What does December mean to you?

The variety of people who live in Yeovil is very diverse. Our community is made up of people of all different races from all different places, of different ages, abilities, genders, beliefs… People with different skin colours, bodies that work differently, different family dynamics, minds that interpret and experience the world around us differently… And it got us thinking, what does December mean to different people that we share our town with?

I am HIV positive. December means raising recognition of HIV and AIDS on World AIDS Day. 

I am a Christian and December means celebrating Advent.

I am a disabled person December means marking International Day of Disabled Persons each year and celebrating UK Disability History Month.

I am a teacher; December means a two-week break.

I’m a Buddhist and December is when we celebrate Bodhi Day, the Day of Enlightenment.

I am a child and December means a visit from Santa on Christmas Eve.

I’m a Hindu and December means celebrating Pancha Ganapati in honour of Ganesha.

I am someone with sensory processing issues and December means loud music and bright lights.

I’m Jewish, and December can mean celebrating Hanukkah, the festival of lights. Although this celebration falls on different dates in the Gregorian calendar, it always begins on the 25^th day of Kislev.

I am an elderly person who lives alone with no close relatives. December means a reminder of how lonely I am.

I’m vegan and I raise awareness on International Animal Rights Day (IARD) in December.

I am a Pagan and December means I celebrating Yule on the Winter Solstice.

I am LGBT+. December is when the #RainbowLaces campaign highlights visibility for LGBTQ+ people in sport.

I have an eating disorder and December means increased expectations, stress and pressure from those around me.

I am an atheist but I still mark Christmas in December by buying presents and spending the day with family.

I’m an activist and in December I celebrate the day the UN adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – the first enunciation of human rights across the world.

I work in retail and December means lots of over time and the same Christmas songs on repeat for my whole shift.

So many different views! And with that in mind, what does December mean to you? Do you see yourself represented here? If not, do share with us if you’d like to and we’ll add more to the list. Whatever this month brings your way, you never know what people around you are dealing with. Be kind, tolerant, considerate and help us to continue to encourage unity in Yeovil’s community.