December ‘national days’ add variety to holiday season

ALBANY — With December now here, thoughts about the holidays arise by way of decorations, scented candles and “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” over the grocery store speakers. Yes, the most magical time of year is upon us. But it’s not just about the two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree. December has 31 fun-filled days just waiting to bring out your creative side.

Food and snack lovers with a sweet tooth can start the month off with National Pie Day and keep the theme going with National Cookie Day, Cotton Candy Day, National Brownie Day, National Cupcake Day and many others. There are days to look back on history such as Rosa Parks Day, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day or days to celebrate literature such as Phileas Fogg Win a Wager Day, which is a nod to “Around the World in 80 Days,” or Dewey Decimal System Day.

Whether it’s pretending to be a ninja or refusing to acknowledge that Barney the Dinosaur exists, December has something unique and head-turning for everybody.

A list of everything December has to offer includes:

Dec. 1

— National Pie Day;

— National Eat a Red Apple Day;

— Bifocals at the Monitor Liberation Day;

— Day With(out) Art Day;

— Rosa Parks Day.

Dec. 2

— National Fritters Day;

— National Mutt Day;

— Special Education Day;

— Beginning of Hanukkah at sunset.

Dec. 3

— National Roof Over Your Head Day.

Dec. 4

— National Sock Day;

— National Dice Day;

— National Cookie Day;

— World Trick Shot Day.

Dec. 5

— National Sacher Torte Day;

— Bathtub Part Day;

— International Ninja Day.

Dec. 6

— National Pawnbrokers Day;

— National Microwave Oven Day;

— National Gazpacho Day;

— St. Nicholas Day;

— Miners’ Day.

Dec. 7

— National Illinois Day;

— National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day;

— National Cotton Candy Day;

— Faux Fur Friday.

Dec. 8

— National Brownie Day;

— Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day;

— National Rhubarb Vodka Day;

— Skywarn Recognition Day.

Dec. 9

— National Pastry Day;

— Weary Willie Day.

Dec. 10

— Dewey Decimal System Day;

— Human Rights Day;

— Nobel Prize Day.

Dec. 11

— National App Day;

— National Noodle Ring Day.

Dec. 12

— National Ambrosia Day;

— National Ding-a-Ling Day;

— Gingerbread House Day;

— Poinsettia Day.

Dec. 13

— National Guard Birthday;

— National Cocoa Day;

— National Violin Day;

— National Day of the Horse;

— Pick a Pathologist Pal Day.

Dec. 14

— National Alabama Day;

— National Bouillabaisse Day;

— National Salesperson Day.

Dec. 15

— National Wear Your Pearls Day;

— National Cupcake Day;

— National Lemon Cupcake Day;

— Bill of Rights Day;

— Cat Herders Day;

— National Wreaths Across America Day;

— Free Shipping Day.

Dec. 16

— National Chocolate Covered Anything Day;

— Barbie and Barney Backlash Day;

— National Maple Syrup Day;

— Wright Brothers Day.

Dec. 17

— National Roast Suckling Pig Day;

— Answer the Telephone Like Buddy the Elf Day.

Dec. 19

— National Hard Candy Day;

— National Oatmeal Muffin Day.

Dec. 20

— National Sangria Day;

— Mudd Day;

— National Re-Gifting Day.

Dec. 21

— National Maine Day;

— Anne and Samantha Day;

— National French Fried Shrimp Day;

— Crossword Puzzle Day;

— Humbug Day;

— Phileas Fogg Win a Wager Day;

— Winter Solstice;

— National Flashlight Day;

— Yule;

— National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day;

— Underdog Day.

Dec. 22

— National Date Nut Bread Day;

— Forefathers Day;

— National Pfeffernusse Day;

— National Roots Day;

— Festivus (for the rest of us).

Dec. 24

— National Eggnog Day;

— Christmas Eve;

Dec. 25

— National Pumpkin Pie Day;

— A’Phabet Day or No “L” Day;

— Christmas.

Dec. 26

— National Candy Cane Day;

— National Thank You Note Day;

— National Whiner’s Day;

— Kwanzaa begins.

Dec. 27

— National Fruitcake Day;

Dec. 28

— National Chocolate Candy Day;

— National Card Playing Day;

— Holy Innocents Day;

— Pledge of Allegiance Day.

Dec. 29

— National Pepper Pot Day;

— Tick Tock Day.

Dec. 30

— National Bicarbonate of Soda Day;

— Falling Needles Family Fest Day;

— Bacon Day.

Dec. 31

— National Champagne Day;

— Make Up Your Mind Day;

— New Years Eve;

— No Interruptions Day;

— Universal Hour of Peace.

Peter Kaminski