21 Most Standard December International Holidays and Their Symbolism

December is definitely probably the most festive month of the yr. The month is marked by all method of occasions and festivals world wide, together with non secular, cultural, and even company occasions.

This text explores the highest 9 most iconic December world holidays and their symbolism.

1. Hannukah

Date Marked: November 28 – December 6

Class: Non secular

Why It’s Marked: Commemorating the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem

The place It’s Marked: Israel and varied Jewish communities world wide

Also referred to as Chanukah or the Pageant of Lights, Hannukah is an 8-day Jewish competition that historically begins on the twenty fifth day of the month of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. There are often variations on the precise day that Hannukah begins every year in response to the Gregorian calendar. This yr, the competition falls between November 28 and December 6.

Hannukah is a interval to have a good time the re-dedication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem after the Maccabean Revolt. The celebrations embody lighting of candles each evening all through the eight days. Hannukah can be marked by the singing of particular songs, akin to Ma’oz Tzur, in addition to reciting of the Hallel prayer. Different in style Hannukah customs embody consuming oil-dried meals akin to potato pancakes (often known as latkes) and jam-filled donuts (often known as sufganiyot). Celebrants additionally play with dreidels and change items.

2. World AIDS Day

Date Marked: December 1

Class: Well being

Why It’s Marked: To boost consciousness on the scourge of HIV/AIDS

The place It’s Marked: Worldwide

The concept of World AIDS Day was first conceived by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter in August 1987. On the time, Bunn and Netter had been working as public info officers for the World Well being Group’s International Programme on AIDS. The next yr, the primary World AIDS Day was marked on December 1, which has remained the vacation’s official date.

World AIDS Day is devoted to elevating consciousness to the unfold of HIV/AIDS in addition to commemorating those that are contaminated or affected by the illness. There are quite a few methods to commemorate the day, together with visiting destitute youngsters orphaned by the illness, sponsoring safe-sex campaigns, and lobbying governments to ramp up efforts to curb the unfold of HIV.

3. Santa Lucia

Date Marked: December 13

Class: Non secular

Why It’s Marked: To pay tribute to Lucia of Syracuse.

The place It’s Marked: Scandinavia and in Italy

Santa Lucia was an Italian Saint that died as a martyr. She is seen as a determine of sunshine within the darkest a part of the yr. Santa Lucia is remembered and celebrated every December thirteenth in Sweden as an emblem of sunshine and hope. This vital day is marked by atmospheric concert events and processions, that includes singers clad in white and sporting headdresses that includes precise flickering candles. 

4. Xmas

Date Marked: December 21 – January 1

Class: Pagan

Why It’s Marked: To pay tribute to the Norse god Odin

The place It’s Marked: Germany and varied German communities world wide

Xmas, additionally known as Yuletide, is a competition marked by Germanic individuals world wide. The competition has pagan roots and might be traced again to the Norse god Odin in addition to the Anglo-Saxon competition of Modraniht. Yuletide technically falls throughout the Winter Solstice, making it one of many oldest and hottest winter celebrations on the earth.

Historical individuals marked Xmas by lighting an enormous log in a bonfire and spending the lengthy evening outside. Though the customized of log burning continues to be practiced right now, most individuals additionally mark this event by constructing a Xmas altar, making an evergreen Xmas wreath, or giving again to Mom Nature. Candlelit dinners and Xmas tree decorations are additionally widespread, as are exchanging of nature-based items.

5. Festivus

Date Marked: December 23

Class: Parody

Why It’s Marked: To advocate in opposition to Christmas consumerism

The place It’s Marked: Worldwide, notably in the US

Festivus is a December world vacation that entered in style tradition in 1997, courtesy of an episode on the Seinfeld present titled “The Strike.” The target of this parody vacation is to talk out in opposition to Christmas consumerism. Versus buying costly Christmas tree, Festivus is marked by standing round a plain aluminum pole. Different in style Festivus customs embody “feats of power” and “airing of grievances.”

Some pundits have lashed out at Festivus fans terming them as anti-conventional individuals with unreasonable views about Christmas and its true which means. Nonetheless, the vacation has continued to develop in recognition, particularly amongst frugal spenders and minimalism advocates.

6. Christmas

Date Marked: December 25

Class: Non secular

Why It’s Marked: To commemorate the beginning of Jesus Christ

The place It’s Marked: Worldwide

Christmas is unarguably the preferred December vacation. The day marks the beginning of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom Christians imagine to be the final true prophet despatched by God to save lots of humanity from sin. What units Christmas aside from most non secular festivals is that the day is usually celebrated even by non-Christians.

Nonetheless, it’s value noting that the precise date of Jesus’ beginning is unknown. Christmas was picked merely as a result of its correspondence with winter solstice within the Roman calendar. Additionally, Christmas is well known in varied nations as a cultural versus a spiritual occasion. There are quite a few methods to mark the event, together with leaving items for Santa Claus or Father Christmas. Many individuals additionally attend Church providers on Christmas day, with some opting to go on an all-out trip.

7. Boxing Day

Date Marked: December 26

Class: Basic

Why It’s Marked: Symbolism varies

The place It’s Marked: Worldwide

Opinion has at all times been divided on how Boxing Day got here into being and the way greatest to have a good time it. Some individuals imagine that this was the official day when church buildings gifted alms bins to the poor after Christmas. Others contemplate Boxing Day because the day to reward errand boys, postmen, and varied sorts of servants, in appreciation for his or her service all year long.

No matter its symbolism, Boxing Day stays one of the vital iconic December holidays. The date has since been declared a public vacation in quite a few nations world wide, together with Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. In these nations, Boxing Day is often marked by organizing sporting occasions.

8. Kwanzaa

Date Marked: December 26 – January 1

Class: Cultural

Why It’s Marked: To protect sure African values

The place It’s Marked: Worldwide, notably in the US

Kwanzaa is a December vacation rooted in African historical past and celebrated primarily in the US. The day was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga and first noticed in 1966 following the Watts riots in Los Angeles, California. The phrase ‘kwanzaa’ is a free translation of the Swahili phrase ‘kwanza,’ which suggests ‘first.’ On this case, the identify comes from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza,” which suggests “the primary fruits.”

Kwanzaa is commonly celebrated with conventional African songs and dances. There’s additionally storytelling, poetry studying, and discussing varied precept values of the African tradition. These occasions often culminate in a big conventional meal on the finish of every day and a mega feast known as ‘Karamu’ on December 31.

9. New Yr’s Eve

Date Marked: December 31

Class: Basic

Why It’s Marked: To mark the top of the yr

The place It’s Marked: Worldwide

The final December vacation on this checklist additionally occurs to fall on the final day of the month. The aim of New Yr’s Eve is to mark the top of the previous yr in addition to usher within the incoming yr.

There are quite a few methods to watch this present day. Most non secular individuals go to their locations of worship to thank God for the blessings of one other yr. Different individuals observe New Yr’s Eve in pubs, eating places, and different social gatherings. The celebrations often peak at midnight, the place shouts of pleasure, songs, and fireworks lease the air.

Extra International December Holidays 

Listed here are extra distinctive holidays celebrated every December. 

• December 1 – United Arab Emirates (Nationwide Day)
• December 4 – Ghana (Farmer’s Day)
• December 6 – Finland (Independence Day), Spain (Structure Day)
• December 7 – Thailand (King Bhumibol’s Birthday)
• December 10 – Thailand (Structure 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 (Nationwide Day)
• December 26 – Varied International locations (Boxing Day), Slovenia (Independence and Unity Day)
• December 29 – Sri Lanka (Unduvap Full Moon Poya)
• December 30 – Philippines (Rizal Day)

The Backside Line

Evidently, there’s a large assortment of December world holidays that will help you wind up the yr in type.

Keep in mind, December isn’t only a month to deal with your self to the finer issues in life. It’s additionally the right season to understand those that’ve really made the ending yr value dwelling by showering them with befitting items.

Due to this fact, it’s prudent to organize your self adequately for this season by saving sufficient cash for it.