A Wonderful Sight 

December 12 — The Full Cold Moon
Sky watchers will be dazzled by an exceptionally high, bright, and large Moon. In fact, this Moon is 14% bigger and 30% brighter than other full Moons this year. Why? The Moon is both in its full phase and at a point in its orbit that is nearest Earth, called its perigee. When these events occur together, the Moon is closer to Earth than usual. The effect? The Full Cold Moon will appear especially large near the horizon as the Sun sets. 

The Moon is also high at this time of year; when it's overhead (near midnight), it will light up the landscape. Take a magical stroll and see your world at night. You won't need a flashlight!

December 13 — St. Lucia’s Day
St. Lucia was a fourth-century Italian martyr. Her name is derived from the Latin lux, meaning “light.” By Swedish tradition, the oldest daughter dons a crown of burning candles and wakes the family with coffee and St. Lucia buns.

December 14 — Halcyon Days begin
The ancient Greeks and Romans believed halcyon days to occur around the winter solstice. This was supposedly a period of calm weather when the kingfisher (halcyon) could brood her eggs on a floating nest at sea.

Order Your 2009 Calendars

Don’t forget to buy your family's 2009 calendar from The Old Farmer’s Almanac. Keep it in a prominent place in the kitchen, and insist that each family member note all of their engagements. Click here to purchase.

Now look inside! Preview our beautifully photographed Recipe Calendar.

December 11, 1844
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) first used in dentistry.

December 12, 1792
Beethoven paid Haydn 19 cents for his first music lesson.

December 15, 1964
The present Canadian flag was adopted.

For more significant events in history,  sign up for our “Today in History” RSS feed.

Poinsettia Survival Tips
Keep your poinsettia in a cool spot, evenly moist, and out of drafts until you can move it outdoors in the spring.

Cyclamen Growing Tips
Although it looks delicate, this long-blooming holiday plant is actually quite hardy. Keep it evenly moist in a cool north window or where the sunlight is not too strong. See more on cyclamens. 

Tree Talk
• A freshly cut tree consumes up to a gallon of water in the first 24 hours.
• To water the tree without spilling, place ice cubes around the tree’s base.
• Add a little lemon lime soda to the tree water to give your evergreen a lift.
See more tree care tips.

Decorate with Greenery
Bring nature inside by decking out your home with the "ever" greens of pine, ivy, and boxwood.
• Place boughs of evergreens or rosemary over the grate of an unused fireplace.
• To keep greenery from falling off the mantle, use green floral wire to hold branches together. Tuck holly berry stems into greenery. Remove cuttings before they dry out.
• Make a kissing ball to add a touch of fun. Cover a Styrofoam ball with sprigs of boxwood and attach a red ribbon to the top. Dangle in a doorway. Move over, mistletoe!

December cold, with snow, brings rye everywhere.

Cut wrapping paper scraps into strips to make decorative paper chains for the Christmas tree.

It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving. –Mother Teresa