5 Simple Ways To Celebrate Winter

Since I wrote about simple ways to celebrate the Summer Solstice last summer, I figured it was only fitting that I do the same for the Winter Solstice.

Solstice comes from the Latin phrase for “sun stands still” and is the first official day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. It usually falls around December 21 and this year it is on December 22. It is known as the “shortest” day of the year, because it has the shortest number of daylight hours than any other day of the year, which means it also has the longest night of the year.

Winter Solstice also comes in the middle of what is usually the busiest and most stressful time of the year for most people. Here are a few simple ways to reconnect with the rhythm of the earth that will help you slow down and enjoy the changing of the seasons.

It has been celebrated since ancient times and is often a celebration of light. Once the solstice comes the days begin to get brighter again, and eventually, the summer sunlight returns. So, why not treat yourself to some calming moments focused around this tradition?

Bring more light into the winter solstice by putting luminarias on your front porch or driveway. Or, put them in your backyard and relax by them and an outdoor fire pit with your friends and family.

Even though it is cold, reconnect with nature if only for a few minutes. The healing power of nature is a great way to de-stress and enjoy the season instead of focusing only on the gifts still left to buy, or the big holiday meal yet to come. Take a walk or go snowshoeing. Many communities host special solstice hikes, check to see if there is one near you.

Is it too cold and snowy to go outside? Then sit by the window and watch the snow falling in the fading light as the sun is setting.

Go stargazing. It not only lets you connect to the natural world, but it is another way to observe the celebration of light. You can do this in your own backyard or even just take a walk and look at the stars, or find a local planetarium with a special solstice show.

Make the Winter Solstice a day of contemplation by taking some time out of the day to focus on the change in the earth’s cycle and to slow down your pace. Try to just take some time to simply do nothing, to have complete unscheduled time to relax and rejuvenate. This is especially important during the holidays when our stress level is at its highest. Watch the sunset, or, if the day is sunny and bright, sit outside and feel its warmth for at least a few minutes. Sit out by an outdoor fire pit in the evening and watch the night sky.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Dresia V.

9:25AM PDT on Mar 30, 2012

I love baking in the Winter time, walking in the dry fluffy snow that paints the earth a peaceful, yet different picture, I love watching movies, I love snow tubing using, and going to the gym and using the steam and dry saunas during the Winter months especially and I love how the snow cleans the air for us and purifies nature. I love celebrating Winter by sitting near the fireplace and smelling the wood burning and I love cooking out on the deck in the Winter time too.

send a green star

Margie B.

10:23PM PST on Feb 23, 2012

Eternal G.

5:22PM PST on Jan 11, 2012

Can't wait till it's winter again- time for inner reflection!

Michele W.

1:41AM PST on Dec 29, 2011

Thank you

George M.

4:15PM PST on Dec 28, 2011

I celebrate the day after winter solstice. It means that there are a few more seconds of daylight and we are moving from darkness to more light.

Natasha L.

12:45AM PST on Dec 28, 2011

Thanks

Lori K.

12:08AM PST on Dec 27, 2011

I love and celebrate all 4 changes of he year; the Summer and Winter Solstices, and the Autumnal and Vernal Equinoxes. It is nice to notice the changes that occur as our planet makes its annual trip around the sun

Carolanne P.

7:39AM PST on Dec 26, 2011

I love the Solstice, especially as its birthday time for me!. I enjoy a nice bath with Pine, Rosemary & Bay added (you can use fresh/dried or essential oils. This is to shrug off the stress/worries of the past 6 months. Eating an apple on Solstice night is supposed to ensure good health for the next year.Placing holly, mistletoe & a tree in the home during Yule season brings the essence of nature & the wilderness inside during the darkest months of the year.It is supposed to refresh the homes energies & reminds us of the continuing growth & life of the Earth. Putting candles or lights on the tree ensures the household will have a year of plenty, warmth & light. Hope you all had a great Solstice & get ready for the next Celebration on New Years Eve. A few minutes before midnight there is an old ritual of opening the doors/windows will release any negative vibrations from last year. Burning 7 candles supposedly brings household luck. Enjoy, whatever you do, fellow Care2 comrades x

Myriam G.

9:14AM PST on Dec 25, 2011

We celebrate the Winter Solstice by lighting a Yule log, an actual log that we decorate with dried flowers and leaves, pines cones and all kinds of things we collect when we go to the woods, year 'round. We stick candles on it we eat a special dinner by the ligth of the Yule log, talking about the things we did in the past year, the occasions on which we collected each small decorations on the log, and what they mean to us, how allt his will translate in the coming year.
After the Holidays, we bring the log outside and burn it, to make way for the fun new things to come with the new Sun, this year.

KARLOLINA G.

5:46AM PST on Dec 21, 2011

Danke.