Welcome to our series sharing Unique Holidays: December12th, 2021. I would like to ask you to take a look at the Holidays being celebrated today and let me know which Holiday you most want to celebrate and why. Charlie says we should celebrate National Ding-A-Ling Day. Would you like to join us?
International Children’s Day – Second Sunday in December
If you ever want to get confused about when a Holiday is held, International Childrens Day is the one. We’ve done extensive research, and what we have found is there is really a number of Children’s Day observances around the World.
Universal Children’s Day– Observed on November 20th each year. In 1954, the UN General Assembly recommended that all Countries should establish a Universal Children’s Day on an “appropriate” day. We’re not sure, but perhaps each Country did at various dates during the year. The resolution was adopted on November 20th, 1954.
International Children’s Day– The second Sunday in December and this is a joint initiative between UNICEF and the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. A day when broadcasters “tune in to kids”.
World Children’s Day– Always November 20th. This is a day McDonald’s uses as a fund raiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities. The first official WCD was held on November 20th, 2002 and was celebrated around the world as a way to celebrate children and benefit RMHC chapters around the world. This now annual celebration is officially held on November 20th each year, however fundraising opportunities extend beyond the Holiday.
Children’s Day in Japan– This is a National Holiday in Japan which is celebrated on May 5th. The Holiday was started in 1948, Children’s Day is a festive day to celebrate your child’s life. The Holiday is believed to have begun in China where they would hang Medicinal Herbs to ward off childhood diseases. In Japan it is often celebrated by giving children kites and hanging streamers.
In Japan, the Children’s Festival was originally called the “Boy’s Festival” while the girls had the “Doll Festival”.
Children’s Day in other Countries is celebrated, often on different dates and with varying customs.
National Ding-a-Ling Day– always held on December 12th.
Today is National Ding-a-Ling Day, a special day to “Ring your Bell”. Nope, we’re not talking about the Salvation Army Bell Ringers, standing with Bells or Kettles, outside of every store in the Country. On National Ding-a-Ling Day, you should brace yourself for bizarre and crazy behavior, from all the people you encounter today. Even normally conservative people have been known to go a little crazy on this Holiday.
Some people say this is a day for wackos, and lunatics, who are off their rocker. We say, the Holiday is simply a day to cut loose, and act a little weird.
Be ever vigilant to the ding-a-lings that will come out of the woodwork. Ding-a-Lings will be everywhere: on the road, on the street, in stores, and even in your house! We suggest you get into the Holiday spirit, and become a ding-a-ling yourself……Just for one day.
Here is a tip for you. Ding-a-Lings and Ding Bats are not quite the same thing.
History and Origin of National Ding-a-Ling Day:
Despite our efforts, we have yet to find the Ding-a-Ling who created this Holiday. Nor, did we find factual information about this Holiday.
There was some reference to this Holiday being a “National Day”. However, we found no Congressional Records or Presidential Proclamation.
Poinsettia Day– always held on December 12
Poinsettia flowers are a well-recognized symbol of the Christmas Season. Poinsettia Day was officially declared by an Act of Congress. It is in honor of Joel Roberts Poinsett, who died on December 12th, 1851. Poinsett was the first Ambassador to Mexico. He was also a botanist and a physician. Poinsett brought this colorful plant back to his plantation in the U.S. Joel Roberts Poinsett grew the plants in his Greenville, S.C Plantation and gave them out as gifts to friends.
According to Mexican folklore, there is a story of a little poor girl who had nothing to bring to Church for Christmas. On her way to Church, she picked Plants by the side of the road. As she entered the Church, the leaves at the tips of the branches, called Bracts, turned into bright, brilliant red flowers. You guessed it. Poinsettias.
About Poinsettia Plants
Originally from Mexico and Central America, Poinsettia Plants are by far the most popular of Flower Plants during Christmas. As a matter of fact, Poinsettias are the largest Flowering Plant crop in the U.S. with sales of over 63 million pots! Native to the warmer Southwestern U.S. climates and Mexico, Poinsettias are susceptible to cold and frost. When you purchase Poinsettia in cold weather, make sure to bring them right home. Don’t leave Poinsettia in your car and go back to your Christmas shopping.
When selecting Plants, choose ones with leaves that are fully in bloom. The long-lasting Blooms take a while to produce full color. Once they do, they’ll last for several weeks, usually well beyond Christmas and New Year’s.
There are over 100 varieties of Poinsettia. These Perennial Plants actually are a Shrub that can grow 10-15 feet in the wild. The traditional Red Poinsettias plants are by far the most popular. There are other colors, including: pink, white, salmon, yellow and multicolored. Which I didn’t know. Did you?
Poinsettias are sometimes called the “Christmas Plants”. In Chile and Peru, Poinsettias are called “Crown of the Andes”.
Origin and History National Poinsettia Day
Our research has not yet identified an individual who created this Holiday, honoring and giving recognition to Joel Robert Poinsett and Poinsettia flowers.
This Holiday was established by an act of the U.S. Congress. Resolution H Res. 471 was voted on and approved by the U.S. Congress on July 22, 2002. In the resolution it stated that “December 12th has been traditionally recognized as National Poinsettia Day for over 150 years”. Congress made this longstanding Holiday official.
Poinsettia Trivia:
- Poinsettias can be called “Lobster Flower” or Flame-Leaf Flower”.
- German botanist Wilenow gave Poinsettia its botanical name, Euphorbia Pulcherrima, which means “very beautiful.”
- Poinsettias are the highest selling potted Flowering plant.
- During Joel Roberts Poinsett’s day, many botanists considered the Plant to be a Weed.
- Poinsettias Leaves can measure 6 to 8 inches across.
- The sticky white sap causes skin irritation on some people.
- The Aztecs used the dap to control Fevers, and the red Bracts for making red dye.
- Poinsettias can be “forced” to bloom in future years.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
