Whether you’re a holiday season fanatic who wants even more to celebrate, or a Scrooge with a burning desire to buck tradition, we’ve got plenty of unconventional observances to put on your calendar.
1. DECEMBER 2: NATIONAL SALESPERSON’S DAY
Let’s face it: If you want to look like the woman above come December 25, you’re going to need some help. Give a tip of the (Santa) hat on this day to the many salespeople who make your gift-giving look easy.
2. DECEMBER 5: BATHTUB PARTY DAY
There’s a lot to be done between now and the end of the year. Take a minute to breathe, relax, and take in a soak.
3. DECEMBER 10: GINGERBREAD DECORATING DAY
If you’re anything like us, your cookies won’t look like these perfectly-piped confections. Thankfully, it doesn’t matter.
4. DECEMBER 12: POINSETTIA DAY
This day doesn’t just celebrate the festive flower—it also marks the death of its namesake, Joel Roberts Poinsett. The botanist (and first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico) brought clippings of Euphorbia pulcherrima back to the States from southern Mexico, and grew the plant at his South Carolina home.
5. DECEMBER 15: CAT HERDERS DAY
You’re probably a cat herder yourself from time to time. This day is for you.
6. DECEMBER 17: WRIGHT BROTHERS DAY
This day marks the 114th anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ historic first flight.
7. DECEMBER 21: CELEBRATE SHORT FICTION DAY
You don’t have to curl up by the fire with festive socks and your beverage of choice when you take some time out to read a short story on this day, but … why wouldn’t you?
8. DECEMBER 21: FOREFATHERS’ DAY
The Mayflower Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock on this day in 1620.
9. DECEMBER 21: HUMBUG DAY
Get out all your bahs and scowls and growls now—no one will tolerate them come Christmas.
10. DECEMBER 21: PHILEAS FOGG WIN A WAGER DAY
In Jules Verne’s 1873 classic novel Around the World in 80 Days, Phileas Fogg bets that he can travel the entire globe, between 8:45 p.m. on October 2, and 8:45 p.m. on December 21. Keep an eye out for him on this day.
11. DECEMBER 25: A’PHABET DAY
A pun on “noel,” this offbeat ce’ebration is designed to high’ight the arbitrary nature of many of the year’s si”ier ho’idays. Whi’e you’re unwrapping presents and eating your Christmas feast, ‘eave a” the “L”s out of written and spoken communication for a festive activity that wi” sure’y infuriate your ‘oved ones.
12. DECEMBER 29: TICK TOCK DAY
In case you needed another reminder of the inevitable passage of time and/or an occasion to reevaluate how those 2016 resolutions are going!
13. DECEMBER 30: NO INTERRUPTIONS DAY
Things are probably pretty quiet in the days leading up to 2017. Why not take this opportunity to disconnect and get some things done (or nothing at all).
14. DECEMBER 31: MAKE UP YOUR MIND DAY
A day for all the indecisive people out there. This New Year’s Eve, pick a (figurative or literal!) door and walk through it! See y’all on the other side in 2017.
Holidays found in Chase’s Calendar of Events 2016. All photos courtesy of iStock unless otherwise noted.
December 1, 2016 – 12:00am