December 15 Archives

INTERNATIONAL TEA DAY – December 15

INTERNATIONAL TEA DAY

Every year on December 15th, tea-producing countries celebrate International Tea Day. The day seeks to draw the attention of governments and citizens around the world to the impact that tea trade has on workers and growers.

The tea-producing countries that celebrate International Tea Day include:

Bangladesh
Sri Lanka
Nepal
Vietnam
Indonesia
Kenya
Malawi
Malaysia
Uganda
India
Tanzania

Aside from water, tea is the most popular beverage in the world. The primary types of tea include white, black, green, oolong, herbal, and pu’erh. Tea is believed to have originated in China. There, drinkers used tea for medicinal reasons. In the 17th century, tea made its way to the UK.

Because of the large number of tea drinkers in the world, tea demands a massive production scale. Unfortunately, in many tea-producing countries, production comes with many challenges. Some of the obstacles tea-producing countries face include low wages for tea workers, lack of medical care for tea workers in rural areas, and a lack of clean and potable water on tea plantations. There is also a need for improved sanitation on tea plantations. Additionally, women make up 50 percent of the workforce on tea plantations. These women usually don’t have access to education.

HOW TO OBSERVE #InternationalTeaDay

Trade unions and workers’ organizations gather on this day to organize seminars, public events, and presentations. Their goal is to heighten a sense of collectivism among tea growers and strengthen tea growers associations. The day also celebrates tea culture. Organizations host events recognizing the significance of tea as a major export crop for tea-producing countries.

You don’t have to be from a tea-producing country to celebrate this day. To participate:

Drink a cup of your favorite tea or try a kind of tea you’ve never had before
Have a tea party with all the favorite girls in your life
Learn about the intriguing history of tea
Take a friend out for a cup of tea
Read about all the health benefits of tea

Be sure to share this day on social media with #InternationalTeaDay.

INTERNATIONAL TEA DAY HISTORY

International Tea Day was created at the World Social Forum in 2004. In 2005, the first International Tea Day was celebrated in New Delhi. Sri Lanka began organizing celebrations in 2006. Trade union movements have been responsible for organizing International Tea Day celebrations, as well as Global Tea Conferences. In 2015, the Indian government made a proposal to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The proposal was to expand the observance to countries around the world. In June of 2019, the UN considered combining special tea days in different countries into one day.

The Intergovernmental Group on Tea proposed to celebrate International Tea Day on May 21st. The proposal was approved at a recent FAO conference and is awaiting approval by the UN General Assembly.

December 13, 2019

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National Day Calendar

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December 15

NATIONAL WEAR YOUR PEARLS DAY – December 15

NATIONAL WEAR YOUR PEARLS DAY

National Wear Your Pearls Day on December 15th reminds us that when life throws dirt our way, we all have value in the end. The beautiful result of nature’s design, one irritating grain of sand can cause an iridescent pearl to form.

#WearYourPearlsDay

Just as pearls come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, so do people and the kinds of trials thrown into our lives. We create our own beauty from the tragedies of our lives but often do not see it. We devalue ourselves and as a result, lose motivation to be a part of life. Like pearls, we develop a process to protect ourselves from further damage, layer by layer becoming stronger and more resourceful. Recognizing the collective value of our strengths is like wearing our pearls.

HOW TO OBSERVE WEAR YOUR PEARLS DAY

When life throws dirt your way, put on your pearls as a reminder that you have value regardless of your current circumstances. Use #NationalWearYourPearlsDay to share on social media and on December 15th wear your pearls.

NATIONAL WEAR YOUR PEARLS DAY HISTORY

Best-selling author and motivational speaker, DeAnna Bookert, founded National Wear Your Pearls Day because pearls represented the story of her life and how she struggled with depression. “I wear pearls as a reminder that I have purpose and value.”

The Registrar at National Day Calendar approved the observance in 2015 and its inaugural year is December 2016.

Pearls FAQ

Q. How are pearls made?
A. Marine oysters and freshwater mussels for pearls when an irritant such as sand, a parasite or other damage is caused. The shellfish excrete a substance called nacre that surrounds the irritant. The nacre is what forms the pearl.

Q. What color is a pearl?
A. Pearls come in many colors including white, pink, brown, and black. The type of shellfish and where they live determine the color.

Q. What’s the difference between a cultured pearl and a natural pearl?
A. A cultured pearl is one developed on a farm. These businesses raise oysters and mussels for the purpose of harvesting the pearls. Natural pearls develop without a human introducing an irritant.

August 18, 2016

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National Day Calendar

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December 15, National Day, Pop Culture & Lifestyle

NATIONAL UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER DAY – Third Friday in December

NATIONAL UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER DAY

Since 2011, National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day has grown to be an international event. Now occurring on the third Friday of December, the celebration gives holiday lovers worldwide a chance to wear their ugly Christmas sweaters.

#UglyChristmasSweaterDay

In 2014, they partnered with Save the Children in their “Make the World Better with a Sweater” campaign.

Each year, ugly Christmas sweater wearers, decorate, shop, and do their darndest to out ugly last year’s ugliest sweater. Whether they sport the most lights or colors, bells or characters, ugly sweater wearers find the most ribbon and felt ladened sweaters and festoon them with glitter so blinding no Dustbuster invented will capture the wave left behind. The sweaters serve as beacons of light so bright, Rudolph himself will someday be out of a job.

However, don’t be sad. So often Rudolph is featured on many of the sweaters. Elfs, donkeys, snowmen, and many other holiday characters we love and adore find their way to these ugly monstrosities. It’s all part of the fascination with the holiday. So, join in the fun. Celebrate and donate, too.

HOW TO OBSERVE UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER

Try these tips to take the prize:

Animal or cartoon characters with a holiday theme give sweaters a kitsch feel. Think reindeer, snowmen, mice, kittens or elves.
Select ridiculous colors. The more they clash, the better.
Embellish. Scratch that. Over-embellish! Pom-poms, bells, felt, tinsel, or any other glittery, jingly items lying around the house.
Add a collar, dickey, or ruffle.
Electrify it! Put Rudolph to shame and go to the head of the team with bright, flashing lights!
Give it some 80s flair with shoulder pads.

Wear your ugliest Christmas sweater. Use #UglyChristmasSweaterDay or #ChristmasSweaterDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER DAY HISTORY

In 2011, ugly Christmas sweater lovers created National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day as a way to lighten up the busy holidays and to show off their absurdly, ugly sweaters. The day has grown in popularity and is celebrated worldwide.

Ugly Sweater FAQ

Q. What is the most common type of ugly sweater?
A. Sweaters come in a variety of styles, but the pullover sweater is most commonly worn for an ugly sweater event. Pullover sweatshirts are also used. A third type of sweater worn for Ugly Christmas Sweater Day is a sweater vest. Incidentally, the sweater vest has its own day called International Sweater Vestival.

Q. How do I win an ugly sweater contest?
A. Well, for those who are the competitive type, it’s important to be creative. You can shop for an ugly sweater, but then you face the risk of your neighbor showing up in the same sweater. Here are a few suggestions to help you wear a winner.

Light it up.

No matter the design, adding battery-operated lights to your sweater will improve your chances of winning.

Add accessories.

Wear the ugly theme from head to toe. Bows in the hair, jewelry, leggings and socks can help put your design on the winner’s list.

Get punny.

Create a sweater that plays on holiday words. For example:

- Use faux fur to create a fur tree design.
- A sad dog dressed up like Scrooge is a bah-hum pug.
- Glue bottles of santitizer to your sweater with little Santa hats. When people ask, you tell them “I’m keeping it safe with santa-tizer.”
- An elf with a camera is taking an “selfie.”
- Add cotton balls to your sweater for a Fleece Navidad.
- Glue pinecones and sheep to your sweater: I’m pining for ewe.
- Go gnome or go home.
- Add spice packets to your sweater for a “seasons greetings” theme.
- Use mustache puns in a variety of ways:
  - A wine bottle with a mustache = My Secret Stash.
  - I mustache you if you have been naughty or nice.
  - I mustache for your presents.
Start with an ugly base.

In other words, start with a sweater with a busy pattern. Then kick it up a notch with ornaments, glitter, tinsel, or lights.

Turn to pop culture.

Use your sweater to honor your favorite Christmas movie, song, actor, or book.

DATES:
16 December 2022
15 December 2023
20 December 2024
19 December 2025
18 December 2026
17 December 2027
15 December 2028
21 December 2029
20 December 2030
19 December 2031

December 10, 2014

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National Day Calendar

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Art & Entertainment, December 15, National Day, Pop Culture & Lifestyle

NATIONAL CUPCAKE DAY – December 15

NATIONAL CUPCAKE DAY

Each year, December 15th also recognizes National Cupcake Day. The cupcake was originally known as the 1-2-3-4 cake because the recipe called for 1 cup of butter, 2 cups of sugar, 3 cups of flour, 4 eggs, and also 1 cup of milk, and 1 spoonful of baking soda.

#NationalCupcakeDay

Even the word cupcake sounds like a miniature celebration. They’ve been known by other phrases that make us put our hands together in glee, too! For example:

Fairy Cakes
Patty Cakes
Cup Cakes (different from Cupcakes (one-word)

Someone must have wanted to surprise a loved one with a sweet, single-serving treat when they invented the cupcake. One of the first recipes for a cupcake can be traced back to 1796. A recipe notation for a cake to be baked in small cups was written in American Cookery (by Amelia Simmons). Don’t you wonder if she made them for her children or grandchildren?

The earliest known documentation of the term cupcake shows up in 1828 in Seventy-five Receipts for Pastry, Cakes, and Sweetmeats. The cookbook was by Eliza Leslie. Maybe she just liked individual servings.

Bakers originally baked cupcakes in heavy pottery cups. Today, some bakers still use individual ramekins, small coffee mugs, larger teacups, or other small ovenproof pottery-type dishes for baking their cupcakes. They do make a beautiful presentation for these miniature cakes.

Today, cupcakes are an artform. Bakers create elaborate decorations and displays utilizing a variety of ingredients. Whether they’re the centerpiece of a wedding, birthday, or anniversary cupcakes satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. Colorful and fun, these single-serving delights offer a pleasing option when planning any celebration.

The single-serve cake makes it convenient for serving and sharing. Today there are a variety of recipes and just as many flavors to choose from.

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CUPCAKE DAY

When it comes to celebrating National Cupcake Day, you are only limited by your imagination. For the bakers out there, it is time to make a batch of your favorite cupcakes. Some bakers may want to step out of their routine and bake something new. Have you been hankering to spice up your cupcakes a bit? Sometimes we need an explosion of flavor or a little extra sparkle in our baking.

Since cupcakes are such a simple recipe, it is also an excellent time to invite the kids into the kitchen. They will love mixing and decorating their individual cakes. That’s what’s so special about a cupcake.

Another great way to celebrate National Cupcake Day is sending a shout out to your local bakery. They will be baking up batches of colorful and flavorful cupcakes! Be sure to stop in and pick up a dozen to share. Let them know how much you appreciate them, too.

While you’re baking or shopping, be sure to share your favorite cupcake flavors. There are just so many to choose from! If you’re looking for recipes, we have a couple of delicious ones for you to try, too. Don’t forget to take a picture and share it on social media, too!

Margarita Cupcakes
Red Velvet Cupcakes

Use #NationalCupcakeDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL CUPCAKE DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this deliciously tasty food holiday.

Cupcake FAQ

Q. What is a good way to transport cupcakes?
A. Many companies make carriers perfect for transporting cakes from home to an event. These carriers are designed to carry a lease a dozen cupcakes and also work as a serving tray, too.

Q. What is a good way to display many cupcakes?
A. You can make or buy a tiered display that allows guests to access cupcakes from all sides. Another way to display cupcakes is as one large cake. Placed side by side, each cupcake makes up a larger cake and can be made into any shape.

June 12, 2014

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National Day Calendar

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December 15, National Day, Pop Culture & Lifestyle

NATIONAL UNDERDOG DAY – Third Friday in December

NATIONAL UNDERDOG DAY

National Underdog Day recognizes that America loves its underdogs. Each year on the third Friday in December, we cheer on the teams and individuals who are statistically expected to lose in competition.

#NationalUnderdogDay

In sporting events, people tend to rally around the person or team that is not favored to win. An underdog is a person or team in competition most likely expected to lose. This expectation can be based on statistical data, opinion or overall standings. When the underdog wins, we call it an upset.

The first recorded uses of the term occurred in the second half of the nineteenth century; its initial meaning was “the beaten dog in a fight.”

Also known as a Cinderella story, the underdog has long piqued Americans’ interest. Whether in a sporting event, business, education or arts, when success is a long shot and a struggle as well, Americans root and cheer for the underdog.

We also love books and movies about the underdog. The Rocky film franchise tells of an underdog that the crowd quickly wants to see win. Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger became a real-life underdog when he walked on to the University of Notre Dame football field in 1974.

Not all underdogs are athletes, though. Some come in the form of scientists or authors. Or, calculus students as portrayed in the movie Stand and Deliver. One of the modern time’s most beloved authors went from underdog to success as if by magic. Before receiving a nod from Bloombury to publish her first book Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, J.K. Rowling was a broke, single mom.

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL UNDERDOG DAY

Underdogs inspire us. They remind us of our potential. They motivate us to get out there and make a difference in our life and the lives of others. Tell your underdog story. Use #NationalUnderdogDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL UNDERDOG DAY HISTORY

National Underdog Day was first observed in 1976.

DATES:
16 December 2022
15 December 2023
20 December 2024
19 December 2025
18 December 2026
17 December 2027
15 December 2028
21 December 2029

June 11, 2014

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National Day Calendar

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December 15, Health & Awareness, National Day, Pop Culture & Lifestyle

CAT HERDERS DAY – December 15

June 4, 2023 – National Accordion Awareness Day | National Cheese Day

This Is The Best Way To Sample Moose Milk.