upon us, and while the weather may get colder, this month always gives mewarm fuzzy feelings. It’s a time to gather with loved ones, give selflessly and celebrate another trip around the sun! Besides the big landmark holidays, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and Hanukkah, there are some other fun days I think you’ll enjoy celebrating.
1st National Cookie Cutter Day- This is a twofer. Today may be National Cookie Cutter Day, but the 4th is National Cookie Day. So, I propose making a bunch of cookies today (using cookie cutters, of course) and, on the 4th, giving them away to loved ones. Perhaps to the nice lady down the street? Your favorite babysitter? Coworkers? Or maybe just your best friends. Homemade cookies are a great way to brighten a day!
4th National Cookie Day- See above. Also, today is Santa’s List Day, and I can’t think of a better way to ensure you end up on the Nice list than by giving cookies to friends and loved ones.
5th Walt Disney Day- On this day, in 1901, Walt Disney was born. Walt Disney Day is observed yearly on the first Monday of December; this year, it falls on his actual birthday. Disney’s magic has brought wonder and delight to children of all ages since 1927 when he first started making animated films. Today would be a wonderful day to introduce a classic to the young ones or find a new family favorite. Celebrate the man who shaped the lives of generation after generation and whose influence continues to touch many today.
7th National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day- It may be hard to talk to young ones about tragic events in history. But if your child is curious and you want to honor the memory of the fallen, this might be a good resource to tackle the subject. https://kidskonnect.com/articles/pearl-harbor-for-kids/
8th Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day- Are you from the past leaping forward in time to an unknown world, or are you from the future, and our primitive technology baffles you? Have fun! You can go all in and pretend you are from a different time and spend the day exploring the strange new world around you. Or ask yourself, “if I could travel to any place and time… where would I go?” OR you can play it safe and just watch Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure and call it a day.
9th Christmas Card Day- Are you like me? Do you think to yourself, “this year, I am sending out Christmas Cards!” and then you look up to find it’s Christmas day, and you have an unopened box of cards you never fill out? Well, maybe today would be a good day to get the family together (everyone can help) and follow through with your best-laid plans! Just don’t forget to mail them.
10th National Mail Your Christmas Cards Day. Just kidding. But it is Gingerbread Decorating Day, and that’s cool too.
13th National Cocoa Day- I’ve never met anyone who didn’t enjoy a nice cup of hot chocolate. Not one. So, I assume the whole world is celebrating today. I don’t usually do this, but I can’t help myself… Moms, Red Wine Hot Chocolate is a thing and worth trying.
14th Free Shipping Day- Okay, so today is also Monkey Day, and I could definitely find some fun ways to celebrate that, but it’s also Free Shipping Day, and with the holidays FASTLY approaching, I think this one might be more helpful. Every year shops across the internet offer free shipping on Dec. 14th. Full disclosure, I cannot get the site FreeShippingDay.com to load at the time of writing, which is where all the stores are supposed to be listed. I’m crossing my fingers that it works for you. If not… I guess you’ll just have to celebrate Monkey Day or Google it.
16th National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day (Third Friday in December) Ugly Christmas Sweaters are JUST PLAIN FUN! Whether you are a traditionalist with the perfect hand-knit tacky sweater from a thrift store or the DIY type who staples bows onto a red sweater, today is your day. Don we now our gay apparel! Fa-la-la-la-la La-la-la-la!
18th Answer the Telephone Like Buddy the Elf Day- First off, you’ve seen Elf, right? If not, stop what you are doing and watch it right now! This sounds like so much fun to me. "Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?” Can you imagine a more wholesome way to put a smile on someone’s face??
Today also marks the first day of Chanukah! Chag Urim Sameach!
21st Winter Solstice and National Flashlight Day- Today marks the shortest day of the year, so what better time to gather all the flashlights in the house and change (or test) the batteries? Maybe not “fun for the whole family,” but an activity that everyone can help with.
25th Christmas- Yes! Of course, today is Christmas, and I will be celebrating in all the traditional ways… BUT! did you know it is also A’Phabet Day or No “L” Day? A day dedicated to puns?! I’m sure I can squeeze some new pun traditions between stockings and egg nog. Sometime just after presents, I’m sure I have a few openings.
30th Bacon Day- I could say more… but I won’t. The day speaks for itself.
31st New Year’s Eve- Some consider New Year’s Eve an adult holiday but growing up, my siblings and I loved staying up to watch the ball drop with a glass of sparkling cider. Party hats, noise makers and all, even if mom and dad had gone out to celebrate. My absolute favorite tradition was going outside just after midnight, banging pots and pans, and yelling “Happy New Year” so the whole world could hear us. A very odd tradition but one that brought nothing but sheer joy for my sisters and me.