What is unique about December? The month of December brings the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. This is the shortest day of the year (the day with the least amount of daylight). In 2023, the solstice occurs on Thursday, December 21.This December Fun Facts month is full of all kinds of holiday season fun, and a whole lot of HAPPY. Learn with us all about December with these fun facts and we have some added crafts and printables that will make you love this 12th month as much as we do! The month of December is fun and a HAPPY month! Some of the stats about this month include: What Month is December? December is the (12th month) last month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (12-month calendar). How Many Days are In December? There are 31 days in the month of December While the current calendar has December as the twelfth month of the year and final month of the year, that wasn’t always the case. December was the tenth month of the year based on the early Roman calendar (Julian Calendar). January and February didn’t exist at the beginning of the year. December is known around the world as a family time of celebration honoring cultures, religions and traditions that have been with humanity for hundreds of years. See below for a mix of the weird and wonderful facts about this magical month! DECEMBER SYMBOLS Each month of the year has a few different symbols within the month. There are birthstones associated with each month, as well as a monthly flower and astrological signs. These are all based on the month you were born. These are for the people’s December Birthdays – December Babies! December’s Birthstones – Turquoise. Many people consider it a symbol of good fortune and success. December’s Birth Flower – Narcissus and Holly Astrology Zodiac Signs of December – Sagittarius, and Capricorn Sagittarius – November 23rd – December 21st Capricorn – December 22nd – January 19th National Christmas Lights Day – December 1st International Day for the Abolition of Slavery – December 2nd National Santa’s List Day – December 4th National Cookie Day – December 4th Walt Disney’s Birthday – December 5th International Ninja Day -December 5th St. Nicholas Day – December 6th Pearl Harbor Day – December 7th National Brownie Day – December 8th National Llama Day – December 9th Christmas Card Day – December 9th Gingerbread House Day – December 12th Poinsettia Day – December 12th National Violin Day – December 13th National Horse Day – December 13th 1. An almanac prediction states that if snow falls on Christmas Day, Easter will be warm, green and sunny. 2. The name December comes from the Latin decem for “ten”, as it was the 10th month in the Roman Calendar. 3. 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. 4. December 12th is Poinsettia Day. 5. Saint Nickolas, who would eventually be called Santa Claus, was originally the patron saint of children, thieves and pawnbrokers! During the Roman calendar, December was the 10th month of the calendar. December got its name from the Latin word Decem, meaning ten. Many consider December 28th the unluckiest day of the year. The winter solstice happens in December in the northern hemisphere, which is the shortest day of the year. This means the Summer solstice is the same day in the southern hemisphere. On that day there are 24 hour This is a very westernized version of Christmas, but December sure looks different around the world! 6. December 28th is considered by some to be the unluckiest day of the year. 7. The first artificial Christmas tree was made in Germany, fashioned out of goose feathers that are dyed green! 8. Spiders and spider webs are considered good luck on Christmas. 9. 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. 10. “Jingle bells” was composed in 1857, and not for Christmas – it was meant to be a Thanksgiving song! 11. In 1647 Oliver Cromwell, English Puritan leader, banned the festivities of Christmas for being seen as immoral on such a holy day. Anyone who was seen celebrating was arrested! The ban was lifted in 1660. 12. An ancient legend states that forest animals can speak in human language on Christmas Eve!