Top 10 December Global Holidays to Add to Your Doctor Fantasy Wishlist
If you’re searching for the perfect gift to give to your doctor friend or significant other, we’ve got some ideas that are both useful and fun – the kind of gifts that will be savored long after the wrapping paper has been thrown away! Whether you’re looking for something small and sentimental or big and flashy, there’s an appropriate gift on this list for any kind of doctor in your life. We don’t recommend treating yourself to any of these items just yet – saving them all for Christmas Day will leave you with one amazing present under the tree!
1) Poland: Candlemas
Known as Wigilia in Poland, it's celebrated on January 7 and marks one of two days that are dedicated to Mary. A soup called bigos is a traditional meal during Candlemas. Bigos includes meat (usually pork), sauerkraut, mushrooms, buckwheat groats and dried fruit. The legend goes that if you eat only from your spoon, without licking it clean or dropping anything on your clothing while eating bigos, then you'll have good luck in the coming year. Another popular tradition involves hanging a cluster of straw under your bed for prosperity in the new year. If you sleep with it under your pillow, you will dream about where to find money.
2) South Korea: Hangawi
Hangawi is a three-day holiday that takes place during Korea’s full moon in October or November. But if you’re thinking of traveling there during Hangawi, think again. This holiday is actually a traditional rite of passage and considered so important that it even surpasses voting in importance—voting was delayed until after Hangawi ended! During a time when spirits are believed to be especially active, many people return home to honor their ancestors and practice abstinence from certain foods like rice, alcohol, fish, pork, and garlic. Others treat themselves by eating Jjimdak (Korean Braised Chicken), which is traditionally eaten for Hangawi and won’t give them a bad hangover because it's made with sticky rice rather than traditional grains. If you’re looking for something more exciting to do on Hangawi, try catching one of Korea’s famous festivals. Every year, Seoul holds a festival called Dano where citizens dress up as ghosts and parade through town.
3) India: Diwali
Diwali, or Deepavali (literally row of lights), is one of India’s most colorful holidays. It lasts for five days and is a festive time for Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and others in India who follow Indian culture. Diwali celebrates humanity overcoming evil forces (represented by an evil character named Narakasura) through good deeds. Each year on Diwali, people set off fireworks and other explosives as part of these ceremonies, which can lead to injuries or even death. However, most Indians will tell you that while they hope they won’t be injured by fireworks during Diwali festivities, they expect it to happen at least once in their lives. The holiday takes place between mid-October and mid-November. In 2017, Diwali begins on October 20th.
4) Nepal: Dashain
Dashain is a big deal for Nepal because it marks an important step in Hinduism: Lord Rama's return from exile. Like many other religious holidays, Dashain is a time of celebration and feasting with family and friends. To mark all of these celebrations, many markets open up selling sweets like halwa or chhenra , which are eaten during Dashain . You’ll also see fire-walking demonstrations , where men clad in nothing but loincloths will bravely walk over hot coals without any protection to show their devotion to religious duty. Plus, women adorn their hands and feet with beautiful jewelry (often made from flowers) as a symbol of their good fortune throughout the year. This holiday is one you won't want to miss!
5) United States: Kwanzaa
The holiday that started in 1966 is a seven-day celebration starting on Dec. 26. People of African descent and all others celebrating their African heritage come together for Kwanzaa, which means first fruits in Swahili, according to National Kwanzaa Commemoration Committee. Participants are encouraged to contribute at least one dollar or hour of community service per day of celebration (7 days). The principles of Kwanzaa include unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics and purpose. In addition, they encourage a positive attitude toward others and personal responsibility. Below are several ways you can get involved during Kwanzaan right here in Southern California The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s Tobacco Control Program will host its annual Stop Tobacco Use During Kwanzaa campaign from Dec. 21 through Jan. 1 at various locations throughout Los Angeles County, including Inglewood City Hall, Baldwin Park City Hall and West Covina City Hall.
6) Guatemala, Mexico, Portugal, & Puerto Rico : Day of the Dead
A Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos (or Day of the Dead) takes place on November 1 and 2, but celebrations are ramped up in early December. Families all over Mexico honor those who have passed away by building altars and visiting gravesites. Since different regions follow different customs, check with a travel agent or your local embassy for specific rules in that area. It’s worth noting that most cemeteries close before sunset on November 1, so plan ahead if you’re hoping to spend some time exploring them on Día de los Muertos. In recent years, Day of the Dead has grown increasingly popular as a Halloween alternative in places like New York City.
#17 Japan: Setsubun: Also known as bean-throwing festival, Setsubun is an annual Japanese tradition that marks February 3—the day before spring begins according to lunar calendar—by tossing roasted soybeans while chanting Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi! (Demons out! Luck in!). #18 Jamaica: Maroon War Festival: This colorful festival celebrates Caribbean freedom fighters and is held annually at various locations throughout Jamaica from October 18 through 25.
7) Egypt : Eid Al-Adha
on Sept. 23, 2018, 20 days after Islamic New Year, is an Islamic festival that celebrates Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail in obedience of God’s command, before God then intervened by sending a sheep to be sacrificed instead. Muslims around the world celebrate three main Abrahamic holidays: Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan; Eid al-Adha (the Feast of Sacrifice) and Prophet Muhammad's birthday. The eid al-adha lasts for four days and commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael in obedience of God’s command; before God intervened by sending a sheep as a substitute. (Wikipedia) It's celebrated by Muslims worldwide, but most notably in countries with a sizable Muslim population such as Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Malaysia. As with all religious festivals there are specific dates according to each country’s moon sighting calendar which varies from year to year.
This event has great cultural significance for many Muslims across Southeast Asia who may spend considerable amounts of money during these festivities buying gifts for family members and friends such as clothes or electronic goods. It is also customary to slaughter livestock during these celebrations especially cows and goats which are considered sacred animals among some groups like Hausas living in Northern Nigeria because they have been mentioned numerous times in their holy book called Qur'an which was revealed centuries ago.
8) Romania : Saint Nicholas Day
Dec. 6, 2013: A traditional holiday celebrated on Dec. 6 by many Romanian people, Saint Nicholas Day starts off a winter season of holidays and festivals in Romania. Children receive gifts of sweets and toys brought to them by Mikulás (pronounced mee-koo-las), which is actually a shortened version of Nikolaus—the original name of Saint Nicholas himself. According to legend, St. Nicholas was born in Patara, Turkey around 270 AD. He became bishop of Myra and died there on Dec. 6, 343 AD. The Church celebrates his feast day each year on that date. In addition to being known as a saintly man who secretly gave away his inheritance to help those less fortunate than he was, he’s also known for being one of Santa Claus’ predecessors!
The history behind Santa Claus begins with St.
9) China : Winter Solstice
0 degrees of Capricorn (December 22) and New Year: January 1. The Chinese calendar is based on a combination of astrology and astronomy, so it has 12 animal signs and each year starts with one of them. This year is the year of Monkey. The Winter Solstice in China also marks a new month called Dong Zhi, which literally means winter grain. It's a time for visiting family, giving gifts, preparing winter clothes and making merry with your loved ones. Festivities include lighting fireworks, burning incense and parading through town with lanterns. People eat dumplings filled with meat or fruit and drink hot tea as they make wishes for good fortune in 2016. On New Year’s Eve itself, people visit temples to pray for prosperity in their business dealings throughout 2016. Then they visit friends and relatives before eating a big meal at home or at a restaurant where they'll be served dumplings again!
10) Czech Republic : New Year’s Eve
Food, drink and fireworks fill Prague’s Wenceslas Square as the Czech Republic celebrates Silvestr (literally translated as forest night) on December 31. The traditional dinner includes black bread and smoked pork. The evening culminates with a 9 p.m. concert by a prominent Czech musician or band followed by fireworks at midnight on Wenceslas Square (pictured). Prague residents also enjoy firework displays throughout town, especially at Old Town Square, Lesser Quarter and along Vltava River banks. Fireworks are banned in other parts of country due to safety concerns. Most stores close at noon on December 31 but stay open until 6 p.m. New Year’s Day is celebrated with a big family meal and time spent visiting friends and relatives.
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