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The December holidays are a magical time of year filled with traditions, celebrations, and meaningful observances. From decorating with Christmas lights to spreading joy through volunteerism, this month offers countless opportunities to embrace the spirit of giving, creativity and togetherness.
As the year draws to a close, the December holidays allow us to pause and reflect, creating memories that last a lifetime. Whether you’re celebrating National Christmas Lights Day or enjoying a scoop of ice cream on a chilly day, there’s something for everyone to enjoy during this festive season.
Let your light shine today (National Christmas Lights Day)
December 1 – By Xiaotong Meng
As written in the lyrics, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Every December 1 is National Christmas Lights Day.
Before the invention of electric lights in 1880 by Thomas Edison, many families lit candles on the branches of Christmas trees, which resulted in a large number of house fires.
Until 1903, electronic Christmas lights started to become popular. By 1998, the emergence of LED lights turned into a game changer since they are relatively cheap and environmentally friendly.
Hang up your favorite color of lights to decorate your house in waiting for “step into Christmas”. Also, do not forget to put on your winter coat and go around your neighborhood to enjoy the lights on display.
Plant kindness and gather love (National Build Joy Day)
December 2 – By Xiaotong Meng
National Build Joy Day is founded on December 2 each year by a superior American home builder and developer Taylor Morrison in 2017.
Morrison and the team started out with the goal of promoting financial support to victims who have experienced tragedy or natural disasters.
Each year, the organization funds $1,000 to uphold the realization of the best idea for spreading joy to the communities.
When the coronavirus hit the world in 2020, the company was still trying its best to help others. Some of the notable projects they have completed include making blankets for hospital veterans, providing financial assistance to those who lost their loved ones in the pandemic.
Happiness is not always associated with money. Start off today by offering someone a compliment or encouragement.
Let’s get out and volunteer! (International Volunteer Day)
December 5 – By Nathaniel Chambers
Yearly, December 5 is International Volunteer Day, a day that is not just to encourage people to get out and volunteer their time, money and efforts, but it is a day to show our appreciation for all the volunteers out there.
Volunteerism is all about “donating” your time while asking for nothing in return. Whether you are helping out an elderly neighbor or are working at a local food bank or youth center, any form of volunteerism is vital to helping people out.
If you have a heart for others, then you should consider volunteering in some capacity to help out some sort of person or organization.
That said, if you currently are a volunteer somewhere, we want to take this time to say thank you. Your time and effort is truly making a difference and it does not go unnoticed. People like you are what helps make this world go round, and you are appreciated.
Volunteers come in all shapes and sizes and help out in all sorts of capacities, and volunteering truly makes you feel better about yourself. So, make sure you thank anyone who you know that takes the time to volunteer and if you are not already doing so, consider volunteering yourself.
Happy International Volunteer Day!
A letter to all the readers (National Letter Writing Day)
December 7 – By Xiaotong Meng
Dear readers,
Long time ago, before the advent of cell phones and the Internet, writing letters became the only way to communicate with one another who were separated by long distance.
In today’s modern society with the development of technology, we always use our cell phones and other electronic devices to get in touch with others. Oftentimes we also just contact the same group of friends over and over again even if we have hundreds of contacts.
Do you remember the last time when you sat down and hand wrote a letter to someone? If you say yes, congrats, you made it! If you shake your head, that is okay.
Every year, December 7 is the National Letter Writing Day, providing us an excuse to get back to the basics and break the ice with those people.
Buy some nice paper, find a quiet place, then write something to make a special connection with someone.
All the best,
My FrontPage Story
We are so proud of all the blue-collar workers (National Blue Collar Day)
December 8 – By Xiaotong Meng
Big shoutout to those workers who perform with their hands and other physical labor to fight for a better living.
December 8 is the National Blue Collar Day in recognition of the American working class as well as their contributions to our society. This holiday was introduced by Todd Sohn in 2019.
At the beginning, the term blue collar was used as a symbol to distinguish those who wore blue and white uniforms. In 1924, it represented trade jobs when people started wearing uniforms at the workplace.
Although many blue-collar workers do not have an academic degree, their hard work should never be ignored. Without them, our country would fall apart.
Take some time today to visit a local factory and see how those manual laborers operate different tasks to provide us with everything we need. Be sure to express your appreciation to them as well.
Merry Christmas Card Day
December 9 – By Xiaotong Meng
December 9 is the annual holiday for people to create Christmas cards for friends and families, expressing their unconditional love and warm sentiments.
In 1843, in order to call for more people to use the newest British mailing system, a member of the British civil service called Sir Henry Cole and his artist friend John Horsley came up with an idea of making Christmas cards.
In the 1840s, Christmas cards began to appear in the United States. However, due to the high costs of printing a card, it did not start mass-producing until 1875, when a German printer Louis Pang made it affordable.
Today, making Christmas cards has turned into a tradition for many families. It is a tangible touch for us to think of others and stay connected to distant relatives.
Do you feel tired of working all day long in an office? Use today to choose your favorite card, then write, draw or add whatever decoration you like to show that you really care for others.
Love grows in every second of decorating gingerbread (National Gingerbread House Day)
December 12 – By Xiaotong Meng
Well, the holiday season approached us faster than the blink of our eyes. On December 12 each year is what is known as Gingerbread Decorating Day.
Do you know the best place where you can express your artist talent? Yes, you guessed it — it is on gingerbread.
Gingerbread is a wide category of baked goods that are flavored with ginger, cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon. It ranges from soft, moist loaf cake to a crisp gingerbread cookie.
The term gingerbread was translated from a French word “pain d’épices” (meaning spice bread). It was originally applied to preserve ginger. As time went by, it started to represent a type of sweets made with honey and spices.
In addition to decorating gingerbread cookies, baking a gingerbread house is another fun thing to do with friends and family.
This day sets the tone for the upcoming holiday season. It is also a great way to bring together your friends, family members and even your neighbors to become creative.
Eat an ice cream to enjoy this cold weather (National Ice Cream Day)
December 13 – By Xiaotong Meng
Do you love to crave tasty spoonfuls of ice cream at all hours of a day? December 13, National Ice Cream Day, fulfills your wish to treat yourself to some creamy ice creams after work.
In the early years, people of the Persian Empire often poured grape juice over the snow, which laid the foundation for inventing ice cream later on. In 1846, Nancy Johnson created the first ice cream hand-cranked generator.
By 2001, 8.9% of the milk produced in the United States was used to make different dairy products.
Even though it is already December, from numerous creamery shops to various flavors that the ice cream trucks serve for people, they just know how to make us all scream for a sweet treat on a chilly day.
Therefore, stop by your favorite ice cream store today and try a new flavor besides vanilla and chocolate.
Exchange love and affection in the form of gifts (National Re-Gifting Day)
Third Thursday of December – By Xiaotong Meng
The tradition of regifting started off as an office holiday for co-workers to re-gift a present that they received but did not want. An interesting part of this celebration is that you could steal the gifts you want in the exchange process, a concept that has become known as Dirty Santa or White Elephant.
In 2008, the state of Colorado made known that the third Thursday of December is the National Re-Gifting Day, which takes place on December 15 this year.
Gift shopping sometimes can be hard on people, so re-gifting turned out to be a sustainable way to look through the knick-knacks you received, then give the ones you do not actually need to other people.
This practice is also friendly to the environment, as it avoids the waste of wrapping paper and gift bags.
To avoid the risk of regifting altogether, you can also consider getting someone a Christmas gift from My FrontPage Story this year.
Additionally, it is important to bear in mind that the item is intact and unused when we decide to re-gift it to someone else.
It is just about the right moment to dip everything in chocolate (National Chocolate Covered Anything Day)
December 16 – By Xiaotong Meng
Bored of typical sweets and want to try something new but do not know what to do? December 16, National Chocolate Covered Anything Day, provides unlimited opportunities for you to be creative with chocolate.
Eating or drinking, melting or freezing, everyone has their own preferences of chocolate.
Nevertheless, in addition to some of the treats we often get, like baking chocolate flavored cookies or breads, or making a cup of hot cocoa, we also have the opportunity to be creative with our concoctions. Have you ever tried the taste of a hot dog, a burger or pizza soaked in chocolate?
I have no doubt that many people would shake their heads, which is why today is a great time for us to enjoy a couple bites of chocolate while pushing the boundaries to make it different and even better.
Rockin’ around your neighborhood with Christmas carols (Go Caroling Day)
December 20 – By Xiaotong Meng
Some people decorate their houses and Christmas trees; others bake cookies or gingerbread. On top of these traditions, another important Christmas bonding opportunity is to go caroling even if you cannot sing at all.
This is exactly what is celebrated on Go Caroling Day on December 20 each year.
Caroling on Christmas first emerged at the church of St. Francis of Assisi in 1223, which has always been a religious practice. The hymn is like a song that is about Jesus and the time when he was born.
The purpose behind this holiday is not just singing songs from door to door; it is more about sharing and passing on the Christmas spirit with others.
If you know how to play a musical instrument like guitar or keyboard, you can also organize a carol party at your house and invite your friends to participate.
OMG… I am feelin’ like such a humbug today (Humbug Day)
December 21 – By Xiaotong Meng
Humbug usually describes a person or an object that performs in a deceitful or misleading way. It was first used as a student slang to joke around.
This word has become a catchphrase after Charles Dickens used it to portray one of the characters, Ebenezer Scrooge, in his book “A Christmas Carol.” The protagonist Scrooge always says, “Bah, Humbug!” to depict his frustrations and disappointments during the holiday season.
Similarly, people started to utilize this term more frequently to unwind pressures and negativities.
Thomas and Ruth Roy named December 21 Humbug Day, which gives each person 12 free humbugs to blow off all the setbacks and enjoy a wonderful Christmas.
Do not blame yourself when you feel anxious as different festivities come upon us. Use today to have some fun and maybe watch a Scrooge movie with your loved ones.
Mathematics is the most beautiful and most powerful creation of the human spirit. — Stefan Banach (Mathematics Day)
December 22 – By Xiaotong Meng
December 22 is National Mathematics Day in the memory of India’s famous mathematician, Srinivasa Ramanujan.
Ramanujan was born in 1887. Due to lack of formal education and poverty, when he was 12-years-old, he created many mathematical statements for himself. At the age of 14 he left home and attended Pachaiyappa’s College in Madras, allowing him to dig deeper into independent mathematics research.
In 1912, Ramanujan started to send his work to British mathematicians. One year later, he got one step forward when Cambridge-based GH Hardy was impressed with Ramanujan’s projects.
Soon after, he went to Britain and enrolled in Trinity College in Cambridge. In 1920, he died at the age of 32 because he could not get used to the diet in Britain.
Ramanujan’s achievements and contributions to the field of mathematics are immeasurable nonetheless
In 2012, former Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, declared National Mathematics Day on Ramanujan’s birthday as a show of respect. Mathematics is a universal language that a lot of people rely on in their daily lives. Studying math not only builds up your logical thinking skills, but also connects you to the world in a new way.
It’s candy cane time! (National Candy Cane Day)
December 26 – By Xiaotong Meng
At this absolute best time of the year, you may be tired of eating cookies, cakes and other baked goods, but putting a candy cane into a cup of hot chocolate will never disappoint.
December 26 is the National Candy Cane Day, giving us a chance to indulge in the last bit of sweets before the arrival of the New Year.
In the 17th century, candy canes became a representation of shepherds’ crooks; then it began to widespread in the United States in the mid-19th century.
Candy canes are usually made of sugar, peppermint oil and water. If you like a long-lasting refreshing taste in your mouth, you should definitely go for these peppermint candy canes.
Let it snow, let it snow (Make Cut-Out Snowflakes Day)
December 27 – By Xiaotong Meng
Remember wearing pajamas and watching your favorite Netflix show in your bed with a cup of hot chocolate on a snowy morning? On December 27, you can actually create snow inside your house by making paper snowflakes.
There are two versions for the origin of this activity, the first expressing that the cut-out snowflakes came from the concept of an old art origami, which was about folding a piece of paper several times and creating different objects. Another story is called Kirigami, meaning cut off shapes from folded paper.
Make Cut-Out Snowflakes Day can take you back to your happiest childhood memories of working with glitters, scissors and many art supplies to do craft projects.
Snow will melt, but your handmade snowflakes will always exist…. Just like our FrontPage Stories. 🙂
My dear friend, how are you doing? (National Call a Friend Day)
December 28 – By Xiaotong Meng
As a lot of people start counting down to the New Year, shuffling through a hectic schedule between work and family, do not forget to get in touch with your friends on December 28, National Call a Friend Day.
In February 2004 Facebook, a social networking platform, was established to offer easier communications between people. With the rapid development of technology, by 2014 sending text messages has turned out to be one of the most popular ways of staying connected to friends.
The growth of the Internet has made us start doing everything online, such as replying to an email or sending a post on social media. In this case, it is very easy to form a barrier that lacks effective communication among one another.
As a result, take advantage of today to make a phone call, voice to voice, with at least one good friend to catch up with each other.
New Year, new you… Are you ready? (Tick Tock Day)
December 29 – By Xiaotong Meng
Well, people. Once again, with only three days left until the arrival of the New Year, did you complete all your tasks without any procrastination? It could be making a phone call to your best friend, cleaning the house or making New Year’s cards.
Whatever work you have left, December 29 is Tick Tock Day (no, not that TikTok lol), serving as a reminder for us to achieve the rest of our goals before the year ends.
At the beginning of each year, a lot of people would like to write down their expectations for the upcoming year and what needs to be accomplished. But starting with the busy holiday season all the way back in November, we have put many things aside, yet today is the time to reflect on our responsibilities and keep crossing off our to-do lists.
Life is like a journey, the process is more important than the destination.
As the year comes to an end, take Tick Tock Day to wrap up all the work you need to finish… then look back and see how far you have come throughout the year.
Conclusion
As the December holidays unfold, it’s clear that this time of year is about more than just festivities — it’s about connection, kindness, and creating lasting memories with those we care about. Whether you’re singing carols, sharing a thoughtful letter, or simply taking a moment to reflect on your year, each day in December brings new opportunities to spread joy and appreciation. So, as we continue to celebrate, let’s embrace the warmth and love that this special season brings, and carry it with us into the New Year.
