Girl Scout Fun Ideas for December

I've worked with Girl Scouts for nearly two decades (it really doesn't feel like that long!) and one of the things I loved most about having a Girl Scout troop was our holiday and seasonal activities. The ideas I share in these monthly posts are from a New Leader Booklet that was shared with me when I started leading Girl Scout troops in the early 2000s. Since our council (and as far as I know any other) no longer shares this information, I want to make it accessible on the internet. Enjoy!

Note: Please be careful to remember that not everyone celebrates Christmas! If all of the girls in your troop are of one faith, you could go ahead and do the typical crafts, holiday caroling, etc. However, it is much better to remember that Girl Scouting is not a Christian organization, and that we want to inclusive to girls of all faiths. As such, this might be a perfect opportunity to learn about other faiths by doing activities such as Hanukkah dreidels, something related to Kwanzaa, etc. 

Take part in a service project benefiting others, such as a food drive, toy drive, or gift giving to those less fortunate.

Have a cookie exchange.

Decorate cookies or cakes to donate or keep.

Make gingerbread houses with graham crackers and small milk cartons.

Make angel dolls. Cute what material approx. 8"x 5". Satiny material looks great. Fold down 1/3 and stuff a ball of stuffing for the head, tie with attractive cord. Add a second piece of material approx. 4"x 12", tie around the shoulders with a cross cross in front for wings. Add doll hair, use markers for faces, and make a halo with star garland.

Make sock snowmen: Take one boys' tube sock, turned inside out (so you have the fleecy side out). Stuff with three balls of polyester stuffing, (largest at bottom, smallest on top for head). Turn down cuff of sock; stripes form hat. Decorate with black pompoms for face and buttons and add a shiny piece of orange felt for the nose. Glue with tacky glue or glue guns (be careful!). Tie ribbon around the neck and sing Frosty the Snowman.

Take an outdoor hike, especially in the rain. Notice all of the changes taking place (bare trees, etc.) Be sure to take along a trash bag and pick up any trash you find. If everybody doesn't have a raincoat, cut holes in large trash bags for arms and heads. Jump in puddles. Find a rainbow.

Make rain pictures. Put a piece of paper down on the ground, weighted down on the edges so it won't blow away. Sprinkle some dry tempera paint on the paper. Let rain sprinkle on the paper. Look to see what designs were made.

Play with your food! On December 23, the Festival of the Radishes is celebrated in Mexico. Giant radishes are carved into figures of people and animals. Prizes are awarded. Practice knife safety and carve a few radishes, too. Perhaps you can even practice making beautiful garnishes for food during the holidays. 

To the best of my knowledge, this booklet originated in the San Francisco area (the original specified places in that area along with including a San Fran phone number.) The ideas I have shared are not my own, though I have modified a few to include more updated information. 

December Doings

December really is the most wonderful time of the year, it seems there is magic surrounding us from the first snowfall to the twinkling lights. December also brings with it so many reasons to celebrate. Each year we try to celebrate at least one lesser known holiday and try out a new cultural experience. I hope this list encourages you to try something new as well.

Monthly Celebrations

• Advent - November 29-December 24
• Art & Architecture Month
• Handwashing Awareness Month
• Learn a Foreign Language Month
• Read a New Book Month
• Universal Human Rights Month
• National Fruitcake Month
• Eggnog Month

Weekly Celebrations

National Cookie Cutter Week - 1st week
National Handwashing Awareness Week - 1st Week
Tolerance Week - 1st Full Week
Human Rights Week - 2nd Full Week
Hanukkah - December 10-18
Las Posadas - December 16-24
Yule - December 21-January 1
Kwanzaa - December 26-January 1

Daily Celebrations

December 01 - National Christmas Lights Day
December 02 - National Mutt Day
December 03 - Make a Gift Day
December 04 - Santa's List Day
December 04 - National Cookie Day
December 05 - Krampusnacht
December 05 - Christmas Parade Day
December 06 - Saint Nicholas Day
December 07 - Walt Disney Day
December 08 - National Christmas Tree Day
December 09 - Christmas Card Day
December 10 - Hanukkah Begins
December 12 - National Poinsettia Day
December 12 - Gingerbread House Day
December 13 - National Cocoa Day
December 13 - Saint Lucia Day
December 14 - Roast Chestnuts Day
December 15 - National Cupcake Day
December 16 - Chocolate Covered Anything Day
December 16 - Las Posadas Begins
December 17 - National Maple Syrup Day
December 18 - Bake Cookies Day
December 18 - National Ugly Sweater Day
December 18 - National Twin Day
December 19 - Holly Day
December 19 - National Hard Candy Day
December 19 - Look for an Evergreen Day
December 20 - Go Caroling Day
December 20 - Games Day
December 21 - Winter Solstice
December 21 - Yule Begins
December 22 - National Cookie Exchange Day
December 23 - Christmas Eve Eve
December 23 - Pfeffernüsse Day
December 24 - Christmas Eve
December 25 - Christmas
December 26 - Kwanzaa Begins
December 26 - Boxing Day
December 26 - National Candy Cane Day
December 27 - National Fruitcake Day
December 27 - Make Cut-Out Snowflakes Day
December 28 - National Chocolate Candy Day
December 29 - Pepper Pot Day
December 30 - National Bicarbonate of Soda Day
December 30 - Bacon Day
December 31 - New Year's Eve

The information gathered in my monthly doings posts comes from a variety of sources. Some of my favorite celebration sources are Punch Bowl, The Spruce, and Apples 4 the Teacher.

All graphics used on this post are from Ashley at Thistle Girl Designs.