"People all over eagerly await the Winter holidays, whether lighting candles, getting together with family and friends, or offering prayers, there are many different traditions that mark this special season. But there are still so many days that go uncelebrated this festive time of year. Here are some of the most ridiculous and arbitrary national holidays that should be commemorated this December." -- Jif Dillemuth, 10th Grade
National Sock Day- December 4th
Not to be confused with National Lost Sock Memorial Day, National Cheesy Socks Day, or Odd Socks Day, the 4th of December is about much more than just socks. In 2016 National Sock Day was founded by clothing brand Pair of Thieves. The company continues to use their day to spread goodwill, donating over 3 million socks in counting. Socks can sometimes go unrecognized as such ordinary objects but they’re really much more of a necessity than we may realize. According to the Pair of Thieves site, “Socks are the number one requested item at shelters and the least donated.” Over 2000 years ago the first socks of early humans could be seen made out of animal skins or matted fur to protect feet from the cold and rough environment. National Sock Day is about giving back, helping the people who don’t have all the necessities and taking a moment to take in the small aspects of life we don’t normally notice.
Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day- December 8th
Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day shifts attention to the widely speculated but actually quite absurd concept popular in science fiction. Because the origins of the holiday are unknown, this holiday can be interpreted in many different ways. A way to observe this holiday could be simply pretending to be a time traveler. If you really want to get into it, dress up in costume or clothes from another decade. Maybe even ask someone what year it is and do a celebratory dance when they respond. But even watching your favorite time traveler movie or imagining what your time machine would look like will honor the day in a fun way.
Pick a Pathologist Pal Day- December 13th
Despite its cute title, Pick a Pathologist Pal Day has some dark connotations. December 13th encourages you to connect with a pathologist because “we never know what tomorrow holds,” as National Day Calender.com describes it. On this day, go out and become buddies with a pathologist, a coroner, or heck- why not a forensic pathologist while you’re at it! This could secure your life or maybe it’s just for the sake of friendship. Pick a Pathologist Pal Day is about looking ahead and going about life in a positive attitude. This might mean focusing on things we can control. Life can throw crazy things at us but our happiness only depends on our mindset and how we react.
Stupid Toy Day- December 16th
From the ever shrieking Furby to the quirkily patched Ugly Dolls, stupid toys can be a staple of nostalgia. Through the years we’ve seen so many trends in kid’s toys- but the strangest and most random have been the most memorable ones. Stupid toys inspire so much imagination, creativity and joy, the reason for this holiday’s creation. Although some are known solely for their annoyingly loud, saliva-smeared, mysteriously sticky reputation, they are still a symbolic to childhood for some. The ridiculous Mr. Potato Head, Barrel of Monkeys, Play-Doh, Rubber Chickens and so many others like them are the stars of Stupid Toy Day. To celebrate, think back to the laughable toy crazes of your generation, take out the dusty box of plastic memories if you have one. Donating them is a great way to honor the date, or passing them on to more children to give them a stupid toy to look back on later in life.
Answer the Phone Like Buddy the Elf Day- December 18th
December 18th pays tribute to the hit 2003 Christmas movie Elf. On this day, celebrate the classic by picking up the phone with the cheerful elf’s iconic phrase- or another silly line of your own. Played by Will Ferrel, Buddy the elf is a cheerful character who only wants to spread his passion and holiday spirit. Answer the Phone Like Buddy the Elf Day reminds us to show our happiness and project it to everyone around us.
Make Up Your Mind Day- December 31st
Indecisiveness is a struggle for many. From picking what to order at a restaurant to figuring out your future plans, we all can have a hard time making decisions sometimes. For all who have trouble with choosing, this day is the perfect day, going into the new year, to finally make up your mind. For overthinkers on every scale, it can be scary to carry out decisions or get past the pressure to select the perfect choice. Some may even find making the smallest decisions a burden or obstacle in everyday life. So why not start the year strong by committing? Let the last of December remind you to be brave and go with your gut. When faced with a decision, follow your intuition and know that it’s the best choice. Or is it… ?
Not to be confused with National Lost Sock Memorial Day, National Cheesy Socks Day, or Odd Socks Day, the 4th of December is about much more than just socks. In 2016 National Sock Day was founded by clothing brand Pair of Thieves. The company continues to use their day to spread goodwill, donating over 3 million socks in counting. Socks can sometimes go unrecognized as such ordinary objects but they’re really much more of a necessity than we may realize. According to the Pair of Thieves site, “Socks are the number one requested item at shelters and the least donated.” Over 2000 years ago the first socks of early humans could be seen made out of animal skins or matted fur to protect feet from the cold and rough environment. National Sock Day is about giving back, helping the people who don’t have all the necessities and taking a moment to take in the small aspects of life we don’t normally notice.
Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day- December 8th
Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day shifts attention to the widely speculated but actually quite absurd concept popular in science fiction. Because the origins of the holiday are unknown, this holiday can be interpreted in many different ways. A way to observe this holiday could be simply pretending to be a time traveler. If you really want to get into it, dress up in costume or clothes from another decade. Maybe even ask someone what year it is and do a celebratory dance when they respond. But even watching your favorite time traveler movie or imagining what your time machine would look like will honor the day in a fun way.
Pick a Pathologist Pal Day- December 13th
Despite its cute title, Pick a Pathologist Pal Day has some dark connotations. December 13th encourages you to connect with a pathologist because “we never know what tomorrow holds,” as National Day Calender.com describes it. On this day, go out and become buddies with a pathologist, a coroner, or heck- why not a forensic pathologist while you’re at it! This could secure your life or maybe it’s just for the sake of friendship. Pick a Pathologist Pal Day is about looking ahead and going about life in a positive attitude. This might mean focusing on things we can control. Life can throw crazy things at us but our happiness only depends on our mindset and how we react.
Stupid Toy Day- December 16th
From the ever shrieking Furby to the quirkily patched Ugly Dolls, stupid toys can be a staple of nostalgia. Through the years we’ve seen so many trends in kid’s toys- but the strangest and most random have been the most memorable ones. Stupid toys inspire so much imagination, creativity and joy, the reason for this holiday’s creation. Although some are known solely for their annoyingly loud, saliva-smeared, mysteriously sticky reputation, they are still a symbolic to childhood for some. The ridiculous Mr. Potato Head, Barrel of Monkeys, Play-Doh, Rubber Chickens and so many others like them are the stars of Stupid Toy Day. To celebrate, think back to the laughable toy crazes of your generation, take out the dusty box of plastic memories if you have one. Donating them is a great way to honor the date, or passing them on to more children to give them a stupid toy to look back on later in life.
Answer the Phone Like Buddy the Elf Day- December 18th
December 18th pays tribute to the hit 2003 Christmas movie Elf. On this day, celebrate the classic by picking up the phone with the cheerful elf’s iconic phrase- or another silly line of your own. Played by Will Ferrel, Buddy the elf is a cheerful character who only wants to spread his passion and holiday spirit. Answer the Phone Like Buddy the Elf Day reminds us to show our happiness and project it to everyone around us.
Make Up Your Mind Day- December 31st
Indecisiveness is a struggle for many. From picking what to order at a restaurant to figuring out your future plans, we all can have a hard time making decisions sometimes. For all who have trouble with choosing, this day is the perfect day, going into the new year, to finally make up your mind. For overthinkers on every scale, it can be scary to carry out decisions or get past the pressure to select the perfect choice. Some may even find making the smallest decisions a burden or obstacle in everyday life. So why not start the year strong by committing? Let the last of December remind you to be brave and go with your gut. When faced with a decision, follow your intuition and know that it’s the best choice. Or is it… ?
