Sunday, December 23, 2012

Fun Facts about December


December Observances & Fun Facts
 

 
~December 2012 is observed as:
 Universal Human Rights Month and Safe Toys and Gifts Month.
 

 
 
 
~Birthstone:
Turquoise & Blue Topaz
 
 
~The first artificial Christmas tree was made in Germany, fashioned out of goose feathers that are dyed green!
 
 
~December 28th is considered by some to be the unluckiest day of the year.
 
 
 

~Fruit & Veges for the Month of December:
Comice Pears
 Kumquats
 Sapote
 Pepino melon
 Cherimoya
 Ugli fruits
 Parsnip
 Beets
 Turnips
 Rutabaga
 Celery Root / Celeriac
 Horseradish
 
 
~An almanac prediction states that if snow falls on Christmas Day, Easter will be warm, green and sunny.
 
 
~Spiders and spider webs are considered good luck on Christmas.
 
 

~December Flower:
Narcissus & Holly
 

 
 
 
 
 
 ~Astrological Signs:
Sagittarius (till 21th) & Capricorn (22nd→)
 
 

 
~Other Notable December Dates & Events:
Dec 21-Last Day of the Mayan Calendar
 Dec 26-Jan 1 Kwanzaa
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
~The name December comes from the Latin decem for “ten”, as it was the 10th month in the Roman Calendar.
 
 
~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.
 
 
 
 
~December 12th is Poinsettia Day.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
~Saint Nickolas, who would eventually be called Santa Claus, was originally the patron saint of children, thieves and pawnbrokers!
 
 



~“Jingle bells” was composed in 1857, and not for Christmas – it was meant to be a Thanksgiving song!
 
 

 
~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.