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Two holidays fall on December 26th: Kwanzaa, the week-long celebration of African culture, started in America in 1966. Boxing Day is celebrated in Great Britain and some Commonwealth countries; the US, being that most schools are closed that day, celebrate it with shopping and more Christmas cheer. The name Kwanzaa comes from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, which means "first fruits". Kwanzaa celebrations include lighting the kinara, a candleholder with seven candles, one black, three red, and three green, singing, dancing, playing African drums, storytelling, and reading poetry, a large traditional meal, called Karamu, usually on the sixth day and a day of reflection and recommitment. It is largely a private celebration observed by individuals, families and local communities. In the past, Boxing Day was a holiday on which servants, tradespeople, and the poor traditionally were presented with gifts. The lords and aristocrats would give their servants "Christmas boxes" filled with leftovers and small gifts after the parties, leading to the name "Boxing Day." Employers still give service workers bonuses around the holidays, and people who work on Christmas will have their own version of a Boxing Day dinner with friends and family.

Today is both Christmas and the beginning of Hanukkah. Christmas, celebrating the birth of Christ, and Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, align on the same day an average of five times a century. The last time they aligned this way was in 2005. Since 1900, the first night of Hanukkah has fallen on December 25 five times: 1910, 1921, 1959, 2005, and now 2024. The first night of Hanukkah, which begins on the 25th day of the Jewish month Kislev, changes year to year because the Jewish calendar relies on a lunar calendar, based on how long it takes the moon to go around the sun. Chrismukkah is a pop-culture portmanteau (a word blending the sounds and combining the meanings of two others) referring to the merging of the holidays of Christianity's Christmas and Judaism's Hanukkah (I made up Hanumas). The term was popularized beginning in December 2003 by the TV drama The O.C.

Yule is a 12-day winter celebration, starting on the Winter Solstice (although the start date/time of this event may vary) time of darkness turning into light, embodying themes of renewal and hope. The 12 days are split into four celebrations of three days each, celebrating the three ages of the goddess (maid, mother, crone) and the rebirth of the god. It's a time of reviewing the past, planning for the future, and celebrating life in the cold and darkness. The colors of Yule are white, symbolizing snow and purity; red for energy; green for renewal; blue for the crisp winter sky, reflecting serenity and introspection; gold and silver, bringing in the bling and celebrating the return of the sun. The scents of Yule are pine, bringing in the crisp, clean scent of evergreen forests into the home; peppermint that Invigorates and refreshes, like a brisk winter breeze; myrrh, which encourages reflection and spiritual connection; cedar, which is grounding and comforting; cinnamon and clove, the warm feeling of family and love. The symbols of the holiday include the Yule log, bringing light, warmth to the longest night of the year; the evergreen wreath, represents eternal life and the enduring spirit; snowflakes, symbolizing the beauty of individuality and change; candles, whose light is a tribute to the sun’s return after the longest night and the Wheel of the Year, a reminder that everything keeps rolling. Yule plants include holly, symbolizing protection and the enduring life force; mistletoe, representing peace, love, and the continuation of life; ivy, a sign of resilience and clinging to life and light in the darkest times, poinsettia: The bright red color of the Poinsettia’s bracts is reminiscent of the sun, a key symbol of the Winter Solstice. Yule customs are replete with delicious, hearty foods. Traditional fare includes Yule ham, gingerbread, mulled wine, roast goose, and spiced cakes, biscuits, and, of course, the Yule log cake.

Saturnalia is a beloved ancient Roman festival, which starts right before the winter solstice, on December 17th. It's a time of unlicensed celebration, a golden age without morality and rules. It praises life, and the mysteries surrounding the sun’s disappearance from our lives. It promotes role reversals, free speech, and libationary merriment of Dionysian proportions involving drinking, swearing and gambling, with banquets and food sacrificed to deities. In ancient times, households would appoint a mock king or “Lord of Misrule” to reign over everyone and give silly orders like telling someone to shout embarrassing insults, dance naked, or chase others around the house. Along with drinking, feasting, and gambling, exchanging gifts was a popular Saturnalia tradition, set up similar to a white elephant exchange. You keep the gift you have drawn, for better or worse. Some gifts included: fattened pigs, incense, turtledoves, glass cups, ivory knucklebones (a precursor to modern day dice), lamps, clay statuettes, and gold rings. During the dark days around the solstice, candles are reminders of the return of the sun after winter. During Saturnalia, wax candles are placed as offerings on household altars to Saturn, especially during the final days of the festival.

People in Mexico and in the United States celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12. Mary is the Patron Saint of Mexico and Patroness of the Americas. According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, a man of Aztec descent who had converted to Christianity, on December 9, 1531. She asked Juan Diego to build a shrine on the spot where she had appeared, Tepeyac Hill, now in a suburb of Mexico City. Although a little confusing, the Virgin Mary refers to Mary, the mother of Jesus while Our Lady of Guadalupe refers to the specific apparition of the Virgin Mary that Juan Diego experienced. The feast is celebrated with parades, prayers, masses, fireworks and Aztec dancing.

(While the feast, celebrated annually on Dec. 8, has always been a holy day of obligation, this year the feast is transferred to Monday, Dec. 9. This is because Dec. 8 is the Second Sunday of Advent.) The Immaculate Conception refers to the dogma that the Blessed Virgin Mary was conceived without any stain of Original Sin in preparation for becoming the Mother of God, the Son Jesus Christ. It is celebrated with Masses, parades, fireworks, processions, food and cultural festivities in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Catholic countries. Traditionally, the Feast is the day families dedicate to setting up the Christmas tree and Nativity scene. This magical moment is eagerly anticipated by both adults and children, who come together to decorate the tree with sparkling lights and handmade ornaments.

St. Nicholas Day, celebrated on December 6, honors the 4th-century bishop known for his generosity. Rooted in European tradition, children receive treats, while the naughty may get playful punishments. It is a time when children are given special cookies, candies, and gifts. In many places, children leave letters for St. Nicholas and carrots or grass for his donkey or horse.

Krampusnacht is celebrated every year on December 5, the night before the celebration of the Feast of St. Nicholas. It is a centuries-old European tradition that celebrates the arrival of Krampus, a horned, half-demon, half-goat figure who punishes children who misbehave. On this night, in countries like Austria, Germany, Hungary, and Slovenia, men would dress as Krampus and roam the streets, terrifying children with chains and bells. Children leave a boot outside their bedroom door. The next day, they'll find either a reward for being good, or a rod, which means they've been bad.

Advent is a season celebrated by most Christian denominations, where they count down the days until the birth of Christ on December 25th. This year, today is the first day and first Sunday of the season Many families have an Advent calendar (they come in all different styles) to help count down the days. Some families have calendars with doors that hide a little present for each day. There is also an Advent wreath used by some denominations, which counts down each week of Advent by lighting a candle each Sunday leading to the 25th. The colors of the candles vary depending on the local custom, but purple is the traditional color of Advent because it's the color of royalty and penance. It's a happy time of year focusing on themes like hope, peace, love, and joy.

Celebrated in honor of the goddess Hathor in the month of Hathor (November), this festival involved music, dancing, and offerings. It was particularly associated with music and dance performances by priestesses in the temples. Modern day Heathens incorporate practices that align with her attributes of love, beauty, music, dance, and feminine power, such as hosting a gathering with music and dance, engaging in self-care rituals like spa treatments, mani/pedi, make-overs, or massages, participating in workshops focused on self-love (whichever definition of that you'd like) and personal empowerment. Essentially, focusing on activities that promote joy, connection, and appreciation for the feminine aspects of life.