Welcome to The Official December 16th Site! Since 1980, the date has been marked with celebrations all around the globe for reasons that are, well...unusual. For a little more about the history of this holiday, here is a poem about just why people annually celebrate December 16th;
The year's 1980, and a small group of friends
Were wrapping up gifts, but not some loose ends.
Seems each one forgot, as Winter Break arrived,
To think of the reasons from which gift-giving derived.
In haste they were preparing to leave school in a huff,
When somebody asked "Are we exchanging stuff?"
Strange as it seems, for they were all so close,
They hadn't bought presents for the pals they liked most!
A scramble ensued, and somehow presents were found.
Some were hand made, others had been homeward bound.
At the end of the day, the friends gathered once more
To "exchange stuff" before they ran out of the door.
Well, I don't have to tell you that much fun was had
And that these last minute gifts were comically bad!
A feeling of warmth and friendship so filled the room
That each pal was lifted from their mid-Winter gloom.
The occasion was marked on a hastily-made tag
Which was attached to a gift stuffed into a bag.
The author had penned, in a moment of mirth
A phrase which would travel all over the Earth!
"Happy December 16th" the whimsical note began,
After which the reason to celebrate ran
(As true today as it was then, I fear);
"Because it comes only once a year!"
From that year to this, the friends have spread word of this day
And each year it has grown, in a nutty sort of way.
So, enjoy the tradition, say a toast to your friend
For December 16th is too special to ever, ever end!
December16th.org
the site dedicated to celebrating the day that comes only once a year
Check out this vintage
December 16th
tri-fold card from 1989...
Scene One
Scene Two
Scene Three
Send us your memories of December 16th! Drop us a line by clicking HERE!
A December 16th memory...
I fondly remember being the kid sister of an original (I think) December 16th reveler. There I was, eagerly anticipating Christmas's arrival so I could open my few gifts, when lo and behold, a full 9 days before the holiday, I was given a small present by my brother's good friend, John. It was a tiny stuffed elephant from a magical place called "Wally World" (which I was later to learn is our favorite all-purpose store, and at which, some 20 years later, I was to do all of my Christmas shopping in one night!). I was overjoyed! Between my younger sister's hippopotamus and my elephant, we had the best December 16th ever!! But not because of the toys - because of the thoughtfulness of their giver. Thanks for the memories!
Nicole (Waite) Sudhoff
Lombard, IL
