RESOURCES FOR WINTER HOLIDAY
Here's a calendar of winter festivals and holidays, from 1 Nov. to 13 Jan.
- Maria's Christmas Archive (Countess Maria Hubert von Staufer)
- The best for those seriously interested in the history of Christmas, Christmas traditions,
and Christmas in other countries and cultures. Scholarly, interesting, well-written,
very nostalgic. Home page topics include: Polish Christmas, Hungarian Christmas, Christmas in Mallorca,
Countess Maria's Christmas books, Great British Christmas, an exclusive short
story for Christmas written by Maria, links to creche sites,
the history of the Christmas tree, Christmas 2000, Christmas accounts from historical documents,
Christmas around the world, annotated collection of links to Christmas music, etc.
- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Page (Kate Palenscar)
- Screen savers, music, and lots of links: Advent/Advent Calendars; December Holidays;
Holidays in Various Countries/Ways to say Merry Christmas in many languages;
Home Decorating and Crafts; Computer Screen Savers/Wallpaper/Clip Art Etc.;
Holiday Recipes; Christmas Flora & Fauna; Snow; Christmas Presents & Cards;
Activities and Reindeer Games; Stories, Articles, and Poetry; Holiday Humor;
Christmas Carols; Holiday Health & Safety Tips;
- How Christmas Works (How Things Work)
- Extensive document that answers the questions What is Christmas?, Why is Christmas such a big deal?,
Is December 25th really the day Jesus was born?, Why does everyone give each other presents on the
day of Jesus's birth?, Why is there a small evergreen tree in your living room?, Why have you decorated
this evergreen with ornaments, lights, fake snow and mylar plastic tinsel?,
Why are there oversized socks hanging on your mantel?,
And what about these fruit cakes?, Why do I keep hearing the same songs over and over again?,
And why do Christmas carolers walk around the neighborhood singing?,
Who is this Santa Claus person?, Why does everyone, even
Floridians, dream of a white Christmas?, Why is Christmas sometimes spelled Xmas?,
and lots more!
- Christmas in Australia (Palmerston District Primary School)
- Sections: The Nativity, Around the World, Traditions, Christmas in Australia,
Music & Songs, Food & Recipes, Fun & Games, Decorations & Crafts,
Stories & Poems, Santa's Selections, At Home with Santa, Write Santa.
- Gander Academy's Christmas Theme Page (Jim Cornish - Gander Academy, Newfoundland)
- Sections are: Meaning of Christmas, Christmas Activities, Christmas Traditions, Santa Claus,
Christmas Symbols, Christmas Graphics, Christmas Stories, Christmas Lists, and Teacher Resources.
- Christmas Eternal (Rev. Alex Stevenson - Latimer Memorial United Methodist Church)
- Lots of info here, most geared towards Christian and non-Christian alike. Topics include:
Legend of the Candy Cane, The 12 Days of Christmas, What's a Chrismon?,
Advent, Saint Nicholas, Stockings, Why is Christmas in December?, Legend of the Christmas Candle,
The Three Kings and their gifts, Should Christians Give Gifts?, Legend of the Poinsettia,
Holly, Legend of the Shepherd, The Christmas Rose, Christmas Tree, Misletoe, link to
other December holidays, and Christmas short stories.
- History and Customs of Christmas (Steve Harmon - Maineville Baptist Church, OH)
- The history of Christmas and major symbols (like Santa Claus) compared with Biblical figures and
history. For instance, Santa is compared with God/Jesus in terms of 13 characteristics
that they share, such as white hair, omniprescence, rewarder of good works, where he lives (north), etc.
Also the reason 25 Dec. was chosen; discussion of symbols like mistletoe and
Christmas cards, caroling, etc.; satirical poems; sermon outline.
- The Birth of Christ (Jeanne - Home for the Holidays)
- Sections on The Birth of Christ (from Luke), the Annunciation, Adoration of the
Magi, and Birth of Christ links.
- Good Christian Men Rejoice! (Karen Caroe - The Happy Homeschooler)
- Activities built around 15 Christmas carols, to help focus "on the reason for the season."
- Alternatives for Simple Living: Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway? (Simple Living Network)
- Names and contact info for ecumenical and Catholic organisations you can contribute to, so
that your Christmas gifts improve the lives of the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the poor, the imprisoned, the stranger.
- Anglican Advent Resources (Anglicans Online)
- Annotated links to online advent resources: Art, books, calendars, candles,
music, things for kids, Advent decorating, etc.
- A Short History of Christmas (Rev. Roger Fritts - Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church, Bethesda MD)
- Actually one of the longer and more detailed histories of Christmas on the Web.
- A Thumbnail History of Christmas in England (Maria's Christmas Archives)
- Elegant, interesting history.
- A Social History of Christmas Ornaments (OrnamentShop.com)
- Sections: Origins of the Christmas Tree; The Earliest Ornaments - The 1800s; and
The Rise of All American Ornaments - The 1900s.
- The Evolution of Christmas (The Rev. Robin DuMolin, American Spirit)
- Nice, two-page article on how Christmas developed from pagan holidays.
- The History of Christmas (Szaflik Family Christmas Website)
- One-page history, touching on history of wassail, Christmas tree, carols, greens, yule log,
gift giving.
- The Origins of Christmas (Christmas Information Services)
- This is the first of several pages explaining Christmas history. Follow the 'next page'
links at the bottom of the page for more.
- Ancient Festivals Coinciding with Christmas (Christmas Information Services)
- Aspects of the Antebellum Christmas (Timothy Crumrin - Conner Prairie: "Where History Comes Alive")
- Quite detailed, with footnotes.
- The History of Advent Calendars (Maria's Christmas Archives)
- The History of Christmas Crackers (Maria's Christmas Archives)
- Fascinating.
- History of Christmas Decorations (Maria's Christmas Archives)
- The Chronology of Santa Claus (Maria's Christmas Archives)
- A Hungarian Christmas (Maria's Christmas Archives)
- Four personal stories of Christmases past in Hungary/U.S., with poppy seed moon cake recipe following.
- Christmas in Poland (Maria's Christmas Archives)
- Lots of info on Polish Christmas carols, customs, history. Poppy seed roll recipe. Author's husband is Polish.
- The Great British Christmas (Maria's Christmas Archives)
- Customs of England, Scotland, and Wales, along with links to pages that describe the
traditional Christmas in each of these countries.
- Unusual Traditions in the Alps (Christmas Information Services)
- Christmas in Mallorca (Maria's Christmas Archives)
- Extensive page on customs, foods, etc. of Christmas in Mallorca (Spain). Partly in Spanish.
- Christmas in Estonia (Maria's Christmas Archives)
- The Christmas traditions of Estonia written from the perspectives of 4 teens.
- American Indian Christmas Customs (Maria's Christmas Archives)
- In Search of the World's Christmas Spirit (Maria's Christmas Archives)
- Essay with suggestions on how to have a less commercial, more nostalgic Christmas. Very nice.
- Kate's Merry Little Christmas Food Page (Kate Palenscar)
- Huge list of major holiday recipe sources, and sub-topics of Main Dishes,
Side Dishes/Appetizers, Cookies/Dessert/Breads, Candies,
Pies/Puddings, Beverages, Food for Santa and the Reindeer.
- Christmas Recipes (All Recipes.com)
- 845 Christmas recipes: Appetizers, Beverages, Breads, Breakfast Dishes,
Casseroles, Christmas Food Gifts, Desserts, Main Dishes,
Side Dishes, Vegetarian Christmas. Also menu planning, leftover uses.
- Good Housekeeping's 100 Years of Holiday Cookies (Good Housekeeping magazine)
- Recipes for cookies from 1900-1990, plus many more cookie and dessert recipes.
Also: Recipes for
Holiday Cookies to Share, including Lemon Hearts, Apricot-Almond Squares,
Hazelnut Rugelach, Cinnamon Pinwheels, Bourbon-Pecan Tassies, Sugar Cookie Cutouts,
Figgy Thumbprints, Christmas Fruit Drops, more.
- Mary Mahar's Favorite Christmas Recipes (Merry-Christmas.Com)
- Fifteen or so recipes from starters to desserts.
- European Christmas Recipes (Epicurious)
- Christmas dinner ideas from 12 European countries: Austria, Belgium, England, France, Germany,
Greece, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Scandinavia, and Spain.
- Christmas Foods for Kids to Make (Mrs. Santa Claus Kitchen)
- Make Santa Face, Bagel Wreath, Not Even a Mouse Salad, Santa Shake, Give me Mores,
Bowl Full of Jelly, Christmas Candle, Christmas Sandwiches, and Yule Log Frog.
- Christmas Fiction Booklists (Waterboro Public Library)
- Annotated links to about 10 booklists of Christmas fiction. Also:
Links to about 10 booklists of Christmas mysteries.
- Noel! Selected Yuletide Fiction: A Christmas List (Chicago Public Library)
- Long list of fiction with a Christmas theme. Includes author, title, date of publication, one-line description. 30 works
of fiction, some anthologies, and 11 mysteries, as well as Christmas mystery anthologies.
- The Twelve Books of Christmas (David K. Brown, Children's Literature Web Guide)
- Twelve children's books suggested for Christmas reading, with brief summary, excerpt, author/title info, image of book cover.
- Christmas Stories for Children (David K. Brown, Children's Literature Web Guide)
- Links to various Christmas stories for kids, including "The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus" (L. Frank Baum),
"The Gift of the Magi" (O. Henry), A Christmas Carol (Dickens),
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (Dr. Seuss), "The Selfish Giant" (Oscar Wilde), selections
from Good Stories for Great Holidays, original Web-based stories, more.
- The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry (merry-christmas.com)
- The whole short story online.
- Christmas: Songs of the Season (Not Just for Kids)
- Lyrics (and music, in most cases) for: Angels From the Realms of Glory,
Angels We Have Heard on High, Away in a Manger, The Coventry Carol,
The First Noel, Go Tell It on the Mountain, God Rest You Merry Gentlemen,
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,
The Little Drummer Boy, El nino del tambor, Oh Come, All Ye Faithful,
What Child Is this?, Good Christian Men, Rejoice, The Friendly Beasts,
Santa's Song, Deck the Halls, Paint Red Rattles on Old Rollie,
Housetop Sammy, Fred, Our Elf Hero, Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,
Grandma Rules!, Wiggle Hiss, Jolly Old St. Nicholas, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,
The Twelve Days of Christmas, Night Tree, You Are My Reindeer,
and We Three Kings Parody.
- Christmas Songs - Lyrics (catholic.net)
- Lyrics to: Angels from the Realms of Glory, Angels we have Heard on High, Away in a Manger,
Children, Go Where I send Thee, Christmas is now Drawing near at Hand,
Christmas in the Trenches, Deck the Halls, Go Tell it on the Mountain, Good Christian Men, Rejoice,
Good King Wenceslas, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Here we come a Wassailing,
I heard the Bells on Christmas Day, It came upon a Midnight Clear,
Jingle Bells, Joy to the World, Oh Come all Ye Faithful, Oh Holy Night,
Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, Silent Night, The First Noel, Twelve Days of Christmas,
We Three Kings, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, and What Child is This?
- Christmas Movies (Merry-Christmas.Com)
- Descriptions of 20 Christmas movies.
- Christmas Eve with Prairie Home Companion (Garrison Keillor - Minn. Public Radio)
- Performance archive with many sections, including the monologue and music, available in Real Audio.
- The History of Christmas Carols (Christmas Information Services)
- Christmas Holiday Decorating (About.Com)
- Over 10 articles on Christmas decorating, including trimming the tree, budget decorating,
tablesetting. Beware pop-up ads.
- How Christmas Lights Work (How Things Work)
- Scientific and practical explanation of how all kinds of Christmas lights (mini, blinking, etc.)
work, with photos and diagrams. Great page!
- Holiday Decorating Ideas (Honeysuckle White.Com)
- Five simple ideas, followed by the more elaborate Gilded Acorn Napkin Rings, Dried Citrus Wreath,
Flowered Candlestand, and Cornucopia Centerpiece.
- Do-It-Yourself Christmas (DIYNet)
- Ideas for lots of items, including three Easy Home-Made Greeting Cards,
Festive Christmas Tree and Ornament Ideas, Holiday Evergreen Wreaths and Garlands,
Scents of the Season, Faux Berry Wreath, Traditional Christmas Decor,
Tree Decorating, Christmas Decorating on a Budget, Make Your Own Gifts,
Elegant Last-Minute Gift Ideas, etc.
- History of Christmas Decorations (Maria's Christmas Archives)
- Christmas Crackers (The Rev. Martin Reed)
- History and instructions for making British Christmas crackers (an amusement, not a food!).
- Christmas Decorations (The Rev. Martin Reed)
- Instructions for making a simple angel, a Christmas story wreath, a simple star/mobile,
nativity figures (from film canisters). Easy enough for young kids.
- Christmas Plants and Growing Tips (Fernlea)
- Selection and care of the poinsettia, cyclamen, and
Christmas cactus. Also: poinsettia legend of Pepita and the
Christ child; instruction on how to get the cactus to flower;
and a Gardener's Resource Center with lots more information on gardening.
- Christmas Tree Decorating Tips (Christmas Information Services)
- Explains the feng shui significance of specific colours used on the tree.
- Christmas Symbols (Christmas Information Services)
- The Christmas Star;
The Christmas Tree;
Mistletoe;
Ivy, Laurel, and Rosemary;
Holly;
The Christmas Rose;
The Poinsettia;
and the Glastonbury Thorn.
- The Chronology of Santa Claus (Maria's Christmas Archives)
- The Evolution of Modern Day Santa (Christmas Information Services)
- Santa's Other Names (Christmas Information Services)
- A list of about 20 other names for Santa Claus, by country.
- The Chronological History of the Christmas Tree (Maria's Christmas Archives)
- Extensive, illustrated.
- Legend of Christmas Tree Lights (Maria's Christmas Archives)
- The History of Christmas Crackers (Maria's Christmas Archives)
- Fascinating.
- Alternatives for Simple Living: Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway? (Simple Living Network)
- Names and contact info for ecumenical and Catholic organisations you can contribute to, so
that your Christmas gifts improve the lives of the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the poor, the imprisoned, the stranger.
- Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland (Bronner Family - Frankenmuth, MI)
- " The World's Largest Christmas Store." Sections on Store Information,
Visitor Information, Special Events, Ornaments & Decorations,
Collectibles, Catalog Request, Silent Night Chapel, Decorations for
Cities and Shopping Centers, Fun Facts & Feature of the Month. Over 6,000 styles
of glass ornaments and 500 styles of nativities.
- What Homeschoolers Want for Christmas (A to Z Home's Cool)
- Specific gift suggestions for homeschooled kids and their families, with links to on-line sellers of
some of the gifts.
- Gifts for People with Alzheimer's or Dementia (Stephanie Zeman - Self-Help and Psychology Magazine)
- Suggested gifts for people with mild, moderate, and severe dementia.
- CHRISTMAS Holidays at Home (A to Z Home's Cool)
- Many ideas for incorporating Christmas into the traditional school subjects.
- CyberGuide: Dickens' A Christmas Carol: Symbols of Christmas (San Diego County Office of Education)
- For 12th-graders. Several activities, essay ideas, links, Web-searching skill-builders.
- A Blessed Christmas (Karen Caroe - The Happy Homeschooler)
- Over 20 home-school/classroom activities to teach a Christ-centered Christmas.
- Good Christian Men Rejoice! (Karen Caroe - The Happy Homeschooler)
- Activities built around 15 Christmas carols, to help focus "on the reason for the season."
- Celebrating Winter Symbols and Their Meanings (Elizabeth Yardley)
- for 3rd-4th graders. Objectives, list of materials needed, descriptions of nine activities, quiz, etc.
- Lesson Plan: Christmas Tree (Rayn Blair)
- For grades 4-5. Lots of history on the Christmas tree, followed by nine different
projects. Takes 4-5 classroom periods.
- The Polar Express Lesson Plan (Katy Smith, Eduplace)
- Simple lesson plan -- incorporating art, music, writing, and/or geography -- for use with Chris Van Allsburg's
wintery book. For Kindergarten.
- Christmas Coloring Book (Christmas.com)
- Several pages to print and color: Angel, Bell, Candle, CandleCrown, Clog, Christmas Mouse, Nativity Scene,
Poinsettia, Rudolph, Santa, Stocking, Tree, and Wreath.
- Christmas Activities for Kids (merry-christmas.com)
- Christmas Bear Felt Stocking, One Foot Tall Bubble Snowman, Reindeer Swag,
Christmas Luminaries, Christmas Play Dough, Christmas Ornaments,
Making a Snow Globe.
Hanukkah dates for 2005 are from sundown on Dec. 25 through Jan. 2.
- User-Friendly Chanukah How-To Guide (Aish HaTorah)
- Instructions for celebrating, including lighting instructions,
plus sections
on Chanukah Basics (Giving Gifts?, Why 8 Days?, The Name "Chanukah,"
Dreidel Secrets, Why Chanukah Gelt?, Historic Timeline, Chanukah Songs);
True Stories, Heroic Women, Menorah Data, Spiritual Growth,
and Maccabee Battles (Judah Maccabee!, Matityahu's Revolt,
Hellenism: Who Cares?, Greece: The Dark Side, Defiling the Holy,
Zeus and Greek gods).
- Judiasm 101: Chanukah (Judaism 101)
- Sections on The Story, Traditions, Chanukkah Music, Recipe for Latkes, List of Dates (when Chanukah
begins), and Chanukah blessings.
- American Local History Network: Chanukah (Mary Floy Katzman - American Local History Network)
- Extensive list of links pertaining to Chanukah, with additional sections on Food, Songs and Games,
and Cards and Gifts.
- Chanukah (Chabad-MD)
- How to celebrate Chanukah day-by-day; includes section on heroines of Chanukah.
- Chanukah: Basic Concepts and Laws (Chaim Coffman, Torah.Org)
- What is Chanukah, what can you use to light the candles, how do you
light the candles.
- Chanukah Basics (Aish HaTorah)
- What is Chanukah?, Gift Giving, Why 8 Days?, the name 'Chanukah,'
Dreidel Secrets, Chanukah Gelt, Historic Timeline, Chanukah Songs, and
8 Surprising Lessons from the Laws of Chanukah.
- The History of Chanukah (Rabbi David E. Lipman)
- One-page history of Chanukah.
- Chanukah Worldwide (Caryn Shalita)
- Why is Chanukah 8 Days? (Rabbi Yerachmiel Zeltzer)
- Eight answers to the question, with sources for each.
- Signs and Symbols (Judaism 101)
- Explanation of: Mezuzah, Tefillin, Tzitzit and Tallit, Menorah,
Yarmulke, Magen David, Chai, and Hamesh Hand.
- The Menorah (Judaism 101)
- Brief hypertext article on the menorah.
- Dreidel Secrets (Aish HaTorah)
- The Dreidel Game (Judaism 101)
- Play the dreidel game online!
- Chanukah Traditions (Judaism 101)
- The lighting of the candles, fried foods, the dreidel.
- Activities for Hanukkah (The Department for Jewish Zionist Education - The Pedagogic Center)
- Recommended parlor games, candle games, and dramatisations described.
- Chanukah Recipes (Holidays on the Net)
- Over 20 recipes from appetizers to desserts.
- Hanukkah Treats (ChefMom)
- Recipes for Aunt Dorothy's Latkes, Cinnamon Applesauce, Fast Orange Doughnuts,
Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup, Latkes, Mandel Bread, Sephardic Pumpkin Pancakes,
Soofganiyot (Hanukkah Doughnuts), Sufganiot, Traditional Latkes,
Yam Latkes, Apple-Onion Noodle Kugel, Oven Braised Brisket with
Onions and Tomatoes, Potato Latkes, Spinach and Tangerine Salad,
and Zucchini-Leek Soup.
- STORY: "The Horse That Wouldn't Eat Latkes (Tzivos Hashem, Jewish Children International)
- Chanukah Crafts (Marilyn J. Brackney, Marilyn's Imagination Factory)
- A craft for each night of Chanukah; seem to be appropriate for children aged 8 and up and for adults.
Beware pop-up ads.
- Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights (Education World)
- History of Hanukkah, with suggested discussion questions and activities for children
ages 3-9+. Includes list of books for children about Hanukkah and a few related Web sites.
- Hanukkah Mini-Unit (Jennifer Clegg)
- For 4th- and 5th-graders. Includes good background info, references, objectives, materials list,
8 activities, quiz.
- The Hanukkah House (ZigZag Inc.)
- On-line interactive activity (Java and non-Java versions) designed to reinforce Hebrew vocabulary through a Hanukkah play scene.
Kwanzaa is celebrated from 26 Dec. to 1 Jan.
- The Official Kwanzaa Web Site
- With a welcome from Kwanzaa founder Dr. Maulana Karenga, and sections on Roots and Branches,
Seven Principles, The Symbols, Greetings, Gifts, Colors and Decorations,
The Celebration, The Meditation, and an FAQ.
- Kwanzaa: A Reflective Feast (University of Missouri-Kansas City Instructional Materials Center)
- Explanation of ritual symbols (with pronunciation quide); lyrics to seven Kwanzaa songs; books for further reading;
recipe for sweet potato candy.
- MelaNet's Kwanzaa Information Center: What is Kwanzaa? (MelaNet)
- Sections include: Kwanzaa Background/Focus/Purpose/Goals, Kwanzaa Books for Children,
Symbols, Principles, Origin of Red, Black, & Green Flag, Schedule for
Kwanzaa Celebration, Internet Living Swahili Dictionary, Sights & Sounds.
- What is Kwanzaa? (Afrique Publications)
- Brief history and explanation of the holiday, chart of dates/principles/meanings,
list of 7 symbols, and How to Celebrate Kwanzaa.
- Everything About Kwanzaa (The International Kwanzaa Exchange)
- Definition of Kwanzaa, 7 guiding principles, celebrating Kwanzaa: decoration, food,
gifts, symbols, sample celebration program.
- The History of Kwanzaa (Szaflik Family Christmas Website)
- Detailed one-page history. Biographical information about Kwanzaa's creator, description
of the seven symbols and the lighting of the candles.
- History & Traditions of Kwanzaa (History Channel)
- The history and the 7 symbols.
- The Symbols of Kwanzaa (The Official Kwanzaa Web Site)
- Very brief description of the seven basic symbols and two supplemental ones.
- Kwanzaa Recipes (Better Homes & Gardens)
- Includes recipes for Festive Kwanzaa Slaw, Groundnut Stew, Kwanzaa Corn Bread Squares,
Sweet Potato Biscuits, Jollof Rice, Ambrosia.
- Kwanzaa Food (Black Voices)
- Recipes for Shrimp Imojo, Chicken Stew with Okra and Peanuts, Island Chicken Curry and Vegetables,
Vegetable Mafe, Black-eyed Pea Salad, Empress Zulu Greens, South African
Vegetable Casserole, Oven-roasted Sweet Plantains, and Kwanzaa Sweet Potato Pie.
- Kwanzaa Recipes (Nancy J.)
- Eleven recipes for Kwanzaa, most vegetarian. Beware pop-up ads.
- "Did You Ever See Kwanzaa" Song
- Lyrics to six verses of "Did You Ever See Kwanzaa?," by Jacqueline Schiff, sung to the tune of "Did
You Ever See a Lassie?"
- Websites on Kwanzaa for Teachers and Students (Cumberland County AVA Center, NJ)
- Annotated links to about 45 websites with Kwanzaa info suitable for children and for classroom teaching.
- Kwanzaa Mini-Unit (Joy R. Lazenby)
- For 2nd- and 3rd-graders. Extensive background, references, objectives,
resources and materials list, procedures for 10 activities.
- Kwanzaa Mini-Unit (Tracy Cady)
- For 2nd- and 3rd-graders. Good background, description of symbols, Swahili pronunciation guide,
references, objectives, materials list, 8 activities, 2 recipes.
- Kwanzaa Activity: Create a mkeka (placemat) (Kari Giles)
- For early elementary school children.
The 2005 winter solstice will occur on Dec 21 at 1:35 p.m. EST, when winter begins in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Ancient Origins: Solstice (Candlegrove)
- Attracive site, with sections on history of the solstice, ancient solstice architectures,
a family fertility ritual, winter solstice in many [some] cultures, in song, etc.
- Winter Solstice (Boulder Public Library, CO)
- History, celebration, and recipes for fruitcake and mulled cider.
- Solstice Celebrations from A-Z (J.T. McAlister, Echoed Voices)
- Short description of winter-time celebrations such as Alban Arthan,
Dong Zhi, Sacaea, Saturnalia, Yule, and Zagmuk, as well as Christmas and Hanukkah.
- Winter Solstice: The Unconquered Son (Janet Shotwell, Shambala)
- History of the Winter Solstice celebration from Roman times forward.
- Yule Tide: The Winter Solstice
- History of Yule Tide, with connections to the Christmas tradition.
- Saturnalia: The Winter Solstice in Pagan Rome (Selena Fox, Circle Sanctuary)
- The timing of the celebration, deities honoured, celebrations included, and the legacies
of Saturnalia in modern winter celebrations.
- Bruma: Winter Solstice (Biblioteca Arcana)
- Descriptions and dates of a number of Graeco-Roman festivals of this season,
including Saturnalia, Country Dionysia, Haloa; and the minor festivals: Festival
for Tellus; Consualia and Opalia; Festival for Iuventas;
Poseidea; Larentalia; Festival for Sol Invictus.
- Winter Solstice Is A Celebration of Light (Von Del Chamberlain - Astro Utah Home)
- Essay on the winter solstice through the years and in various cultures, focusing on
celebrations that affirm life and bring light to a dark period of the year.
- The Science of The Winter Solstice (Eric W. Weisstein, Eric's Treasure Trove of Astronomy)
- Discussion of exactly when the winter solstice is, and how that relates to
the declination of the Sun, among other things. Also charts showing how the date of
the winter solstice shifts through the Gregorian calendar according to the insertion
of leap years, and a table that gives the universal time of the winter solstice (from 1980-2009).
- Winter Solstice, Alaska Science Forum
- Short 1981 article about the solstice and the Arctic Circle.
- Earth's Seasons Equinoxes, Solstices, Perihelion, and Aphelion, 1992-2020 (U.S. Naval Observatory)
- A simple chart showing all these dates.
- Celebrating Winter Solstice (Selena Fox, Circle Sanctuary)
- Ideas for celebrating on Dec. 22. Customs and symbols discussed. Link to Solstice
celebrations for families and households. Print bibliography included.
- Sacred Plants of Winter Solstice (Selena Fox, Circle Sanctuary)
- Traditional solstice plants and what they symbolize.
- Winter Solstice (Eisenhower National Clearinghouse)
- For grades 3-8. Lots of classroom ideas and resources, including misconceptions
about the Earth's rotation, annotated links to 14 relevant websites,
and links to 13 classroom activities.
- Winter and Snow Theme Page (A to Z Teacher Stuff)
- Lots of themed lessons, science lessons, book activities, and projects
centered on winter topics, such as The Mitten, Snow Fun, What Do
Salt Trucks Do?, etc.
- Celebrate Winter! (Education World)
- Brief article on the Solstice through the Centuries, accompanied by Activities
to Celebrate the Solstice in math, science, weather, map-making, crafts,
listening skills, geography, reading, art, etc. Beware pop-up ads.
- Activities for the Winter Solstice (Family Education.Com)
- Build Your Own backyard Stonehenge; learn Myths About Ancient Sun Gods;
two Winter Solstice Quizzes.
