The winter solstice occurs on the day that we are furthest from the sun’s light. It is the shortest day and the longest night of the year. In 2017 the winter solstice will occur at 5:28 AM EST on Thursday, December 21 in the Northern Hemisphere.

Those in the southern hemisphere welcome the Summer and celebrate the summer solstice on the same date at the same time. Click on the link to learn more about the summer solstice.

Related: Winter Bucket List Family Guide for Seasonal Activities, Arts, and Crafts.

How to Celebrate the Winter Solstice

In ancient times, people grew afraid when each day had fewer hours of sunshine than the day before. They feared that one day there would be no daylight left. Over time, they realized that after this day each year the sun started moving towards them again.

As a result, solstice celebrations were created to celebrate the return of the sun. Many contemporary holiday traditions, including Christmas, were borrowed from these ancient solstice celebrations.

The primary intention of most winter solstice celebrations is to release the dark in favor of the light (the old in favor of the new) and to welcome back the light as each new day begins to grow longer and longer.

What is the Solstice?

The day the solstice occurs is the same across the globe, but the season you welcome depends on the side of the equator you live on. The reason is a great science lesson for kids. It’s all about the tilt of the sun.

Earth is tilted about 23.5 degrees. This means at different times of the year, either the northern or the southern hemisphere is closer to the sun. When the northern hemisphere is tilted away from the sun we experience the shorter colder days of winter, while those in the southern hemisphere experience the longer warmer days of summer and vice versa.

Learn More About the Solstices and Equinoxes

• Summer Solstice
• Fall Autumnal Equinox
• Spring Vernal Equinox

 

17 Ways to Celebrate the Winter Solstice

Below you will find a list of things you can do to celebrate the winter solstice. If you live in the southern hemisphere click HERE for ways to celebrate the summer solstice.

These ideas are all suggestions, not mandatory things that you must do. Create something meaningful for you and your family and you can’t go wrong. Click on the links following each idea to see the full tutorial.

1.  Create a Winter Solstice Tree

Many people make a winter solstice tree by hanging food to feed the animals when their food supplies have become scarce on the winter solstice.

• Making a Winter Solstice Tree | 95 Acres of Sky for Playful Learning
• Decorating an Outdoor Edible Tree for the Animals | Wilder Child

2. Make Solstice Lanterns

• DIY Winter Solstice Lanterns | eHow
• Ice Lanterns | Kiwi Crate
• Hand Painted Candle Holders | Use these ideas to create your own candle holder solstice lanterns. A little hand painted sun would be fun!

3.  Craft Orange Pomanders

Make orange pomanders to decorate and freshen the home on the solstice for the holidays. The orange is a symbol of the return of the sun.

• How to Make Orange Pomanders | Homemade Gifts Made Easy
• Make an Orange Pomander Centerpiece that Lasts! | Eclectically Vintage

4.  Read Books about the Winter Solstice

Read winter solstice books to your kids to help them understand the solstice and the cyclical nature of the seasons.

• Winter Solstice Books

 

5. Craft Sun Ornaments

Make sun and or star ornaments to hang on your Christmas Tree to symbolize the return of the sun’s light.

• Dehydrated Orange Sun Wheel Ornaments | The Ditzy Druid
• How to Make a Mini Felt Sun | Bugs and Fishes

6.  Stay Up All Night

Some people celebrate by staying up all night on the night of the solstice to be awake to welcome back the light.

7.  Spend the Evening by Candlelight

Many people choose to not use electricity on the night of the solstice and instead enjoy the darkest night of the year by candlelight.

8.  Have a Candlelight Solstice Feast

Invite friends and family over for a candlelight feast! Eat, drink, and be merry! Prepare wassail (spiked or unspiked) to serve with your meal.

9.  Enjoy a Yule Log

A yule log is a special log that is burned on the night of the winter solstice. Traditionally the fire is kept burning all night long to bring light to the darkest night of the year and to help re-ignite the Sun. Traditionally, a piece of last year’s yule log was often saved to help ignite the next years.

Yule log cakes were made by those that did not have a hearth or fireplace to burn one. A few recipes can be found below.

• Buche de Noel with Marzipan Mushrooms | Epicurious
• Yule Log | Cookies on Nigella
• Gluten Free Yule Log | Gluten Free and More
• Nutmeg Yule Log Cookies | Woman’s Day

If you don’t have a fireplace, you can fire up The Merry Yule Log or purchase a Yule Log Video. You’d be surprised how lovely these TV fireplaces are when you don’t have a fireplace!

10.  Reflect, Release and Let Go

Write down everything that you would like to release and let go of, onto scraps of paper. Once done throw them in the fire and allow the flames to transform the darkness into light.

Having a solstice gathering? Invite your guest to join you in this activity.

11.  Set Intentions

Write down your intentions. An intention is a thing, idea, habit, etc., that you would like to bring into your life. I like to spend the time after the winter solstice creating resolutions in the form of goals for the new year.

12.  Practice Yoga and/or Meditate

As mentioned above, the Winter Solstice is the shortest day and the longest night of the year. Practice yoga and/or meditate on the light within each of us to bring light to the darkest day of the year.

13.  Begin Something New

Solstices and equinoxes are a great time to let go of the old and begin fresh.

• Make a list of everything you’ve been wanting to do.
• Pick your top three choices.
• Plan to start one new thing. Don’t know where to start? See Creating Positive Habits.

 14.  Enjoy Seasonal Arts, Crafts & Activities

Creating winter arts, crafts, and activities is a great way to welcome the season. Here are a few to get you started.

• Winter Art Projects
• Rhinestone Pinecones
• Beaded Snowflakes
• Nature Craft Printable Activity Pack
• All Season Hand Print Tree – This all season hand and fingerprint tree is a great activity to do with your child to introduce the idea of seasonal changes. Feel free to do all seasons or just a winter tree.
• for more ideas check out our Winter Bucket List!

 

15.  Add Seasonal Decor to your Home

• Decorate your home with winter arts and crafts.
• Create a Winter Nature Table.

 

16.  Establish a Daily Rhythm

Establish a daily rhythm or routine to get organized for good! Children also thrive on household rhythms. Click on the links for more information.

17.  Get Outside & Connect

Get outside and connect with what matters on the equinox. You can start by searching for signs of winter. For more outside activities and information about the Get Outside & Connect Series click on the link.

Remember, this is NOT a must-do list. Pick any activity you like and make it your own.

Don’t forget to check out our Winter Bucket List for seasonal arts and crafts. You may also like Meaningful Christmas Traditions for a Magical Holiday.

Learn more about Rhythms of Play HERE!

More Information about the Solstices and Equinoxes:

• Celebrate the Summer Solstice
• Fun Ways to Celebrate the Fall Autumnal Equinox
• 7 Ideas to Celebrate the Spring Equinox