The Twelfth of December
- Merrick Wells
- Dec 12, 2022
- 3 min read
December 12th: Themes for celebration and contemplation
If you are looking for some themes and points of interest to add to your advent countdown, the Bulldogz Christmas spirit is in full flow and we can provide you with some of the fun, serious and little known points of celebration for each day on this magical countdown.
The final day in group stage voting for the Christmas film World Cup. See who is heading to the knock out stages here.
December 12
Poinsettia Day
Commonly referred to as the Christmas plant, this vivid red flower is incredibly popular as a Christmas gift in Spain. This date marks the death of Joel Roberts Poinsett, the American botanist, physician and Minister to Mexico who sent cuttings of the plant from southern Mexico to his home in Charleston, South Carolina in 1828.
The Poinsettia plant is the best selling potted plant in northern America. In Mexico the plant is called La Flor de la Nochebuena (Flower of the Holy Night/Christmas Eve) and is displayed on Dia de la Virgen, December 12th! The flower has been associated with Christmas since the 17th century when legend tells of a young girl who felt distraught at not having anything to offer baby Jesus in a Christmas processions. An angel tells her anything given in love is a special gift and the weeds she had gathered by the roadside magically transform into a beautiful red star flower.
The plant was called Cuitlaxochitl (Star Flower) by the Aztecs and was used to produce red dye. The sap was even used to fight fever.
Education.com have a downloadable colouring sheet
Ding-a-ling Day
This is a day to encourage us to make a phone call and reconnect with someone we have lost touch with. This grew out of a 1975 gathering of people trying to find ways to encourage more friendly behaviour. They agreed to phone a friend or relative they had not heard from on the evening of December 12th 1975 and a tradition was born.
Rather than seeking teaching ideas related to this campaign, we encourage English teachers to get on the phone this evening and reach out x
December 12th in History
Events
1988 – The Clapham Junction rail crash kills thirty-five and injures hundreds after two collisions of three commuter trains—one of the worst train crashes in the United Kingdom
Births
1915 – Frank Sinatra, American singer, actor, and producer (d. 1998)
Deaths
2007 – Ike Turner, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer (b. 1931)
2020 – John le Carré, English author (b. 1931
Christmas films
A comedy about a father trying desperately to find a popular toy that his son wants for Christmas.
Some farcical Christmas entertainment with Arnie in one of his comedy roles from the era when he was at the peak of his star power.
Group E Second Seed: 2018 Quarter Final defeat to Gremlins
Christmas music
From the Christmas Song World Cup Archives we give you Brenda Lee's rendition of "Rocking around the Christmas Tree". Check it out here!
Everything but the Girl produced the wonderful "25th December", one of the most poignant Christmas songs, that was never intended as a seasonal song despite the title. It has struggled to get out of the group stages of the CSWC as often overlooked in the shadows of the big hitters. Learn more
Lost Clauses version
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