✨Longest Night Celebration + Winter Solstice gift ideas🦉

This year’s longest night (Winter Solstice) is December 21st. Traditionally, cultures around the world celebrate the end of the winter harvest, the beginning of longer days, or mark the coming of light by celebrating with feasts, candles, fire, or (historically) sacrifices, although the latter are usually now staged.

There is evidence that the Winter Solstice was celebrated in ancient times at Stonehenge in Britain and at Zagmuk in Mesopotamia. Modern-day Christmas feasts and gift-giving were influenced by the Ancient Roman Saturnalia celebration.

Around the World

In China and Korea, they eat sweet rice balls called tangyuan to celebrate Dongzhi. In Japan, they soak in hot, citrus Yuzu Baths to ward off illness. In Germany (and other areas in Europe), Yule is still celebrated by burning a log for good fortune. Girls in white carry candles on Saint Lucia Day in Scandinavian countries. In January, especially in cider-making regions in Western England, Wassailing involves singing and dancing around a bonfire, drinking a hot cider called Wassail. In India, they fly kites and burn bonfires during a harvest celebration called Makar Sankranti. And if you’re in Iran/Persia, you can enjoy pomegranates and watermelon on their Longest Night Shab-e Yalda. To welcome the sun back, the Native American Hopi still dance, pray, and tell stories during Soyal.

Of course, if you’re south of the equator, you would be celebrating Longest Night in June, like they do in Peru, where they celebrate Inti Raymi with parades and rituals.

On Oram

On Oram, Longest Night is held on the first day of Samdi and the first day of winter. In Catching Qat, the Solitary Comrades participate in the Longest Night celebration in Craguesport. All six city districts have cultural celebrations that date back to the original six families who founded the city. From the Hablis’ wiggly-jiggly dances, to the Daga races, to the Until-the-last-one-standing, No-holds-barred brawl in the Dwarf district, the common themes are light and community.

Check out pictures of the opening celebration and district festivities below.

Is this how you pictured these scenes from the book? If not, let me know in the comments below. Don’t have the book yet? You can get it now for up to 50% off on Amazon until Christmas.

Celebrate this year

Here are a few more items to help you celebrate this year’s Winter Solstice. Give them as gifts or use them to light up your home and garden this winter.

• Qrodin would recommend these greeting cards by Tree Free, made with 100% recycled paper in the USA.
• This beautiful solar Sun, Moon, & Stars wind chime and light would fascinate Akin.
• In honor of the faerie, Nightshade, this hanging Solar Fairy Light and shepherd’s hook would shine bright in any yard.
• Bell would adore this hanging solar lantern in green.
• Although it’s not large enough for Llani to climb, this lighted birch garland would look fantastic on your fireplace mantle.
• Even Kasaandra would approve of these hanging sun, moon, and stars string lights.
• Finally, this bronze-colored solar cat garden decor light reminds me of Balaerdo’s sign.

However you celebrate, and wherever you are, may you find light and love this winter.

Until tomorrow… or tomorrow!

P.S. Some of the links above are affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you buy through them. It helps support me and my writing, and it doesn’t cost you a thing.

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