What to Celebrate December 7 thru 13, 2020
Celebration Ideas for December 7 – 13, 2020
We’re heading into the home stretch of 2020! And good riddance to it.
But we’re firm believers in keeping spirits bright. It is the holiday season after all. So let’s keep finding ways to celebrate each day. It’s especially important as the cold & dark of winter descends.
We’ll come out the other side in a new year with renewed hope. In the meantime, read on to take a peek and plan your week.
And as always …
Enjoy!
Celebrate All December Long
With fewer places to go some of December’s month-long celebrations seem a bit less relevant than usual. But there’s no reason you can’t look sharp (in a tie!) while counting birds or helping homeless pets.
And we certainly understand the desire to drown any memory of the past 9 months. But please don’t. And if you do try it, please don’t drive. Or if someone else is trying it, be their sober driver.
The Audubon Christmas Bird Count starts on the 14th & runs until January 5. If you want to be part of it, check out where there are counting circles near you & sign up! Some circles may be full, but there are more than one in many areas. And you can participate in as many as you’d like! As long as the count compiler approves, that is. Each circle counts on a specific day, too. So make sure you’ll be available for that day.
National Tie Month: In this year of staying home you probably have even less use for ties than in most years! But try wearing one at least once this month anyway. Especially if it used to be a usual part of your life it could make you feel just a bit more “normal” for the day. Or at least help you remember what that felt like.
National Impaired Driving Prevention Month: This month is here to remind us not to get behind the wheel while under the influence of either alcohol or drugs (legal or illegal!). Most years holiday parties offer lots of temptation to drive after having a few (too many). But those holiday parties are probably in short supply this year. Of course, alcohol & other drugs are not. So no matter where you indulged, make sure you have a sober driver to get you safely back home.
And remember Operation Santa Paws is still going on. If you’d like to help shelter pets have a brighter holiday, consider helping out.
Weekly Celebrations for 12/7 to 12/13
This week is all about education! From actual education in computer science to understanding the importance of handwashing (you do already know this, right?) and keeping older drivers safe, there’s plenty for us all to learn.
National Handwashing Awareness Week (December 6 – 12, 2020): Well, if you’re not aware of handwashing by this point in 2020 you’ve probably been living under a rock! Just the same, it’s worth remembering (and reminding others) that we may be tired of this new virus and of washing our hands. But the virus doesn’t care. And handwashing is one of the best ways to avoid spreading many different illnesses. So wash up!
Older Driver Safety Awareness Week (December 7 – 11, 2020): As we age our senses and reflexes change. Sometimes those changes make it unsafe for older people to drive. Of course it’s never welcome news when it happens, but it is important to be aware it can and admit if it has. And also to find alternative ways to still be able to get out and about for both necessary trips (groceries, medical appointments, etc) and enjoyment. If you or a loved one is getting older, use this week to learn more.
Computer Science Education Week (December 7 – 13, 2020): This is the week to get students excited about computer science! This field is only going to keep growing, and it needs lots of dedicated and enthusiastic advocates. Is that you?
Celebration Days coming up for Dec. 7 thru Dec. 13
Human rights, animals rights, and anti-corruption all make an appearance this week. But we hope you agree these things deserve attention all year long!
On a happier & funner (is that a word?!) note we also get to imagine ourselves as time travelers, talk to old friends, and make new friends (as long as they’re pathologists!).
Of course you’ll also find deliciousness to celebrate each day. Yes, it does indeed have all the makings of yet another fun-tastic week!
December 7:
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: It was on December 7, 1941 when Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, killing both service members and civilians. And ending the US reluctance to enter World War II. So every year we honor the survivors and the memory of the 2403 lives lost that day. This year the official ceremony at Pearl Harbor will be closed to the public, but it will be live streamed, so consider joining the event virtually.
International Civil Aviation Day: On this day we raise awareness of the important role civil aviation plays in the world. Between tourism & international trade (and all the jobs those things create), civil aviation impacts us all in ways we may not even realize.
National Cotton Candy Day: You might associate cotton candy most closely with summertime carnivals & fairs. But cotton candy is magical any time of year. Yes, magical, because how else would you describe turning sugar into something so beautiful, light & airy? Find yourself some cotton candy to enjoy & be nostalgic about to celebrate the day.
December 8:
Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day: This is the day to be creative and pretend to have arrived in 2020 from either the past or the future. Although we suspect nobody from the future would choose to travel back to 2020! Assuming they learned their history anyway … At any rate, choose some appropriate clothes and then act confused by our technology (or lack of technology).
Toilet Paper Appreciation Day: Celebrate the day Joseph Gayetty, the inventor of the first commercial toilet paper, first advertised his “anti-hemorrhoid medical product”. It was not, however, the first splinter-free toilet paper. That would take almost 80 more years to appear! 😯
National Brownie Day: Mmmmm … brownies. Is there a better treat for your Tuesday evening? No! No, there is not. Unless it’s homemade brownies of course. So if you have the time, bake a batch of lusciously chewy & fudgy brownies.
December 9:
Weary Willie Day: Celebrate the sad clown made popular during the Great Depression by Emmett Kelly. Before Willie clowns were mostly happy. And at first Willie had plenty of reason to be sad: circuses didn’t want him! But the sad people in the Depression identified with him, and he went on to become an American icon. Today we celebrate him on the birthday of his creator.
National Techno Day: Skip the Christmas music for this day and enjoy some Techno instead! No, not any ol’ EDM. Specifically Techno, born in 1980s Detroit. Not sure what that is? Learn here.
International Anti-Corruption Day: Corruption exists everywhere. But it’s the enemy of democracy and economic growth. And while rooting out corruption is important every year, it’s even more important this year when economies everywhere have taken serious hits due to the pandemic. Help spread the word about this day and the anti-corruption efforts of this global campaign.
National Pastry Day: Holiday tables pretty much demand pastries of all kinds. So if you haven’t started your holiday baking, this is the perfect day to do that! Make some of your favorite pastries or try a new recipe you find interesting. Either way your home will smell amazing, and you’ll have something yummy as a reward for your hard work.
December 10:
Human Rights Day: This day celebrates the rights all humans are entitled to, as laid out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These rights include equality, education, freedom from discrimination and torture, and others. The United National General Assembly adopted the UDHR on December 10, 1948. This year’s theme—Recover Better – Stand Up for Human Rights—asks us to commit to emerging from this pandemic better than we were before it.
International Animal Rights Day: Humans aren’t the only sentient beings on this planet. Nor are we the only ones deserving of basic rights. Animals deserve to live their best lives free from human-caused pain and abuse. And what better day to raise awareness of their rights than on the day we celebrate our own rights?
Nobel Prize Day: On the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death we celebrate the prizes he established in his will. And, more importantly for each year’s winners, the Swedish King officially awards (most of) them their prizes in Stockholm (the Peace Prize ceremony is in Oslo, Norway). But of course, this tradition is also upended this year. The Laureates will get their prizes in their home countries earlier in the week, with a ceremonial tribute in Stockhom on the 10th. Much of the week’s programming will be streamed live and/or available for viewing later.
Dewey Decimal System Day: Celebrate the birthday of the man who invented the library classification that bears his name, Melvil Dewey. If you don’t already know how this system is organized, take some time to learn about it. Then head over to your local library (if it’s open), and use it!
National Lager Day: Raise a frosty mug of beer in a toast to human rights, animals rights, Nobel laureates, and Melvil Dewey. But make sure that beer is a lager to ensure you’re celebrating appropriately!
December 11:
Official Lost and Found Day: This day emerged from an elementary school with a problem no doubt shared by many other schools. And probably any place with a lost & found! That is, most people seemed not to bother looking for the things they lost. So the lost & found box (closet/room/wherever!) would soon be full to overflowing. So this day is your reminder to go looking for those things you’ve lost.
National App Day: On this day we celebrate those little programs that make life on the go so much simpler. Celebrate by using some apps! As if you weren’t going to do that anyway. 😉 Or maybe find & download some new apps.
National Sobriety Day: If you’ve taken the steps to control your addiction, or if you know someone who has, celebrate the victory. Yes, you’re still taking it one day at a time, but you deserve the recognition for your hard work to get to today.
National Salesperson Day: The holiday shopping season is a great time for celebrating salespeople. And also for a reminder that they’re doing their best to keep the shelves stocked and help you find just what you need. It’s not an easy job! (Even if it may look easy). Especially this year. So make it a point to thank the salesperson who helps you for this day. And any day.
National Noodle Ring Day: Why do we have a day for celebrating round noodles? Well, spaghetti has a day (January 4), so why shouldn’t anelli? Although actually, it’s much more likely this day celebrates any shape of noodle that’s mixed with things like veggies, cheese, eggs, etc. and then baked into a ring shape. So why not make a noodle ring for dinner? It’s quick, simple, and delicious.
December 12:
National Ding-a-Ling Day: This day is apparently named for the sound a telephone makes (or used to make, before you could choose your ringtone!). That’s appropriate because it’s all about calling & connecting with people you don’t speak with often or haven’t spoken to in a long time. It began with an ad in a newspaper in 1975!
International Shareware Day: Celebrate the software you can use for free but the coders who developed it hope you’ll like it enough to pay for it (and often unlock additional features). Most people don’t, but if you’re using some shareware you really like but haven’t paid for, consider making a payment in honor of the day.
National Poinsettia Day: Decorate your home with this traditional Christmas plant. The tradition is longer in Mexico, where it began in the 16th century. The plant didn’t arrive in the US until 1825. And it was another century before it became popular here. And if you have pets, remember to put it where they’re not likely to get at it.
Gingerbread House Day: It’s time to make some sweet & spicy gingerbread! Then make yourself some gingerbread people. And a house for them to live in! 😁 Actually, you can skip the people if you’d like, since the day is just about the house. Here’s a simple & detailed recipe for your gingerbread house. Or you could buy a gingerbread house kit if you just want to get right to the decorating part.
National Ambrosia Day: Make and devour your favorite ambrosia salad for the perfect sweet treat. Do you use it as a side with dinner or a dessert afterward? Either way, it’s delightful!
December 13:
National Day of the Horse: Horses have been important to the history and economy of the US. So every December 13 we honor these magnificent animals and all they have done for us & continue to do.
Pick a Pathologist Pal Day: Apparently having a pathologist or coroner as a friend provides your life with humor and a reminder that you’re not guaranteed a tomorrow. Tom & Ruth Roy of Wellcat suggest December 13 is a good day to find that pathologist (or coroner) pal.
National Violin Day: If you play (or ever played) the violin, this is the day to pick it up and draw your bow across its strings to … well, depending on your skill level either create beautiful music or strangle a cat. Or maybe listening to violin music would be a safer idea for some of us. But if you’ve always wanted to learn, this could be a good day to sign up for violin lessons too.
World Choral Day: Celebrate the 30th anniversary of this joyful worldwide event. Given the safety concerns this year, choirs have multiple choices for how to participate. Pick the one that works best for you! Not part of a choir? Download the sheet music to the day’s official song and sing along unofficially!
Worldwide Candle Lighting Memorial Service: Help create a wave of light across the globe in honor of those who have left us too young. Light a candle at 7 pm your local time and join the hundreds of thousands of people around the world doing the same (as 7 pm rolls around to them). Post a message to the event’s Memorial Wall too.
National Cocoa Day: After you’ve celebrated the horse, played or listened to the violin, sang, and lit a memorial candle you deserve to relax with your new pathologist pal and a mug of hot cocoa. So go do that!
