6 Winter Waldorf Festivals to Celebrate in December

Advent

The period beginning four Sundays before Christmas that is observed by most Christians in preparation for the celebration of Christmas Day. In Waldorf homes, Advent is recognized by representing the kingdoms of our planet each Sunday:

The first Sunday of Advent we recognize minerals and stones.
The second Sunday of Advent we recognize the plant kingdom.
The third Sunday of Advent we recognize the animal kingdom.
The fourth and last Sunday of Advent we recognize humankind.

We have so many beautiful ways to share with you on how to bring this sacred festival into your home or school in our publications:

December Preschool/Kindergarten Book (Ages 3-6)

December Afterschooling Book (Ages 6+, teens and adults)

Advent and St. Nicholas Festival Book (All Ages)

St. Nicholas Day, December 6th

Celebrated on December 6th (December 5th elsewhere) in many European countries to honor the Christian saint as the bringer of gifts. Boys would sometimes dress as bishops to give to the poor. Many children would wait for treats to be left under their pillows or shoes that were left out. In Waldorf homes and schools, this celebration continues with children leaving their shoes out the eve before (December 5th) to wake to small treats inside including chocolate, coins, fruits, nuts and sometimes a small toy. 

Where to find ideas for this beautiful celebration:

December Preschool/Kindergarten Book (Ages 3-6)

December Afterschooling Book (Ages 6+, teens and adults)

Advent and St. Nicholas Festival Book (All Ages)

Santa Lucia Day, December 13th

The Feast of St. Lucia or Santa Lucia is a festival of light, as are many of the celebrations this time of year. In some countries she is represented as a lady in a white dress with a wreath of candles in her hair. Many celebrate this special day by having the oldest daughter in the family wear a wreath in her hair and offer sweet buns or cookies to others. Boys also share a role by wearing star boy caps or dressing as St. Stephen. The procession is said to help all move forward with light into the deep, dark winter days ahead. 

In my Kindergarten class, we often made St. Lucy Buns as well as crowns and star boy hats for the children and had a walk around our playground and school. In the Little Acorn Learning guides we offer complete instructions for these activities as well as some more unique ideas such as planting indoor wheat for St. Lucia Day.

December Preschool/Kindergarten Book (Ages 3-6)

December Afterschooling Book (Ages 6+, teens and adults)

Winter Festivals Book (All Ages)

Hanukkah

This beautiful Jewish festival is often called the Festival of Lights. It is observed to recognize the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem. Often a menorah will be lit each evening for eight nights to represent the rededication of the Jewish faith and to spread the light to future generations. A fun game played during this time is the spinning of a dreidel and sometimes small gifts will be shared each of the eight days of spiritual acknowledgement. While my family is not Jewish, I always recognized this special festival in my classroom as the light of hope reaches beyond all faiths and backgrounds. 

Our Winter Festivals Book includes a beautiful tutorial on making a menorah with found nature items, a Star of David banner, as well as a paper menorah. We also have recipes and songs to share.

The Winter Solstice/Yule, December 21st 

The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year and the first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. This day marks the winter season which continues until the Spring Equinox. Yule was celebrated before the conversion to Christianity in many cultures and this ancient festival still holds strong roots in all we see in the Winter Solstice as well as Christmastime. 

Celebrating the solstice is a magical time in Waldorf homes and schools. All of our books bring this warming festival into the lives of your children with warm recipes, songs, crafts and meditations. Creating a Yule Log was always a favorite in my classroom.

December Preschool/Kindergarten Book (Ages 3-6)

December Afterschooling Book (Ages 6+, teens and adults)

Winter Festivals Book (All Ages)

King Winter Celebration Book (All Ages)

Christmas Day, December 25th 

The day that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ in many Christian faiths (Eastern Orthodox faiths celebrate on January 7th). The four Sundays of Advent lead up to this sacred day.

In our home we have a beautiful tradition of an Advent Spiral calendar as well as other advent traditions such a nativity, advent wreath, mistletoe and Christmas tree. Culturally on this day, many children wake up to gifts from Santa Claus who travels the world to bring joy to those who believe. The tradition of Santa Claus stems from the long rooted tradition of celebrating St. Nicholas, the saint of giving. Many non-Christians still enjoy decorating and sharing gifts this time of year to share love and light with one another.

December Preschool/Kindergarten Book (Ages 3-6)

December Afterschooling Book (Ages 6+, teens and adults)

Advent and St. Nicholas Festival Book (All Ages)

Winter Festivals Book (All Ages)

Which of these December festivals do you celebrate? We hope we have inspired you to weave your own family traditions and customs into your winter celebrations and also try incorporating new ideas from some of the examples above.

Celebrate St. Lucia Day on December 13th

Another beautiful festival we love to celebrate at Little Acorn Learning is St. Lucia Day. This year it falls this Thursday. Always on December 13th. 

Each one of our December books gives sweet ways to celebrate this special day in your home or school. Our December Childcare Book (Ages 3-6, Schools & Families) includes songs, recipes, a game and crafts. The December Afterschool Guide (Ages 6+, Schools & Families) includes a beautiful Swedish story of St. Lucia, a special craft and a indoor gardening activity for this special festival. Our Winter Festivals Book (All Ages, Schools & Families) includes even more activities for this time of year. 

Without giving away too much of the goodies in our books, here are some simple ways to help you acknowledge this time with the children. Remember you do not have to do it all on Thursday! You can celebrate any time or a little each day this week.

A lovely recipe to make St. Lucy Buns with the children:

taken from our December Little Acorn Learning Guides

Supplies Needed:
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup scalded milk
1/3 cup butter
2/3 cup sugar
6 packages of dry active yeast
dash of salt
2 eggs, beaten
6 - 8 cups sifted flour
1/3 cup raisins

Mix butter, cream and salt and stir. Mix yeast, milk and 2 tablespoons of the
sugar – leave aside for 10 minutes or more until it foams. Mix both butter
mixture and yeast mixture along with one of the beaten eggs and remaining
sugar. Gradually stir in the flour until a stiff dough forms. Put the mixture
on a floured surface and knead 10 minutes. Add more flour if necessary.
Place dough into a greased bowl, cover and let it rise until it doubles in bulk.
Divide dough into 5” strips about 1” wide. Shape the strips into an ‘S’ shape
and decorate with raisins. Brush with the remaining beaten egg and place on
greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise for one hour. Bake at 400 degrees
approximately 10 minutes (until lightly brown, check buns often)

A sweet book to read for St. Lucia Day (so many more book recommendations in our above publications):

 

A little verse:

Evening Star

Sunset glow is fading

In the western sky

Birds have stopped their singing

Cool winds rustle by

Now the star of evening

Shining clear and bright

With its steady gleaming

Welcomes in the the night.

The Feast of Saint Francis

The Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi is today, October 4th.  

Photo by Cindy Wallach with Permission

Legends of St. Francis describe him as a gentle and generous man who loved and protected animals. He was said to be able to connect religion with nature and find the Divine in all living things. What a beautiful concept to teach our children (and ourselves): "To find the Divine in all living things". 

Learning about Saints is a part of the second grade curriculum in Waldorf Education. Telling the stories of Saints and Heroes is a way to introduce the idea of a regular, imperfect human being transforming into something great. Many Christian faiths also celebrate the Saints, however; you do not have to come from a particular religious background to appreciate the sentiment and importance of helping children foster a love for animals and the natural world. 

Some ideas for you to celebrate this special time with the children this week:

- Volunteer at your local animal shelter

- Bake special treats for the animals you love

- Make pinecone bird feeders

- Create a wildlife journal and sketch and record all the animals you see 

- Go for a walk with a special pet

- Offer to help care for animals in your neighborhood

- Collect food and supplies for pets in need

- Attend an Animal Blessing held by a local place of worship

- Go birdwatching

- Put out a birdbath

- Start a pet sitting business

- Donate to an animal rescue foundation

- Consider becoming an animal foster family

What are ways that you help teach your children to respect and appreciate animal life?  One of our followers indicated that they do so by being a vegetarian family.  We'd love to hear from you in the comments below.

Celebrate the Winter Solstice and Win a Free E-Book By Sharing Your Ideas!

The Winter Solstice is here and I love looking back on some of the beautiful ways we have celebrated this special equinox as well as many of the beautiful ideas included in our winter e-books at Little Acorn Learning.

Over the upcoming months, the sun will climb higher, our days will become longer and filled with more warmth.  The solstice is a wonderful time to try to slow down and be more mindful of what is going on both in the world around you as well as deep inside of you.  This is something I really need to focus on in my own life as well.

There are beautiful poems, stories and books you can share with the children during this magical festival.  Some of my favorite books to share are:

       

Here are some of my old favorites to help you celebrate this special time.  There are many more beautiful ideas, recipes, songs, books, meditations and more in our winter books on our website as well as on our blog.

Make a Winter Nature Table (as explained in our Winter Festivals E-Book)

Photo by Sara Wilson

Winter Garland (as in the December 5 Day Guide and on our blog):

Solstice Spinners (detailed instructions in our Winter Festivals E-Book):

Make a Yule Log (in our December Enrichment Guide):

Roast Chestnuts

Bake Sun Bread (December 5 Day Guide):

Make Solstice Crowns (Winter Festivals E-Book):

Photo by Sara Wilson

Make a Solstice Wish (King Winter E-Book):

Make Cinnamon Cocoa (December Enrichment Guide):

Photo by Kristine Brown

Snow Candles

What are some of your favorite ways to celebrate this beautiful festival?

Post your idea in comments and we will pick a random winner tomorrow evening the 22nd to win a free winter e-book of their choice from Little Acorn Learning!

Be sure to check back here as we will announce the winner on our blog!

Solstice Blessings xoxo

Easy Martinmas Lanterns

 Martinmas Lanterns

My lantern! My lantern! 

Sun and moon and stars 
Put out all your lights 
Put out all your lights 
That my lantern can truly shine bright. 

In Germany, the custom of children carrying their lanterns into the dark and singing Martinmas songs are deep rooted.  In some areas, children go door to door in a procession with their lanterns, singing sweet little songs in return for candy. 

These easy Martinmas Lanterns taken from our Martinmas and Thanksgiving Festival E-Book can also substitute as a bedtime nightlight.  Using the battery operated lights and vellum paper make them a safe alternative to real candles.  For more fun ideas, recipes, songs, crafts, meditations and much more to help you celebrate the beautiful November festivals - be sure to grab a copy of this amazing e-book that we just released last November.

Supplies:

•          mason jars
•          vellum paper (transparent)
•          paper cutter
•          mason wire holders (can purchase at craft store)
•          mason lids with design (can purchase at craft store) *optional
•          design paper punch – or hole puncher
•           battery operated tealights

Many of the supplies can be substituted with other items in your home.  For our lanterns, we purchased three mason jars and mason jar accessories from our local craft store.  We also used one of our favorite star punchers that we had in our crafting room.  A simple hole puncher can also be used or small x-shaped slits could be made in the vellum paper to help the light shine through. 

Begin by cutting your vellum paper to an appropriate width that will allow for it to open up within the mason jar when rolled and put inside.  Then use your hole punching tool to create punched out designs on your vellum paper. This is how the light will show through your lantern.

  

Let your children be the ones to punch out the holes.  They will love working to make their lantern unique and beautiful. 

When you are done, simply roll the vellum paper in a tube and slide it inside your mason jar.  The paper should be cut short enough that when it is placed inside the jar, it opens up wider to fill the circumference of the lantern.

Add your mason jar wire handle accessory and replace the top of your mason jar with your designed lid.  Place your battery operated candle inside to check how the light looks through your lantern.

Sing special songs and take your lanterns outside on a night time walk around your neighborhood or yard.  When you return, use these lanterns as a magical nightlight to bring the peace and selflessness of St. Martin into your home. 

Day One of Clean Eating...and a Spring Sale!

Ok here's the thing, no matter how hard I try - how many ways I make them - where they come from - or what they are combined with.... I HATE EGGS!

Isn't it strange? Everybody seems to love them. But, ever since I was a little girl, I just cannot stand the taste of them.  It makes me cringe. Yuck.  Bleck.

More specifically it's the white of the egg. I like the yolk, especially dipped with rye toast. But the white is just gross.

SO.  Even though I am committed to two weeks of trying to eat clean (starting today). I am also committed to not ruining delicious meals with eggs. Ever. Again.Yuck.

Luckily, I saved some of this asparagus salad without the egg so I was still able to eat lunch. I've also been forcing myself to drink water (another thing I'm not crazy about but I'll take it any day over eggs). AND, I tried to rejoin my gym but the woman at the desk told me if I waited until later this month when they hold open house the registration fee would be waived. So, I'll wait. I should walk each day... but that takes even more motivation.  ;)

In other news, Spring starts on Friday. Can you believe this? We still have a LOT of snow on the ground and it even snowed here some last night. My neighbor asked me if I've started planning out my garden and started my indoor seeds. I paused and had to remember what month we were in. I haven't. I will try to work on it this week. That seems a little overwhelming to me right now but it needs to get done.

Oh, and there is a Sweet Spring Sale over on my website. Grab 25% off four amazing spring e-books to get you in the mood. 

Happy Spring!

xoxo

Candlemas Day and Making Snow Candles!

Today is Candlemas and also Groundhog's Day.  We had a big snowstorm last night, schools are closed and I'm pretty sure the Groundhog isn't coming out any time soon!!  

My Mindful Parenting E-Course is also coming to an end.  It was wonderful to spend 5 weeks writing and supporting a group of parents who are hoping to move through life more intentionally.  I found, as usual, that the universe constantly provides me with what I need to write about at the correct time.  This week, we are focusing on asking for help when we need it most, as well as reaching outside of our family lives to connect with our community and find the support we need.  

I have been lucky to find true community in the town I live in.  Becoming active in the schools and town on a deeper level has brought me together with some of the most wonderful people I've known, people who I now call close friends. 

Because of this connection, my children also benefit.  They meet familiar faces in their day to day lives at school and their sense of "family" extends far beyond our little home.  I'm so grateful to live where I live and can't believe it took me 15 years of living here to finally branch out and get to know

my neighbors and the rest of my town.  I encourage the rest of you to make the time to do the same.  

So today is Candlemas... how do you celebrate?

Candlemas and Groundhog's Day stem from the very ancient festival of Imbolc which is one of the four Celtic Fire Festivals.

The term "Candlemas" comes from a very old Christian custom of blessing the candles on this day.  It is the halfway point of Winter when we can look ahead to the warmer days of Spring that are on the way.

A fun way to celebrate this special day is to make candles together.  It is also customary to eat pancakes on this day - so maybe have a pancake dinner?  

Where I live with all this snow - it is a PERFECT day to make Snow Candles!!!  We made these last year and the girls loved it so much!  

Happy Candlemas to You!!

Happy Three Kings Day & The Epiphany!

I just love saying that word "epiphany".  :) 

Photo and craft by Jennifer Tan of Syrendell as in our Three Kings Day & The Epiphany E-Book

Wow things have been really busy these last five days and my commitment to focusing more on my business and making changes in my daily routines have been going well so far.  I know myself well though and consistency and discipline is what I struggle most with when it comes to balancing work and family.

Today began my first Mindful Parenting E-Course and I hope that I get as much from it as the students.  I have so many wonderful ideas that I have to balance with keeping the e-course simple and obtainable so members can make changes without getting more overwhelmed than they already are.  And while I have a wonderful outline, I am absolutely putting out fresh ideas each day and I hope it serves the members of the course well.  It is not too late to join us, all emails and class posts will be available to you at any time you sign up!

In the e-course, I plan on focusing upon the following key areas that I have identified in my life that need equal attention in order to obtain true balance as a parent and caregiver:

Environment:

We will work together to try to create habits that help us to prepare our week ahead, establish and maintain routines in our homes, add beauty to the places we dwell, slowly organize our spaces and create peaceful and loving homes and schools for the children who depend upon us.  As fun as beautiful crafts can be, children - more than anything - need rhythm, consistency and an environment that is predictable.  Focusing here and on ourselves (in the next item) is the MOST important thing.

Self (Body/Mind/Soul):

We will learn to take time out each week for ourselves as often as possible to breathe, meditate, stretch, exercise, get fresh air, be creative, explore our talents, turn off media and background noise, connect with friends and our community, eat clean food, drink water, get proper rest, journal and slow down to pay attention to the world around us.

Children:

We will incorporate (slowly) simple activities, songs, stories and ideas that create a soothing presence around the children we care for.  We will remind one another to include children in the daily tasks of running a home and school so they can learn practical life skills by modeling our behavior.  We will slow down and remember that we are being watched and it is our responsibility to be worthy of imitation.  We will work harder to provide healthier meals, better rest, more outdoor time and less media so our children can thrive and develop optimally.  

Celebrations:

We will look at easy and attainable ideas to bring the seasons and festivals into our homes and schools.  We will slowly consider how this particular time of year plays into our lives, as caregivers, on a deeper and more spiritual level.  We will include songs, stories, books and crafts when we feel able in order to create a home filled with seasonal spirit.  We will NOT blame ourselves when we cannot fit these things in.  Caring for our environment, self-care and being a more mindful and present parent outweighs this and should always take precedence over crafts and activities.  

Parent Education:

Along the way, I will send writings, links, tools, quotes and adult book recommendations that I feel will help you learn and grow as a parent and teacher.  Taking a course like this is a wonderful first step but in order to break old habits, we need knowledge to back it up.  I am also working on a potential guest speaker call to bring more ideas into our group.  

Today the group focused on adding simple meditation, routines and a mantra to their days ahead and looking forward to get a clear understanding of their obligations and commitments this week so they can work around that framework.

I LOVE the crafting, singing, stories and activities that I include in my guides - but the truth is that these are bonuses and the most important thing we can do as caregivers is to take care of the needs of our homes, our "selves" and our children.  

For that reason, I will only offer simple ideas for celebrating Three Kings Day tomorrow and through the week to students (yes it is OK if you celebrate later in the week or not at all!!).  But, if you do want to celebrate, take a look at the Little Acorn Learning January 2015 Newsletter for some fun ideas and activities.  

Is this a new festival for you and your family to celebrate?  In what simple ways will you bring the joy of the season into your home or school this week?