Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
"Wisdom comes with winters." — Oscar Wilde
Frosty the Snowman
"There’s a certain magic that comes with the very first snow. For when the first snow is also a Christmas snow, well, something wonderful is bound to happen."
December Fast Facts
Famous December Birthdays:
- Walt Disney: December 5, 1901
- Emily Dickinson: December 10, 1830
- Frank Sinatra: December 12, 1915
- Dick Van Dyke: December 13, 1925
- Beethoven: December 16, 1770
- Jane Austen: December 16, 1775
The Wright Brothers made the first successful flight with their powered aircraft on December 17, 1903. They flew over the dunes of Kitty Hawk in North Carolina for 12 seconds. This achievement meant that Wilbur and Orville Wright were the first to fly a heavier-than-air machine. It could take off and stay in the air using its own power.
Apollo 8 launched from Cape Canaveral on December 21st, 1968. It was the first human mission to the moon. The crew orbited the moon ten times before landing in the Pacific Ocean on December 27th. Pictures taken on this mission became essential to the successful moon landing in July of the following year.
Retailers sell approximately 25-30 million Christmas trees across the USA each December. People bring the trees into their homes and decorate them for Christmas celebrations.
This long-standing tradition, as we know it today, first became popular in Germany in the 16th century.
The Top 10 Facts about December
1. An almanac prediction states that if snow falls on Christmas Day, Easter will be warm, green and sunny.
2. The name December comes from the Latin decem for “ten”, as it was the 10th month in the Roman Calendar.
3. 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.
4. Saint Nickolas, who would eventually be called Santa Claus, was originally the patron saint of children, thieves and pawnbrokers!
5. The first artificial Christmas tree was made in Germany, fashioned out of goose feathers that are dyed green!
6. Spiders and spider webs are considered good luck on Christmas.
7. 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.
8. “Jingle bells” was composed in 1857, and not for Christmas – it was meant to be a Thanksgiving song!
9. In 1647 Oliver Cromwell, English Puritan leader, banned the festivities of Christmas for being seen as immoral on such a holy day. Anyone who was seen celebrating was arrested! The ban was lifted in 1660.
10. An ancient legend states that forest animals can speak in human language on Christmas Eve!
December Observances
Safe Toys & Gifts Month
Worldwide Food Service Safety Month
Worldwide Food Service Safety Month
During December, participate in Safe Toys and Gifts Month. Since December is the biggest gift-giving month in the world, it's important to keep safety in mind as you're shopping for the little ones in your life.
Worldwide Food Service Safety Month
Worldwide Food Service Safety Month
Worldwide Food Service Safety Month
Worldwide Food Service Safety Month is an annual designation observed in December. The goals of this month are to focus on keeping food safe as it's prepared in the service industry, as well as reminding us to be safe and cook properly when we are making our own food at home.
National Pear Month
Worldwide Food Service Safety Month
Operation Santa Paws
All December long, National Pear Month recognizes the flavor and versatility of this delicious fruit.
Whether they are enjoyed fresh off the tree or as a preserve, pears add significant nutritional benefits to any diet. In the United States, there are ten varieties of pears. They range in color, texture, and sweetness making them useful for a wide range of dishes.
Operation Santa Paws
Worldwide Food Service Safety Month
Operation Santa Paws
Operation Santa Paws encourages animal lovers to share the gift of giving at shelters everywhere from December 1st to December 24th. Let's show a little extra love to our furry friends whom we love with all our hearts. The campaign goal of Operation Santa Paws is to stock the shelters with much-needed supplies. Our four-legged friends need to feel loved during the holidays just like we do!