How many holidays are between Thanksgiving and New Years? This is a common question that many people ask as they plan their holiday schedules. The period between Thanksgiving and New Years is a time filled with various celebrations and festivities, making it an exciting time for many. In this article, we will explore the holidays that occur during this time frame and how they contribute to the overall holiday spirit.
The period between Thanksgiving and New Years is approximately two and a half months long. During this time, there are several holidays that mark significant events and traditions in different cultures. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most notable holidays that fall between Thanksgiving and New Years.
1. Christmas (December 25th)
The most widely celebrated holiday during this period is Christmas. It is a time for families to come together, exchange gifts, and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas is a time of joy, love, and giving, and it is marked by various customs and traditions, such as decorating Christmas trees, exchanging gifts, and attending church services.
2. Hanukkah (varies)
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday that typically falls in December. It commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by the Seleucid Empire. Hanukkah is celebrated with the lighting of the menorah, playing dreidel, and eating traditional foods like latkes and sufganiyot.
3. Kwanzaa (December 26th – January 1st)
Kwanzaa is a week-long African-American holiday that celebrates the values of unity, self-determination, creativity, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, and faith. It is marked by the lighting of the kinara, the exchange of gifts, and the recitation of the Kwanzaa principles.
4. New Year’s Eve (December 31st)
New Year’s Eve is the culmination of the holiday season and marks the end of one year and the beginning of another. It is a time for celebrating the past year’s achievements and looking forward to the new year ahead. People often attend parties, watch fireworks, and make resolutions for the upcoming year.
5. New Year’s Day (January 1st)
New Year’s Day is a public holiday in many countries and is celebrated with various traditions, such as watching the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, or attending family gatherings. It is a time to reflect on the past year and to set new goals for the future.
In conclusion, there are several holidays between Thanksgiving and New Years that contribute to the festive spirit of the season. From the religious significance of Christmas and Hanukkah to the cultural celebration of Kwanzaa and the universal celebration of New Year’s, this period is filled with diverse traditions and events that bring people together and create lasting memories.
