Last month, the U.S. celebrated its annual Thanksgiving holiday. Many other countries have their own yearly designated day to give thanks. Our Thanksgiving is always on the fourth Thursday in November and is typically celebrated with family and friends to enjoy a unique family-style meal. (See Tips on family-style dining here). 

Thanksgiving is about celebrating love and friendship, a time for personal reflection, and giving thanks for being alive in a safe environment, free from oppression, hate, and war. I was thankful to be with my stepson and his family, and I am also grateful to live next door. 

Now it’s December, and for most people, it’s a time to enjoy the many religious and cultural celebrations throughout the month of December.

Click here to learn how countries around the world, such as Bali, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Ireland, Mexico, Panama, Portugal, Spain, and Thailand, celebrate the holidays (Also at: https://internationalliving.com/11-holiday-celebrations-around-the-world/)

To add to how countries celebrate in December, here are a few other religious and cultural observances taking place this month.

In calendar order: 
December 13: Saint Lucia’s Day is a festival of lights holiday. Although it originated in Sweden to remember the 304 AD Roman killing of St. Lucy because of her religious beliefs, other Swedish-speaking people in Norway and Finland also celebrate, as do Caribbeans, where the island of Saint Lucia (formerly named The Windward Island) was first discovered in the late 15^th or early 16^th century. According to Christian lore, Saint Lucia was the first martyr to be commemorated.  Click here for more details on this holiday. (Also at: https://www.voguescandinavia.com/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-st-lucias-day)

December 18-26: Hanukkah [or Chanukah] is an annual Jewish holiday based on the lunisolar calendar. As a result, Hannukah dates change each year. It always falls between late November and December, four days before the new moon. In 2022, it will start on the evening of Sunday, December 18^th, and ends on the evening of Monday, December 26^th. Click here for more details on this holiday. (Also at: https://reformjudaism.org/jewish-holidays/hanukkah/hanukkah-customs-and-rituals)   

December 26^th: Boxing Day is a public holiday celebrated in Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and other Commonwealth countries. It is a centuries-old gift-giving day that originated in Britain. When December 26 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the Boxing Day substitute holiday always takes place by the 28^th. Most offices are closed on this day when it falls on a weekday. Click here for more details on this holiday. (Also at: https://nationaltoday.com/boxing-day/)

December 26th to January 1^st: Kwanzaa is a seven-day festival that celebrates an appreciation of African and African-American history, heritage, and culture. The term “Kwanzaa” originates from the Swahili expression “Matunda ya kwanza,” which means “First fruits of the harvest.”  Click here for more details on this holiday. (Also at:  https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/kwanzaa-history)

Input requested: If you know of other December celebrations to add to these lists, please let me know by email at info@advancedetiquette.com, or, better yet, click here [not yet entered] to view this article on our blog page and to add comments directly yourself for all to see. 

Gratitude is the closest thing to beauty, manifested in an emotion.
Mindy Kaling, Actor, Comedian, Screenwriter, and Producer

“If you want to lift yourself up, lift someone else up.”
Booker T. Washington, Educator, Author, and adviser
to several presidents of the United States. 

Happy Holidays to you and all. I am so grateful and thankful for your support… each and every name in our database.  I look forward to sharing many new and exciting programs and services throughout 2023. Look for a sneak peek to arrive around December 15.  Thank you, Thank you! Always!

Happy Practicing!