Special Days in December

December Recognition Dates:

7	Pearl Harbor Remembrance
14–20	Tell Someone They Are "Doing A Good Job” Week
22	Hanukkah
25	Christmas
26	Kwanzaa

Hanukkah

Hanukkah begins every year on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of “Kislev.” This year it falls on the evening of Sunday, December 21. There are four traditions that mark the holiday: gelt, latkes, dreidels, and hanukiya. Gelt means “money,” and any form of money is appropriate for gift giving at Hanukkah. Latkes are potato pancakes and are always an important part of any social event. Dreidel means “top” and is used for a game. The hanukiya has eight candles on one level, and one candle separated from the others. The extra candle is used only to light the other candles. On the first night, two candles are lit. Each successive night, a new candle is added, right to left, and the newest candle is always lit first. The candles should be lit so as to burn at least an hour after sundown. 

“Colorful candles burning bright, each lit on eight very special nights"

Christmas Year-Round Joy Christmas is full of shiny things That sparkle, gleam and glow; These holiday pleasures dazzle us, And yet, deep down, we know... That Christmas has its special gifts, But our year-round joy depends On the cherished people in our lives, Our family and our friends. --By Joanna Fuchs

Kwanzaa