December is known for its festive celebrations, with Christmas being one of the most popular holidays of the month. Many countries around the world have unique Christmas traditions, such as decorating Christmas trees, exchanging gifts, and enjoying special holiday foods. In the United States, people often hang stockings by the fireplace and leave out cookies for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.
Another fun fact about Christmas is that the tradition of sending Christmas cards dates back to the 1840s. The first commercial Christmas card was created in 1843 in England by Sir Henry Cole, and since then, sending holiday greetings through cards has become a popular tradition worldwide.
December Fun Facts Calendar
Winter Solstice
December also marks the winter solstice, which is the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The winter solstice usually falls on December 21st or 22nd and is celebrated in various cultures with festivals and rituals. In ancient times, the winter solstice was seen as a time of rebirth and renewal, as the days start to get longer and the sun begins to regain its strength.
One interesting fact about the winter solstice is that Stonehenge, a prehistoric monument in England, aligns with the sunrise on the winter solstice. This alignment is believed to have been intentional and shows the importance of the winter solstice in ancient cultures.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations
As December comes to a close, people around the world prepare to ring in the New Year with celebrations and parties. New Year’s Eve is a time for reflection on the past year and setting goals for the year ahead. In many cultures, it is a time for fireworks, countdowns, and midnight kisses to welcome the New Year.
One fun fact about New Year’s Eve is that the tradition of making resolutions dates back to ancient Babylonian times, around 4,000 years ago. The Babylonians would make promises to the gods to pay off debts and return borrowed items at the start of each year, a tradition that has evolved into the modern practice of setting personal goals for self-improvement.