There are so many reasons to celebrate this time of year and I’m always so interested in hearing about particular traditions people have for the holidays that are unique and festive. Here are some of my ideas on celebrating the season.  Thank you for sharing yours! Here are some that sound particularly lovely:
Rattle
My Sister-in-Law, who lives in Northern BC, Canada, started a neat tradition a few years back. In the Fall, she and her kids gather large Pine cones then before Christmas they make a suet-type paste with bird seeds mixed in. Her and the kids load this mixture in the pine cones. When the suet hardens they then use some string on each cone. Come Christmas Eve they head out to the forest, in their backyard, sing Christmas Carols, drink hot chocolate or tea, while hanging the cones. Christmas Morning they are able to look out their windows and watch the birds and Squirrels enjoying themselves, dining on the suet. Starts the day off very positively and creates great memories for the entire family.  (This sounds so beautiful, I wish this worked for us, our pinecones went ignored! Ha!)
Lou
Hello! House of vegans with crazy food allergies over here. We are pagan hippies so our Xmas is Yule on 21st Dec, we don’t have santa. We simply say that friends and family show love for us by giving us presents and that the fairies deliver them. The night before Yule when babies are in bed –  we put up tree, put out presents and sprinkle glitter and baubles all the way to her room, this way when she wakes up it’s like Yule has happened magically. When she woke up – me, my husband, and my 10 month old boy went to get her and followed the trail downstairs to the tree and presents. We looked at all the “fairy dust”, had breakfast, and went out for a walk. Then, the kids slept and I cooked dinner, which was seitan roast from Post Punk Kitchen pureed carrots, stuffing mash, brussel sprouts gravy, and an xmas pudding with alpro cream. There were some vegan after dinner mints scheeze and the obligatory wine for mummy!
Val
I have a dear friend who is a caring social worker.. She finds us a family or two who are struggling with either debt or sickness, or both. We receive so many blessings during and after buying and going through our things so that we can donate with love to these fine people in need. The magical moment yesterday, when we dropped toys off to a precious 4 yr. old boy, came when he looked at my husband and said ‘my heart feels funny, I think it’s full of Christmas’. Hugs and laughter from this little angel will warm our full hearts for a long time. My husband pulled me close as we walked back to our car and said, ‘don’t ever let me forget this happiness’.
Thank you kind lifers for sharing inspiring ideas! I would love to hear more about what your plans are this year!
If you plan to have a tree in your home, definitely check out The Living Christmas Company for a green alternative. For other eco ideas from ornaments to holiday cards, visit my Eco Christmas post. Giving gifts to love ones? Check out my 2017 Kind Gift Guide 🙂
I hope you all have a relaxing and joyful holiday time – a time to slow down, love, and enjoy!!
 
Photo: Ian Schneider