THOUGHTS FROM THE MAN CAVE
Ugly Sweaters & National Lager Day
Make it a December to Remember with Fun National Holidays by Mike Savicki
The holiday feeling and elation hit me early this year. Blame it on COVID fatigue, why not? Call me crazy but, on the very night we turned the clocks back, when I saw my first house with an inflatable Santa, eight not-so-tiny plastic reindeer on the roof, and enough strung, colored Christmas lights to be seen through the windows of both Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic, I did a dance, air high-fived that supersized Santa, and shouted at the top of my lungs, “Hell Yeah, Bring On The Holidays!” To make it a December to remember, I did a bit of research and came up with an unofficial but amazingly awesome guide to the month in case you want to end 2021, masked or unmasked, on a high, happy, humorous, holiday note, too. If you’re looking for culture, cause, arts and entertainment, food, federal, health, animal, and even general fun events and celebrations, grab your calendar, hook up your sleigh, get into the spirit, take notes and look no further. Herewith is a collection of suggested day, week, or month long celebrations to add to your December calendar. I’ve also taken the liberty of adding in a few suggested ways to celebrate around the lake because, well, December 2021 only rolls around once, and you deserve to rock it out and finish the year strong. December kicks off with no less than nine month and week-long celebrations plus nearly two dozen special events to celebrate. December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month, in line with it also being National Month of Giving. On December first I think it is more than coincidental that the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting occurs on National Christmas Lights Day. If you are hungry, the first is also National Peppermint Bark Day, Eat a Red Apple Day, and the start of National Cookie Cutter Week. Wash your hands first, it’s also the start of National Handwashing Awareness Week. As the week continues, it picks up steam. Dec. 2 is National Mutt Day (dogs make great holiday gift additions to the family), and the 3rd is Let’s Hug Day. The 3rd, also known this year as Faux Fur Friday, lends itself to celebrating at the International Sweater Festival. 28
LAKE NORMAN CURRENTS | DECEMBER 2021
I don’t know where that is happening but wear a sweater anyway. Wear new socks on the 4th, it’s National Sock Day, and make sure to postmark your Santa letters today, it’s Santa’s List Day. Speaking of Santa’s List, how are your appliances? Why not end the 6th with a new microwave, it’s National Microwave Oven Day. Now seems like a great time to share some local ways to celebrate. Around the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th (i.e., National Cotton Candy Day, National Brownie Day, National Pastry Day, and National Lager Day) why not swing by Epic Chophouse, Port City Club, Famous Toastery, The Bakery Shoppe, D9, Corkscrew, or Duckworth’s and fill your bellies? Breakfast, lunch, dinner, treats, drinks. I may go heavy on National Lager Day and see what’s on tap at Lost World, Ass Clown, Eleven Lakes, Primal, Royal Bliss, Cornelius Drafthouse and Hop and Vine. But please don’t take my suggestions, head out to your favorite places and eat, drink, and celebrate locally. If you are a bit slow to get into the spirit, perhaps you’ll be ready by mid-month. The 12th is both Gingerbread House Day and National Poinsettia Day. Follow it up with hot chocolate; the 13th is National Cocoa Day. I hear the 14th is National Free Shipping Day but I’m an immediate gratification kind of guy so I’ll be shopping locally at The Back Room Men’s Clothier, The Village Store, and (ssshhh) Jewelers on Main. A few more celebrations not to forget? The holidays wouldn’t be complete without an ugly sweater, right? Buy yours now and get it ready for the s17th, yes, it’s National Ugly Sweater Day. Serenade the neighbors on National Caroling Day, it’s the 20th, then welcome winter, the Winter Solstice is on the 21st, which, coincidentally, is also Humbug Day. Or, flip side, maybe try to lift your winter spirits when the daylight is scarce; the 21st is also Look on the Bright Side Day. Cookie Exchange Day is the 22nd, cozy up for National Christmas Movie Marathon Day on the 23rd, and then, well, the rest is up to you. No matter where you go or what you do, make it a great season. Happy holidays, friends!
