Christmas may be one of America’s favorite holidays, but it’s rather surprising how little we tend to know about the day.

Not convinced?  Here are seven of the strangest and most surprising facts about this popular holiday. Photo by Beaucon/Flickr Creative Commons 

1)  Birth of the Sun

Christmas and the winter solstice have more in common than you think.

The birth of Jesus was assigned to various dates for more than 300 years, but never much celebrated. In the fourth century A.D., Roman Emperor Constantine moved the holiday officially to Dec. 25.   The Julian calendar used at the time erroneously considered Dec. 25 the winter solstice.

Many early civilizations, including Ancient Rome, believed this occasion – the year’s longest night – symbolized the birthday of the sun, and the return of the light.

This annual celestial event was extremely important for these early cultures, which depended on the natural elements to survive.  The joyous occasion seemed an appropriate day to celebrate Christmas.

Photo by Shutterfotos/Flickr Creative Commons

2)  The Giving Tradition

Today, it’s hard to imagine Christmas without gifts.  But it wasn’t always so.  The tradition dates back to the Ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia, held on the days leading up to the winter solstice.

Kalends of January, the New Year, was another important gift-giving event.

As the Greek Libanius explained, “The impulse to spend seizes everyone . . . a stream of presents pours itself out on all sides.”

As a result, the early Church considered gift giving to be a pagan holdover and frowned upon the practice for centuries.  Gifts were given on Twelfth Night (January 6) instead.

3)  A Slow Start

Christmas ranked low as a holiday for centuries.

Many traditions had pre-Christian roots, and the early Church wasn’t keen to accept them.

It wasn’t until the late Middle Ages that the holiday became popular.  Towns and cities often appointed a Lord of Misrule, who presided over the Christmas entertainment.  He dressed in colorful clothing, and directed elaborate processions, plays and festivities.

The largest feasts often included roasted peacock and swan, painted with saffron and “refeathered” right before serving.

“… no observation shall be had of the five and twentieth day of December, commonly called Christmas Day; nor any solemnity used or exercised in churches upon that day in respect thereof.”

An Order of the English Parliament, December 24, 1652

4)  Against the Law

Christmas merriment came to an abrupt halt when the holiday was declared illegal during the English Reformation, from the 1640s until 1660.  Citizens were forbidden to decorate, sing carols or even prepare the traditional roast goose.

Even in America, it was a penal offense to observe Christmas in New England. The law was declared in 1659 and continued until the nineteenth century, when the influx of German and Irish immigrants lessened the Puritanical strictness.

In Scotland, Christmas was banned for nearly 400 years, from the 1580s until the 1950s.  It wasn’t until 1958 that it became an official public holiday.

Photo by Kevin Dooley/Flickr Creative Commons

5)  The Start of Santa

Santa Claus and Rip Van Winkle share important similarities.

Washington Irving, the author of “Rip Van Winkle” and “The Legends of Sleepy Hollow,” introduced Santa Claus to the United States.  Irving adapted legends about a Dutch Saint Nicholas to create an American tradition.

In his best-selling 1809 “Knickerbocker’s History of New York,” Irving gave the first literary description of Saint Nicholas in the United States.  The legend traveled fast.  Before long, the character evolved into the loveable Santa Claus we know today.

Photo by Jennifer Donley/Flickr Creative Commons

6) Oh, Christmas Tree

 The Christmas tree got off to a rocky start in America.

German settlers brought their rich tradition to this country, and trees were found in Pennsylvania settlements as early as 1747. But they weren’t accepted by mainstream society.   In fact, many considered Christmas trees dangerous pagan symbols as late as the 1840s.

The custom finally caught on when the popular English Queen Victoria and her German husband, Prince Albert, were seen with a tree in the Illustrated London News in 1846.

Before long, the tradition spread throughout England, Europe, Russia and the United States.  By the 20^th century, the Christmas tree was firmly entrenched in the American culture.

Learn seven earth-friendly ways to recycle your Christmas trees.

7) Xmas Not So Bad

Those eager to keep “Christ” in Christmas needn’t worry about using Xmas.

“X” is the first letter in the Greek word for Christ: Xristos.  Saying or writing Xmas is quite appropriate when you consider it.

Photo by Alexey Kljatov (ChaoticMind75)/Flickr Creative Commons

Learn More

The Oxford Book of Days (Oxford University Press, 2000)

The Stations of The Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain

The Rise and Fall of Merry England: The Ritual Year (1400 – 1700)

More Christmas Stuff

Vintage Christmas Cards of 20th Century

More Vintage Cards 

A Toast to Wassail (plus, a recipe!)

The cold weather season is upon us. But that doesn’t mean you need to cut yourself off from nature now, even if there is a foot of snow on the ground. From the foods you select to the activities you plan, you can retain your connection to Mother Nature. Here are five easy ways to keep you thriving in late fall and winter, even when the temperatures drop to freezing.

Snow storm photo by Phil Roeder/Flickr Creative Commons.

Cold-weather foods by Smith_c19/Flickr Creative Commons

1) Eat Seasonally and Locally

Even in winter, it’s a good idea to eat as seasonally and locally as possible. In our home, we make aromatic stews in the slow cooker with hardy vegetables like carrots, parsnips, turnips, potatoes and cabbages. The smell is amazing, and the stew provides healthy meals for several nights.

We also stuff acorn squash with cooked rice, slivered almonds, chopped sage and cooked ground turkey; then we sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top before baking again. Delicious!

Vitamin A-rich sweet potatoes and yams show up frequently on our menu at this time of year. We mash them with plain Greek yogurt and spices. On warmer nights, we grill thick slices with a dash of cumin and cayenne, and serve them with pork chops or chicken breasts.

Here’s why eating locally is important.

Here are five favorite fall foods (also good for winter).

Here’s where to find local foods all year long from Local Harvest.

Here’s how Niki Jabbour grows food in winter outdoors in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Indoor herbs by dogeared/Flickr Creative Commons

2) Grow Indoor Herbs

Have a sunny window? Try growing culinary herbs indoors this winter. It’s a convenient way to have fresh foods at your fingertips. You snip only what you need, so you reduce food waste and save money. Best of all, however,  is enjoying aromatic fresh herbs when the world is frozen outside. Talk about local foods!

Chives, thyme, sage and rosemary are just a few easy herbs to grow in a sunny window.  Water when dry, but make sure the plants drain properly. Don’t let pots sit in water. Keep plants away from heater vents or window drafts. A weekly fine spray of water helps keep away mites from rosemary.

From local farmers to indoor herb gardens, a wide variety of fresh local foods are available in winter. It’s particularly satisfying when those foods come from your kitchen window.

Houseplants by ConanTheLibrarian/Flickr Creative Commons

3) Select Plants for Clean Air

Alongside the houseplants you eat, be sure to make room for plants that make your home healthier. In winter, it’s common to live in stuffy, closed-up houses and office buildings with questionable air quality. Some windows can’t even be opened in high rise buildings to allow in fresh air.

Fortunately, you can grow certain plants that help clean the air of your home, according to the NASA Clean Air Study. The NASA study was done in conjunction with the Associated Landscape Contractors of America in the 1980s, and identified a number of common plants that naturally remove toxic agents such as formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene from the air.

Spider Plant by Opacity/Flickr Creative Commons

These aren’t exotic and rare plants either. Plants that are known to improve indoor air quality  include such favorites as aloe vera, English ivy (Hedera helix), azaleas (Rhododendron simsii), peace lilies (Spathiphyllum), snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’), weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) and spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) shown above.

See a copy of the NASA Clean Air Study.

Amaryllis by Gabludlow/Flickr Creative Commons

4) Grow Beauty in Your Home

There are houseplants you can eat. There are houseplants that clean your home’s air quality naturally. And there are even houseplants that will make you feel better in dreary weather just because they have beautiful flowers.

In our home, Amaryllis bulbs are popular flowering plants to grow indoors from October to March. They bloom for weeks, spreading cheer on gloomy days. And don’t forget the delicate and fragrant paperwhites, which are easy to grow indoors and smell sweet in winter. We love decorating with these pretty white flowers at the holidays.

Experiment with other blossoming beauties, such as jasmine, begonia, oxalis, Kaffir lilies, Christmas cactus and African violets. Most are easy to grow, and bloom for weeks with the right conditions.

You just may find these houseplants satisfy your need for flowers until it is warm enough to garden outdoors again.

Walk in snow by CarlaB_/Flickr Creative Commons

5) Get Outside More

If winter makes you sleepy, depressed and craving carbs, you aren’t alone. Just like bears, it’s natural to want to hibernate now.

Many of us suffer from the “winter blues” or seasonal affective disorder (SAD) during winter’s short, dark days, according to Dr. Mark Servis, professor of clinical psychiatry and vice chair of UC Davis Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. If winter depresses you, he offers these practical tips for fighting SAD.

Spending time outdoors in winter may not seem as appealing as snuggling up in a blanket with a cup of cocoa, but being outdoors helps keep you healthier now.

You could hit the ski slopes, of course. But even a simple winter walk around the neighborhood will give you much-needed vitamin D on these shorter, darker days. That walk also helps you burn calories, feel invigorated, brighten your mood and reconnect with nature. So, lace up your snow boots and grab a warm hat. There is a quiet beauty to winter that can be cherished. Enjoy!

Mayo Clinic’s Safety Tips for exercising outdoors in winter.

Don’t forget your kids. Even your children should play outside in winter. Mommies magazine tells you why.

What are your favorite ways to connect with nature in cold weather?

Learn More

Garden Bloggers Tell How They Survive Winter

Winter Feng Shui

Fall Foods to Eat Now

Eight Tips for a Wonderful Winter Garden

“Is it snowing where you are? All the world that I see from my tower is draped in white and the flakes are coming down as big as pop-corns,” writes Jean Webster in the 1912 novel Daddy Long-Legs.

In honor of this extra-snowy winter—when even the South is seeing plenty of white stuff—Seasonal Wisdom dedicates this post to the beauty of snow, with photos from Our Life in Idaho blog and various quotes.

Come take a minute to remember how gorgeous a snowy winter day can be, especially when you don’t need to drive anywhere! All photos copyright Our Life in Idaho.

No doubt about it. Snow storms can make life challenging with all the slippery roads, slushy walkways and shoveling work. But for kids of all ages, there’s something rather magical and beautiful after a storm.

“Look up at the miracle of the falling snow,—the air a dizzy maze of whirling, eddying flakes, noiselessly transforming the world, the exquisite crystals dropping in ditch and gutter, and disguising in the same suit of spotless livery all objects upon which they fall,” writes John Burroughs in The Snow-Walkers, 1866.

“O the snow, the beautiful snow,
Filling the sky and earth below;
Over the house-tops, over the street,
Over the heads of the people you meet,
Dancing, flirting, skimming along.”
James W. Watson, Beautiful Snow

“When snow falls, nature listens.” Antoinette van Kleeff

“A cold wind was blowing from the north, and it made the trees rustle like living things.” George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones.

But when a robin is spotted in the garden, can spring be far behind?

Perhaps … but remember the old weather proverb that warns, “As the days lengthen, the cold strengthens.”

This means we’ll probably need to endure colder temperatures and storms for a while longer before spring finally arrives.

Until then let’s keep in mind this wise old advice from The Perpetual Almanack of Folklore:

“Walk fast in snow

In frost walk slow

When frost and snow are both together

Sit by the fire and save shoe leather.”

More snow stories to enjoy:

Eight Easy Steps to a Wonderful Winter Garden

Winter Survival Tips from Five Pros

Daydream in Winter for Great Summer Garden

The Snow-Storm by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Don’t forget to stop by Our Life in Idaho to say hi!

When burning a proper fire, the types of woods you use matter a great deal. Which firewoods burn best? The Firewood Poem by Lady Celia Congreve gives helpful advice on this topic. This poem was believed to be first published in the Times on March 2, 1930, but it mentions old folklore and shares knowledge that dates back further than that.

See for yourself which firewood is “fit for a queen” and which one has “a bitter smoke, fills your eyes and makes you choke.”

The Firewood Poem

by Lady Celia Congreve

Beechwood fires are bright and clear

If the logs are kept a year,

Chestnut’s only good they say,

If for logs ‘tis laid away

Make a fire of Elder tree,

Death within your house will be,

But ash new or ash old,

Is fit for a queen with crown of gold

Birch and fig logs burn too fast

Blaze up bright and do not last,

It is by the Irish said

Hawthorn bakes the sweetest bread.

Elm wood burns like churchyard mould,

E’en the very flames are cold

But ash green or ash brown

Is fit for a queen with golden crown

Poplar gives a bitter smoke,

Fills your eyes and makes you choke.

Apple wood will scent your room

Pear wood smells like flowers in bloom

Oaken logs, if dry and old

Keep away the winter’s cold

But ash wet or ash dry

A king shall warm his slippers by.

The Firewood Poem is © Celia Congreve.

Photo courtesy Andi.bxg/Flickr

Learn more about the best types of firewoods in this HGTVGardens.com article that features tips from me!

Be Respectful: Always maintain your fireplace properly, and respect your area’s “no-burn” days to ensure your fires are not disturbing your neighbors’ air quality.

Enjoy! “Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.”  Edith Sitwell

From our house to yours, our warmest wishes for a happy holiday season — and a great start in 2014.  As the old weather proverb advises, “If Christmas day be bright and clear, they’ll be two winters in the year.” Stay warm and cozy wherever you are.

For more holiday folklore, history, vintage cards and winter recipes, keep reading… Photo courtesy of MissTeee/Flickr

Photo courtesy Peppysis/Flickr

In the spirit of the holidays, here are several seasonal posts to help you enjoy and appreciate this special time of the year:

Christmas History

Yep, Christmas Was Once Outlawed

More Christmas history

Vintage Greeting Cards

Christmas Cards of the Twentieth Century

Vintage Christmas Cards, Part II

Tree Recycling Advice

Seven Earth-Friendly Ways to Recycle Trees

New Year History

Strange Facts about New Year’s Day

Chinese Solar Calendar

Photo courtesy AquaOwl/Flick

Winter Recipes and History

Raise Your Glass to Wassail

Bacon, Kale and Butternut Pasta Recipe

Slow-Cooker Frosty Day Stew

Martha Washington’s Great Cake

Happy Holidays all!

This edible seasonal tablescape was specially created by Nell Foster of Joy Us garden. The talented book author and professional decorator agreed to share her secrets with Seasonal Wisdom readers, so you can create this beautiful table decoration yourself this holiday season.

On this project, Nell brings along the professional decorating skills she garnered while designing and installing large-scale holiday decorations in San Francisco, as well as window displays for Marshall Field’s Flower Show in Chicago and Macy’s Flower Show in San Francisco. Best of all, this seasonal tablescape should last most of the month. All photos are copyright Joy Us garden.

Making an Edible Seasonal Tablescape

Nell Says:  I love making these edible tablescapes and was delighted when Teresa asked me to post one on her blog for the holiday season.  I call them tablescapes because in a way, it’s like landscaping your table for a special occasion. Everything I used is in season now so you should have no problems finding the vegetable and fruit ingredients.

We’ve created a video to show you the step by step creation of this piece over on our YouTube channel.  You’ll find that link at the bottom of this post. That’s where you can see exactly what all the ingredients are and watch how fast this seasonal tablescape comes together.  You’ll also meet my cat Oscar who loves to be part of any photography or video shoots we do in the house.

Pictured above you’ll see some of what I used: buttercup, acorn and sweet dumpling winter squashes, Rome apple, magnolia cone, forelle pear, pomegranate, Brussels sprouts, walnut, cranberries and an air plant.

I live in Santa Barbara, California where I’m fortunate to be able to shop at our farmers market all year long.   I’m a regular at the market on Tuesdays and Saturdays and love being able to interact with the farmers themselves.  I bought all the produce there except for the pomegranates, which came from a friend’s tree.  The Rome apples, adorable forelle pears and cranberries came from a local natural foods market.  All are organic or grown without sprays – this is very important to me.

The aeoniums, which are succulents, came from my garden.  They will last for months out of the ground as long as they have nice, bright natural light.  I like them in this piece because they remind me a bit of green roses.  The air plants, or tillandsias, are a nice touch and just need a spritz or two of water every week.  In nature, they grow on other plants but are not parasitic like that other popular holiday plant, mistletoe.

We sell air plants on our website and you’ll find a link to them below. I have a 7-foot Rosemary ‘Tuscan Spires’ growing in my front yard that yields an endless bounty all year long.  The French thyme and Greek oregano were picked out of my herb garden in the backyard.

The beauty of this tablescape is that it can be made in early December and will still look good through Christmas day.  The only things that might need replacing are the Brussels sprouts.  If you can’t find all the ingredients I’ve used, then substitute something similar.

This piece is low enough so that your guests can see over each other while enjoying the wonderful meal you’ve made.  I sometimes do these arrangements on a side table in my living room where they are a focal point.  Adjust the arrangement’s size to your own table – it’s very easy to do.

Just think, you can enjoy your beautiful centerpiece and then eat it. Have a wonderful Holiday Season everyone!

Learn More:

See Nell’s video showing the creation of this edible seasonal tablescape.

Buy air plants for this seasonal tablescape from Joy Us garden.

Buy Nell’s book that shows how to make holiday ornaments with succulents and air plants.

About the author:  Nell Foster is the creator of Joy Us Garden. Her horticultural career has taken her from the East Coast to the West – from Boston and New York City to San Francisco and now Santa Barbara. She has been employed as an herb propagator, interior landscaper and nursery salesperson.

She owned Nell Foster Designs in San Francisco for 16 years installing and maintaining residential landscapes as well as designing and installing large-scale holiday decorations. For many years, she did window displays for Macy’s Flower Show in San Francisco and the Marshall Fields Flower Show in Chicago.

Nell is a life-long gardener who still to this day gets giddy at the thought of a trip to one of the local nurseries or the local farmers market. She has always been an organic gardener and always will be.  She is the author of “Mother Nature Inspired Christmas Ornaments” and regularly blogs on Garden Gluttony which can be found on her website http://www.joyusgarden.com

Contributor: As another New Year begins, it’s interesting to consider the traditional Chinese solar calendar, which featured 24 mini-seasons closely tied to what was happening in the natural world.  These 24 solar terms helped farmers remember their way through nature’s growing cycles.

This sounded like a topic we had to explore further at Seasonal Wisdom, so we asked Ann Bingley Gallops of NY-based Open Spaces Feng Shui to provide a quick overview of these fascinating 24 solar terms that make up the Chinese solar calendar.  It’s little wonder why these nature-oriented calendar terms still ring true to us today. Come take a peek.  All photos  courtesy of Jeriff Cheng on Flickr.

Seasonal Wisdom readers may remember these helpful winter, spring, summer and  fall Feng Shui tips for your home from Ann Bingley Gallops of NY-based Open Spaces Feng Shui.

Here’s what she had to say about the 24 solar terms in the traditional Chinese solar calendar:

As a Feng Shui consultant I am exposed to many fascinating aspects of ancient Chinese culture and how these ideas can benefit us in the world today.

A primary concern that drove the foundation of Feng Shui and many other East Asian concepts was the need for farmers to protect their crops under challenging circumstances ranging from armed attacks to a vague understanding of when to plant and harvest crops.

Feng Shui branched off to create ideas such as the Commanding Position, helping farmers decide on the best locations to place their farms for safety and abundant growth.

The crucial need to know how to manage their farms for the greatest health and profit caused them to invent an annual calendar called the Solar Term, in which the year is divided into 24 narrowly-defined “seasons,” which told farmers what to expect from the climate as the year went by.

The divisions were created using the traditional Chinese solar calendar, according to the point at which the sun reaches 24 equally-spaced points along the ecliptic longitude.

Many, many centuries later, these 24 seasons still have relevance today.   

Some of the seasons define annual solar events, such as the Spring and Fall Equinoxes and Summer and Winter Solstices.

Others have wonderfully evocative names that embody the wonders of the changing year such as Waking of the Insects (March 5), Slight Heat (July 7), Heavy Snow (December 7) and so on.

I find myself musing on these mini-seasons as each year goes by and hope you will enjoy knowing about them too.

Here are the 24 Solar Terms of the traditional Chinese Solar Calendar:

• Spring Begins  ———-Feb. 2-5
• The Rains ——————Feb. 18-19
• Insects Awaken ———–March 5-6
• Vernal Equinox———–March 21
• Clear and Bright ———-April 5
• Grain Rain —————–April 21-22
• Summer Begins ——-May5-6
• Grain Buds —————-May 21-22
• Grain in Ear —————June 5
• Summer Solstice ———June 21-22
• Slight Heat —————-July 7-8
• Great Heat —————-July 23-24
• Autumn Begins ——Aug 8-9
• Stopping the Heat ——-Aug 23
• White Dews —————Sept. 7
• Autumn Equinox——–Sept 22-23
• Cold Dews —————-Oct 8-9
• Hoar-Frost Falls———Oct 23
• Winter Begins ——–Nov 7-8
• Light Snow —————Nov 22-23
• Heavy Snow ————-Dec 7-8
• Winter Solstice ———-Dec 21-23
• Slight Cold —————Jan 5-7
• Great Cold —————Jan 20

Source: People’s Daily Online

All photos courtesy of Jeriff Cheng on Flickr, who documents the different 24 seasons beautifully throughout the year.

About the Author: 

Ann Bingley Gallops, owner of Open Spaces Feng Shui in Brooklyn New York, is an expert Feng Shui consultant, blogger and speaker. A Feng Shui consultation with Ann helps you get unstuck, create a positive environment where you can blossom and thrive, and attract abundance in every part of your life.

Ann is the author of Map Your Space To Change Your Life: A Guide To The Feng Shui Bagua. She practices Feng Shui with an MBA from Columbia University, a Practitioner’s Certificate from the Western School of Feng Shui, and Red Ribbon Professional membership in the International Feng Shui Guild.

Follow Ann on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, and on the Open Spaces Feng Shui blog.

Another holiday season is here.  And it appears we have survived the “End of the World,” as Dec. 21, 2012 is nearly over as I write this post.  That’s a relief. Even though 2012 has been a rough year for many, it’s nice to know we have turned the corner, and that 2013 is nearly upon us.

To get you in the holiday spirit, here are more charming vintage holiday cards from throughout the twentieth century. Come take a peek … Photo courtesy of roadsidepictures on Flickr. 

Vintage holiday cards provide a window into the past, as Seasonal Wisdom described in this article about Christmas cards in the twentieth century.

Although it’s unclear when exactly these gift tape packages were sold, the price shows it was not recently. That’s for sure. Image courtesy of roadsidepictures. 

Roaring Twenties: From the woman’s “bob cut” to her craftsman-style arm chair, this greeting card appears to be from the 1920s.

Ironically, the only thing “roaring” in this card is that gorgeous holiday fire… and that’s actually common during this decade, as explained here.

The playing children, burning candles and holiday foliage were all popular motifs at the time. Image courtesy of roadsidepictures. 

Challenging Thirties:  Man’s best friend played a starring role during this decade, as the nation struggled under the Great Depression.

Scottish terriers were an especially popular dog breed for the time, as you can see above and here.

Meanwhile, note the lone house off in the distance. This was a common theme during this rather rough time. Photo courtesy of roadsidepictures.

Fighting Forties:  Greeting cards became a lot more patriotic during this wartime decade, as the United States fought and recovered from World War II.

The eagle in the mirror, and the stars and stripes on the packages, are a few patriotic clues. Red and blue colors often dominated these holiday wishes, rather than the green and red motif we notice at other times. Photo courtesy roadsidepictures.

Fifties and Sixties:  How groovy are these holiday greeting cards?

Note the tight Capri pants on the hip female, as well as the turtlenecks on the guys. And see all those records, kids? Not a CD, DVD or computer in sight.  Photo courtesy of Ravensmagiclantern.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!

Don’t miss – how Christmas was once illegal, and the role of Lord of Misrule during the holidays. Here are seven earth-friendly ways to recycle your Christmas tree, including a pine needle-infused bath oil.

Meanwhile, thanks for being such loyal Seasonal Wisdom readers. Your comments keep me inspired to look for fun things to write about, and I consider your readership one of the best gifts of the year. So, thanks to you all.

Look for more articles in 2013 about

• Growing and enjoying local foods year round
• Celebrating nature wherever you live
• Benefiting from a seasonal lifestyle, and
• Enjoying old folklore that makes life more interesting!

We’re planning lots of great giveaways, guest posts and other surprises too. Hope to see you there!  Ho ho ho!

The month of December is a bit of a paradox. On the one hand, the month has the shortest, darkest days of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. On the other, this time is a wildly optimistic month when people surround themselves with bright lights, aromatic evergreens and festive activities.

However you decide to celebrate this time of year, check out these entertaining tips, resources, folklore traditions and gardening advice for December, from Seasonal Wisdom and others. All illustrated with vintage Christmas cards from Riptheskull on Flickr. Come take a peek.

“And after him, came next the chill December

Yet he through merry feasting which he made,

And great bonfires, did not the cold remember…”

Spenser, The Faerie Queene, 1590s

Spenser’s centuries-old words still ring true today. It may be cold and dreary outside, but that does not mean there can’t be merry feasting and great bonfires during the chilly month of December. Even quiet moments at home can be filled with restful moments that help you recharge your batteries and find your light during this dark and busy time of year.

Get expert entertaining advice for the holidays…

 Make a Toast to Wassail (This Ancient Drink Still Affects Us!)

Holiday Party Tips from Top Event Designers (Architectural Digest)

Epicurious Holiday Recipe Ideas

Get comfy at home during the dark days of winter…

Five Feng Shui Ways to Create a Warm and Nurturing Home

The Snow-Storm (Ralph Waldo Emerson poem)

Five Experts Share Advice to Gardeners about Surviving Winter

Learn the history of the holidays …

Vintage Christmas Cards of the Twentieth Century

Fun Facts about Christmas

Four Facts about Christmas You Probably Didn’t Know

Strange Facts about New Year’s Day 

Reduce your holiday waste, and find ways to reuse that Christmas tree…

Seven Ways to Recycle a Christmas Tree – including recipes for potpourri and pine needle-infused bath oil.

Embrace your love of gardening, even in winter…

Eight Easy Steps to a Wonderful Winter Garden

Favorite Winter Plants (Coastal Maine)

Favorite Winter Plants (Northern Idaho)

Favorite Winter Plants (Lake Ontario, Canada)

Favorite Winter Plants (North Carolina)

Favorite Winter Plants (Western Washington)

 What are some of your favorite resources for this time of year? Online resources? Old cookbooks? Friends and family?

Coming Soon: Stay tuned for more holiday stories and fun giveaways coming this month!

Get your New Year’s off to a great start with these entertainment tips, along with fun historical facts and wonderful vintage cards from Riptheskull on Flickr.

Happy New Year’s! Or, Is it? Around the world, countries have celebrated the start of the year at different times throughout history. Sometimes cities in the same countries even had different days for New Year’s. Learn more strange facts about New Year’s Day in this Seasonal Wisdom post.

Healthy New Year’s Eve Meals: Don’t want to fight the crowds, but would prefer a delicious meal at home? How about Rack of Lamb with Warm Apple and Lentil Salad? Or, Seared Steaks with Caramelized Onions and Gorgonzola? These healthy New Year’s Eve recipes from EatingWell.com have lots of delicious menu ideas for the big night.

Worth Bringing Back in Style:  If you’re nostalgic for old-fashioned but elegant ways to celebrate the ending of the year, this delightful article from the Huffington Post provides 10 Glamorous Old-World, New Year’s Entertaining Tips.

Lucky Foods for New Year’s Day: Some foods are considered very fortunate to eat on the start of the year. This interesting feature from Epicurious describes various lucky foods and provides recipes for foods that bring good fortune in the new year.

Make a Toast to Wassail: Don’t forget to enjoy a cup of this very old drink, which has influenced our culture in more ways than we often appreciate. Learn more about wassailing and a strange January tradition of toasting the apple trees.

Wishing You A Happy New Year: However you decide to celebrate the start of the year, we hope you have a very peaceful, prosperous and happy 365 days. Thanks for visiting Seasonal Wisdom and look for more stories about gardening, food and folklore all year long.

Old Man Time is pushed out the door by the New Year’s angel.

See more Riptheskull vintage cards.