Ten days until Christmas! We’re due to have a Nor’easter tomorrow. That’s Maine-speak for a huge winter storm. It’s been snowing very steadily all month, so the entire Portland area is a winter wonderland. The weather can be very frightful, though! Thankfully, I put four brand-new snow tires on my little car. I can definitely tell the difference!
We are also fast approaching another late-December holiday of both scientific and spiritual origins: Winter Solstice. Next Saturday night, December 22, is the longest night of the year. The Winter Solstice is a special time of year celebrated by many cultures throughout the world. Many countries' modern winter holiday traditions have their roots in ancient Winter Solstice celebrations. Does your family have a special time set aside for celebration during the winter? It’s never too late to start a fun tradition!
Solstice means: "standing still sun." Such precision we have about it now! Winter solstice is when, because of the earth's tilt, the Northern hemisphere is leaning farthest away from the sun, and therefore: The daylight is the shortest. The sun has its lowest arc in the sky. A scientific reason for a much-revered phenomenon!
There are many things to do to celebrate the Winter Solstice and the holidays this year. Strengthen bonds with family and friends by visiting and/or exchanging gifts and greetings. Decorate your home with lights, greens, and holiday colors. Bless your home with a Yule wreath on your front door and sprigs of mistletoe inside. If you are part of a group, take up a collection of food and/or clothing at your Yule gathering and give what you collected to a social service agency to distribute to those in need. Place sunflower seeds outside for wild birds to feast upon. Greet the sun at dawn on Solstice morning by ringing bells. I’m sure you can come up with many other ways to honor the darkest night of the year.
Here at Sturbridge Yankee Workshop, we thank you for choosing our holiday gifts. Light the Angel Gourd Lantern or the Santa Gourd Lantern on December 22, to bring light to the long night. Our large Snowman Gourd is lighted from within, but don’t worry – he won’t melt! For a romantic solstice dinner, use our fun Wine Topper with two candles. And, toast marshmallows with our Iron Fire Fork, waiting for your mittens to dry on our Iron Drying Rack. It’s going to be a cold night.
But, I love the snow!




















