Happy Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice is upon us!

Many of you are feeling the energies of it and are just wanting to hibernate like a bear. With the shortest day and longest night of the year, the winter solstice will take place on December 21st here in North America.

Many cultures around the world celebrate the solstice by holding festivals, rituals or celebrations but with the circumstances we are in you may be looking for ways you can celebrate on your own or with your household.

Keep reading below for some unique activities you may want to try.

Bird Seed Ornaments

These are really easy to make and fun for everyone including your feathered friends from the neighborhood!

RECIPE

You can pick up everything you need at the grocery store.

YOU WILL NEED:

• ½ cup of cold water
• ½ cup boiling water
• 2 packets of gelatin
• 2 Tablespoons of corn syrup
• 2 ½ cups of bird seed, “Country Mix” shown here
• Cookie Cutters
• Straws cut in 2” pieces
• Parchment Paper
• Twine or another kind of string (biodegradable if possible!)

Remember this is a kid-friendly birdseed feeder! Have the kiddos help measure, pour, and mix. Even your toddlers will love helping with this project.

INSTRUCTIONS:

First, you want to mix the gelatin with a half cup of cold water until it’s all dissolved!

Now add a half cup of boiling water (adult help required) to the bowl, and stir it slowly until it’s completely dissolved.

Add 2 tablespoons of corn syrup and stir until dissolved.

Quick Tip: Spray the tablespoon with a little non-stick spray and the corn syrup will slide right off!

Now add in your bird seed.

Keep mixing until the gelatin/corn syrup mixture evenly coats all of the seeds. Let this rest for a couple of minutes if the mixture seems watery.

Now for the fun part, this is the messiest part, spoon the seed mixture into the cookie cutters.

Fill the cookie cutters about half way and use a small piece of parchment paper to press the seeds firmly into the mold. Fill the cookie cutter to the top & press again.

To make a hole for your twine, push the straw into the birdseed. Leave plenty of room between the straw and the edge. Press around the straw to ensure the seeds will hold shape around the hole.

Place the cookie cutters in the fridge to set overnight. Once set, remove the cookie cutters by gently pushing at the edges until it falls out, taking extra care with detailed cookie cutters.

Pop the straws out & thread the twine.

Your bird feeders are ready to hang outside. You want to make sure you hang them so the birds have a place to rest while nibbling.

Another easy and fun project is Paper Cup Luminaries.

SUPPLIES:

Paper cups or Scrapbooking Paper (If you use Scrapbooking Paper you will need a glue gun)

Hole Punch or any other shape punches you may have

Flameless Tea Lights (battery operated) **the dollar store has them**

You can make random holes in the paper cup or let the kids draw a simple design and punch holes along the design.

Or…

Use Pretty Scrap Booking paper cut the height you want your luminary to be and punch out your design.

Roll the paper into the width you want your luminary to be and use a glue gun to fasten it. You don’t need a bottom in them just the tube.

Place your candle in the bottom of your cup and place the luminaries along your sidewalk or entryway.

If you use the paper tubes place candles where you want them and set the tubes over them.

Enjoy bringing light into your space.

***Because the candles are battery operated you can use your luminaries indoors if you like***

Whatever ritual or project you decide to do enjoy the Winter Solstice.

Please share with anyone that you think might benefit from this information!