GREENWICH, N.Y. — If you’re located in the Northern Hemisphere, today marks the Winter Solstice! On December 21st, 2024 at 4:19AM (EST), the Earth was tilted as far away from the sun as possible. Considered the “shortest day of the year,” the sun will only pop out for a few hours today before dipping back below the horizon. But thankfully, each day from here out, we’ll be gaining additional daylight – until the Summer Solstice occurs in June. Springtime will be here before you know it!
How will you be celebrating the Winter Solstice? Perhaps it takes a backseat to Christmas and New Year’s activities, but here are a few small ways in which you can mark this astronomical event.
Take a winter hike
Make the most of your daylight hours, and consider taking a wintertime stroll. If you’re lucky, and the ground is blanketed in snow, you can take in the unique beauty and peace of a wintery wonderland.
As with any hike, however, make sure you are prepared with the essentials such as warm water, food, emergency supplies, and communication tools. Dress in layers, so as you warm up you can take clothes off and avoid getting sweaty, which can cause you to get chilled in the frosty air.
For more information about winter hiking, click here. For less experienced hikers, a simple wintertime walk at your local nature preserve can be a great way to celebrate the Winter Solstice.
Plan a garden
Looking for something to do inside? Cozy up with a cup of tea, a warm fire, and crack open those seed catalogs that have slowly started to make their way into your mailbox. What better time than the Winter Solstice to start dreaming of your spring garden?
If you’ve never started a garden before, now is the perfect time to start planning. First, ask yourself what you want to get out of a garden. Do you seek fresh vegetables to incorporate into your meals? Are you looking to expand a flower garden to beautify your landscape? Or maybe you’re looking to start a little oasis to relax in. Whatever your goals, dreaming of sunshine and greenery is a great way to make it through the dark winter months.
To plan your garden, start by considering your space, the amount of sunlight it receives, and your soil. From there, the sky is the limit! Grab a pencil and notebook, a few seed or plant catalogs, and start sketching what your future garden might look like.
Enjoy wintery crafts
Looking for something else to do inside? There are numerous crafts and hobbies to try – why not pick one up to celebrate the Winter Solstice?
Knitting or crocheting are popular hobbies, and even a novice can produce a warm winter scarf or hat to keep themselves (or loved ones) warm. There are many resources available online to help you get started, but you may already know someone who could help teach you. Check-in with a relative or friend, you may have a new hobby to share!
If textiles aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other creative pursuits to enjoy, such as painting, making jewelry, or even writing. Take the time to try something new for the Winter Solstice.
Bird watching
Winter is a wonderful time of year for bird-watching. Even the smallest birds are much easier to spot when there are no leaves on the trees, and the bright winter snow provides a stark contrast to dark feathers. You can observe several species right in your own backyard, or take a trip to a local park.
While you can enjoy this hobby without any special equipment, a pair of binoculars would be handy if you’re looking high up in the treetops. Or if you’d like the birds to come to you, a bird feeder might be a worthwhile investment. A small journal is also a lovely way to track what you’ve seen and to jot down any notes about the weather or time of day.
Despite the minimal amount of sunlight and cold temperatures on the Winter Solstice, there are sure to be a surprising number of creatures to spot right outside your window!
Star gazing
Why not take advantage of the early sunset and take up star gazing? Thanks to light pollution, you may have trouble viewing the stars if you live in an urban or suburban area, but a quick drive can bring you to a pristine viewing area. Winter skies are often clear, offering a dazzling show of stars and planets.
You can invest in a pair of high-powered binoculars or a telescope, but even with nothing but your eyes, you should be able to identify several constellations and planets. There’s no better way to enjoy Mother Nature’s light show during the Winter Solstice!
This weekend you may be absorbed in planning for Christmas or New Year’s, but the Winter Solstice is a great time to take a break from the hustle and bustle. Why not slow down and treat yourself to a walk, plan a garden, or gaze at those show-stopping stars? Starting on December 22nd, the sun will be shining a little more each day until spring officially arrives on March 20th, the Spring Equinox. Take the time to enjoy winter while it’s here on the Winter Solstice!
