1st December – World AIDS Day
A day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV, and providing education about prevention and treatments.
Activities: Hold a fundraising activity to raise money and awareness. Learn about AIDS around the world.
Winter Solstice
The winter solstice is the time when Pagans celebrate Yule; the rebirth of the sun, and the beginning of Winter. It is the longest night and shortest day of the year with less than 12 hours of daylight. It occurs every year around the 20th December and is a time to spend with friends and family, exchange gifts and honour the sun. Homes are decorated with red, green and white decorations. The holiday is typically celebrated at Stonehenge and visitors watch the sun rise to see how it casts a line that directly connects the major stones.
Activities: Find out why the date changes day each year. Make a wreath with evergreen or holly.
Take it further: Visit Stonehenge or another druid site local to you. If you can’t visit one, how about bringing Stonehenge to you? Make a scale model, or your own version using anything from biscuits, to cardboard boxes, to the girls in your group. Shine a torch to represent the sun, and see if you can line up your principal stones.
Christmas Eve / Christmas Day / Boxing Day
Christmas is the biggest celebration in the UK, celebrating the birth of Jesus.
Activities: Find your favourite Christmas craft; make a tree or table decoration, Christmas cards or festive sweets. Find out why it is called Boxing Day, learn about a Victorian Christmas.
Take it further: Christmas Dinner, letters to Santa and swapping of gifts. Why not have a Christmas party, or visit your local care home or hospice to sing carols. Visit a local grotto, or somewhere like a National Trust property which is running late night events.
Late November to late December - Hanukkah
Hanukkah, or the "Festival of Light," is celebrated by Jews all over the world, to commemorate the taking back of the Temple of Jerusalem from the Romans over two thousand years ago.
Activities: Find out about Hanukkah, do some Hanukkah crafts.
Take it further: Try Latkes (fried potato pancakes) Invite someone from a local Jewish community to talk about the celebration, sing songs and play a game with a "dreidl," or spinning top with four flat sides.
26th December – Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is a non-religious African-American celebration that was established in 1966, based on various African harvest celebrations. It begins on December 26 and continues for 7 days
Activities: Find out more about the celebration and do some crafts, or try some food.
31st December - New Years Eve / Hogmany
New Years Eve is celebrated around the world.
Activities: Make firework pictures or hold a New Years Eve party with fizz, snacks and a countdown. Find out what time (in GMT) other countries celebrate New Years Eve, and know why they are at different times to us. Sing Old Lang Syne whilst holding hands with your friends.
Take it further: Have a New Years Eve party in the morning of the 31st and watch the celebrations at midday from New Zealand and Australia.
More ideas for December
Cold weather, ice and snow, skating or skiing
