The dec part of December shows its place as the tenth month in the old calendar. It was originally called Winter-Monat by the Saxons but once the nation converted to Christianity, its name was changed to Heligh-Monat or Holy Month. December the 25th is, of course, the day that Christians celebrate the birth of their Lord, but there are some other excuses to hold a party in December which are given below.
St Eligius and St Agatha Feast Day Party Ideas
December 1st is the feast day of Saint Eligius, also known as Eloi in his French homeland. He is the patron saint of goldsmiths and metalworkers so hold a golden party where guests are required to dress in gold. St Eligius is also the name of the fictional Boston hospital of the TV drama series of the 1980s called St Elsewhere so another theme could be based around doctors and nurses.
December 12th is the traditional feast day of St Agatha of Wimborne. The other great Agatha was the novelist Agatha Christie so why not stage a murder mystery dinner party on this day? Or theme a social gathering based on one of her books. A Caribbean Mystery would be a perfect excuse to forget the winter blues and dress up in Hawaiian shirts, eat jerk chicken and salt fish washed down with rum or Malibu.
Beethoven or Berlioz Birthday Bash
December 11th is the birthday of the composer Louis Hector Berlioz in 1803. He was the son of a Doctor from Grenoble, France. Hold a party featuring his works on this day. Themed food could include the liqueur Chartreuse which is made at the nearby monastery of the Grand Chartreuse. Grenoble is also known for its walnut orchards so serve up coffee and walnut cake or fudge too.
December 17th was the date of the baptism of the great composer Ludwig van Beethoven in 1770 who was born at Bonn, on the banks of the river Rhine in Germany. No-one is certain of his actual birthday but it is assumed to be the 16th. So hold a classical music party with black forest gateau, German wines and beer, sauerkraut, hamburgers and bratwurst and celebrate his genius.
Holy Innocents' Day Child Charity Fundraiser Ideas
Holy Innocents’ Day is on December 28th and is the day, according to the Greek church, that 14,000 children were killed by King Herod of Judea. It was known in olden times as Childermas day and is meant to be an unlucky one. Annual special services for children were held at Westminster Abbey on the eve of Innocents’ Day.
Superstition has it that no one should marry on that day. It is also deemed to be unlucky to dress in a new suit, have a manicure or pedicure or start anything as it would never be finished on Innocents Day. Indeed, Edward IV’s coronation was put off until Monday because of Childermas day. Therefore, this day would be ideal for holding a fundraising supper or coffee morning for children’s charities.
Sources:
- English Illustrated Magazine, 1903
- The Times Digital Archive
- Minim Journal, 1899
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