A few days before Christms

I have seen the outrage floating around Facebook that Christians feel hard done by because they claim they are not allowed to say Merry Christmas, and some of them rail on about the crushing of the Christmas Spirit as if it was the end of the world. While others counter with the fact there are many holidays that are special to many and to show respect you should wish someone a “Happy Holiday’ so as to not upset them.

I don’t care one way or the other. Christmas is taken from a pagan religious fest and changed to meet the current needs of the dominant religion. The month of December has more to offer than just holiday preparations. Special days and observances can be a way to explore a variety of subjects, including awareness of health conditions, safety issues, and ways to promote a healthy lifestyle. It's a bit on the lighter side when it comes to daily observances this month. That's because there are many official and unofficial special days to celebrate in December. Here are some days and holidays that Americans can celebrate in Dec. Enjoy the month!

December Daily Holidays and Observances

1. December 1: Rosa Parks Day, World AIDS Day, Eat a Red Apple Day, National Pie Day, Giving Tuesday* (Tuesday after Thanksgiving)

2. December 2: Special Education Day, National Mutt Day

3. December 3: Make a Gift Day, National Roof Over Your Head Day, Let's Hug Day, National Apple Pie Day

4. December 4: Santa's List Day, National Cookie Day, Wildlife Conservation Day

5. December 5: Repeal Day, International Volunteer Day, National Communicate With Your Kids Day

6. December 6: Mitten Tree Day, National Microwave Oven Day, Coats & Toys for Kids Day* (first Saturday), National Gazpacho Day

7. December 7: National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Letter Writing Day, International Civil Aviation Day, National Cotton Candy Day, Walt Disney Day* (first Monday)

8. December 8: Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day, National Brownie Day, National Christmas Tree Day

9. December 9: Christmas Card Day, National Pastry Day

10. December 10: Human Rights Day, Nobel Prize Day, First Night of Hanukkah* (varies, sometimes in November), Dewey Decimal System Day, National Lager Day

11. December 11: First Day of Hanukkah* (varies, sometimes in November), National App Day

12. December 12: National Poinsettia Day, Gingerbread House Day, National Ding-a-Ling Day

13. December 13: National Violin Day, Ice Cream Day, International Children's Day* (second Sunday), National Horse Day, World Choral Day* (second Sunday), National Cocoa Day

14. December 14: Roast Chestnuts Day

15. December 15: Bill of Rights Day, National Cupcake Day, International Tea Day

16. December 16: Boston Tea Party Day, National Chocolate Covered Anything Day

17. December 17: Wright Brothers' First Flight Anniversary, National Maple Syrup Day

18. December 18: Bake Cookies Day, National Twin Day, National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day* (third Friday)

19. December 19: Look for an Evergreen Day, National Oatmeal Muffin Day, Holly Day

20. December 20: Go Caroling Day, Games Day, National Sangria Day, National Wreaths Across America Day* (third Saturday)

21. December 21: First Day of Winter/Winter Solstice* (date varies), Crossword Puzzle Day, Humbug Day, Look on the Bright Side Day, National Flashlight Day, National Hamburger Day, Forefathers' Day, Don't Make Your Bed Day* (first day of Winter), National Short Story Day* (first day of Winter)

22. December 22: National Date Nut Bread Day

23. December 23: Festivus, National Roots Day, National Pfeffernüsse Day

24. December 24: Christmas Eve, National Egg Nog Day, National Chocolate Candy Day

25. December 25: Christmas Day, National Pumpkin Pie Day

26. December 26: National Whiners Day, Boxing Day, National Candy Cane Day

27. December 27: National Fruitcake Day, Make Cut-Out Snowflakes Day

28. December 28: National Card Playing Day

29. December 29: Tick Tock Day

30. December 30: Bacon Day

31. December 31: New Year's Eve, Make Up Your Mind Day

December Weekly Holidays and Observances

1. Hanukkah* (changes yearly and lasts for 8 days)

Unique to the USA

a. National Handwashing Awareness Week (first week)

b. National Influenza Vaccination Week* (typically first week)

c. Tolerance Week (first full week)

d. Human Rights Week (second week)

e. Thank a Soldier Week (the week including Christmas)

2. Kwanzaa (December 26–January 1)

December Monthly Holidays and Observances

1. Art and Architecture Month

2. Egg Nog Month

3. Handwashing Awareness Month

4. Hi Neighbor Month

5. Learn a Foreign Language Month

6. Made in America Month

7. National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month

8. National Fruit Cake Month

9. National Identity Theft Prevention and Awareness Month

10. National Pear Month

11. Noodle Ring Month

12. Procrastination Awareness Month

13. Read a New Book Month

14. Root Vegetable Month

15. Safe Toys and Gifts Month

16. Sign Up for Summer Camp Month

17. Stress-Free Family Holidays Month

18. Tomato and Winter Squash Month

19. Tropical Fruits Month

20. Universal Human Rights Month

21. World AIDS Awareness Month

22. Write a Friend Month\