From Heaven above to you I bring A blessed word of good tiding. Yea, News of joy and mirth this day To all mankind I sing and say.                                                        read more …

  This accordion book celebrates the winter solstice and the festivals of light that occur at this time of year. Since early in human history, this solar event has been important. As the days grew shorter, people felt that the light was leaving and that they needed to do something to ensure its return. Fires  read more …

I’ve long been enchanted with the beauty and magic of prayer flags. A custom started in Tibet over 2000 years ago, traditional prayer flags display Buddhist prayers, mantras and powerful symbols. They are hung outside homes and places of spiritual practice, and it’s believed the flags create a spiritual vibration that is activated and carried  read more …

“Bringing in” a bit of evergreen is an ancient wintertime tradition. For thousands of years, the evergreen tree has stood as a beautiful reminder that life can survive through the frigid months. Over the years, the tradition has evolved and become a beloved part of many holiday celebrations. With a little bit of love and  read more …

When we think of holidays and spiders, we often think of October and Halloween. But in many parts of Europe, you will often find spider ornaments on Christmas trees. They are a symbol of good fortune and a lovely way to share an old story of humble sweet gifts and creativity. Though spiders instill a  read more …

One of the joys that I have at the holidays is the setting of my holiday table. My mother hosts my husband, children and I for Christmas Eve, and then Christmas Day it is our turn to feed our family and friends. The menu is created just after Thanksgiving, with everything from desserts, appetizers, breads  read more …

Every year, the eight-night-long celebration of Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of the Jewish lunar month of Kislev. This year, the 25th of Kislev corresponds to December 20th on the Gregorian calendar. During the eight nights of Hanukkah we light a hanukkiah (a special menorah candelabra which holds nine candles) to commemorate the relighting  read more …

In celebrating and marking Advent in our family, I am always eager to find the balance that gives space for the thrills of anticipation, the squeals of just how close we are getting, and the bursting excitement, with an assurance that we ride the crest of that wave all the way in, not find ourselves  read more …

One aspect of Waldorf and Montessori education that is cherished is the celebration of festivals across the globe. Here we have gathered a list of some of the most cherished winter festivals, as well as a brief description of each, for you and your family to enjoy. :::::::::::: Advent: Means “coming”. The season of Advent  read more …

I never thought the day would come. I knew, theoretically, that traditions are often passed down from one generation to the next, and altered and enhanced with each new bearer. I knew that this was the cycle of family rhythms, but still I never thought the day would come when the decades-long tradition of hosting  read more …

Christmas. As a child, the mere mention of its name spread a giddy smile across my face. To me, it was pure magic. When the cool winds of autumn transformed our hot summer scene to a beautiful fall, I knew my most favorite time of year would soon be with us. I was lucky to  read more …