December 2026 Calendar

December 2026 has 31 days. December is one of seven months in the calendar year with 31 days. The name December comes from the Latin 'decem' meaning ten, as it was originally the tenth month in the ancient Roman calendar before January and February were added.

December 2026 starts on Tuesday, December 1st, 2026. This means Christmas Day falls on Friday, December 25th, and New Year's Eve falls on Thursday, December 31st. The Tuesday start provides a good balance of weekdays and weekends throughout the month.

Christmas 2026 falls on Friday, December 25th. This is excellent timing! A Friday Christmas means many people will take a long weekend through Sunday (December 27th), and some may extend their vacation through New Year's by taking December 28-30 off. Businesses often close for the Christmas weekend. Since Christmas is on Friday, December 24th (Christmas Eve) will be especially busy for last-minute shopping and preparations. New Year's Eve follows the next Thursday, creating two celebration weekends close together.

Start Christmas shopping in early November, right after Halloween. This gives you 8 weeks before Christmas to spread out purchases and avoid financial strain. Black Friday (November 27th) and Cyber Monday (November 30th) offer the year's best deals on electronics, toys, and big-ticket items. Complete online shopping by December 15th to ensure delivery before Christmas, as shipping delays increase closer to the holiday. For personalized or custom items, order by early December. Keep a running list with budget tracking to avoid overspending. The average American household spends $600-900 on Christmas gifts.

A realistic Christmas budget is $600-900 for the average household, but adjust based on your circumstances. Break it down: gifts ($400-600 for family and friends), food and entertaining ($100-150 for special meals and parties), decorations ($50-75 if buying new items), travel ($100-200 if visiting family), and miscellaneous ($50-75 for cards, wrapping paper, charitable donations). Set individual spending limits: $50-100 for immediate family, $25-50 for extended family, $15-30 for friends and coworkers. Track spending in real-time using an app or spreadsheet. Consider homemade gifts, experience gifts, or charitable donations to reduce costs while maintaining thoughtfulness.

Book Christmas travel 60-90 days in advance, ideally by October 2026, for the best prices and availability. Airlines typically release holiday schedules in late summer. Christmas is the second busiest travel period (after Thanksgiving), so early booking is crucial. The busiest travel days are December 22-23 (traveling to destinations) and December 26-27 (returning home). Consider traveling on Christmas Day itself for fewer crowds and lower prices. If driving, avoid peak afternoon/evening hours (2-7 PM), check weather forecasts for winter storms, and ensure your vehicle is winter-ready. Since Christmas falls on Friday, many people take December 24-28 off for an extended vacation.

For 2026 Christmas delivery, follow these USPS deadlines: Retail Ground Service (slowest/cheapest) - December 2nd; First-Class Mail - December 18th; Priority Mail - December 19th; Priority Mail Express - December 23rd. These dates ensure delivery by December 25th within the continental U.S. For international shipping, mail by early December. Private carriers (UPS, FedEx) have similar deadlines but may offer later cutoffs with higher prices. Always add a few days buffer for weather delays. Ship earlier to Alaska, Hawaii, and international destinations. Use tracking services and insure valuable items. Package early to avoid post office lines during the busy pre-Christmas week.

New Year's Eve 2026 falls on Thursday, December 31st, leading into Friday (New Year's Day). Popular activities include: house parties with friends (most common and budget-friendly); restaurant reservations with special NYE menus (book 4-6 weeks ahead); hotel packages with champagne toast and breakfast; watching the Times Square ball drop (in person or on TV); local First Night celebrations with family-friendly activities; fireworks displays in your city; and elegant masquerade balls or formal galas. Many people take January 1st off, creating a 4-day weekend. Always plan safe transportation - use rideshare services, taxis, or designated drivers. Consider staying local to avoid traffic and DUI checkpoints.