🎉 Nobel Prize Day — December 10 🏅✨
Today we raise a metaphorical glass (and maybe a literal one later) to the thinkers, dreamers, problem-solvers, and world-changers who made humanity just a smidge more brilliant. Happy Nobel Prize Day, the annual reminder that someone out there is curing diseases while the rest of us are Googling “how long can leftovers last?”
Let’s celebrate big ideas, bold discoveries, and the occasional awkward acceptance speech.
🛍️ Totally Casual Affiliate Disclosure
Some links in this post may earn me a tiny commission—just enough to fund my lifelong dream of winning the Nobel Prize in Online Shopping.
📜 A Quick, Quirky History of Nobel Prize Day
Back in 1895, Alfred Nobel—chemist, inventor of dynamite, dramatic overachiever—signed his will and casually redirected his fortune to fund the most prestigious awards in existence. Legend says he did this after a French newspaper accidentally printed his obituary with the headline: “The Merchant of Death Is Dead.” Talk about a bad press day.
Determined to reshape his legacy, Nobel established prizes for Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, and Peace. (Economics joined the party later, like that cousin who shows up uninvited but brings really good snacks.)
Since 1901, December 10—Nobel’s death anniversary—marks the glittery ceremony where laureates receive medals, diplomas, and lifelong bragging rights.
🤓 Fun Facts to Flex Today
Nobel invented 355 things, including the precursor to modern dynamite and… a self-solidifying gelatin. (Not his best work.)
The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo, while the others are awarded in Stockholm. Why? Norway and Sweden had joint custody when Nobel wrote his will.
Marie Curie is the only person to win Nobels in two scientific fields. Iconic behavior.
The Nobel medal still shows Alfred Nobel’s face—making him the ultimate photo-bomber.
Three Nobel Prizes have been declined… yes, declined. Some people just don’t like fancy medals, I guess.
Each Nobel diploma is hand-painted and unique.
The Nobel Prize banquet menu is kept secret every year until the dinner. Suspense + food = perfection.
🎉 10+ Ways to Celebrate Nobel Prize Day
Host a DIY “Nobel Night.” Present household awards: “Best Coffee Brewer,” “Most Dramatic Refrigerator Light,” etc.
Write a tiny essay in your best faux-Nobel-laureate tone. Bonus points for unnecessary metaphors.
Read a poem by a Nobel Literature winner (Morrison, Neruda, Munro—pick your flavor).
Try a mini science experiment like making oobleck or homemade lava lamps. Zero explosions—ideally.
Watch a documentary about a Nobel laureate (Malala, Einstein, Mandela).
Create a “Peace Prize” jar and add daily acts of kindness for the month.
Send thank-you notes to teachers, mentors, or researchers you admire.
Make a faux Nobel medal with craft foil and ribbon—wear proudly while doing absolutely nothing noteworthy.
Cook a Swedish meal in Alfred Nobel’s honor (see below!).
Hold a trivia night with categories for each prize field.
Dress formally for dinner and pretend you're attending the banquet. Bonus: a very dramatic walk to the table.
Donate to an education or science nonprofit—your wallet gets the Peace Prize.
🍽️ Nobel-Themed Dinner Menu
🥘 Entrée: Swedish Meatballs with Cream Sauce
Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
½ lb ground pork
1 egg
½ cup breadcrumbs
1 tbsp grated onion
Salt, pepper, nutmeg
2 tbsp butter
1 cup beef broth
½ cup heavy cream
Steps:
Mix meats, egg, breadcrumbs, and seasonings.
Roll into small balls; brown in butter.
Add broth + cream to the pan, simmer until silky.
Serve over mashed potatoes like a true laureate.
🥗 Side: Lingonberry Winter Salad
Arugula + sliced apples + walnuts + feta + drizzle of balsamic. Sweet, crunchy, genius.
🍸 Signature Cocktail: The Nobel Spark
3 oz champagne
1 oz elderflower liqueur
Twist of lemon
Top with edible gold glitter because tonight, you're fancy.
🥤 Mocktail: Scandinavian Snow Glow
Sparkling water + white grape juice + squeeze of lime + floating cranberries.
🍰 Dessert: Almond Cardamom Cake
Moist, fragrant, and the kind of dessert that whispers “you deserve an award.”
🎒 Classroom Activities
Elementary School
Make “Peace Posters.” Kids draw what peace looks like to them.
Build mini inventor stations using recyclables—paper robots welcome.
Read a picture book about a Nobel laureate (Malala, Wangari Maathai).
Middle & High School
Mock Nobel Committee Debate. Research nominees and vote.
Write a micro-essay on a Nobel-worthy discovery that would make the world better.
Mini-lab challenges using safe household materials.
🧑💼 Workplace Activity: “Office Nobel Awards”
Give playful awards like “Peace Prize for Mediating Every Meeting,” “Literature Prize for Best Emails,” and “Chemistry Prize for Mysteriously Perfect Coffee.” Medals optional but encouraged.
🎬 Movie Pick: The Theory of Everything
A beautiful, moving portrayal of Stephen Hawking—science, love, struggle, triumph. Perfectly Nobel-y.
📺 TV Episode Pick: The Big Bang Theory — “The Citation Negation”
Nothing screams Nobel Prize Day like Sheldon spiraling over academic credit.
🔖 Hashtags
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