100+ Words Related to December (From Santa Claus to Eggnog)

September 5, 2025

Ah, December. It might be the last month of the year, but it is filled with so many celebrations that without them, capping off the year wouldn’t feel the same. And, guess what? With all these traditions and festivities, December also brings us an abundance of words that capture its spirit.

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1. Gregorian Calendar

We all know that December is the last month of the year. So, why is the month related to the Gregorian Calendar? Basically, the Gregorian calendar, thanks to Pope Gregory XIII, is the reason our year is divided into the 12 months we’re familiar with

Fun Fact: Not everyone follows the Gregorian calendar. Eastern Orthodox churches, for instance, use either the Julian calendar or the revised version.

2. Christmas

Of course, Christmas is part of this list. The word alone is synonymous with decorated trees, gifts under twinkling lights, and even a cozy cup of cocoa. And let’s not forget to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

But where did Christmas come from, and why December 25th? There are three possible reasons:

Roman Christian historian Sextus Julius Africanus believed that Jesus was conceived on March 25,
The Roman Empire (before they adopted Christianity) celebrated the Unconquered Sun (Sol Invictus) on December 25th.
There are speculations that Roman emperor Constantine replaced the pagan celebrations (Sol Invictus and Saturnalia) once Christianity became the religion of the empire.

What is certain is that Pope Julius I is responsible for proclaiming December 25 the official celebration date for the birthday of Christ..

3. New Year’s Eve

December 31st is the last day of the year. People usually stay up late and welcome the new year together with friends and family. But did you know that not all cultures celebrate the New Year on the same day?

For example, Jewish communities celebrate Rosh Hashanah in the fall, while the Persians celebrate Nowruz in March. And for the Lunar New Year, that one falls between late January and mid-February. So, in other words, the world has many “New Year’s Eves”!

4. Winter Solstice

In the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice shows up around December 21 or 22. So, what’s really happening? It’s the point when Earth leans the farthest away from the Sun, which means we get the least daylight and the longest night of the year. Basically, it’s the official “shortest day” before the days slowly start getting longer again.

Fun Fact: If you are in the Southern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice occurs during June.

5. Boxing Day

Boxing Day is related to the sport at all. It originated in England as a day when the wealthy and employers would give “Christmas boxes” of gifts or money to their workers, as well as to the poor. This lovely tradition has spread to many Commonwealth countries, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. And eventually, the rest of the world.

Fun Fact: In Ireland, Boxing Day is known as Saint Stephen’s Day.

6. Full Cold Moon

They call December’s Full Moon the Cold Moon—and for good reason. By now, the nights drag on, the air stings a little when you breathe, and the Moon looks like it’s showing off, shining brighter against the winter sky.

The name goes way back. Celtic and Anglo-Saxon traditions referred to it as the Cold Moon or the Long Night Moon, which is quite apt considering those endless dark winter nights. Some also knew it as the Moon Before Yule, tied to old solstice celebrations and the Yule festival. Essentially, it was the Moon that officially marked winter’s arrival.

Fun Fact: Not everyone actually feels the “cold” part. If you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, you experience summertime in December.

7. Turquoise

Turquoise is one of December’s official birthstones. But did you know that turquoise wasn’t always linked to December? It officially became a birthstone in the early 20th century.

Fun Fact: Turquoise is relatively soft (about 6 on the Mohs scale), which means it can change color over time as it absorbs oils or sunlight. That’s why some vintage pieces you see today look a little greener; they’ve been “aging” beautifully for decades.

8. Holly

If you think of December decorations, holly probably comes to mind. This evergreen has been associated with winter celebrations for centuries, particularly with the Winter Solstice.

Fun Fact: Only female holly trees produce the iconic red berries, but they need a nearby male tree to pollinate.

9. Paperwhite Narcissus

Blooming even in the darkest, coldest months, Paperwhite Narcissus represents purity, sweetness, and renewal, making it a fitting symbol for the season of light and hope. And yes, it’s the birthflower of December.

Fun Fact: Paperwhite narcissus bulbs don’t need soil to grow; you can set them in a shallow dish of pebbles and water, and within weeks they’ll bloom.

10. Capricorn

If you’re born between December 22nd and January 19th, you’re a Capricorn. Those born in December fall into the first decan, which is ruled solely by Saturn, the planet of rules, responsibility, and structure. This gives first decan Capricorns their grounded, no-nonsense personality, while their January cousins (second and third decans) may be a bit more outgoing or philosophical thanks to co-ruling planets Venus and Mercury.

11. Sagittarius

Another zodiacal sign in December, specifically from days 3 to 21, is Sagittarius. December Sagittarians are often the life of the party and love to be this effervescent, different, and unforgettable personality.

12. Eggnog

If there’s one drink that tastes like December, that’s the eggnog. This sweet and creamy holiday favorite is made by combining milk, cream, sugar, and whipped eggs (plus a little spice). Some people enjoy it straight, while others love adding a splash of alcohol (rum, brandy, or whiskey) for an extra kick.

Fun Fact: December 24th is National Eggnog Day.

13. Mistletoe

The Mistletoe grows on trees like oaks, apples, and willows, and for centuries, people thought it brought good luck, kept away the evil, and even stood for love and friendship.

Fun Fact: While we associate the word “mistletoe” with something romantic (kissing under the mistletoe), its etymology begs to differ. It comes from the Anglo-Saxon words for dung (mistel) and twig (tan). Since birds spread their seeds through droppings, the name basically means “poo on a stick.”

14. Santa Claus

Whether you call him Father Christmas or Saint Nick, Santa Claus is December’s unofficial mascot.

Santa’s story traces back to Saint Nicholas, a kind bishop from the 3rd century who helped the poor and protected the children.

Over time, his story spread throughout Europe, blending with local traditions and evolving into “Sinter Klaas” in Dutch, and eventually becoming Santa Claus in the United States. By the 1800s, his modern image as this cheerful, gift-giving man in red spread worldwide.

15. Poinsettia

Poinsettias are bright red and green plants characterized by their star-shaped leaves. But did you know those red “petals” aren’t actually flowers? They’re bracts, and the real flowers are tiny yellow clusters in the center.

16. Plum Pudding

Plum pudding is a decadent, spiced dessert that is traditionally served at holiday feasts.

Plum pudding originated as a medieval dish called plum pottage, which typically included meat alongside fruits and spices. Over time, it changed into the sweet version we know today.

17. Yule

Long before Christmas as we know it, people in Northern Europe celebrated Yule. Rooted in Old Norse traditions, it was a festival of light and warmth in the darkest days of winter. When Christianity spread, many of those Yule customs—like feasting, greenery, and fires—were woven into Christmas, creating a mix of old and new traditions.

Fun Fact: Some classic Yule traditions are still around! The Yule log, for instance, was literally a huge log burned for days, symbolizing light and warmth during the darkest part of winter.