December is such a wonderful time of year to welcome a new bundle of joy. Throughout the month, countries and cultures around the world celebrate various holiday festivities. And regardless of which holidays your family celebrates, these festivities become even more special with a beautiful newborn baby. What can your child's birth month tell you about your baby? A lot, actually. Here are some interesting facts about December babies that you may want to know.
Baby's first winter December is the 12th and final month of the year. It has the shortest daylight hours of any month, and it marks the beginning of winter in the U.S. on December 21 or 22. Known as the Winter solstice (or Southern solstice), this date is the shortest day and longest night of the year (though those waiting for Santa Claus on the 24th might beg to differ). Although it's not the coldest month yet, December can certainly bring snow. Folklore suggests that if it snows on Christmas Day (commonly known as a "White Christmas") then Easter will be warm, green, and sunny.
Meaning of the word 'December' In Latin, "Decem" means ten. At one time, December was the tenth month on the Roman calendar, because the calendar started with March (there was no January or February at that time). Later, when January and February were added to the calendar, December fell to the twelfth position, but the name did not change. (The other months follow this same rule. For example, October and November get their meaning from the numbers eight and nine, because they were the eighth and ninth months on the original Roman calendar.)
December Holidays & Notable Dates December is, of course, known for the "big" holidays like Christmas and Hanukkah, but there are a few other fun dates you should know.
- National Cookie Day (Dec. 4): Your December-born baby may be too young to enjoy cookies, but that doesn't mean you can't!
- Human Rights Day: Celebrated across the globe on Dec. 10, this day commemorates the adoption of one of the most important human rights documents in modern history: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.
- National Ugly Sweater Day: If your baby is born by Dec. 21, you can celebrate this fun holiday together by wearing your most funky winter sweaters.
- Hanukkah: Known as the Festival of Lights, this eight-day Jewish celebration commemorates the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem following the Maccabean Revolt. It begins each year on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar (typically falling in December, but sometimes November, as it will in 2021 and 2032).
- Christmas: One of the most actively celebrated holidays of the year, Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25th.
- New Year's Eve: Did you forget that the biggest party of the year is actually in December, not January? While the New Year begins at midnight on Jan. 1, most of the celebrations take place on the night of Dec. 31. If you've got a newborn at home, you'll be forgiven for not staying up 'til midnight!
- Kwanzaa: Kwanzaa is a celebration of African cultural and historical heritage, established in 1966 and primarily observed throughout the Americas from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1.
- Boxing Day: Celebrated on Dec. 26, Boxing Day originated in the UK as a public bank holiday and is now generally considered a shopping holiday, much like Black Friday, or a day for contributing to good causes. The name is believed to originate from the European tradition of placing an Alms Box in areas of worship to collect donations to the poor.
- Sagittarius: Those born under the sign of Sagittarius love to ask questions and live for the future. As your little one grows, you can expect him or her to ask quite a bit. Sagittarians are also known for their idealism, as well as their impatience. They live to explore and understand their role in the world, and they don't like to be held back.
- Capricorn: Those born under the sign of Capricorn tend to be very determined, practical, and helpful. A study in the UK found that babies born in December were better behaved than kids born in other months something to make December parents smile. Like Sagittarius, they can be very ambitious, but they approach their ambitions with more logic and discipline, and thus don't take as big of risks.
December Birthstones & Flowers The birthstone of December is turquoise. Considered one of the oldest stones in history, this blue-green stone is mined all over the world, including right in the United States. Known as the symbol of wisdom and protection, turquoise was used in jewelry to provide power, luck, and protection. One legend suggests that those who wear turquoise will always have a friend. The birth flower of December is the narcissus, also known more commonly as the daffodil. Though it may seem odd that a Spring flower represents December babies, it won't seem so odd when you understand the Victorian meaning of the flower rebirth and revival which is the perfect flower for those thinking about the future, like Sagittarius.
Seasonal Personality Traits Not everybody believes in astrology, but research shows that your baby's month of birth can indeed predict some potential personality traits. It all has to do with the seasons and how humans have evolved over the last several millennia. For example, the abundance of food and nutrients at the end of the year's harvest is believed to have benefits on health and personality that may influence your baby even today! In 2017, Time magazine highlighted this research, saying that early-December babies can grow up with lower levels of depression and bipolar disorder, as is the case for other fall babies. However, those born in late December, when the nights are longest, tend to share characteristics with winter-born babies: more depression and a higher risk for more extreme mood disorders. Keep in mind this research is still in its infancy, and there are numerous other factors that will influence your happy baby's personality.
Famous Birthdays in December Was anybody famous born on the same day as your baby? You bet! From Hollywood celebrities to historical figures, here are some December babies you may recognize:
- 4, 1969: Jay-Z (Shawn Corey Carter)
- 5, 1782: Martin Van Buren
- 10, 1830: Emily Dickinson
- 12, 1915: Frank Sinatra
- 18, 1947: Steven Spielberg
- 21, 1935: Phil Donahue
- 24, 1974: Ryan Seacrest
- 25, 1642: Sir Isaac Newton
- 28, 1856: Woodrow Wilson
- 30, 1975: Tiger Woods
- 1, 1955: Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat on a public bus to a white man and is subsequently jailed. Her courage that day would eventually earn her the title of "the mother of the civil rights movement."
- 7, 1941:Pearl Harbor, the U.S. naval base outside Honolulu, is bombed in a surprise Japanese air attack. The attack led to the United States entering World War II.
- 15, 1791:The first amendment to the U.S. Constitution is enacted with the Bill of Rights, guaranteeing personal freedoms and rights to citizens.
- 21, 1937: Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," the first full-length animated feature film, premiers at theaters.
- Smile: Baby's first real smiles (not the gassy kinds) will occur by February or March, in about 6 to 12 weeks.
- Laugh: Here come the giggles. Between April and May (about 4 to 5 months), your baby's first big laughs will begin to erupt.
- Crawl: Between July and October of next year, your baby will probably be on the move. Most infants begin crawling in about 7 to 10 months.
- Talk: Your little one could be saying her first words before the end of spring! While every baby is different, babies generally form their first words in about 6-7 months.
- Walk: Get the camera ready. In about 9 to 15 months (likely sometime next fall for December babies), your baby could be taking his/her first steps.
Baby’s first gift? A diaper cake, of course!
If you’re planning a baby shower, or searching for unique gifts for the parents, then be sure to check out our handmade diaper cakes.
You’ll find styles and sizes for every budget. Each is made to order, by hand, with real Pampers diapers and topped with extra gifts for baby and his/her parents. Diaper cakes make great gifts for anyone expecting a baby, and the beautiful arrangement makes them perfect for baby showers.
Congratulations on your new bundle of joy!
