Candlelit Winter Solstice Fireplace Picnic

Candlelit Winter Solstice Fireplace Picnic

Recipes, Winter Solstice
Every Winter Solstice my family turns off all the lights in the evening, lights a fire in the fireplace, lights a million candles, spreads a blanket in front of the fireplace and has a special dinner on the living room floor. Not only is it a lovely way to celebrate the darkest night, but it’s also a great opportunity to turn off electronics and lights and just enjoy each other’s company. We do this every year, no matter what else we do (or don't do.) The kids think it’s hysterical to walk around the house with a lantern and it’s an incredibly relaxing night in a busy stressful season. We always have Swedish meatballs (which are referred to as ikea meatballs in my house... ) with mashed potatoes, green beans…
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Magical Winter Solstice Rituals & Traditions

Magical Winter Solstice Rituals & Traditions

Folklore, Winter, Winter Solstice
The Winter Solstice is the day that the earth is tilted the furthest away from the sun and consequently has more hours of darkness and less hours of light than any other day of the year. Every day after the Winter Solstice there is gradually a little more light until the Summer Solstice. Ancient people thought that the sun was dying and being reborn on this day. The Winter Solstice most often falls on December 21st and has long been a day of celebration. In fact, it was a whole season of celebration in ancient times. The sun is at its lowest point in the sky on the Winter Solstice and shadows become stretched out and longer than usual. The word solstice comes from the Latin, sol means sun and stitium…
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2024 Winter Solstice Picture Book Countdown

2024 Winter Solstice Picture Book Countdown

Picture Book Buds, Winter, Winter Solstice
You might know that every year I make a Winter Solstice Countdown calendar full of crafts, activities, and recipes. This year I wanted to add picture books to each day to make things even more festive! These books correspond to the activities in the main countdown calendar, so you can read them along with the calendar or just read a book each day if that's more your speed. Happy Solstice! December 1, 2024 Share Some Kindness, Bring Some Light by: Apryl Stott December 2, 2024 Hiders Seekers Finders Keepers: How Animals Adapt in Winterby: Jessica Kulekjian December 3, 2024 Wintercake: A Winter and Holiday Book for Kids by Lynne Rae Perkins December 4, 2024 Grandmother Winterby: Phyllis Root December 5, 2024 A Cozy Winter Dayby: Eliza Wheeler December 6, 2024 Winter Is…
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2024 Winter Solstice Countdown Calendar

2024 Winter Solstice Countdown Calendar

Play, Recipes, Winter, Winter Solstice
Countdown to the Winter Solstice with activities, recipes and crafts. Come back each day for a new surprise! The doors won’t open until the correct day (So 1 opens on December 1st, on December 5th you’ll be able to open 1-5, etc.) The calendar includes a new exclusive excerpt from my Winter Solstice book that will only be available through this calendar and only in December 2024. It also includes four guest blogs from other talented makers! Click on the image below to go to the calendar!! (This will take you to a new window) Click once to open the door and click a second time to open the tutorial. Click Here for the materials list– there are some spoilers here, but I tried my best to give you the info you needed without giving…
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The Sunniest Sun Bread

The Sunniest Sun Bread

Play, Recipes, Winter, Winter Solstice
Sun Bread is a sweet book by Elisa Kleven that doesn't specifically mention the Winter Solstice, but revolves around bringing the sun back after a period of cold gray weather, so it's a perfect fit. Making your own sun bread is a popular activity this time of year and there is even a recipe in the back of the book. That recipe contains wheat, which I am allergic to however, and some other things that may not work for your family. So what to do? I struggled with this a lot when I first found out I was a celiac, especially around the holidays. There are so many fun traditional breads-- and finding gluten free versions of them was nearly impossible. But then I figured out the secret. Good base recipes.…
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Winter Solstice Pomander Bath Bombs

Winter Solstice Pomander Bath Bombs

Bath & Body, Craft Project, Folklore, Winter, Winter Solstice
One of the things that love the most about the Wheel of the Year is that it celebrates nature and the changing of the seasons. It is often thought of as a strictly Celtic/ Gaelic construct, but in reality people all over the world celebrate these midpoints in nature is surprisingly similar ways. (Those that are in reasonably similar climates that is.) Ancient people in temperate climates were observing generally the same seasonal changes, the same fluctuation in light and it was understandably important to them. The longest night of the year, and the return of lighter days was noteworthy not just in Europe, but also in Iran, China, and Japan. In Japan, the Winter Solstice is called Tōji. With roots in the Chinese philosophy of ying & yang, the…
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Winter Tree Weaving

Winter Tree Weaving

Craft Project, Foraging, Nature Art, Nature Collection, Play, Winter, Winter Solstice
This is another great simple craft for littles to do as a part of my Winter Walk party or just for a fun afternoon! This pretty decoration is easier for little hands to make than a wreath, but just as pretty! My kiddos aren't that little anymore, but they were both very excited to make these as well. A grown up or older friend can put together the frame and then younger friends can collect pieces of evergreen and herbs to weave in. We used evergreens, holly and some sage and rosemary that are still going strong in the garden. You don't need a proper weaving technique here, just wiggle the pieces in enough to hold things in place. This look awesome on a winter nature table, or equally lovely…
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Magic Crystal Geode Lanterns

Magic Crystal Geode Lanterns

Craft Project, Winter, Winter Solstice
Fall and winter are prime lantern time, and I am constantly thinking of different ways to make lanterns this time of year. It feels like it suddenly gets dark at 4 or 5 pm so the desire for more light is almost instinctive I think. Winter and Winter Solstice seem like the perfect time for sparkly magical lanterns, and they have serious snow queen vibes. It was really hard to capture the extreme sparkliness in photos, so I did my best, but these are way more sparkly in person. This is actually a pretty simple craft, but will need too cool overnight and dry out for at least another day.These little lanterns are perfect for a Winter Solstice lantern walk or party! Magic Crystal Geode Lanterns I’ve always loved making…
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Fun Winter Solstice Craft Ideas for Kids

Fun Winter Solstice Craft Ideas for Kids

Craft Project, Nature Art, Nature Collection, Winter, Winter Solstice
Looking for fun crafts to do with (or without...) kids for the Winter Solstice? Click the text next to the images for the tutorials. Save for later! Lanterns & Light Crafts: Make a star shaped Winter Solstice lantern to light the longest night! Craft these simple snowy tree lanterns from a recycled jar and some unexpected evergreen plants. Geode Lanterns Make ice lanterns with natural materials! Orange Pomander candles are the perfect way to decorate a winter nature table Ornaments & Decorations: Make Winter Solstice Tree & sun ornaments with a golden sun tree topper Make beautiful spice mosaic ornaments Craft some stars from twigs Make some woodsy mushroom ornaments Craft dried orange garlands to decorate your home Decorate your windows with lovely stars that also diffuse scent Gifts &…
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Aurora Borealis Pinecones

Aurora Borealis Pinecones

Campfire, Craft Project, Folklore, Nature Art, Winter, Winter Solstice
The Northern Lights or aurora borealis, is a natural phenomenon caused by energized particles from the sun hitting the Earth's upper atmosphere. The earth's magnetic field directs these particles towards the poles which is wy they are more visible there. The result of this atmospheric bombardment is beautiful colored lights dancing in the sky that have inspired human observers for a millenia. The famous Italian astronomer Galileo gave the lights their name in 1619, but the earliest known record of the phenomena is a 30,000 year old cave painting in France. Galileo named the light for the Greek goddesses of the of dawn, Aurora, and the north wind, Boreas. They feature in folktales and myths from around the world. The Inuit people believe they are spirits, while the Vikings attributed…
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