Your Complete Guide To December: All The Holiday
December is a month of giving, caring, and togetherness. This December, give your loved ones warm socks and sweaters to help them enjoy the winter months ahead.
Give extra thought to friends and family who are alone this Christmas – they may not be expecting anything from you but sometimes it’s just what they need. And finally, this December be sure to take some time for yourself, too!
Christmas
Christmas is one of the most popular holidays in the world. Millions of people celebrate it every year on December 25th. Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Christians believe that Jesus is the son of God and the savior of humanity.
Christmas is a time for family, friends, and loved ones. It’s a time to exchange gifts, enjoy special meals, and decorate homes and workplaces with Christmas trees and lights. For many people, it’s also a time to reflect on their faith.
There are lots of different ways to celebrate Christmas. Some people attend church services; others spend time with family and friends. Some people exchange gifts; others give to charity. Whatever you do, we hope you have a happy holiday season!
New Year’s Eve
As the year comes to a close, people all over the world celebrate the start of a new one with parties and special events. Here are some tips to make sure your New Year’s Eve is unforgettable:
- Plan ahead: Make sure you have everything you need for your party before the big night. This includes food, drinks, decorations, and music.
- Invite friends and family: A New Year’s Eve party is more fun with friends and loved ones. Send out invitations in advance so everyone can plan to attend.
- Stay safe: With all the celebrating, it’s important to stay safe. Keep an eye on your alcohol consumption, don’t drive if you’ve been drinking, and be aware of your surroundings.
New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day is the first day of the year and is typically celebrated with a big party. People often stay up all night to watch the clock strike midnight and then celebrate with champagne, confetti, and noise makers. Some people make resolutions for the new year, which are usually broken by February.
The Twelve Days of Christmas
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave me:
- A partridge in a pear tree
On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave me:
- Two turtle dove
- Partridge in a pear tree
On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave me:
- Three french hens
- Two turtle doves
- And a partridge in a pear tree
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave me:
- Four calling birds
- Three french hens
- Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave me:
- Five golden rings
- Four calling birds
- Three french hens
- Two turtle dove
- Partridge in a pear tree.
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave me:
- Six geese-a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three french hens Two turtle dove
- A partridge in a pear tree.
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave me:
- Seven swans swimming Six geese-a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds
- Three french hens
- Two turtle doves
- A partridge in a pear tree
Thanksgiving: What To Cook and What to Bring
When it comes to Thanksgiving, the most important thing is the food. You want to make sure you have all the classics like turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce. But don’t forget about the pies! Pumpkin pie is a must-have for Thanksgiving.
As for what to bring, you can never go wrong with bringing a bottle of wine or some homemade cookies. But if you really want to impress your hosts, try bringing a unique dish that you know they’ll love.
Hanukkah (Chanukah)
Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, is a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem following the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar.
The holiday is observed by lighting candles each night of Hanukkah, adding one additional candle each night. A special nine-branched menorah, known as a Hanukiah, is used for this purpose. The holiday also includes feasting, games, and other celebrations.
The name “Hanukkah” derives from the Hebrew verb (hanaka), meaning “to dedicate”. The holiday is also known as the Festival of Lights and the Feast of Dedication.
Kwanzaa (Kwanza)
Kwanzaa is a holiday that celebrates African-American culture and heritage. It is observed from December 26th to January 1st. The name Kwanzaa comes from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza” which means “first fruits of the harvest”. Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga as a way to unify and celebrate African-American culture.
During Kwanzaa, families, and friends gather together to feast and exchange gifts. Seven candles are lit on a kinara (candleholder) to represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. A flag with black, red, and green stripes is also displayed during Kwanzaa. Black represents the African people, red represents their bloodshed in the struggle for freedom, and green represents the land of Africa.
Kwanzaa is a time to reflect on the past year and set goals for the future. Families often give gifts that represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa such as books, art, or music. Children may also receive small gifts or toys. Kwanzaa celebrations end with feasting on traditional African dishes followed by dances and songs.