Celebrate Winter Solstice every December 21st. This post is a day late, with the celebration being on Dec 21st but let’s celebrate all week long – Christmas Week!
It’s about celebrating the first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere! The shortest day of the year. This is a great excuse to have a small holiday party or family gathering right before Christmas – maybe with some other people you don’t normally get to celebrate with! Take this day as an opportunity to have your annual holiday party.
Facts & Folklore:
Shortest day of the year
Fewest hours of sunlight in the entire year – now the days will begin to grow longer
On the day of, stand outside at noon and look at your shadow – this should be your longest shadow
The word solstice is Latin sol meaning “sun” and sistere meaning “to stand still”
Celebration:
- Create a yuletide display with candles representing the sun, pinecones, evergreen or greenery, wreaths, a yule log
- This can be a beautiful centerpiece on a mantle or table to enjoy
- Light candles
- Make your own wreath, here is a DIY
- Follow in Nordic tradition and burn a yule log and sit by the fireplace; If you’re like me and don’t have an indoor fireplace, click on Netflix’s Fireplace for Your Home video
- Decorate a Christmas tree whether it be inside or outside, this could be a fun activity for a small party or with family
- Holiday gifts can be nature based such as a wreath, candles, seeds, fresh herbs, flowers, coffee, tea
- Meditate and reflect on the past year, taking time for yourself, to relax
How do you celebrate the winter solstice? I’d love to know more ideas and adopt new traditions!
Resources:
Almanac First Day Winter Solstice
Sunset Winter Solstice Rituals Nature
Photo Credit:
Photo by Taryn Elliott from Pexels
Photo by Oleg Zaicev from Pexels
Photo by Mohan Reddy Atalu from Pexels
