Most Honorable December Global Holidays You Surely Want to Know Before 2022

Did you know that December was originally the tenth month in the Roman calendar? The word “December” originates from the Latin word “Decem” meaning ten. All this was before the shift to the modern-day Gregorian calendar that puts December as the twelfth month of the year and the last one.

The holiday season is here with us and everybody is in the mood. It’s time for family celebrations and gatherings where loved ones celebrate together, receive and give gifts. Having worked so hard throughout the year, it’s time to travel for vacations or relax with families.

While at it, December is recognized as the month with the most popular global holiday celebrations. Want to know more? Then grab a cup of coffee and let’s learn about these holidays regarding where, why, and when they take place. Who knows, maybe you’ll get an insight on where to visit and join the celebrations!

1. Christmas Day

Christmas is the most famous celebration recognized globally especially with those of the Christian faith. Christians come together to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ in a special way

• Date celebrated –25^th December
• Category – Religious
• Why it is celebrated– To commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ
• Where it is celebrated – Globally

Fascinating facts about Christmas

1. It is celebrated in different ways.

The Americas celebrate by putting up and decorating the Christmas tree, meeting Santa clause, and gifting each other.

The Australians are lucky because Christmas comes during summer. They celebrate by going on vacations and sunbathing on the beaches. Others decorate “Christmas bush” which is a small tree with green leaves whose flowers turn red in summer.

2. The famous Santa Claus

We cannot celebrate Christmas without mentioning our Jolly Santa Claus. The name originated from a real person named St. Nicholas who was a Christian bishop who provided for the needy people in society. His love for children made him give gifts to children secretly, something which he enjoyed.

Initially, Santa Claus dressed in purple, green, or blue clothes. The red attire was invented by the Coca-Cola Company to match their brand, and that stuck to date.

3. The Jingle Bells Song

It’s one of the most popular and most recorded songs on earth. It was the first-ever played song on earth. It was played on December 16, 1965, according to the Guinness World Records.

It was originally not meant to be a Christmas song but for thanksgiving. However, it’s nowadays recognized by everybody as a Christmas song.

2. Hanukkah Festival

• Date celebrated – 28th to 6th December
• Category – religious
• Why it is celebrated – to mark the re-dedication of the second temple in Jerusalem
• Where it is celebrated – Israel and other Jewish communities around the world

Also known as Chanukah or the Jewish Lights festival. It is celebrated for eight days from the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar. It’s celebrated by the Jewish community to mark the re-dedication of the Jerusalem temple after the Maccabiah Rebellion.

Fun facts about Hanukkah.

1. It starts on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar.

2. The participants believed they saw a miracle during the resurrection. The reason is that usually, the Menorah had only enough innocent oil to light the candles for a day. However, the candles continued burning for eight nights, which was not the norm. A menorah is a lamp with seven candle holders which was originally used by the Israelites while wandering in the desert.

3. Blessings are recited and traditional Hanukkah foods like jam-filled doughnuts and potato pancakes are fried and eaten.

4. The world’s largest Menorah is found in the United States. It is was built and lit in New York City in 2017. It is 36ft tall and weighs a whole 4000 pounds!

This year’s Hanukkah festival was marked by celebrities in various ways. United States Vice President Kamala Harris and his husband Douglas Emhoff made history in the world of Hanukkah celebrations. They lit the first-ever Menorah in the Naval Observatory and they were so proud about it.

Even non-Jewish celebrities like Mariah Carey joined the Hanukkah festivities. She posted a snippet video where she is teaching Hanukkah songs and people loved it.

It is common for celebrants to spin dreidels and gift each other as a symbol of love during the ceremony.

To know more about how the Jewish celebrities celebrated the 2021 Hanukkah festivals, check here.

3. World Aids Day

• The date celebrated – 1st December
• Category – health
• Reason for celebration– to raise awareness on the overall effects of the disease
• Where it is celebrated– worldwide

The idea of commemorating this day was brought by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter in August 1987. The two were working as public health officers at the time. It was first marked on December 1 and has remained unchanged to date.

Officials take this chance to spread awareness of this disease and to help those affected or infected by this disease.

Many people honour this day by visiting those infected with disease, orphaned children due to HIV/AIDS, encouraging safe-sex campaigns, and lobbying governments to actively participate in the disease eradication.

4. Santa Lucia

• Date celebrated -13th of December
• Genre – Religious
• Reason for celebration– to pay tribute to Santa Lucia of Syracuse
• Where it is marked – Italy, Sweden, and Scandinavia

Santa Lucia was an Italian saint who died as a martyr. She is celebrated and remembered as a symbol of hope and light.

It is marked by processions and concerts whereby singers are dressed in white with headdresses having actual flickering candles.

5. Festivus

• Date celebrated– 23rd December
• Category – parody
• Reason for celebration – to talk against Christmas lavish spending
• Where celebrations take place – worldwide especially in America

This is also a December global holiday that gained popularity in 1997. It bears its origin to a show by Seinfeld titled “The Strike” the festival aimed to speak against Christmas consumerism. Its commemorators mark this day by surrounding an aluminium pole.

The Christmas enthusiasts have lashed out upon Festivus commemorators calling them unconventional people with unreasonable views about the true meaning of Christmas. However, the holiday is still marked continually every year especially among the advocators of minimalism.

6. Boxing Day

• Date celebrated -26^th December
• Category – General
• Reason for celebration– Varies with symbolism
• Where celebrations take place- Globally

People have been having a conflicting judgment regarding how this day came to be and how to best celebrate it. Others maintain that it’s a day to dedicate assistance to the poor in society. However, some take this chance to reward their workers for their commitment.

Despite the different opinions surrounding this day, it is still among the notable occasions celebrated in December globally. Boxing Day has been declared a public holiday by most countries worldwide. Most people commemorate this day by organizing sports events of their choice.

 7. Yule

• Date celebrated– 21st December – 1st January
• Category – pagan
• Reason for Celebration– to give tribute to the Norse god Odin
• Where it is celebrated – Germany and other German communities globally

Also known as Yuletide, is a celebration native to the Germans worldwide. It is also among the most famous and recognized winter festivities on earth. Ancient people marked it by lighting a huge fire outside with logs and spending long nights there.

Nowadays people mark this day by building a Yule-raised area and making an evergreen Yule wreath. Others celebrate it as a sign to reward Mother Nature.

The celebrants decorate Yule trees and share beautifully lit meals. It is obvious for those participating to exchange gifts with respect to nature.

8. Kwanzaa

• Date celebrated– 26th December – 1st January
• Category- cultural
• The reason for celebration– for the preservation of some African values
• Where it is celebrated-worldwide particularly in America

This was started by Dr. Karenga and came to be known after Watts’s revolts. This was witnessed in Los Angeles.

“Kwanzaa” comes from the Swahili word ‘Kwanza’ meaning first. It was drawn from the Swahili language to signify “matunda ya kwanza” which stands for “principal organic products”.

It’s celebrated with traditional African moves and melodies. Those celebrating talk about the importance of their African culture and its relevance.

They organize a large customary supper meeting every evening during that period. Its peak is on 31st December where they call “karamu”.

9. New Year’s Eve.

• Date celebrated – 31st December
• Category – General
• Where it’s celebrated – worldwide
• Reason for celebration– welcoming the New Year

It is celebrated on 31st December of every year. It is purposely celebrated to mark a year’s end and start a new year. Most Christians take this as a thanksgiving day. They visit churches to thank God for the love and protection in that year. And also seek guidance from God in the coming year.

Others also celebrate this day in hotels, clubs, and other social joints. They drink, make merry as they usher in the New Year. The peak of these celebrations happens at midnight. People usually usher in the New Year with songs and fireworks renting the air. It is a breathtaking moment for everyone and the joy is obvious.

10. World Human Rights Day

• Date celebrated – 10th December
• Category – human rights
• Where it’s celebrated – worldwide
• Reason for celebration– raising awareness about human rights

All human beings are entitled to several rights by being human irrespective of age, colour, sex, and nationality.

The day marks the anniversary when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations. The declaration which has been translated to more than 500 languages, has become the most widely read document worldwide.

The global body marks this day by raising awareness about human rights and fundamental freedoms. It uses the chance to urge various governments in the world to uphold the rule of law and create equal opportunities for all.

This year’s agenda for “Human Rights Day” is “Equality” People should act to reduce inequalities and advance human rights protection. This upholds the sentiment of every person being born free and equal in rights and dignity.

More Global December Holidays

Here are more unique December holidays celebrated each year.

• December 1 – United Arab Emirates (National Day)
• December 4 – Ghana (Farmer’s Day)
• December 6 – Finland (Independence Day), Spain (Constitution Day)
• December 7 – Thailand (King Bhumibol’s Birthday)
• December 10 – Thailand (Constitution Day)
• December 12 – Mexico (The Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe)
• December 13 – Malta (Republic day)
• December 16 – Bangladesh (Victory Day), South Africa (Day of Reconciliation)
• December 18 – Qatar (National Day)
• December 26 – Various Countries (Boxing Day), Slovenia (Independence and Unity Day)
• December 29 – Sri Lanka (Unduvap Full Moon Poya)
• December 30 – Philippines (Rizal Day)

December Global Holidays: A List of important Holidays in December

As we prepare to celebrate Christmas this month, Google Doodle honours the different December global holidays.

Conclusion

December holidays are the most spiced-up and memorable celebrations in the entire year. For maximum involvement and enjoyment, unite with others and celebrate together. Even though you’re an introvert, get up, freshen a bit, and hit the road with your friends. It’s worth it in the long run.

If you love spending your December holidays giving back to the community through charity and visiting the poor, this is the moment. Go out and brighten their souls and God bless you.

However, it’s prudent to celebrate the holidays wisely. Overspending and overindulging can get you offside in the coming days, so take care and enjoy responsibly.

Happy Holidays!