WASHINGTON — The best month is at hand.
December is one long crescendo of baked treats and fried delights, building up to an anthemic crash of gifts and champagne.
Students get out of school, loved ones get together and work obligations get punted to January.
Glorious.
Say what you will about the crowded malls, chaotic airports and continual carols. But even the most cynical can’t help but feel sentimental in December.
They think of the times they celebrated Root Vegetables and Exotic Fruits Month with their grandparents. Or when they starred in their school’s Worldwide Food Service Safety Month pageant. Or they remember the day they celebrated National Tie Month by learning a half-Windsor.
December isn’t just about Hanukkah or Christmas. It’s also about odd holidays that bemuse and surprise — much like last year’s gift from Aunt Harriet.
Unwrap December’s offbeat side in the gallery below.
Dec. 2 Fritters Day Celebrate this deep-fried, irresistible dish with a promising recipe for banana fritters. (AP/Larry Crowe)
Dec. 3 Make a Gift Day A homemade gift has value that not even an iPhone X can match. Knit or crochet something warm for your spouse. Or bake something delicious for Mom. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)
Dec. 5 Day of the Ninja According to the people who declare these sorts of things, Ninja Day celebrates the stealthy introverts who handled such unseemly tasks as assassination and arson. They didn’t get much glory back in the day, either — unlike those stuck-up samurais. Celebrate by sneaking around and surprising co-workers (then celebrate some more by explaining Day of the Ninja to H.R.) (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
Dec. 8 Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day Note to self: No one noticed last year when you pretended to be from 2015. (This year: 19th-century costume? Monocle? Wear a sign?) (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
Dec. 9 Christmas Card Day The big day sneaks up on you pretty fast. Factor in all those packages that the Postal Service has to deal with, and it’s obvious that this is the day to get all those cards in the mail. (Thinkstock)
Dec. 10 Dewey Decimal System Day Ol’ Melville Dewey was born on this day in 1851. Twenty-five years later, he invented the world-famous system that organizes books. Celebrate by looking for a book at the library (and by trying to remember how the Dewey Decimal System works). Jane Addams Day She is the first woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize and considered the founder of social work in the United States. Celebrate Addams by reading a little more about her work in Chicago, or by doing some volunteer work. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)
Dec. 15 Free Shipping Day On this day, participating retailers will offer … um [checks notes] … free shipping. Make sure and check with the retailer before you order that build-your-own-house kit, because heaven only knows how generous they’ll be. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Dec. 16
Chocolate-Covered Anything Day
While Chocolate-Covered Anything Day seems like a good idea on paper, it raises concerns of irresponsibility. Some examples include:
*Chocolate-covered prime rib
*Chocolate-covered salad
*Chocolate-covered burritos
*Chocolate-covered corn dogs
*Chocolate-covered spring rolls
It’s important that celebrants remain alert and intervene when neighbors risk heartburn and embarrassment.
(Krispy Kreme via AP)
Dec. 17 Wright Brothers Day This marks the day in 1903 when Orville and Wilbur got their contraption off the ground in North Carolina. One hundred and fourteen years later, Americans celebrate by complaining about the line at the O’Hare Starbucks. (AP Photo/File)
Dec. 19 Ugly Sweater Day Gruesome holiday sweaters are a thing. But they used to be an oddity, an edgy way for the cool kids to observe the season. Alas, it’s not that hard to find intentionally ugly sweaters now. Where’s the fun in that? It’s all mainstream. Boo. The point is, it was better in the good ol’ days. Get off my lawn. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
Dec. 20 Sangria Day Just when you thought December didn’t have a special day dedicated to booze, here comes a special day dedicated to you-know-what. Celebrate with this Bobby Flay recipe. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)
Dec. 24 Egg Nog Day You can’t enjoy it during the summer, so today’s the day to treat yourself. (Pro tip: Mix with flour, pour onto a heated waffle iron and make breakfast.) (Getty Images/iStockphoto/CGissemann)
Dec. 25 A’phabet Day (i.e., No “L” Day) Celebrate by not using the letter at all. “What’s the point of all this?” you ask. Great question. At least “Merry Christmas” can be bellowed with confidence. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/asafta)
Dec. 26 Thank You Note Day Write it now because that gift was nice. Write it now because it’s the least you can do. And write it now because you’ll be a zombie once the good bowl games kick off. (Getty Images/Hemera/Karen Roach)
Dec. 27 No Interruptions Day Put that sign on your door, disconnect and focus either on that to-do list or on the important people in your life. You may want to recharge for that New Year’s party, too. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/tatniz)
Dec. 30 Bicarbonate of Soda Day Also known as baking soda, this stuff is essential for baking and cleaning. It even absorbs odors in the fridge. Celebrate with a sweet New Year’s volcano. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/JPC-PROD)
