Good morning, welcome to our series sharing Unique Holidays: December 24th, 2021. Did you know today is National Egg Nog Day? I don’t know about you, but this is one beverage I don’t care for, and its one Charlie hasn’t ever tried. As for David I believe he likes Egg Nog but if you want to know for sure I would suggest you ask him.
National Chocolate Day– always on December 24th.
We hope that you haven’t quite had your fill of Chocolate during the Holidays. Which Charlie and I haven’t had because today is National Chocolate Day.
As we researched this Holiday, we were a bit perplexed. Most of us have been enjoying Chocolate treats all month long. All of the Holiday parties have ample supplies for Chocolate Candies, Cookies and other treats. Christmas get-togethers and Christmas Stockings have plenty of Chocolate. Wherever you go this month, Chocolate of some kind has been less than an arm’s length away.
Equally confusing is the fact that National Chocolate Anything Day occurs earlier in the month and we wonder why there are two practically identical Holidays so close together.
Then the answer dawned on us…… Chocoholics! If you count yourself in this group, and we hope you do, then every day should be National Chocolate Day! Wouldn’t that be a Godsend?
History and Origin of National Chocolate Day:
Our extensive search has yet to discover any factual content on this very Holiday. We have little doubt the Candy industry or a confectioner created this Chocolatey day.
There was some reference to this as a “National Day” but once again we found no Congressional Records or Presidential Proclamation.
National Egg Nog Day
Christmas Eve just got better with National Eggnog Day on December 24th. You know, the drink that is only available in stores during the Holiday Season. Egg Nog is a sweet beverage made from Milk, Sugar, Spices, Cream, and Eggs. Eggnog has been enjoyed by families a day before Christmas for Centuries now. Liquor is optional and can be added to their Egg Nog for those who want to get more festive.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL EGGNOG DAY
Eggnog, is also known as Egg Milk Punch when prepared as an Alcoholic drink, is a rich and creamy dairy beverage basically made by mixing Cream, Milk, Sugar, and Whipped Eggs to create a frothy texture. Liquor is optional, and, once prepared, Egg Nog is served chilled.
The origins of this sweet Christmas drink are highly debated, as well as the primary ingredients used for Egg Nog. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word ‘Nog’ was used to describe a type of strong Beer brewed in East Anglia, England. Others argue that Eggnog was developed as a beverage in Medieval Europe, using piping hot Milk.
The first time the term was printed was in the March 26th issue of the “New-Jersey Journal” in 1788, referring to a man enjoying a glass of Eggnog. Again, there is no consensus on how Eggnog got its name. One theory suggests that the drink was first named ‘Grog’, eventually evolving to ‘Eggnog.’ Other sources claim that ‘Nog’ was used in the Old English vocabulary for a strong Ale. So, essentially, this means that Egg and Nog is a nod to any drink containing Eggs and Alcohol.
Eggnog could possibly also have been a spin-off of the once-popular drink enjoyed by the British called Posset. Made using curdled Milk mixed with Wine, it was often used for Medicinal purposes. Later, in the 16th Century, Cream and a Citrus Base were added to the ingredients.
NATIONAL EGGNOG DAY ACTIVITIES
- Christmas is pretty much the only occasion when we indulge in Eggnog. Gather your friends and treat them to this deliciously sweet drink.
- If drinking Eggnog is not your thing, you can always enjoy Egg Nog in Ice Cream or even bake a batch of Eggnog Cookies.
- If you have time share this Holiday on Social Media joining thousands of other people in enjoying National Eggnog Day. Don’t forget to use the Hashtag #NationalEggnogDay
5 EGG-CELLENT FACTS ABOUT EGGNOG
- George Washington loved to prepare and serve Eggnog using his personal recipe which is now a permanent sensation.
- After Starbucks removed an Eggnog Latte from their Holiday menu, it resulted in backlash and countless complaints.
- The Puerto Ricans’ version of Eggnog is ‘Coquito’ — prepared with Cinnamon, Coconut Milk, Rum, and sometimes whipped Egg Yolks.
- As part of his goofy Christmas traditions, David Letterman liked using Eggnog in some of his features.
- According to Indiana University’s statistics, Americans consume over 135 million pounds of Eggnog annually.
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL EGGNOG DAY
- Christmas Eve gets all the attention, being the night before Christmas Day. We love how National Eggnog Day shines a light on one of the best parts of Christmas Eve itself — Eggnog!
- When you think about it, Eggnog is quite a unique blend. This beverage is neither a Smoothie nor a Milkshake or powdered drink. It is a totally unique beverage with many ways to enjoy it, and we love it!
- t’s the little things like Eggnog that all contribute to making Christmas the Joyous occasion it is. Appreciating these little things preserves tradition and keeps it going for future generations to come.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
