02 December 2023

Diversity, Wellbeing & Environment Calendar

December 2023

Whether your Christmas decorations are already festooned around the home or if you are strictly a twelve days of Christmas person, there is no denying we are now well and truly in the grips of Festive frivolities.

But not everyone sees Christmas as the most wonderful time of year, so with International Volunteer Day falling on 5th December, why not think of something you can do, however small, to give someone’s Christmas an uplift or a boost!!

It’s also a good time to reflect on what you have achieved over the last twelve months, what you would have done differently and the goals you want to set for yourself in the year ahead.

However you choose to spend the holidays, everyone at RHG wishes you a happy and healthy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

December sees two workshops from our GROW Academy taking place on the 5th and 14th of the month respectively. First up is Introduction to Project Management, which can serve as a refresher for those who want to re-introduce themselves to the subject or equally, a complete introduction to those of you new to the subject. Second up is Mindfulness, which comes at a great time for anyone wanting to find calm in the yuletide storm of festivities. Book your free places here – Virtual Workshops – RHG (rhgconsult.co.uk)

And if you still need some convincing, take a look at what some of our past attendees stated in their feedback.

Finally, here are some more observances and their meanings:

Hanukah	7-15th	Hanukah, otherwise known as Chanukah, is an eight-day festival of lights and a hugely joyous occasion for Jewish people worldwide.
Christmas Day	25th	In 1914, in the grip of World War I, along the 30 mile Western Front, there was a unsanctioned cease fire between opposing troops. As morning broke on Christmas Day, German soldiers emerged from their trenches, waving their arms to demonstrate that they had no ill intent. British soldiers soon joined them, meeting in No Man’s Land to socialise and exchange gifts. Christmas Truce \| Facts & History \| Britannica
St Stephen’s Day /Boxing Day	26th	Commemorating the life of St. Stephen, a Christian deacon in Jerusalem who was known for his service to the poor and his status as the first Christian martyr (he was stoned to death in AD 36). The 26th is more commonly known as Boxing Day, which takes its name from the practice of giving small gifts to household servants on that day for their work throughout the year
Hogmanay /New Year’s Eve	31st	The singing of “Auld Lang Syne” is now a worldwide custom, originated during Hogmanay. Another notable traditions includes “first footing.” This predicts good luck and prosperity if the first visitor to one’s house after midnight is a tall, dark-haired man bearing a ceremonial gift, such as coal or salt.