on 03-12-2018 11:02
Hi everyone,
As Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights has just begun, I thought it would be interesting to find out which holidays you celebrate or have celebrated with your friends and family in the past.
Although December is largely known for Christmas around the world, it's actually a month of many many celebrations: St. Nicholas Day when children wait for their shoe to be filled with surprises, the African Kwanzaa based on ancient harvest festivals, and many more such as the Swedish celebration of St. Lucia Day, the Japanese Omisoka, Bodhi Day, Pancha Ganapati, etc.
Are there anyone here who might celebrate more than one e.g. both Hanukkah and Christmas? Any celebrations linked to your country or cultural heritage that you'd like to share with us? We're curious to hear about what December means to you, so let us know in the comments.
on 03-12-2018 11:06
on 03-12-2018 11:58
on 03-12-2018 11:58
As I live on the border of the netherlands, we celebrate Nikolaus/Sinterklaas here too (the dutch celebrate Sinterklaas more as xmas - at least it was like that, but it seems changing)... But we celebrate it really small.
For us Heiligabend (24th) is the most important day.
Hhag Hanukkah Sameahh... ^^
on 03-12-2018 13:07
on 03-12-2018 13:07
I celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas as I have Jewish and Christian friends, not to mention some Muslim friends, who celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah with us; confused yet
Funnily enough, the friends I'm staying with over Christmas and New Year are Jewish but celebrate Christmas as well as Hanukkah. So they will have a Christmas tree but also light the candles on the Menorah for each night of Hanukkah. Confused, you will be
Thank you @ComaChameleon for the Hanukkah wishes.
on 03-12-2018 19:56
on 03-12-2018 19:56
Traditional Christmas and Boxing Days for us. Not so fussed about the New Year, hate it when its a working day on the 2nd January
on 04-12-2018 00:11
on 04-12-2018 00:11
In Thailand, as well as Christmas Day & Boxing day, which are acknowledged for non-Buddhist cultures, December 5th is a National Holiday granted to the people by King Bhumibol each year on his birthday. It also marks Father's Day and is always on the old King's birthday.
There has been no mention of changing it to King Vajiralongkorn's birthday. Whilst the Thai people are extremely Royalist, the new King will never have the same worship as afforded to his father. So revered was he that it will forever be a National Holiday.
Constitution Day is held December 10th this year, again a public holiday observed by parades and fireworks which is to celebrate the lineage of the Monarchy.
The only problem that Western people have with the many Thai public holidays (many religious holidays throughout the year) is that all bars are closed and enforced by the military, though many a blind eye can be turned with a brown envelope to the local enforcers.
But the Christmas and New Year celebrations begin early and don't end until you've had enough!
on 10-12-2018 09:26
on 10-12-2018 09:26
Just christmas day these days. We do occassionally have a family get together for boxing day, but we've started getting together for christmas dinner the last few years. Not the same excitement now our son has grown up