Share more moments: December 2024 Holidays and Observances

Envelope with cut-paper art that reads,

Whichever holidays you celebrate, whatever your traditions and whoever you call family, December is a month full of moments to celebrate. 

It’s time to flip the calendar page, check out December holidays and observances, and start thinking about who we’re connecting with this month. We’ve got lots of ideas to help you make the most of the holiday season.

Inspired? Create and share by tagging @HallmarkStores.

Here for the free stuff? Click the links below to jump right to this month’s downloadables.

Illustration of a bow and arrow for the Zodiac sign Sagittarius

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

An illustration of a goat with the word

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

Your Special Days in December  

Grab your calendar and a notepad. For your personal list of notes to write and cards to send, think about:

 

Time to stock up?

 

A inspirational holiday quote that reads,

The holiday spirit lasts all month long.

A cartoon of Darth Vader wearing an apron that says,

National Cookie Day is December 4.

December Holidays and Observances  

December 3

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

 

December 4

National Cookie Day

An illustration that reads,

Hanukkah begins December 25.

PIle of decorated and hand-lettered envelopes in various colors.

Christmas Card Day is December 9.

 

December 7

National Letter Writing Day

 

December 9

Christmas Card Day

 

December 10

Human Rights Day/Week 

An illustration of the Lady of Guadalupe.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Day is December 12.

An illustration of ice skates and the words,

Winter begins December 21. 

 

December 12

Lady of Guadalupe Day/Dîa de la Virgen de Guadalupe

  • Mexicans, Mexican-Americans and other Latinx folks commemorate the appearance of the Virgin Mary in 1531 with prayer, singing, feasting and processions.

 

December 21

First Day of Winter/Winter Solstice 

An illustration of the Three Kings that reads,

Nochebuena is December 24.

An illustrated sentiment that reads,

Christmas is December 25.

December 24

Christmas Eve/Nochebuena

 

December 25

Christmas/Navida

 

Hanukkah begins at sundown

An inspirational quote that reads,

Kwanzaa is December 26–January 1.

An inspirational quote that reads,

New Year’s Eve is December 31.

December 26-January 1

Kwanzaa

 

December 30

National Bacon Day

 

December 31

New Year’s Eve

More Ideas for December  

A stack of creatively wrapped Christmas gifts in a variety of wrapping paper patterns and colors.

How to wrap Christmas presents like a pro

Get our tips for everything from the basics (like wrapping a box) to creating picture-perfect bows and more.

A box full of wrapped gifts, stocking, a pop-up Paper Wonder card, and a Keepsake Ornament depicting Santa Claus.

Put together a personalized Christmas care package

Make a present extra meaningful by gathering lots of things your friend absolutely loves in one big box of holiday cheer.

Our free, printable, ultimate Christmas to-do list lying on a light pink surface, surrounded by silver tinsel and Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments.

Our ultimate Christmas checklist

Ideas, resources and a handy-dandy, free, printable checklist for all things Christmas!

A hand-lettered inspirational quote that reads,

Support friends when holidays are hard

Find ways to share a bit of comfort and peace with friends dealing with grief and loss during the holidays.

Illustration of hands reaching into frame with candles, noisemakers, ornaments over a kinara to represent Christmas and Kwanzaa.

Christmas and Kwanzaa: Keeping family holiday traditions and finding your own

Whether you’re looking to bring cherished family holiday traditions to the next generation or create a new kind of celebration, we’ve got lots of ideas.

An illustration of a traditionally decorated Christmas tree.

How to choose and decorate a Christmas tree

Hallmark master writer Melvina Young is known as the queen of Christmas trees by many. Here are allllll of her tips on which trees are her faves, where to put them, and how to decorate them.

Address book with chambray cover on desktop with envelopes and office accessories

LOOKING AHEAD: Why New Year's is the perfect time to update your address book

Read why updating your address book is a perfect New Year’s Day activity.

Encouragement Card with a sun on it and an envelope on a desk with plants

And speaking of fresh starts...

Get suggestions for messages to encourage and support people as they prepare for new beginnings and journeys. 

December Celebration Planner  

A printed version of the December celebration planner page on a light-toned wood desktop, surrounded by office supplies.

Download this December Celebration Planner page to help you keep track of this month’s special moments. IT’S FREE!

Digital Wallpapers  

A laptop with a digital wallpaper featuring an illustration of a holiday wreath sits on a light blue desktop; nearby sits a smartphone displaying a different digital wallpaper that features an illustration of a holiday ornament.

Get into Christmas mode with these sweet floral designs adorning your screens.

DOWNLOAD WALLPAPERS 

DESKTOP WALLPAPER  |  MOBILE WALLPAPER

December Birthday Cake Topper  

A December birthday cake topper that reads,

Make someone’s December birthday extra magical with this free printable cake topper!

Supplies needed for our free December birthday cake topper include our free pritnable, candy canes, a hot glue gun, some white glitter, scissors, small red and white pompoms, and small dowel rods or wooden skewers.

What you’ll need:

•  Free printable
•  Card stock
•  Hot glue gun
•  Scissors
•  Small dowels or wooden skewers
•  White glitter
•  Small red and white pompoms
•  Candy canes