Three Lesser-Known December Holidays

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Three Other Holidays in December

By Flora Gamba ‘23

 

For many of us, December is one of the busiest times of the year. Between preparing for finals and getting ready for the holiday season, we often have no time to appreciate December holidays besides the ones we celebrate. Though the most common ones we hear about are Christmas (Dec. 25) and Hanukkah (Nov. 28 - Dec. 6), there are many more. Here are five other holidays celebrated in December.

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa, Google Images

Many may know of Kwanzaa, but not the holiday itself. It was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga. After researching African First Fruit celebrations, he created Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa takes place over seven nights and on each night a child will light one of the candles on the Kinara, or candleholder. Families will celebrate with songs, dances, African, drums, storytelling, poetry reading, and large traditional meals. Families also celebrate the Nguzo Saba, or seven principles, which are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

Boxing Day

Boxing Day, Google Images

Boxing Day originated in the United Kingdom during the Middle Ages. It was originally the day when alms boxes were collected for the poor in the church. Servants were also given this day off to celebrate Christmas with their families. Boxing Day takes place on December 26th in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland (often referred to as St. Stephen’s Day), and the Bahamas (often referred to as Junkanoo).

Ōmisoka

Ōmisoka Celebrations, Google Images

Ōmisoka, or New Year’s Eve, is a very important holiday in Japanese tradition. It is the final day of the old year and paves the way for the most important holiday, New Year’s Day. Families often gather together for traditional meals of toshikoshi-soba or toshikoshi-udon. The meals are a tradition of eating the long noodles to cross from one year to the next. Many visit shrines or temples at midnight for Hatsumōde. 

Credits

Written By: Flora Gamba

Edited By: Editor

Cover Photo By Google Images

Photo 1 by Google Images

Photo 2 by Google Images

Photo 3 by Google Images

References

“December Holidays Around the World.” Worldstrides.com, https://worldstrides.com/blog/2015/12/december-holidays-around-the-world/.

History.com Editors. “Kwanzaa.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 14 Oct. 2009, https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/kwanzaa-history. 

 

 

Mercy Media Edition 4

December 3rd, 2021

mercymedia@mercyhsb.com

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