Fun Facts about December

December Observances & Fun Facts

 

 

~December 2012 is observed as:

 Universal Human Rights Month and Safe Toys and Gifts Month.

 

 

 

 

~Birthstone:

Turquoise & Blue Topaz

 

 

~The first artificial Christmas tree was made in Germany, fashioned out of goose feathers that are dyed green!

 

 

~December 28th is considered by some to be the unluckiest day of the year.

 

 

 

~Fruit & Veges for the Month of December:

Comice Pears

 Kumquats

 Sapote

 Pepino melon

 Cherimoya

 Ugli fruits

 Parsnip

 Beets

 Turnips

 Rutabaga

 Celery Root / Celeriac

 Horseradish

 

 

~An almanac prediction states that if snow falls on Christmas Day, Easter will be warm, green and sunny.

 

 

~Spiders and spider webs are considered good luck on Christmas.

 

 

~December Flower:

Narcissus & Holly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ~Astrological Signs:

Sagittarius (till 21th) & Capricorn (22nd→)

 

 

 
~Other Notable December Dates & Events:

Dec 21-Last Day of the Mayan Calendar

 Dec 26-Jan 1 Kwanzaa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~The name December comes from the Latin decem for “ten”, as it was the 10th month in the Roman Calendar.

 

 

~The term Yuletide comes from a Norse tradition of cutting and burning a tree to bring in the Winter Solstice. This was to last through 12 days – later known as the 12 days of Christmas.

 

 

 

 

~December 12th is Poinsettia Day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~Saint Nickolas, who would eventually be called Santa Claus, was originally the patron saint of children, thieves and pawnbrokers!

 

 

~“Jingle bells” was composed in 1857, and not for Christmas – it was meant to be a Thanksgiving song!

 

 

 

~Common decorations on a Christmas tree each have their specific meanings. Candles – the light of the world, the Star at the top is a reminder of the first Christmas night and Candy canes are to represent the Shepherd’s cane.