To help ensure that you stay on top of all the latest workplace developments, the following is our guide to some of the lesser-known holidays your employees might be observing in December.

CONTEST: Just to make sure you’re paying attention, the list includes one made-up holiday. The rest are very real. The first person to post a comment identifying the bogus celebration will win a valuable prize.

  • Day Without Art Day (1)
  • National Dice Day (4)
  • Bathtub Party Day (5)
  • International Ninja Day (5)
  • National Pawnbroker Day (6)
  • Cotton Candy Day (7)
  • Buy Something You Can’t Afford For Someone Who Doesn’t Need It Day (12)
  • Cat Herders Day (15)
  • Barbie and Barney Backlash Day (16)
  • National Chocolate-covered Anything Day (16)
  • National Re-gifting Day (20)
  • Underdog Day (21)
  • Humbug Day (21)
  • National Haiku Day (22)
  • Festivus (23)
  • No “L” Day (25)
  • National Whiner’s Day (26)
  • National Chocolate Day (28 & 29)
  • Falling Needles Family Fest Day (30)

What does this mean for employers? For decades, employment lawyers have advised their clients to avoid references to any specific celebrations at this time of year and to use instead the seemingly innocuous phrase “Happy Holidays.” But is that good advice?

In light of the above, by uttering “Happy Holidays” you may be unwittingly sanctioning gambling, whining, cat herding, bathtub partying, pawnbroking, humbuggery, haikus, chocolate over-indulgence, artlessness, discrimination against the letter “L” and violence against beloved children’s icons.

Our advice? Drop the word “Holidays” from any greeting and simply say: ”Happy.”

Enjoy the month!

(Sources: library.thinkquest.org, brownielocks.com, holidayinsights.com, gone-ta-pott.com)