December Holidays
Around the World
St. Nicholas DaySt. Nicholas Day
December
St. Nicholas Day FactsSt. Nicholas Day Facts
Originated in:Originated in: Catholic European countries
Associated with:Associated with: the patron St. Nicholas
Celebrated to:Celebrated to: award children with sweets and gifts
Traditions: Traditions: feast, poems, small gifts, candies, nuts, and fruit placed in shoes or stockings
Bodhi DayBodhi Day
December
Bodhi Day FactsBodhi Day Facts
Originated in:Originated in: East Asia
Associated with:Associated with: Buddha
Celebrates:Celebrates: anniversary of Buddha’s enlightenment
Traditions:Traditions: A meal of rice and milk; a cultural, personal observance
St. Lucia DaySt. Lucia Day
December
St. Lucia Day FactsSt. Lucia Day Facts
Originated in:Originated in: Sweden
Associated with:Associated with: patron St. Lucia
Celebrates:Celebrates: church feast holiday dedicated to St. Lucia
Traditions:Traditions: a girl portrays St. Lucia in a procession; eating gingersnap cookies; eating Lussekat buns; singing carols
Eid ul-AdhaEid ul-Adha
December
Eid ul-Adha FactsEid ul-Adha FactsOriginated in: Originated in: Middle East
Associated with: Associated with: Muslim religion
Celebrates: Celebrates: Abraham’s willingness to obey God by sacrificing his son
Traditions:Traditions: re-enactments of Abraham’s obedience by sacrificing a cow or ram, donating a large portion of the meal to the poor, exchange of presents and cards, praying
Tohji-taisaiTohji-taisai
December
Tohji-taisai FactsTohji-taisai Facts
Originated in: Originated in: Japan
Associated with: Associated with: Shinto religion
Celebrates: Celebrates: Sun Goddess Amaterasu
Traditions: Traditions: bonfires, eating pumpkin, honoring the dead
ChristmasChristmas
December
Christmas FactsChristmas Facts
Originated in: Originated in: Rome
Associated with: Associated with: Christianity
Celebrates: Celebrates: the birth of Jesus
Traditions: Traditions: giving gifts, church services, spending time with family, putting up Christmas tree
Boxing DayBoxing Day
December
Boxing Day FactsBoxing Day Facts
Originated in: Originated in: England
Associated with: Associated with: Queen Victoria
Celebrates: Celebrates: Charity
Traditions: Traditions: Donating time or money, giving gifts to poor children, helping a family in need, shopping
JunkanooJunkanoo
December
Junkanoo FactsJunkanoo Facts
Originated in: Originated in: the Bahamas
Associated with: Associated with: African culture
Celebrates: Celebrates: the Bahamian culture through a street festival of singing and dancing
Traditions: Traditions: intricate costumes, ringing cow bells, beating drums, group competitions
SourcesSources http://home.att.net/~dittydum/december10.htm http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=76 http://en.wikipedia.org/ http://www.netglimse.com/holidays/boxing_day/
boxing_day_facts.shtml http://www.interknowledge.com/grandbahama/
junkanoo.htm http://www.history.com/minisite.do?
content_type=Minisite_Generic&content_type_id=1253&display_order=1&sub_display_order=2&mini_id=1290