December is full of holidays

By Linda Cicoira

There are plenty of lesser-known fun holidays in December that party lovers might want to celebrate while their houses are all decorated and ready for entertaining friends and family.

The month kicks off with National Red Apple Day on Dec. 1, encouraging everyone to eat an apple a day to keep the doctor away. Nutritious and delicious, like the name of one variety, there at more than 7,500 types with about 7.5 percent of the world’s production grown in the U.S.A.

Also on Dec. 1, Advent begins, and some celebrate National Cookie Cutter Day and National Peppermint Bark Day. The bark doesn’t come off a tree. It’s the seasonal treat that combines mint and white and dark chocolate.

Dec. 2 includes National Bartender Day, National Mutt Day, Special Education Day, World Pollution Prevention Day, and National Fritters Day. That latter one must have originated on the Eastern Shore and can include clams, oysters, and apples.

Dec. 3 is Candle Day and National Roof Over Your Head Day, reminding the more fortunate to be thankful for their home, and to acknowledge housing insecurity and homelessness.

Dec. 4 is National Cookie Day, National Dice Day, National Sock Day, Wear Brown Shoes Day, and Santa’s List Day, a time of reckoning when Santa announces who is naughty and nice, inspiring the writing of holiday wish lists.

Dec. 5 is Celebrate Shelter Pets Day, International Ninja Day, National Blue Jeans Day, Repeal Day, Walt Disney Day, World Soil Day, and Bathtub Party Day. The last one is intended for self-pampering or skipping the ordinary shower and soaking in the tub.

On Dec. 7, some celebrate Letter Writing Day and National Cotton Candy Day. Dec. 8 is Christmas Jumper Day, International Children’s Day, National Brownie Day, and National Lard Day. Dec. 9 is the traditional Day to mail your Christmas cards or at least start writing them. Dec. 10 is Human Rights Day and International Animal Rights Day.

One could take a long ride on Dec. 11 to celebrate International Mountain Day or stay at home at consider White Elephant Day.

Dec. 12 is Gingerbread House Day, which could make for a fun party, and National Ding-a-Ling Day, which is celebrated by calling an old friend, former colleague, or neighbor to reconnect.

National Cocoa Day, National Cream Cheese Frosting Day, National Horse Day, National Ice Cream Day, Violin Day, and National Guard Birthday are celebrated on Dec. 13.

International Monkey Day, National Bouillabaisse Day, and Roast Chestnuts Day are on Dec. 14. It is also the start of the Jewish Festival of Hanukkah, which commemorates the recovery of Jerusalem and subsequent rededication of the Second Temple at the beginning of the Maccabean Revolt. It will continue until Dec. 22 this year.

The next day is Bill of Rights Day, International Tea Day, National Lemon Cupcake Day, National Regifting Day, National Wear Your Pearls Day, and Ugly Sweater Day.

National Chocolate Covered Anything Day needs more attention! It’s on Dec. 16, along with National Underdog Day. On Dec. 17, some will celebrate National Maple Syrup Day and Wright Brothers’ Day.

If you haven’t baked cookies by now, Dec. 18 is the day to do so, or to have fun with National Crime Junkie Day or National Roast Suckling Pig Day.

Dec. 19 is Look for an Evergreen Day, National Hard Candy Day, or Oatmeal Muffin Day. On Dec. 20, it’s Go Caroling Day or National Sangria Day.

Dec. 21 was made for me. It’s Crossword Puzzle Day and Don’t Make Your Bed Day. You are just going to get back in there again, so what is the point? It is also Humbug Day, Look on the Brightside Day, National Flashlight Day, Winter Solstice Day, and World Snowboard Day.

Dec. 22 promises Mathematics Day, National Cookie Exchange Day, and National Date Nut Bread Day. Dec. 23rd is Festivus, National Christmas Movie Marathon Day, and National Roots Day.

We all know Dec. 24 is Christmas Eve and Last-Minute Shopper’s Day, but did you also realize it was National Eggnog Day?

Christmas Day comes next! Dec. 25 is the birthday of Jesus Christ.

From Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, Kwanzaa is the annual celebration of African-American culture. A communal feast called Karamu is usually held on the sixth day. Activist Maulana Karenga created it based on African harvest festival traditions.

Boxing Day, National Candy Cane Day, National Thank-You Note Day, and National Whiners Day are all on Dec. 26. The next day includes one of my favorites, National Fruitcake Day! Dec. 27 also marks Lego Build Day and Make Cut-Out Snowflakes Day.

The lull in the middle of the holidays is Dec. 28, when Card Playing Day, National Call a Friend Day, and National Chocolate Candy Day are celebrated. Dec. 29 is International Cello Day, Pepper Pot Day, and Still Need to Do Day.

And then the favorite of many National Bacon Day is on Dec. 30. Also scheduled is National Bicarbonate of Soda Day and National Resolution Planning Day.