This year, our family is consciously choosing to shift our holiday focus away from the traditional gift-giving frenzy and instead prioritize quality time together, embracing the simple act of being present with one another, especially on the Winter Solstice, where we will actively choose to rest and enjoy each other's company without the pressure of buying presents. We are saying "no" to the hustle and bustle of consumerism and instead embracing the true meaning of the winter season through shared meals, cozy activities, and a dedicated day of relaxation.
I have celebrated Winter Solstice for the last 30 years and my family has also celebrated Christmas and Hanukah. We have often called ourselves celebrating opportunists. We love to celebrate. But this year we are letting go of the Christian holiday of Christmas. We have celebrated this holiday from a secular perspective, mostly. Our family is not christian so we have participated in Christmas as a cultural holiday. But this year the consumerism of this holiday feels more like a burden. We do not need more stuff. The earth does not need us to buy more plastic stuff. We have prioritized buying used items over purchasing new things in general for years.
Instead we will celebrate Winter Solstice on December 21st. We will eat a potluck meal because we have a large family and we share the labor of creating this meal together. This dinner may look like Christmas dinner- roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, gravy, veggies, homemade bread and desserts. We will dine by candlelight and we will look forward to the return of the light. I may read a mythical story about the return of the light in the horns of the Mother Deer. We won't exchange gifts because we will recognize the gift of our PRESENCE.
On December 25th we will enjoy a day of not working. We will eat a delicious breakfast together and enjoy staying in pajamas long into the day. We will snuggle by the fire and watch movies that make us laugh. Some people will knit or crochet. Some will nap. Some will leisurely assemble a puzzle and maybe play some games. We will avoid social media. We will read books and step more deeply into analog life.
Maybe you want to shift your approach to the this holiday season? We have made these changes slowly over time. We have applied our ethics and values to make these decisions. Examining what parts of this holiday season serves and nourishes you, is a good place to start. to help you think about what changes you might want to make I have a made a list of the things that we considered as we transformed our holiday season.
All of us will rest.
Rest is what winter is made for.
Key points of our new holiday approach:
No gift exchange:
We will not be buying gifts for one another, recognizing the most valuable gift is our shared presence. This act helps reduce stress and consumption which are two aspects of this holiday that do feel good to me.
Winter Solstice celebration:
We will focus on a meaningful meal together by candlelight on the Winter Solstice, symbolizing the return of light. Prioritizing a holiday that is focused on a seasonal change centers a more earth-based spirituality rather than Abrahamic spirituality (Christianity, Judaism or Islam). This is one holiday around the wheel of the year which has eight holidays. It does not hold more importance than the other holidays for us.
Relaxing Christmas Day:
December 25th will be a day of rest, including a leisurely breakfast, pajamas, snuggling by the fire, watching movies, and engaging in low-key activities like puzzles or knitting. This date is not a religious holiday for us so we will use the principles of seasonal practices to rest and restore. Winter is a time of slowing down, relaxing, doing tasks like knitting and repairs. Because this day is a national holiday only one person in our family will work (this person is a service worker is required to work on Christmas.) The rest of us will sleep in, each good food and do leisure activities.
Anti-consumerist stance:
We are actively pushing back against the pressure to overspend and prioritize materialistic aspects of the holiday season. I think this point speaks for itself. Small steps towards our goals have been easier for me than a wide sweeping change but that is likely up to personal preference.
Mindful approach to traditions:
By re-evaluating our holiday practices, we are consciously choosing to celebrate in a way that aligns with our values and promotes genuine connection. We assess which aspects of the holidays serve our hearts, minds and spirits.
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