Category: December

Simple Ways to Celebrate the Winter Solstice

It’s here! Today marks the first official day of winter in the northern hemisphere. Knowing as the longest night of the year, the Winter Solstice marks the return of the light. Slowly the days will grow longer and the night shorter.

How to Celebrate the Winter Solstice

People around the globe celebrate the Winter Solstice in many ways. If you are looking for simple ways to celebrate the start of the winter season with your family, consider the following ideas.

Go for a Nature Walk

Even if the sun is starting to set, go outdoors. Tonight, after sunset, look just above the horizon to view Jupiter and Saturn’s rare alignment. The lining up of the two planets will create a rare appearance of light, also known as the Christmas star. Here are a few tips for your nature walk after dark. 

  • Dress appropriately. Remember to wear layers to keep warm.
  • Carry your cell phone, but put the device on vibrate.
  • Use a flashlight if needed.
  • Remember to walk in a known location for safety. Walking on a familiar path is essential if the sun is setting.

Go to the Library

On your walk or car ride, go to your local library to check out books about the Winter Solstice. Some quick title suggestion includes:

Your local library, online shopping center, or bookstore has numerous books related to the Winter Solstice.

Eat 

Combine your Winter Solstice celebration with your dinner. Host a special family night meal.

  • A hearty Winter Solstice Soup to help you stay warm.
  • Swedish Saffron Buns or create bread in the shape of the sun to welcome back the light-filled days.
  • Mulled Wine, Hot Tea, or Eggnog
  • Winter Salad
  • Brussel Sprouts
  • Butternut Squash
  • Bake a cake in the shape of a Yule Log
  • Use nature and winter-themed items to decorate a cake.

Feed the Birds 

Long winter nights mean less available food for birds. Add extra seeds to your bird feeder. Or decorate a tree with edible food for the birds to enjoy.

Make Nature Crafts

Use items from your nature walk for crafting. Pine cones, small twigs, or acorns are perfect materials for wreaths and other nature-inspired crafts.

The Winter Solstice is a once a year event. Even if you just decide to curl up under a comforter with a good book, take a moment out of your busy work, school, or holiday schedule to celebrate the longest night.

 

Drawing Prompts for the Christmas Season

Are you and your family spending more time at home this Christmas season? Are you searching for fun, simple activities to do together? How about a daily drawing challenge?

Spending a little time each day drawing can help expand your child’s imagination, increase vocabulary, and enhance fine motor skills. Unsure what to draw? Check out the following drawing prompts for the Christmas season.

  1. Santa
  2. Elf
  3. Candy Cane
  4. Gifts
  5. Star
  6. Angel
  7. Snowman
  8. Snowflakes
  9. Bells
  10. Reindeer
  11. North Pole
  12. Santa’s Sleigh
  13. Toys
  14. Manger
  15. Nativity
  16. Ornaments
  17. Gift Tags
  18. Christmas Stockings
  19. Christmas Wreath
  20. Christmas Tree
  21. Red and Green
  22. Ribbons and Bows
  23. Mistletoe
  24. Christmas Eve
  25. Christmas Day
  26. Snow Globe
  27. Mittens and Scarves
  28. Peace
  29. Love
  30. Animals in the Snow
  31. Welcoming 2021

Drawing is an open-ended activity. There is no right or wrong way to do it. Simply use your imagination.

Journal Writing Prompts for December

The last month of 2020 is finally here. Are you still keeping your journal? Or are you just starting? Regardless of where you are at with your journal entries, use these writing prompts to help you through December.

  1. How did last month go for you? Write about your highs and lows for November.
  2. Write down 10 things you hope to accomplish in December.
  3. How is the pandemic in your area? Are the cases rising or decreasing? What are your concerns about the ongoing health crisis? Go into details.
  4. How has the pandemic changed your daily routine?
  5. Free write for 10 minutes. Set a timer and just let your thoughts flow.
  6. What one day from your past would you like to relive again? Why? Go into details.
  7. What major change would you like to implement in your life? What is stopping you from achieving your goal?
  8. What anxieties do you have about the future?
  9. What was the best part of your day today? Why?
  10. What was your biggest challenge or obstacle today? Why?
  11. What activity do you do to relieve stress?
  12. Go outdoors. Memorize what you see. Go back in and write the scene. Remember to focus on your five senses as you write.
  13. What were you doing at 11 am? Go into details.
  14. Write a book or product review.
  15. Write about a difficult time in your life. How did you get through it?
  16. What does your dream home look like? Go into details.
  17. Write about your day from the point of view of your dog or cat.
  18. Write a restaurant or small business review.
  19. What is one thing you want to do right now but can’t?
  20. Write a letter to your future self.
  21. Write about your extended family, your grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.
  22. Describe the view out your window. If it’s dark, write about the night.
  23. Write about your best Christmas as a child.
  24. Christmas Eve–Write about your day.
  25. Merry Christmas! How did you spend the holiday?
  26. What did you learn the most in 2020?
  27. Write a list of at least 10 things you want to personally accomplish in 2021.
  28. Write a list of at least 10 things you want to accomplish as a family or at your place of employment
  29. Write a bucket list for 2021.
  30. What are you hoping for in 2021?
  31. What are your final thoughts for the last day of 2020?