Congratulations! You’ve reached the point in the year where things start to slow down (unless you’re in retail), vacation days actually get taken, and there’s an excuse to eat unhealthy for a month. Yes, I’m talking about December. Everyone knows it’s the holiday season. And how can you forget when they’ve been playing Christmas tunes at the mall since Halloween? But as you probably guessed, if you’ve read our other content marketing posts, there’s so much more to explore on the calendar this month. No, I’m not saying ignore the big holidays – there’s plenty of great content to be had. But why not do something outside of the (gift)box this month too and stock your editorial calendar full of some of the ideas below?

Holidays

• December 1: Eat A Red Apple Day, World Aids Day
• December 2: Fritter Day
• December 3: Make A Gift Day, Disability Day, Roof Over Your Head Day
• December 4: Wear Brown Shoes Day, Santa’s List Day
• December 5: Ninja Day, Bathtub Party Day, Repeal Day
• December 6: St. Nicholas Day, Miners’ Day, Put On Your Own Shoes Day, Mitten Tree Day
• December 7: Pearl Harbor Day, International Civil Aviation Day, Letter Writing Day, National Cotton Candy Day
  
• December 8: Choral Day, International Children’s Day, National Brownie Day
• December 9: Techno Day, Christmas Card Day, National Pastry Day
• December 10: Human Rights Day
• December 11: National Noodle Ring Day, Mountain Day
• December 12: Poinsettia Day, National Ding-A-Ling Day
• December 13: Violin Day
• December 14: Monkey Day, National Bouillabaisse Day
• December 15: Bill Of Rights Day, Cat Herders Day, National Lemon Cupcake Day
• December 16: Chocolate Covered Anything Day
• December 17: National Maple Syrup Day
• December 18: Bake Cookies Day
• December 19: Look For An Evergreen Day, Oatmeal Muffin Day
• December 20: Go Caroling Day
• December 21: Look On The Bright Side Day, Humbug Day, Forefathers’ Day, National Flashlight Day
• December 22: National Date Nut Bread Day (conflicting reports list this as September 8th)
• December 23: Festivus, Roots Day
• December 24: Christmas Eve, Egg Nog Day
• December 25: Christmas Day, Pumpkin Pie Day
• December 26: Kwanzaa begins, Day Of Goodwill, Thank You Note Day, Boxing Day
• December 27: National Fruitcake Day, Make Cut Out Snowflakes Day
• December 28: Card Playing Day
• December 29: Pepper Pot Day, Tick Tock Day
• December 30: Bacon Day, Baking Soda Day
• December 31: New Year’s Eve, No Interruptions Day, Make Up Your Mind Day, Unlucky Day

Seasonal

• BUNDLE UP, IT’S GETTING COLD, REALLY COLD. And it’s dark awfully early.
• December is the official month of: universal human rights, ties, bingo, colorectal cancer education and awareness, writing to friends, drunk and drugged driving prevention, safe toys and gifts, rising stars, writing a business plan, tomatoes and winter squash, food service safety
• The first week of the month is dedicated to: hand washing awareness, tolerance, and cookie cutters
• Even though we’re celebrating all month, week two is designated as Human Rights Week
• Week three celebrates: gluten-free baking
• The last week of December has been dubbed It’s About Time Week
• It’s probably felt like Winter for over a month, but really the season doesn’t officially begin until December 21.
• Fun fact: December starts on the same day of the week as September, and ends on the same day of the week as April – every year!

Sports

• December 6: World Cup Final Draw
• December 10: College Football Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony
• December 24: A complete sports blackout?! Not a creature was stirring, not even an athlete (apparently, because there isn’t a single event listed on ESPN’s sports calendar for Christmas Eve Day). Better get out your favorite equipment and play some pickup with family and friends.

Pop Culture

• December 1- 25: Be prepared for holiday madness. This includes shopping (deals galore, but expect high traffic at all hours), movie marathons on almost every TV network, the great debate over “Merry Christmas” vs. “Happy Holidays,” twinkling lights, days off of work, [insert your favorite tradition here], and of course, ugly sweater parties
• December 20: Anchor Man 2: The Legend Continues premieres in theatres
• December 31: New Year’s Eve – yes, I know I already listed this under holidays, but it’s a major event in pop culture too. Dick Clark? Ryan Seacrest? Times Square ball drop? That movie with a zillion celebrities? C’mon, it’s so iconic it’s worth mentioning twice!

Visions of content marketing dancing in your head yet? I hope so. Ideas for January will be posted soon, so check back before the New Year!

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