December 2021 Holidays

Get your planners and calendars ready—it’s already time for our monthly round-up of holidays! Winter is here and we’re so excited to welcome the Holiday vibes, and all the other fun celebrations this month! 

 Below is a list of days that we’re looking forward to celebrating and recognizing this December: 

• All month: Universal Human Rights Month 

• 12/4 National Cookie Day  
• 12/10 International Human Rights Day 
• 12/21 First Day of Winter (Winter Solstice) 
• 12/25 Christmas Day 
• 12/26 Kwanzaa Begins 

• 12/31 New Year's Eve 

Monthly Holiday Explanations: 

• 12/4 National Cookie Day 

• Each year, December 4th is celebrated as National Cookie Day! Did you know that in the 7th century, cookies came on the scene through Persia! Traditional Persian cuisines included this sweet treat in meals. Cookies also have origins in Northern Europe, through traditional Dutch confections. In fact, the word “cookie” is derived from the Dutch word koekie, meaning “little cake.” 

• 12/10 International Human Rights Day   

• Every year, December 10th is celebrated as International Human Rights Day. This began in 1948, when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed. This document states that the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.  
• For 2021, the UN has declared that the Human Rights Day theme would relate to 'Equality' and Article 1 of the UDHR – “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” 

• 12/21 First Day of Winter (Winter Solstice) 

• Happy Winter Solstice! Today as marked as the official first day of the Winter season, and is determined when either of Earth's poles reaches its maximum tilt away from the Sun. This type of day happens twice a year, with the other Solstice taking place in the Summertime! The winter solstice is known as the day with the shortest period of daylight, and the longest night! For this reason, many cultures around the world celebrate this with their own festivities and rituals. What are some of your favorite ways to celebrate the start of Winter? 

• 12/25 Christmas Day  

• Merry Christmas! Every year, Christmas Day is recognized on December 25th. Although it is commonly celebrated through tree-lighting celebrations and other holiday festivities, the origins of Christmas are connected to the Christian religion. 

• In Christian religious texts, Christmas Day is meant to commemorate the nativity and birth of Jesus Christ. Today it is observed as both a religious and cultural holiday all around the world, through celebratory feasts, worship services, and gift-giving! 

• 12/26 Kwanzaa Begins 

• Kwanzaa is a seven-day festival celebrated in honor of African and African American history and culture. The word “Kwanzaa” originates from the Swahili phrase “Matunda ya Kwanzaa”, which means the “First Fruits of Harvest”. Kwanzaa is celebrated from 12/26-1/1, with each of these days honoring a particular principle connected to African Heritage.  

• Celebration of Kwanzaa in America dates back to 1966 during the Civil Rights movement, and each of the seven days is centered in the principles of unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. 

• 12/31 New Year's Eve 

• 2022 is right around the corner! Happy (almost) New Year! All around the World, New Years Eve is celebrated differently, but one common way of honoring this day is through a gathering of friends and family! Whether it’s by going to a party, watching the New York Ball-Drop, or heading to your local fireworks celebration, we hope you have an amazing ending to this year. Safe celebrating!! 

Moon Phases for December 

• New Moon: 12/4 
• First Quarter: 12/10 

• Full Moon (Cold Moon): 12/18 
• Last Quarter: 12/26 

Written by: Ambika Rajyagor