December is without a doubt the happiest month of the year. The moon is marked by a variety of events and festivals around the world, including religious, cultural and even corporate activities.
This article examines the world’s nine most famous 21 Most Popular December Global Holidays and Symbolism.
- Hanukkah
Hanukkah holiday
Date marked: November 28 – December 6
Return to category: Religious
Why it was marked: Remembrance of the restoration of the Second Temple in Jerusalem
Where it is emphasized: Israel and various Jewish communities around the world
Hanukkah, also known as Hanukkah or the Feast of Lights, is an 8-day Jewish holiday that traditionally begins on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar. According to the Gregorian calendar, the exact day Hannukah usually changes every year. This year, the festival falls from 28 November to 6 December.
Hanukkah is the time to celebrate the reorganization of Jerusalem’s Second Temple after the Maccabean Rebellion. The celebrations included lighting a candle every night for eight days. Hanukkah is also characterized by the singing of special songs such as Ma’oz Tzur, as well as the recitation of the Hallel prayer. Other popular Hannukah customs include eating oil-dried foods such as potato pancakes (also known as latkes) and jam-filled donuts (also known as sufganiyot). Celebrants also play with dreidels and exchange gifts.
- World AIDS Day
World aids day awareness month
Date Marked: December 1
Category: Health
Why It’s Marked: To raise awareness on the scourge of HIV/AIDS
Where It’s Marked: Worldwide
The idea of World AIDS Day was first conceived by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter in August 1987. Bunn and Netter currently work as public information officers for the World Health Organization’s Global AIDS Program. The following year, the first World AIDS Day fell on December 1, which remains the official date of the holiday.
World AIDS Day is dedicated to raising awareness of the spread of HIV / AIDS and also to raising awareness among those infected or affected by the disease. There are many ways to remember this day, including visiting poor children rid of the disease, sponsoring safe sex campaigns and lobbying governments to step up efforts to prevent the spread of HIV.
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- Santa Lucia
A girl in Swedish traditional costume celebrates St. Lucia’s Day
Date marked: December 13
Return to category: Religious
Why it’s highlighted: To pay tribute to Lucia in Syracuse.
Where it is marked: Scandinavia and Italy
Saint Lucia was an Italian saint who died a martyr. It was seen as a photograph of light in the darkest part of the year. Saint Lucia is commemorated and celebrated in Sweden every December 13 as a symbol of light and hope. This important day was marked by atmospheric concerts and parades, where the singers were dressed in white and in turbans depicting truly flashing candles.
4. Christmas
Christmas holidays
Date of designation: 21 December – 1 January
Return to category: Pagans
Why marked: To pay tribute to the Norwegian god Odin
Where it is highlighted: Germany and various German communities around the world
Yule, also called Yuletide, is a festival marked by Germanic people around the world. The festival has pagan roots and can be traced back to the Norwegian god Odin, as well as the Anglo-Saxon Modraniht festival. Christmas technically falls into the winter solstice, making it one of the oldest and most popular winter holidays in the world.
The old people marked Yule by lighting a large log on fire and spending a long night outside. Although wood burning is still practiced today, most people also remember this opportunity by building a Christmas altar, making an evergreen Christmas wreath, or donating it to Mother Nature. Candlelit dinners and Christmas tree decorations are also common, as is exchanging gifts according to nature.
- Party
Fetivus
Date marked: December 23
Category: Parody
Why the market: Promotion against the Christmas consumer
Where indicated: worldwide, especially in the United States
Festivus was a worldwide holiday in December, which entered popular culture in 1997 thanks to an episode of Seinfeld’s “The Strike”. The purpose of this festive parody is to speak out against Christmas consumption. Unlike the purchase of an expensive Christmas tree, Festivus is characterized by a position around a simple aluminum rod. Other popular Festivus festivities include “energy performances” and “complaints”.
December Global Holidays
Some scholars criticize Festival enthusiasts as calling them anticonventional people with unreasonable views of Christmas and their true meaning. However, the holiday season continues to grow in popularity, especially among cost-seekers and proponents of minimalism.
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- Christmas
Date of designation: 25 December
Return to category: Religious
Why it is marked: in memory of the birth of Jesus Christ
Where it is marked: worldwide
Christmas is December’s most popular holiday. The sun marks the birth of Jesus Christ in Nazareth, which Christians believe is the last true prophet God sent to save mankind from sin. What sets Christmas apart from most religious holidays is that it is often celebrated by non-Christians.
However, it should be noted that the exact date of Jesus’ birth is unknown. Christmas was chosen simply because of his writing about the winter solstice of the Roman calendar. Christmas is also celebrated as a culture in some countries as opposed to religious activities. There are many ways to celebrate this occasion, including gifts and presents for Santa Claus or Father Christmas. Many people also attend Church services on Christmas day, with some opting to go on an all-out vacation.
- Boxing Day
Date Marked: December 26
Category: General
Why It’s Marked: Symbolism varies
Where It’s Marked: Worldwide
Opinion has always been divided on how Boxing Day came into being and how best to celebrate it. Some people believe that this was the official day when churches gifted alms boxes to the poor after Christmas. Others consider Boxing Day as the day to gift errand boys, postmen, and various kinds of servants, in appreciation for their service throughout the year.
Regardless of its symbolism, Boxing Day remains one of the most iconic December holidays. The date has since been declared a public holiday in numerous countries around the world, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. In these countries, Boxing Day is typically marked by organizing sporting events.
- Kwanzaa
Happy Kwanzaa, African-American cultural celebration in the US
Date Marked: December 26 – January 1
Category: Cultural
Why It’s Marked: To preserve certain African values
Where It’s Marked: Worldwide, particularly in the United States
Kwanzaa is a December holiday rooted in African history and celebrated mainly in the United States. The sun was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga and was first observed in 1966 after the Watts riots in Los Angeles, California. The word “kwanzaa” is a broad translation of the Swahili word “kwanza”, which means “first”. In this case, the name comes from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza”, which means “first fruit”.
Kwanzaa is often celebrated with traditional African songs and dances. There are also stories, poetry readings and discussions on various principles of African culture. These events usually culminate in a large traditional meal at the end of each day and a megafestival called “Karamu” on December 31st.
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- New Year’s Eve
Friends celebrating new years eve
Date Marked: December 31
Category: General
Why It’s Marked: To mark the end of the year
Where It’s Marked: Worldwide
The last December holiday on this list also happens to fall on the very last day of the month. The purpose of New Year’s Eve is to mark the end of the old year as well as usher in the incoming year.
There are numerous ways to observe this day. Most religious people visit their places of worship to thank God for the blessings of another year. Other people observe New Year’s Eve in pubs, restaurants, and other social gatherings. The parties usually culminate in the middle of the night, when the joyful shouts, songs and fireworks echo through the air.
Other international holidays in December
Here are the more unique holidays that are celebrated every December.
December 1 – United Arab Emirates (State Day)
December 4 – Ghana (Farm Day)
December 6 – Finland (Independence Day), Spain (Constitution Day)
December 7 – Thailand (King Bhumibol’s birthday)
December 10 – Thailand (Constitution Day)
December 12 – Mexico (Guadalupe Day)
December 13 – Malta (Republic Day)
December 16 – Bangladesh (Victory Day), South Africa (Reconciliation Day)
December 18 – Qatar (State Day)
December 26 – Boxing Day, Slovenia (Independence and Unity Day)
December 29 – Sri Lanka (Unduvap Full Moon Poya)
December 30 – Philippines (Rizal Day)
Bottom Line
Apparently there are many collections of world holidays in December to help you end the year in style.
Remember, December is not just a month when you can indulge in the better things in life. It is also an ideal time to thank the people who have made life really valuable in the last year by giving them suitable gifts. December Global Holidays
Therefore, it’s prudent to prepare yourself adequately for this season by saving enough money for it.
