let it snow

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From the song "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!", written by lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne in July 1945.

Christmas season
Christmas season#English

(colloquial) Used around the Christmas season to express anticipation of snowfall.

Jule Styne
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
Sammy Cahn


War on Christmas

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(US, politics, US politics, derogatory) An alleged plot by atheists and liberals to remove Christianity from Christmas or ban the festival of Christmas itself.


Santa Paws

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No no not Santa Paws! Bean O'brien. Everyone deserves a second chance maybe he was just being a poophead cuz he need a hug Bessa Phaneuf. You a bad troll...!! Mattie Bissmeyer. He's a very norty Troll. But i don't like to see anyone cry ...

year unknown, Josephine Tuckfield, Saving Santa Paws, Lulu.com

It turned out that Snowy was upset because at Christmas all the animals are left out and he wants to be SANTA PAWS. Well, Ithought what a great idea this was and went back into the room and said to Snowy, “What a kind dog you are ...

2009, Buckham Derek, Santa's Christmas Story Book, Lulu.com, →ISBN, page 24:

Duke happily trotted to the main stand Where Santa Paws sat, all dressed in red and looking very grand. The mall was filled with Christmas delight; Mistletoe, holly and Santa were a welcoming sight. Duke happily trotted to the main ...

2011, Blossom Albuquerque, Dashing Duke and His Dodgy Adventures, Strategic Book Publishing & Rights Agency, →ISBN, page 28:

"Santa Paws is always willing to hear Christmas wishes." He winkedat Eva as Savannah buried her head under Eva's arm. "Aww, don't be afraid, sweetie. He won't bite." "Unless you're a cookie." Adam struggled to get the Santa cookie he'd ...

2014, Meda White, Christmas Give: A Holiday Novella, Meda White, →ISBN:

Another True Story About Best Friends...and Siblings Too! Brittni Vega. plate of cookies and a glass of milk. I don't mean to ruin the . . . I am almost twelve in dog years. I stopped believing in Santa Paws a few months ago.

2015, Brittni Vega, Harlow & Indiana (and Reese): Another True Story About Best Friends...and Siblings Too!, Penguin, →ISBN:

Santa Paws knows Santa Claus, because he was his first and favourite pet. Santa Claus loved Santa Paws so much, that every Christmas, Santa Claus would take Santa Paws with him in his sleigh. Santa Paws would look at the beautiful night ...

2017, Hanna L. Farha, Santa Paws, Lulu Press, Inc, →ISBN:

When Belle opened her eyes , she saw Santa Paws. " I got your letter , Belle , " chuckled Santa Paws. " I have to say, when I was a young pup, I also made some mistakes. Look at me now! I grew up just fine!

2020, Sara J J Gunkel, Dear Santa Paws, Page Publishing Inc, →ISBN, page 13:

(humorous, fiction) An equivalent to Santa Claus as an anthropomorphic dog or cat.


World Freedom Day

I made my first visit to Taiwan in 1974 in order to take part in a World Freedom Day rally in Taipei. The rally was sponsored by the World League for Freedom and Democracy, an organization with 120 national chapters worldwide.

2005, Jesse Helms, Here's Where I Stand: A Memoir, New York: Random House, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, page https://archive.org/details/hereswhereistand0000helm/page/n200/:

a memorial day celebrated on January 23 in Taiwan and South Korea


Twosday

Blend of two + Tuesday. Analyzable as two + -s- + day

The deuces are wild today as one of the grandest palindromes of 2022 arrives on Tuesday, unofficially known as "Twosday."

2022 February 22, Jordan Mendoza, “It's 'Twosday!' No matter where you are in the world, today's palindrome date is the same”, in USA TODAY:

Good things come in twos. At least this Tuesday it does.
The date is February 22, 2022. When you write it, 2/22/22, it's a palindrome, meaning it reads the same forward and backward. It also falls on a Tuesday, which is now referred to as Twosday.

2022 February 22, Megan Marples, “Happy Twosday! Don't miss out celebrating the coolest date of the decade”, in CNN:

2/22/22 is a five-digit palindrome. It’s also made up of all twos and falls on a Tuesday, which some are calling Twosday.

2022 February 22, Joseph De Avila, “Twosday’s Many, Many (Too Many?) Twos”, in The Wall Street Journal:

The date of Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022 (2/22/22; 22-2-22)


International Men's Day

Coordinate term: International Women's Day

A holiday celebrated on November 19, commemorating the cultural and political achievements of men.


Sonic 2sday

How about Sonic 2? Came out yesterday (Sonic 2sday). I think it's really well done, although quite a bit easier than Sonic 1 (except for the bonus boards which I find quite a bit harder).

1992 November 25, James 'J' Allard, “Sonic Cheats!”, in rec.games.video.arcade (Usenet), retrieved 2022-04-26:

Sonic III wasn't supposed to be out until the Spring, and we've had posts that say it'll be out on Sonic Mania Day (just a year after Sonic 2sday -- where's their clever name this year?).

1993 November 22, D.J. Miller, “Where is the VR headset?”, in rec.games.video.sega (Usenet), retrieved 2022-04-26:

If anyone could give me the address of a Sonic page run by anyone around my age (17), then I'd like to hear from them, to find out why tyhey've^([sic]) maintained their interest in Sonic even since the heyday of Sonic 2sday, in November 94, I think.

1997 October 13, "John.McGonagle", “Sonic fans?”, in alt.fan.sonic-hedgehog (Usenet), retrieved 2022-04-26:

Hey, not only is today Nov. 24th (Sonic 2's 6th aniversery!)^([sic]) but it's also a tuesday!!! Sonic 2sday once again!! Isn't that just the cooolest?? ^_^ I had a huge message I just lost about my Sonic 2sday so many years ago, so I won't be posting it, but if anyone wants to share, it'd be a cool way to celebrate.. ^_^
(Actually I lied, if this gets any good responce^([sic]) you can see my whale-of-a-tail Sonic 2 post, but I suspect most of you got into Sonic after Sonic 2sday, ne?)

1998 November 25, icky...@hotmail.com, “It's Sonic 2sday!!”, in alt.fan.sonic-hedgehog (Usenet), retrieved 2022-04-26:

(fandom slang) The North American and European release date of the video game Sonic the Hedgehog 2: Tuesday, November 24th, 1992.


Apaturia

From Ancient Greek Ἀπατούρια (Apatoúria).

(historical) Ancient Greek festivals held annually by most of the Ionian towns, with banqueting, discussions, etc.


naughty list

Certainly connected with, and possibly derived from, the lyrics of a Christmas carol, "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town":
He's makin a list / and checkin it twice / He's gonna find out / who's naughty or nice

According to Christmas folklore, a list kept by Santa Claus of children who have been naughty, and who will therefore not be given as many presents.


Merdeka

Merdeka celebrations

Merdeka parade

(Malaysia, colloquial) Malaysian independence day on August 31


Merdeka Day

(Malaysia, colloquial) The Malaysian Independence Day, on August 31.


Burra Din

Borrowed from Hindustani بڑا دن / बड़ा दिन (baṛā din, literally “great day”).

(historical, Anglo-Indian) Any major European festival, especially Christmas Day.


Kissmiss

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-Kissmiss.wav

The saddler, who is also a servant, has brought five trays in honour of kissmiss (Christmas); […]

2003, Fanny Parkes Parlby, William Dalrymple, Begums, Thugs and Englishmen: The Journals of Fanny Parkes, page 95:

“Say 'Merry Christmas,'” I said.
“Merry Kissmiss!” Michael and Mitchell said in unison.

And the little tree, the children's tree, lights up in red, green, blue and yellow, and they gasp and applaud and laugh and say, “Mewwy Kissmiss Mom!”

2016, Neoma Nayrah, The Light Under the Door:

“Yes, we'll bake Christmas cookies for Santa, together.”
“Kissmiss cookies!” Katie exclaimed, clapping her hands and sending berries around the room.

2018, C. F. Frizzell, Crossing the Line:

(nonstandard, childish or pronunciation spelling) Christmas.


Treason Day

In reference to the American Revolutionary War.

I have a British colleague who, at the end of our writing group meeting, wished us all a "happy treason day" 😂

2020 July 3, margaret_emma, Twitter, archived from the original on 2022-09-27:


Christmas comes early

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Then he turns to Rhaenys, who, he reasonably argues, is the best authority on what her husband would want. And Christmas comes early for Rhaenyra, because not only has her dad come out to support her family, but her aunt also backs Luke’s claim—and accepts her niece’s offer of a Targaryen-Velaryon double wedding.

2022 October 10, Jenna Scherer, “House Of The Dragon drops its best episode yet”, in AV Club:

A large number of fortuitous events come at the same time.

think all one's Christmases have come at once


Andrewmas

There will be deep snow by Andrewmas.

1931, John Buchan, The Blanket of the Dark:

Andrewmas, for example, by which time ploughing should be completed; Martinmas when spare animals were slaughtered; St Luke's Day when the 'tupping' of ewes commenced, or Lady Day and Michaelmas when farm rents were due.

2017, Michael J. Braddick, Phil Withington, Popular Culture and Political Agency in Early Modern England and Ireland, page 96:


Destroy Dick December

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In November, hundreds of men try to go 30 days without masturbating. In December, some are planning to pull a 180 and embark upon a masturbation quest that might be physically impossible. If you thought you’d heard it all after "No-Fap November," get ready for "Destroy Dick December."

2017 November 15, Jay Hathaway, “Destroy D**k December is the absurd new male masturbation challenge”, in Daily Dot:

If you have passed the month with a total of 0 nuts, you are a victor and you shall qualify for Destroy Dick December (Not Recommended)

2018 November 14, Ellen Scott, “What is No Nut November?”, in Metro:

During Destroy Dick December, "you masturbate until completion in a quantity in relation to the date." This means that you must nut once on Dec. 1, twice on Dec. 2, and so on until you reach 31 times on Dec. 31.

2021 November 1, Kelly Corbett, “No Nut November Is Here! Here's How This Bizarre Abstinence Challenge Started”, in Distractify:

(slang, humorous) A jocular challenge following No Nut November, in which participants are encouraged to masturbate excessively: sometimes stated as once on December 1, twice on December 2, and so on until the 31st.


tricks or treats

Every year, Linus misses tricks or treats! And then the Halloween party!

1966, Charles M. Schulz, 8:37 from the start, in It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, spoken by Violet Gray (Ann Altieri):

(dated) Alternative form of trick-or-treating.


Thanksgivingtide

en-noun

Thanksgivingtide (countable and uncountable, plural Thanksgivingtides)

From Thanksgiving + -tide (“period around a festival”).

suffix

Seven years had passed, and once more the Thanksgivingtide was in Mapleton.

1876, Harriet Beecher Stowe, “Chapter VII”, in Betty's bright idea; also, Deacon Pitkin's farm, and The first Christmas of New England, Thanksgiving Again:

The wild winds croon of Thanksgivingtide

1901 December 21, Helen Chase, “A Song of Thanksgiving”, in The Connecticut School Journal, volume 7, number 12, The Journal Publishing Co., page 14:

As by this bright fire we sit / At this Thanksgivingtide

1911, P. F. Koontz, “Thanksgiving”, in Santa Fe Employes’ Magazine, volume 6, Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway Company, page 131:

Now, therefore, I, George H. Earle, Governor of Pennsylvania, titular successor, so-called, to His Excellency Johan Printz, do solemnly adjure the citizenry of the Commonwealth loyally to consider at this Thanksgivingtide, during 1938 and thereafter, the historical and spiritual significance of events marking this goodly vista of 300 years, and by practice and precept to evolve a concept of simpler, sterner, living in which character is fundamental…

1938, George H. Earle, Congressional Record, United States Government Publishing Office, Appendix to the Congressional Record, page 1975:

This Thanksgivingtide recalls to our hearts the endless and undeserved mercies wherewith thou has blessed us.

1967, James Archibald Jones, Prayers for the People: A Memorial Collection of Pulpit Prayers, John Knox Press, page 100:

Devotees of liberal college education attending the yearly Thanksgivingtide

1975, Joe D. Thomas, Donald E. Morse, Sansculotte: A Nonknickerbocker History of the College English Association (1938–1975) : in Seven Fyttes, Sive Lustra, College English Association Foundation, page 3:

…a so-called rock opera to which Liz dragged me when we were in New York at Thanksgivingtide in 1971

2013 October 29, R. M. Koster, The Dissertation, Overlook Press, →ISBN:

(informal) The season around Thanksgiving.


tree topper

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-tree topper.wav

A decorative ornament placed on the top of a Christmas tree, often in the form of a star or angel.


Vlogmas

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Only the bravest online celebrities dare to take on Vlogmas. […] Are you ready to give Vlogmas your very own spin? How would the intro to your Christmas countdown look?

2016, Vlog It!: The Yearbook, Scholastic Children’s Books, →ISBN:

What motivated you to open up about your student debt at this point? […] [Aja Dang:] Then I opened up during Vlogmas. Vlogmas is during December, you vlog every single day. There’s not necessarily a rhyme or reason for it, you just do it. You show people your day. My day happened to be trying to pay off my student loan payment for the month.

2018 May 23, Amanda Duberman, “This Influencer Is Using YouTube To Speak Frankly About Student Loan Debt”, in HuffPost, archived from the original on 2019-02-14:

I was going to say, when we talk tomorrow, we need to discuss your strategy for Vlogmas.

2019, Sophie Ranald, Out with the Ex, in with the New, Bookouture, →ISBN:

And, on the countdown to Christmas, the couple go one step further – recording a video every single day in December, as part of ‘Vlogmas’.

2022 November 1, “Nadia Sawalha and Mark Adderley”, in Best:

(Internet) A Christmas celebration that involves publishing a vlog every day in December until Christmas.


Advent wreath

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-Advent wreath.wav

Local custom gives us an “Advent Tree” or “Advent Wreath”: the trees are diminutive Christmas trees, which bear one candle for each Sunday in Advent; the wreaths are wooden rings with as many holes as there are days before Christmas Eve, decorated with fir green, and gay ribbons, and hung up over the dining-table, one candle being added every night till the circle is complete.

1929 December 28, “Correspondence: A Letter from Oberammergau. [To the Editor of the Spectator.]”, in The Spectator, volume 143, number 5296, page 972:

(Christianity) A usually evergreen wreath adorned with four (or sometimes five) candles, the first of which is lit on Advent Sunday, followed by the lighting of an additional candle on each subsequent Sunday.

adventskrans

usually evergreen wreath adorned with four candles


TDoR

Transgender Day of Remembrance
w:Transgender Day of Remembrance

(LGBTQ) Initialism of Transgender Day of Remembrance.


Yule lad

Calque of Icelandic jólasveinn. Compare also Yule swain.

One of several trolls, children of the ogress Grýla, who, according to Icelandic folktales, arrive one each day from December 12th through December 25, and leave one each night from December 25 through January 6. The Yule lads are associated with tricks and mischief, but also with carrying off naughty children in a burlap bag and eating them.


Santa Clause

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...each a good knife & some candy & put in their stockings for Santa Clause.

1978, Calvin Fletcher, “December 1857”, in The Diary of Calvin Fletcher, volume 6, page 153:

I can only sympathize with a teacher whose conscience is of such extreme dimensions that the corroboration of the "Santa Clause myth" causes a pang; and I should surely....I hope that few teachers of our fair Canada are burdened with such a troublesome conscience as your correspondent of Dec. 1st. Let us have Santa Clause in all his magnificence.

1906, Gideon E. Henderson, Matthew Parkinson, editors, The Canadian Teacher, page 511:

The section features several letters from children addressed to Santa. 14 letters are addressed "Dear Santa Clause", two are addressed "Dear Santa", and one is addressed to "Dear Old Santa Claus", which also mentions him by his full name two more times with the same spelling.

1908 December 17, The Jeannette Dispatch, Little Folks Write Good Old Santa Claus, page 9:

But since at times it is almost impossible to get at that time of the year, it became necessary to use some other methods of receiving and distributing the many presents from Santa Clause...Under the breakfast plate on Christmas morning a note is often placed, telling where Santa Clause has hidden the first present...There is a Christmas plum pudding made over a wire frame, covered with brown burlap and with raisins sewed on for decoration. This makes an excellent receptacle for the things brought by Santa Clause...

1910, Lenora Makelim, “Christmas Suggestions.”, in The Oregon Countryman, volume 3, pages 40–41:

Old Santa Clause, and him be me...They wuz no Santa Clause when he...

1915, James Whitcomb Riley, “What "Old Santa" Overheard”, in Riley Songs of Friendship, page 161:

...Was the chance that I might see Santa Clause....For you see my time has come, I'm Santa Clause.

1920, The Virginia Reel, Virginia Reel, Incorporated, page 19:

Susie wiped away the tears, and turned to look out of the window. Perhaps she said to herself, "perhaps Santa Clause has something for me after all!" Now, the sad, really dreadful part about it was that Santa Clause didn't have one single thing for Susie in his pack.

1922, Silas Xavier Floyd, Alice H. Howard, “A Christmas Present.”, in The New Floyd's Flowers Illustrated Stories Especially Arranged for Colored People, Austin Jenkins, page 184:

Dear Santa Clause: It would please me very much for you to send me a flashlighter.

1934, Pacific Telephone Magazine, Fun For All, page 11:

...and hope my dad and brothers Snake out tan bark to get a little money to buy things with One Xmas Santa Clause gave us three or four sticks of candie and a ornge^([sic])

1974, Eliot Wigginton, The Foxfire Book, volume 1, Anchor Press, page 16:

I understood all about Santa Clause, the baby Jesus and everything.

1984, Richard Gordon, The Bulldog and the Bear: A Play in Two Acts, S. French, page 74:

A year later, in Lynch v. Donnelly, the city of Pawtucket, Rhode Island had erect a large Christmas display each holiday season in a privately owned park. This display included a Santa Clause house, reindeer, a Christmas tree, and carolers...

1990, Shlomo Slonim, editor, The Constitutional Bases of Political and Social Change in the United States, Praeger, page 77:

If we only remembered it was Christmas & not Santa Clause day.

1990, Emily Carr, Nan Cheney, Humphrey N. W. Toms, “22 December 1940”, in Doreen Walker, editor, Dear Nan, page 281:

"Well, Nutty Buddy's sick, too sick to have Santa Clause," said Yabbett. "Hope I'm not too young to have Santa Clause." She questioningly looked to Sam. "No you're not, twirp. No one's too young for Santa Clause." And Yabbett, leaning a bit closer to Sam, whispered very low, "Is Molly too old for Santa Clause?" "No twirp, no one's too young for Santa Clause and no one's too old for Santa Clause."

2001, Bonnie Gulan, Story Lady, chapter 2, in Lost Adventures of the House of the Seven Cats, page 24:

"Santa Clause?" Ellen asked, then rolled her eyes at her own question, "I mean, yes, sure, every kid learns about Santa Clause." "No," Mr. Stevens' smile faded and he plucked the leaf from the tree, “Every kid doesn't learn about Santa Clause, because every adult knows that Santa is a 'make believe', and overused flying, ho-ho-ho commercial."

2001, William D. Noe, Roberta J. Noe, Odds and Ends, Xlibris Corporation LLC, page 163:

"I think I saw Santa Clause." the child said, pushing up on her arms to eventually sit upright, her feet under her.

2012, Fernan M. Gruber Jr., Santa's Reindeer Hay, AuthorHouse, page 2:

The book repeatedly spells the name as 'Clause', including on the title and back cover: Do you know that Santa Clause is a real person? Do you know the true story of where Santa Clause [...] Just Call Me Nicholas, The Story of the Birth of Santa Clause will answer all of those questions and more. From Coach Kie’s Kid Collection comes this timeless lovely story about the birth of Santa Clause dating all the way back to the beginning.

2020 November 26, Coach Kie, Just Call Me Nicholas: The Story of How Santa Clause was Born:

Dear: Santa Clause. I wish you a merry Cristmas! Can you give me all big, small, and tiny meemeows I don’t have? [...] Dear Santa, Thank you for sending Wrinkle too! For Christmas I would like a black kitten. (PLEASE!!) Was there a Santa Clause before you?

2022 December 20, “Letters to Santa”, in The Northside Sun:

Dear Santa Clause, Thank you for the clothes you brought me last year. How are you and Mrs. Clause doing?

2022 December 21, “Letters to Santa Claus”, in Gazette-Journal:

2022 December 23, “Santa Clause comes early for one lucky person”, in City of Ballarat:


happy Near Year

From everyone here at "Chum central."

2002 January 1, Helpful GM, “CL: Happy near year”, in comp.sys.mac.games.adventure (Usenet), retrieved 2023-01-01:


Makar Sankranti

en-noun

Makar Sankranti (plural Makar Sankrantis)

Borrowed from Hindi मकर संक्रांति (makar saṅkrānti).

bor+

मकर संक्रांति

A Hindu harvest festival, usually observed in 15 January, marking the first day of the Sun's transit into Capricorn.


Poush Sankranti

en-noun

Poush Sankranti (plural Poush Sankrantis)

Borrowed from Bengali পৌষ সংক্রান্তি (pōuś śoṅkranti).

bor+

পৌষ সংক্রান্তি

A Bengali harvest festival, observed in 14 January (29 Poush), marking the first day of the Sun's transit into Capricorn.


Magh Bihu

Borrowed from Assamese মাঘ বিহু (magh bihu).

An Assamese harvest festival, observed in 14 January (29 Puh), marking the first day of the Sun's transit into Capricorn.


asantaist

From a- + Santa + -ist, based on atheist.

Nearly everyone but small children are asantaists, while the same is true of aunicornists — even if they have never once decided as an absolute fact, or even as a matter of faith, that unicorns do not exist.

2016 January 30, Nicholas Bittner, The Roads Around Religion, Lulu.com, →ISBN, page 11:

(rare, humorous) A person who does not believe in Santa Claus.


like a kid on Christmas morning

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like a kid at Christmas
like a kid at Christmas#English


like a kid at Christmas

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-like a kid at Christmas.wav

(simile, informal) Very delighted and excited.


independence day

en-noun

independence day (plural independence days)

An annual celebration commemorating the anniversary of a nation's assumption of independent statehood.

Onafhankelijkheidsdag

official holiday, for instance in Suriname


Pokrova

Borrowed from Ukrainian Покрова (Pokrova) or Russian Покров (Pokrov).

Intercession of the Theotokos (feast on 14 October)


Spooktober

Blend of spook + October, from the association of Halloween with October.

(humorous, chiefly Internet) Synonym of October


Old Christmas

Little Christmas
Little Christmas#English


spooky season

spooky season (countable and uncountable, plural spooky seasons)

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-spooky season.wav

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. I’m not sure why it’s October, maybe because it’s spooky season and the scariest thing that could happen to you would be cancer.

Once October hits, we're ready for spooky season and while we loved telling scary stories in the dark when we were kids, not everyone loves horror. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, but I hate scary movies.

But it’s heartening that we can have something like There’s Someone, a just OK movie with a diverse cast — a somewhat goofy slasher we'll all probably forget when spooky season ends.

(slang) The days leading up to, and including, Halloween.


gingerbread house

gingerbread house (plural gingerbread houses)

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-gingerbread house.wav

A novelty confectionery in the shape of a house, with walls, roof and sometimes chimney made of dense, crisp gingerbread, held together with frosting and decorated with candies; popular especially at Christmastime.


Whamageddon

An informal game played during the 24 days before Christmas, in which players try to avoid hearing the popular song "Last Christmas" by Wham!.


Christmas Adam

Reinterpreting Eve (“evening or day before (another day)”) as the name Eve, and referencing how, in Genesis, Adam came before Eve.

Bob ended up at the discount store on “Christmas Adam,” buying just with creative recipes! about every Nerf gun the store had, plus a shopping cart full of other fun surprises. The evening before, the children had participated in a Christmas music pageant […]

2012 March 6, Michelle Duggar, Jim Bob Duggar, A Love That Multiplies: An Up-Close View of How They Make It Work, Simon and Schuster, →ISBN, page 53:

"Happy Christmas Adam," James greeted him. [...] It was a family custom to call the twenty-third of December Christmas Adam, because it was the day before Christmas Eve, and Adam had come before Eve. Levi nodded to James now, glancing around again. “Happy Christmas Adam to you, too. Is everything all right?” James leaned on the counter[…]

2017 December 1, Regina Scott, His Frontier Christmas Family, Harlequin, →ISBN:

"[…] to the games on on Christmas Adam." Layla's eyes popped open, and she counted in her head. "That's in two days. I haven't done the shopping for the games that are already on my list. Gracious." She sliced the turkey breast[…]

2023 August 22, Regina Walker, Miracle Inn, Regina Walker:

(humorous) The day before Christmas Eve.


vicennals

From Latin vīcennālia, from vīcennis (“20-year”) + -ālia (“-alia: forming festival names”), from vīciēs (“twenty times”) + annus (“year”) + -is (“forming compound adjectives”).

(historical, rare) Synonym of vicennalia: the festival and religious ritual held on the 20th anniversary of a Roman emperor's reign.


vicennalia

vicennalia (plural vicennalia or vicennalias)

vicennalia (plural)
vicennalias (plural)

From Latin vīcennālia, from vīcennium (“20-year period”) + -ālia (“-alia: forming the names of festivals”), from vicennis (“20-year”) + -ium (“forming abstract nouns”), from vīciēs (“twenty each”) + annus (“year”) + -is (“forming compound adjectives”). Equivalent to vicennium + -alia.

Apart from the Vicennalia, 136 was an eventful year for the imperial family: the serious illness of Hadrian in the spring, the adoption of Aelius in the summer and the death and consecration of Sabina at the end of the year.

1971, P.V. Hill, "The Dating and Arrangement of Hadrian's COS III", Mints, Dies and Currency, p. 52

The exact timing of the tenth and twentieth anniversaries, the decennalia and the vicennalia, has already been discussed at length. The most straightforward solution, that it took place on the emperor's dies imperii ten years after the accession, has its adherents. However, a date earlier in the year, perhaps even the day of the beginning of the tenth year, may also be considered—at least in the second century AD.

2005, Jakob Munk Højte, Roman Imperial Statue Bases from Augustus to Commodus, p. 157

As a chronological list of Roman emperors makes clear, several rulers reign long enough to enjoy their decennalia, but relatively few were fortunate enough to celebrate their vicennalia, their twentieth imperial anniversary; and from the second century onwards Constantine alone ruled long enough to celebrate a tricennalia.

2012, Gary Forsythe, "Magna Mater and the Taurobolium", Time in Roman Religion, p. 111

(historical) The festival and religious rituals celebrating a Roman emperor's 20th year of rule.


tricennalia

tricennalia (plural tricennalia or tricennalias)

tricennalia (plural)
tricennalias (plural)

From Latin trīcennālia, from trīcennium (“30-year period”) + -ālia (“-alia: forming the names of festivals”), from trīcennis (“30-year”) + -ium (“forming abstract nouns”), from trīciēs (“thirty each”) + annus (“year”) + -is (“forming compound adjectives”). Equivalent to tricennium + -alia.

In 336, the city was ready. Constantine the Great could celebrate his Tricennalia, his thirty-year jubilee, in his new capital. One year later, he was baptised and died.

2008, Jona Lendering, “Constantine's City”, in Livius:

(historical) The festival and religious rituals celebrating a Roman emperor's 30th year of rule.


decennalia

decennalia (plural decennalia or decennalias)

decennalia (plural)
decennalias (plural)

From Latin decennālia, from decennium (“10-year period”) + -ālia (“-alia: forming the names of festivals”), from decennis (“10-year”) + -ium (“-ium: forming abstract nouns”). Equivalent to decennium + -alia.

Seven pieces celebrate the Decennalia of Arcadius, which were due on Jan. 15, 393.

1915, Arthur Evans, "Notes on the Coinage and Silver Currency in Roman Britain from Valentinian I to Constantine III", Numismatic Chronicle..., 4th Ser., Vol. 15, p. 436

(historical) The festival and religious rituals celebrating a Roman emperor's 10th year of rule.

Antoninus Pius
Julian the Apostate
decennalia


quindecennalia

quindecennalia (plural quindecennalia or quindecennalias)

quindecennalia (plural)
quindecennalias (plural)

From Latin quīndecennālia, from quīndecennium (“15-year period”) + -ālia (“-alia: forming the names of festivals”), from quīndecennis (“15-year”) + -ium (“-ium: forming abstract nouns”). Equivalent to quin- + decennalia, quindec + ennalia, or quindecennium + -alia.

There is evidence, that the quindecennalia, of fifteenth anniversary of Trajan's proconsular authority, and of his adoption to the empire, was celebrated in 111, or the year after Pliny's arrival in Bithynia.

1837, Edward Burton, Lectures upon the Ecclesiastical History of the First Three Centuries..., Vol. II, "Lecture XIV", p. 40

There is good literary evidence for Honorius' tricennalia in 422, which is at the end of perfect quinquennial sequence from 393, as well as consular vot xxx mvlt xxx solidi, though there do not appear to be any vota coins marking his quindecennalia or quinta quinquennalia.

1988, Richard W. Burgess, “Quinquennial Vota and the Imperial Consulship in the Fourth and Fifth Centuries, 337-511”, in Numismatic Chronicle, number 148, page 85:

On 1 January 112... the year opened with a series of celebrations to mark the quindecennalia of the emperor's ascension.

1997, Julian Bennett, Trajan Optimus Princeps: A Life and Times, page 186:

(historical) The festival and religious rituals sometimes observed celebrating a Roman emperor's 15th year of rule.


Apple Gifting Day

Apple Gifting Day (plural Apple Gifting Days)

A traditional celebration where individuals exchange apples as a symbol of good health for the upcoming year, observed annually on January 1.


Commitment Day

A day dedicated to displaying affection and devotion to loved ones, observed annually on January 1.


Ayyám-i-Há

Borrowed from Classical Persian اَیَّامِ هَاء (ayyām-i hā', “Days of Ha”).

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اَیَّامِ هَاء

A period lasting four or five days before the last month of the Baháʼí calendar, celebrated by Baháʼí Faith believers as a festival.


Ridván

A twelve-day-long festival in the Baháʼí Faith commemorating a declaration by Baháʼu'lláh that he was a Manifestation of God.


reverse Advent calendar

en-noun

reverse Advent calendar (plural reverse Advent calendars)

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-reverse Advent calendar.wav

A reverse Advent calendar consists of collecting long-life food items and toiletries which you then donate at the end of the 24 days. You could add one item per day or donate as many as you like and are able to. You could also create a reverse Advent with a group of friends or family and add one item per person per day.

2020, Eilidh Gallagher, Green Christmas: Little Changes that Bring Joy and Help the Planet, Bloomsbury Publishing, page 51:

Sarah said that if Helen wanted either Playmobil or Lego she’d have to hurry as they sell out early, and that she would be doing a reverse advent calendar and buying something for the food bank every time she shops in December. That rather shut everyone up and they all agreed they’d do it, too.

2021, Cathy Rentzenbrink, Everyone Is Still Alive, Orion Publishing Group, page 76:

We also work with food charities closer to home. Every year in the UK we encourage our community to take part in our reverse advent calendar with a twist. Instead of taking food as you would with a traditional advent calendar, customers put food into their box each day of December. We then collect up all of the full boxes of food and deliver them to our food partner. This helps ensure support is given to people in need at this difficult time of year and collectively has a big impact.

2023, Giles Humphries, Myles Hopper, Mindful Chef: Healthy You, Happy Planet, Random House, page 69:

The activity of storing away a non-perishable food item, toiletry, clothing item, or other essential item each day during the Advent period, often starting on December 1, then donating them on Christmas Eve to local food banks, shelters, charities, or other organizations that support individuals and families in need.


Christmas Capital of the Philippines

en-proper noun

the Christmas Capital of the Philippines

After the Giant Lantern festivals held every Christmas in the capital of the province, San Fernando.

(Philippines, chiefly Pampanga) A nickname for Pampanga.


Kwaak Taanba

Borrowed from Manipuri ꯀ꯭ꯋꯥꯛ ꯇꯥꯟꯕ (k͟waak taanba).

bor+

a Meitei festival held on the 10th of Mera of the Meitei calendar.


Summerween

2012. Blend of summer + Halloween. Originally coined in animated TV series Gravity Falls.


Sajibu Cheiraoba

Borrowed from Manipuri ꯁꯖꯤꯕꯨ ꯆꯩꯔꯥꯑꯣꯕ (sajeeboo cheiraaʼoba).

ꯁꯖꯤꯕꯨ ꯆꯩꯔꯥꯑꯣꯕ

an annual Lunar New Year festival celebrated by Meiteis on the month of Sajibu.


Ningol Chakkouba

Borrowed from Manipuri ꯅꯤꯉꯣꯜ ꯆꯥꯛꯀꯧꯕ (neengol chaakkouba).

ꯅꯤꯉꯣꯜ ꯆꯥꯛꯀꯧꯕ

a traditional Meitei festival celebrated and held on the second day of Hyangei (October-November).


Snegurochka

the Snow Maiden, a character in Russian folklore who assists her grandfather Ded Moroz in bringing gifts to children every New Year.


International Day of the Girl

International Day of the Girl Child#English

Alternative form of International Day of the Girl Child


International Day of the Girl Child

At its fiftieth session in February 2006, the CSW identified the girl child as its "priority theme," and it collaborated with UNICEF to organize an expert group meeting on the girl child and build momentum toward creating an International Day of the Girl Child.

2019 October 16, Ashwini Tambe, Defining Girlhood in India: A Transnational History of Sexual Maturity Laws, University of Illinois Press, →ISBN:

A holiday celebrated on October 11 that aims to raise awareness of the challenges and issues faced by girls around the world


Christmas in July

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-Christmas in July.wav

A second Christmas celebration sometimes held on July 25th, centered on secular activities and entertainment such as social gatherings, seasonal entertainment, and shopping.


samhainophobic

en-adj

samhainophobic (comparative more samhainophobic, superlative most samhainophobic)

more samhainophobic (comparative)
most samhainophobic (superlative)

If you’re samhainophobic, you should probably stay home today.

2006 October 31, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “Face Your fears”, in Chicago Tribune:

Did you know that many Serbs are pretty samhainophobic?

(Can we date this quote?), Olivera Tolimir, “Halloween in Serbia: Learn 4 Serbian Tricks to get a Treat”, in Belgrade Language School:


samhainophobe

However, in news that samhainophobes may welcome, the percentage of Americans who say they are planning to celebrate in 2020 has dropped from 70 percent to 58 percent from previous years, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Statista.

2020 October 30, Kashmira Gander, “What Is Samhainophobia? The Extreme Fear of Halloween That Makes Some People Physically Sick”, in Newsweek:

Aside from the above symptoms, which mostly happen when triggered, a samhainophobe can also experience more generalised symptoms that can present all year but tend to intensify at Halloween.

2023 January 26, Laura Allen, “What is Samhainophobia?”, in CPD Online College:

One who exhibits samhainophobia; one who is afraid of Halloween.


samhainophobia

Can someone be cured of samhainophobia, or any of the related phobias mentioned above? Yes, indeed.

2012 October 28, David DiSalvo, “Are You or Someone You Know Samhainophobic?”, in Forbes:

While samhainophobia is not a distinct diagnosis in the DSM-5, the fear of Halloween may meet the diagnostic criteria for a specific phobia.

2020 June 3, Lisa Fritscher, “Could You Have Samhainophobia or the Fear of Halloween?”, in Verywell Mind:

Likely exacerbating the situation for samhainophobia suffered is the fact that the vast majority of Americans celebrate Halloween each year.


Kali Puja

Kali + Puja, based on Sanskrit काली (kālī) and Sanskrit पूजा (pūjā). Literally means "reverence of Kali".

(Hinduism) A festival celebrating the goddess Kali, held at around October and November.

Deepavali

other Hindu festivals celebrated at the same time


Thaipusam

Borrowed from Tamil தைப்பூசம் (taippūcam).

bor+

A Hindu festival celebrated on the first full moon of the Tamil month of Thai.


Feast Week

Due to the fact that many families serve large meals for Thanksgiving

(Canada, US, especially college basketball) The week surrounding Thanksgiving Day.


Rouketopolemos

Greek Рουκετοπόλεμος (Рouketopólemos, literally “rocket war”)

bor

Рουκετοπόλεμος

A traditional Easter event in the town of Vrontados (Βροντάδος) on the Greek island of Chios, in which rival church congregations fire large numbers of home-made rockets across town, attempting to hit each other's bell towers.


Hock Tuesday

(historical) The Tuesday of the old festival of Hocktide.


Betwixtmas

Thank the blessed baby Jesus, then, for Betwixtmas, which begins, according to my calendar at least, on 27 December. This special four-day period is nestled between the messy aftermath and clean-up duties of family Christmas and the exhausting-sounding New Year’s Eve party I will almost certainly flake out of at the last minute.

2021 December 26, Emma John, “Families have had their fun. Now, for us singletons, let the magic of Betwixtmas begin”, in The Observer, →ISSN: