Kwanzaa
This is an annual celebration of African-American culture that is held from 26th December to 1st January, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu, usually held on the 6th day. It was created by Maulana Karenga, based on African harvest festival traditions from various parts of Africa. It was first celebrated in 1966 during the aftermath of the Watts riots. His goal was to “give blacks an alternative to the existing holiday (of Christmas) and give blacks and opportunity to celebrate themselves and their history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society.” The name derives from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza”, meaning “first fruits”.
The seven days of Kwanzaa are dedicated to Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative economics, Purpose, Creativity and Faith. Celebratory symbols include a mat, a candle holder for seven candlesticks, crops, corn, unity cup and gifts. Families celebrating decorate their household with objects of art, colourful African cloth and fresh fruits that represent African idealism.
Hanukkah
This is a Jewish festival commemorating an early victory in the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire, the recapture of Jerusalem in the year 164BC, and subsequent rededication of the Second Temple. It is known as the Festival of Lights. It is observed for 8 nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, occurring from late November to late December. The festival is observed by lighting the candles of a candelabrum with nine branches, called a menorah. One branch is typically placed above or below the others and its candle is used to light the other eight candles. The unique candle is called the shamash and each night one additional candle is lit by the shamash until all eight candles are lit together on the final night of the festival. Other festivities include signing Hanukkah songs, playing the game of dreidel and eating oil-based foods, such as latkes and sufganiyot, and dairy foods.
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is the day after Christmas Day, and originated as a holiday to give gifts to the poor. Now it is known as a shopping holiday, when there are sales on at many shops. It originated from the United Kingdom, but is celebrated in many countries. It has been a bank holiday in the United Kingdom since 1871. The origin of the term “Boxing Day” is not definitive as it has been said to come from many ages. It has been dated to the Middle Ages, where it is believed to be in reference to the Alms Box placed in the narthex of Christian churches to collect donations to the poor. The tradition may come from a custom in the late Roman/early Christian era where alms boxes were placed in churches to collect special offerings tied to the Feast of Saint Stephen, which falls on the same day (see below for more details). It was in the Oxford English Dictionary in the 1830s, where the day was definted as “the first weekday after Christmas Day, observed as a holiday on which postmen, errand boys, and servants of various kinds expect to receive a Christmas box”.
It was a custom for tradesman to collect “Christmas boxes” of money or presents on the first weekday after Christmas as thanks for good service throughout the year.
St. Stephen’s Day
This day commemorates Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr or protomartyr, who was stoned to death in 36 AD. It is a public holiday in many European countries. It is also means Wren Day in the Republic of Ireland, where people dress up in old clothes, wear straw hats and travel from door to door with fake wrens, and they dance, sing and play music. This tradition is less common than it was a couple of generations ago.
Slovenian Independence and Unity Day
This state holiday is always celebrated on this day, and commemorates the official proclamation of results in 1990. Nearly 95% of voters favoured the establishment of an independent and sovereign nation. This day was originally just called Independence Day until 2005, when Unity was added to emphasise the national consensus at the time of the 1990 referendum.
Wren Day
Wren Day is an Irish and Manx custom on 26 December, Saint Stephen’s Day. Traditionally, men and boys hunted a wren and placed it on top of a staff decorated with holly, ivy and ribbons, or displayed it in a decorated box on top of a pole. This was paraded around the neighbourhood by a group of ‘Wrenboys’, who are typically dressed in straw masks, greenery and colourful motley clothing, and who sang songs and played music in exchange for donations. On the Isle of Man, the people afterwards held a funeral for the wren and danced around the wren pole. Wren Day has been undergoing a revival since the late 20th century, although it is a stuffed wren instead of a real one.
Holidays & Special Events 