Why Leon Day is Celebrated Over Two Days
The annual recognition of Leon Day is still in its infancy.
Less than 30 years old, Leon Day began as an Internet marker of the half-way point to Christmas — a countdown to the countdown to Christmas celebrated in online communities, message boards and forums dedicated to celebrating Christmas in the mid-1990s.
It is now widely celebrated on social media and many still don’t know why.
As we mark it each season we always get questions. Whose idea was Leon Day? When did this become a thing? And, most of all, why are some celebrating it on two days (June 24th and June 25th)?
Truth be told, the original idea of Leon Day cannot be credited to one single person.
Many believe it originated on Christmas.com, which once upon a time had a thriving forum.
It’s an easy marker. Leon is the word “noel” spelled backwards, an idea that has given spark to a backwards day of celebration at the North Pole.
Arriving just after the summer solstice, Leon Day begins on June 24th and goes through June 25th, not unlike Christmas itself.
If it is indeed two days, why do we call it Leon Day and not Leon Days?
It is a fair question that is easy to answer. Which is more “Christmas” to you — Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
Ask that question anywhere and you are likely to get split answers and maybe even heated debate. For many people Christmas Eve is the very height of Christmas. In other places, Christmas Day is the big celebration.
Indeed, Christmas itself is unlike any other holiday in that it is recognized, celebrated and honored months in advance and for weeks afterwards. All over the world different regions, religions and peoples have unique dates in their celebrations of Christmas.
So why not Leon Day as well? Leon Day is growing. We are starting to see Leon Day decorations in stores. Some sell hats and t-shirts. Many mark the day by listening to Christmas music or fixing special foods or even entire meals that are traditionally reserved for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. It is, like Christmas, not to be contained. Like Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, there is no right way or wrong way to celebrate Leon Day. It is as varied as Christmas itself.
What Leon Day accomplishes is a solid reminder that Christmas is both coming and not forgotten.
As Dickens famously wrote, “I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year”. Leon Day is but one grand way to live up to that.
How do you celebrate Leon Day? Please share in the comments below or discuss it with us on the Merry Forums.
