Religion
A non-theistic religion and philosophy, originating in India 2,500 years ago with Siddhartha Gautama, focused on personal spiritual development to achieve enlightenment (nirvana) and end the cycle of suffering (samsara) through wisdom, ethics, and meditation, following teachings like the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
Buddhism
Lunar New Year - a vibrant, red-filled festival of family reunions, feasts, and traditions, featuring dragon/lion dances, fireworks, red lanterns, paper cuttings, red envelopes (hongbao), and special foods like dumplings to symbolize luck, with celebrations lasting 15 days and ending with the Lantern Festival. Late January or early February.
China
A Christmas dessert popular in Denmark consisting of rice pudding topped with cherry sauce with a hidden almond inside. The family member who finds the almond gets a prize or extra present.
Risalamande
An annual festival at which Christians celebrate the birth of Christ, held on December 25 in the Western Church.
Christmas
A monotheistic Abrahamic religion, meaning it worships one God (called Allah in Arabic) and shares roots with Judaism and Christianity, centered on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad as revealed in the Quran.
Islam
St. Lucia Day - a beautiful winter festival of light, featuring processions with girls in white gowns and candle wreaths, boys as "star boys," and lots of singing, bringing saffron buns (lussekatter) and coffee/mulled wine (glögg) to banish winter darkness and welcome the coming light, combining pagan traditions with Christian themes of hope. December 13th
Scandinavian regions including Sweden, Norway, & Denmark
Today (December 17th), is what national food holiday in the United States?
Maple Syrup
Jewish festival, lasting eight days from the 25th day of Kislev (in December) and commemorating the rededication of the Temple in 165 BC by the Maccabees after its desecration by the Syrians. It is marked by the successive kindling of eight lights.
Hanukkah
A monotheistic religion, centered on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, whom followers believe to be the Son of God and the Messiah sent to redeem humanity.
Christianity
Diwali - a dazzling spectacle of lights, colors, and joy, with homes and streets illuminated by diyas (oil lamps), candles, and lanterns, signifying the victory of light over darkness. Late October or early November.
India
A holiday drink consisting of eggs beaten with sugar, milk or cream, and often alcoholic liquor.
Egg Nog
A secular festival observed by many African Americans from December 26 to January 1 as a celebration of their cultural heritage and traditional values.
Kwanzaa
A monotheistic religion and culture, centered on the belief in one indivisible God, a way of life guided by the Torah (first five books of the Hebrew Bible) and rabbinic traditions, emphasizing actions, ethics, and a shared history with practices like weekly Sabbath observance, kosher dietary laws, and major holidays like Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Judaism
Los Prados commemorates the biblical journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem as they searched for a place to stay before the birth of Jesus. December 16 to December 24. The nine days symbolize the nine months of Mary's pregnancy or the nine days of travel.
Mexico
A barley mash with nuts and fruit for soldiers, evolving in the Middle Ages with honey, spices, and imported dried fruits.
Fruit Cake
A Buddhist holiday celebrating Siddhartha Gautama's enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree, marking when he became the Buddha by understanding the nature of suffering and achieving awakening. Often on December 8th (Japan) or in January (other East Asian countries).
Bodhi Day
A diverse family of Indian religions and spiritual traditions, often called Sanātana Dharma (eternal law), known for its concepts of karma, reincarnation (samsara), and the ultimate goal of liberation (moksha) from the cycle of rebirth, all leading to oneness with the supreme reality, Brahman.
Hinduism
Krampus centered around Krampusnacht on December 5th, involve festive, yet scary, parades (Krampusläufe) where people dress as horned, devilish figures to scare naughty children, contrasting with St. Nicholas's rewards, and feature bonfires, costumes, and community fun.
Astria
A type of savory Ashkenazi Jewish potato pancake traditionally eaten during the holiday of Hanukkah.
Latkes
A modern, five-day Hindu winter festival, observed from December 21-25, centered on Lord Ganesha, the deity of arts, culture, and new beginnings, offering a Hindu parallel to Christmas with home-based worship, family gatherings, gift exchanges, and daily themed decorations.
Pancha Ganapati