December is known for Christmas, of course. But there are a lot of other holidays happening this month too --- some of which you've heard of, and some of which are likely new to you.
So we've rounded up 10 special (and some just silly!) holidays and events that your family will want to celebrate in December:
1. Rosa Parks Day
Recognized by only a few states, this holiday is marked on the day Parks was arrested in 1955 for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger on a Montgomery, Ala., bus. That single act of defiance became a defining moment of the Civil Rights Movement. Dec. 1.
2. Hanukkah
The eight-day Jewish celebration, often called the Festival of Lights, is celebrated with the lighting of the menorah, traditional foods, games, and gifts. Dec. 22 through Dec. 30
3. Cookie Day
This might be a made-up American holiday (it was originally founded in 1987 by a guy who worked at a cookie company) but that doesn't mean it's not worth celebrating! Check out these easy cookie recipes from Macaroni Kid EATS! Dec. 4.
4. Human Rights Day
Human Rights Day commemorates the date in 1948 that the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the first global effort at recognizing human rights. The United Nations Association of the USA gives students 10 ideas on how to mark the occasion. Dec. 10.
5. Chocolate Covered Anything Day
Get creative with your family today by finding different foods to try dipped in chocolate. I mean, everyone has had chocolate covered strawberries. But chocolate covered bacon? Sure, I'll try it once! Your kids are sure to love Frozen Chocolate-Covered Banana Bites! Dec. 16.
6. Winter Solstice
Need to explain the winter solstice to your kiddos? This is the day when the Northern Hemisphere has tilted the furthest away from the sun that it will go. In 2019 the winter solstice falls at exactly 11:19 p.m. EST. Dec. 21.
7. Festivus
This "holiday" became popular after a 1997 episode of Seinfeld. It is marked with a Festivus pole and the "Airing of Grievances," during which you tell everyone how they've disappointed you. Hold your own Festivus -- but only if your family has a good sense of humor. Dec. 23.
8. Christmas Day
It's the Big Day. What else is there to say? Dec. 25.
9. Kwanzaa
This annual celebration was started in the U.S. as a way to honor African heritage in African-American culture. Kwanzaa has seven core principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Dec. 26-Jan. 1, 2020.
