What are the National Days of December? – Find Out With Our List!

This handy list of the national days of December will give you a quick look at the month to find out how to celebrate your favorite national day with crafts ideas, food and drink recipes and interesting ways to entertain.

Each time I write a post about a new and fun national day about December on the blog, I add links to the list below, to give you new ideas for ways to celebrate these days.

If you are unfamiliar about the national days, head on over to the national day guide. It has loads of information that tells you why we celebrate these special days.

Keep reading to discover more about the national days in December. There is a lot more to celebrate than just Christmas!

December history

December is the twelfth month of the year in our calendar. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is the beginning of winter, but in the Southern hemisphere it is associated with summer.

December got its name originally from the Latin word “decem” which means ten.

The reason for this is that it was a part of the Roman calendar, beginning in March and was the tenth month. 

Later, the months of January and February were created and added to the beginning of the calendar, but December kept its name.

Early Germanic people celebrated a mid-winter season that was called Yuletide and it spanned both December and January.

After the rise of Christianity, the 12 day period starting on Christmas Day was called Christmastide.

December features the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. This is the day with the fewest daylight hours.

December national month observances

December is National Human Rights Month and Spiritual Literacy Month.

It is also National Safe Toys and Gifts month, which is apt, since Christmas is a time for gift giving for children.

Other notable December national month observances are these:

• Bingo’s Birthday Month
• National Drunk & Drugged Driving Prevention Month
• Worldwide Food Service Safety Month
• National Write A Business Plan Month
• Operation Santa Paws
• Root Vegetables and Exotic Fruits Month
• National Pear Month
• National Car Donation Month
• Universal Human Rights Month
• National Tie Month

Fun facts about December

The month of December has arrived, so let’s catch up with a few interesting facts about the first month of winter.

• December is the first month of winter and the last month of the year.
• The birthstones for the month of December are turquoise and tanzanite.
• Flowers that honor the month are the poinsettia and narcissus.
• If you follow the signs of the Zodiac, Sagittarius is from December 1 to 21 and Capricorn from the 22nd on.
• Some almanacs predict that if snow falls on Christmas Day, then Easter will be warm, and sunny.
• Annually Americans send 1.6 billion Christmas cards, many of which are sent in the month of December. That’s a lot of Christmas cheer! 
• On the last day of the year, December 31, kiss the person you hope to keep kissing (preferably under some mistletoe)!
• December 28 is considered the luckiest day of the year.

Historically notable days in December

Historically, the month of December has many days of note. Check out these special events from days in our past.

• The first day of winter happens when the sun is farthest south (on December 21^st or 22^nd). This day is known as the Winter Solstice.
• On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to move to the back of a public bus in Montgomery, Alabama.
• December 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor was attacked.
• In 1941, the US entered WWI.
• In 1980, former Beatle member, John Lennon, was shot dead in New York.
•  Saint Nicholas, who would eventually be called Santa Claus, was at one time the patron saint of children, pawnbrokers and thieves!
• Ancient folklore says that forest animals have the ability to speak in human languages on Christmas Eve!

Famous people with birthdays in December

Who doesn’t love celebrating their birthdays? Even celebrities are know to throw a bash. Here are a few famous people who have birthdays in December. Does one of them match yours?

• December 1 – Woody Allen
• December 2 – Britney Spears
• December 5 – Walt Disney
• December 9 – Kirk Douglas
• December 12 –  Frank Sinatra
• December 14 – Nostradamus
• December 16- Ludwig Van Beethoven
• December 25 – Humphrey Bogart
• December 31 – Anthony Hopkins

List of the national days of December

The list below breaks down the national days of December, day by day. Some of these days have links to pages on my site where you can find more information about that interesting national day.

Even though Christmas and holiday entertaining are prominent in December, there are many other ways to celebrate, as well.

From National Gingersnap day on July 1, to National I Love Horses Day on the 15th, this month is full of fun.

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What are the National Days of December? – Find Out With Our List! Share on X

These national days take part in the first half of the December. Be sure to leave some time to celebrate in the midst of your Christmas planning!

If you have kids, make sure to check out our posts with Santa’s address, and the official Santa phone number.

December 1

• National Eat a Red Apple Day
• National Pie Day (also January 23)
• National Christmas Lights Day
• International Maratheftiko Day
• Bifocals at the Monitor Liberation Day
• Day Without Art Day
• Rosa Parks Day
• Civil Air Patrol Day
• Wear a Dress Day (also June 1)
• World Aids Day

December 2

• National Mutt Day (also July 31)
• National Fritters Day
• Special Education Day
• Business of Popping Corn Day
• Safety Razor Day
• Play Basketball Day
• International Day for the Abolition of Slavery 

December 3

• National Roof Over Your Head Day
• National Green Bean Casserole Day
• National Apple Pie Day – Also May 13 
• Let’s Hug Day
• Make a Gift Day
• Disability Day – Also known as International Day of Persons with Disabilities
• International Spirit of the Game Day

December 4

• National Sock Day
• National Cookie Day
• National Dice Day
• Cabernet Franc Day
• Santa’s List Day
• Wear Brown Shoes Day
• Wildlife Conservation Day
• Extraordinary Work Team Recognition Day
• International Cheetah Day

December 5

• National Repeal Day
• National Communicate with your Kids Day
• National Commute with your Baby Day
• National Blue Jeans Day
• National Sacher Torte Day
• AFL-CIO Day
• Bathtub Party Day
• Krampus Night
• Day of the Ninja Day
• International Volunteer Day
• World Soil Day

December 6

• National Microwave Oven Day
• National Gazpacho Day
• National Pawnbrokers Day
• St. Nicholas Day
• Miners’ Day
• Put on your own Shoes Day
• Mitten Tree Day

December 7

• National Illinois Day
• National Cotton Candy Day – also July 31
• National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
• National Letter Writing Day
• International Civil Aviation Day

December 8

• National Brownie Day
• National Christmas Tree Day
• National Lard Day
• Take it in the ear Day
• Pretend To Be A Time Traveler Day

December 9

• National Pastry Day
• National Llama Day
• Weary Willie Day
• Christmas Card Day
• International Anti-Corruption Day
• International Day of Veterinary Medicine
• World Techno Day

December 10

• Dewey Decimal System Day
• National Lager Day
• International Aszú Day
• Human Rights Day
• Nobel Prize Day
• Festival for the Souls of Dead Whales Day

December 11

• National Noodle Ring Day
• National Have a Bagel Day
• National App Day
• Holiday Food Drive for Needy Animals Day
• International Mountain Day

December 12

• National Ding-a-Ling Day
• National Ambrosia Day
• National Poinsettia Day
• National 12 Hour Fresh Breath Day
• Gingerbread House Day
• Festival of Unmentionable Thoughts Day

Early December lets us get in the Christmas mood early with National Poinsettia Day and Roast Chestnuts Day. Are you celebrating these days?

December 13

• National Violin Day
• National Day Of The Horse 
• National Cocoa Day
• Pick A Pathologist Pal Day
• National Guard Birthday
• Pick a Pathologist Pal Day

December 14 

• National Alabama Day
• National Bouillabaisse Day
• National Screwdriver Day
• Monkey Day
• Roast Chestnuts Day

December 15

• National Cupcake Day
• National Lemon Cupcake Day
• National Wear Your Pearls Day
• Bill of Rights Day
• Cat Herders Day
• International Tea Day

National Days of December that change each year

Some days of the year don’t have an exact date that they fall on in any given year. These days depend on the calendar for the current year. These are the days in the first half of the month.

• Giving Tuesday – Tuesday after Thanksgiving
• Women Wednesday – Wednesday after Thanksgiving
• Walt Disney Day – (1st Monday)
• World Trick Shot Day – (1st Tuesday)
• Special Kids Day – (1st Wednesday)
• Faux Fur Friday – (1st Friday)
• Bartender Appreciation Day – (1st Friday)
• Coats and Toys for Kids Day – (1st Saturday)
• National Rhubarb Vodka Day – (1st Saturday) 
• Earmuff Day – (1st Saturday) Also see National Earmuff Day on March 13
• Skywarn Recognition Day – (1st Saturday)
• World Choral Day – (2nd Sunday)
• Worldwide Candle Lighting Day – (2nd Sunday)
• Official Lost and Found Day – (2nd Friday)
• National Salesperson Day – (2nd Friday)
• Gingerbread Decorating Day – (2nd Saturday) 
• International Shareware Day – (2nd Saturday)
• Hanukkah begins – December 25, 2024 – Date changes each year

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Check out all the National Days to celebrate in December at Always The Holidays.  #celebratenationaldays #nationaldays #decembernationaldays 🥂🍾🎅 Share on X

National days of the second half of December

Here we are at the half way mark. Has your favorite national day been listed yet? Don’t give up. We have lots more fun in store.

How about National Corn Fritters Day or National Maple Syrup Day?  Both are still to come!

December 16

• National Chocolate-covered Anything Day
• Barbie and Barney Backlash Day
• Stupid Toy Day
• Boston Tea Party Day
• Day of Reconciliation

December 17

• National Maple Syrup Day
• Wright Brothers Day
• Pan American Aviation Day

December 18

• National Roast Suckling Pig Day
• National Ham Salad Day
• National Migrants Day
• National Twin Day
• Answer The Telephone Like Buddy The Elf Day
• Arabic Language Day
• Bake Cookies Day
• Flake Appreciation Day

There are more festive days to come. How about celebrating Ribbon Candy Day, Go Caroling Day and Holly Day?

December 19

• National Oatmeal Muffin Day
• National Hard Candy Day
• National Emo Day
• Holly Day
• Look for An Evergreen Day

December 20

• National Sangria Day
• Mudd Day
• Cathod Ray Tube Day
• Dot your I’s Day
• Games Day
• Go Caroling Day
• Sacagawea Day
• International Human Solidarity Day

December 21

• National Maine Day
• National French Fried Shrimp Day
• National Homeless Person’s Memorial Day
• National Look at the Bright Side Day
• National Coquito Day
• Crossword Puzzle Day
• Humbug Day
• Ribbon Candy Day
• Forefathers Day
• Phileas Fogg Win A Wager Day

December 22 

• National Date Nut Bread Day – also September 8
• National Cookie Exchange Day
• Abilities Day

The last part of December is all about entertaining. We’ve got National Eggnog Day, National Candy Cane Day and National Pumpkin Pie Day. Dig in!

December 23

• National Roots Day
• National Pfeffernusse Day
• Festivus
• Human Light Day
• Forefathers Day – December 22 (Unless on it falls on Sunday, Then celebrated the Following Monday)

December 24

• National Eggnog Day
• Christmas Eve
• Last Minute Shoppers Day

December 25

• National Pumpkin Pie Day
• A’Phabet Day or No “L” Day
• Christmas Day – Why not share some Christmas quotes and graphics to celebrate?

December 26

• National Thank-You Note Day
• National Whiner’s Day
• National Candy Cane Day
• Boxing Day (Canada and the UK)
• Kwanzaa begins

December 27

• National Fruitcake Day
• Make Cut out Snowflakes Day
• Visit the Zoo Day

December 28

• National Chocolate Candy Day
• National Card Playing Day
• National Short Film Day 
• National Download Day
• Holy Innocents Day
• Pledge of Allegiance Day
• Call a Friend Day

December 29

• National Pepper Pot Day
• Tick Tock Day
• Still Need to Do Day

December 30

• National Bicarbonate of Soda Day
• Falling Needles Family Fest Day
• Bacon Day
• Festival of Enormous Changes at the Last Minute Day

December 31

• National Champagne Day
• No Interruptions Day – Last Work Day of the Year
• Make Up Your Mind Day
• New Years Eve
• One Voice Day
• Hogmanay
• Unlucky Day
• Universal Hour of Peace
• World Peace Meditation Day 

And just like that, it’s New Year’s Eve. Grab a glass of Champagne or Prosecco and let’s toast to a new beginning, a new year and lots of new days to celebrate!

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There is more to celebrate in December that just Christmas and Kwanzaa. This month has over 150 national days. Get the full list on Always the Holidays.  #nationaldays #december ⛄🎅🤶🎄 Share on X

More national days of December that change each year

Some days of the year don’t have an exact date that they fall on in any given year. These days depend on the calendar for the current year.

• National Re-Gifting Day – Thursday before Christmas
• National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day – (3rd Friday) 
• Underdog Day – (3rd Friday)
• National Wreaths Across America Day – (3rd Saturday)
• Super Saturday – Saturday before December 25

National days celebrated on the first day of winter

• Winter Solstice – a day between December 20 and 23 – December 21 in 2024 – Date changes some years
• National Flashlight Day 
• National Short Story Day
• National Kiwi Fruit Day 
• Anne and Samantha Day 
• Don’t Make your Bed Day
• National Homeless Persons
• Yule – Day of Winter Solstice
• Short Girl Appreciation Day

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Celebrate all the National Days every day of the year at Always the Holidays. 🎃🎄🧨🎉💘 Share on X

Just for the foodies!

If you are a foodie, I have some special national day lists just for you.

Each month has its own list of foodie national days and each month celebrates different food holidays.

Here are some other national day food lists that feature only food holidays to honor with your favorite recipes:

• January food holidays
• February holidays for foodies
• March food holidays
• List of food days in April
• May national food holidays
• List of food days in June
• Discover the food days in July
• August national food days
• September food days
• October food days
• Food holidays in November
• December food holidays

National days word search printables

If you like to do puzzles, be sure to check out my monthly printable puzzles. Each one features several National Days that I have hidden in a puzzle. 

For the national days word search printables for the other months, check out these pages:

• January national days word find puzzle 
• February national day word search printable
• Word search of March national days
• April national day word search printable
• May national day word find puzzle
• June national days word search puzzle
• July national day word search puzzle
• August national day word search printable
• September national day puzzle to search and find
• October national day printable word search puzzle
• Word search printable for November national days
• December national day word search printable

Other word search puzzles to be updated soon. Stay tuned!

Monthly national day lists

There are over 2000 National Days in the year and each month has over 150 special days to celebrate.  Get all the monthly lists here:

• National days of January 
• National days in February
• March national days
• List of national days in April
• List of national days in May  
• National days of June
• National days of July
• National days in August
• National days in September
• List of national days in October
• November national days
• December list of national days – this page

Food national days of the year

If your interest is only in celebrating days associated with food, be sure to have a look at these pages.

• January food holidays
• February holidays for foodies
• March national food days
• List of food days in April
• May national food holidays
• List of food days in June
• What are food days in July?
• August national food days
• September national food days
• October food holidays

Which are your favorite national day of December?

Admin note: this post for the national days in December first appeared on the blog in April of 2018. I have updated the post to add all new photos, more information about December, a printable planner to-do list, and a video for you to enjoy.

Pin this post for the national days of December

Would you like a reminder of this post for all of the special days to celebrate this month? Just pin this image to one of your boards on Pinterest so that you can easily find it later.

Yield: 1 National Days Printable

December National Days Planner Printable

Print

Print out this planner to accompany the December list of national days, and fill it in with your favorite national days in December. It's a great way to keep track and plan for the whole month.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Difficulty easy

Estimated Cost $1

Materials

• Heavy cardstock or printer paper

Tools

• Computer printer

Instructions

1. Load your heavy card stock or glossy photo paper into your Deskjet printer.
2. Choose portrait layout and if possible "fit to page" in your settings.
3. Print out and use the to do list to plan your activities for the month.

Notes

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