For me, the emphasis on excessive consumerism leeches a lot of the magic from the holiday season. And I must admit that for many years this over commodification of Christmas nearly completely turned me off to celebrating this time of year. But, a few years ago, I realized I wanted to do something special to infuse my daughter’s childhood with wonder and magic during the holiday season. So, I decided to create…
Autumn is a season when children naturally start spending more time indoors as the weather grows colder and makes playing outside less enjoyable. Whipping up a batch of pumpkin spice playdough is a perfect ways to keep them entertained, and off screens! Whether you’re celebrating the harvest, or looking for a festive Samhain or Halloween activity, pumpkin spice playdough is a perfect way to celebrate autumn and keep little ones busy…
As July fades into August, we enter the beginning of the harvest season, a time of transition, when the fullness of summer slowly gives way to the first hints of autumn. For centuries, this turning of the seasonal wheel has been honored with rituals of gratitude and celebrations. In the Northern Hemisphere, August 1st marks the halfway point between summer solstice and autumn equinox. This midpoint has long been a time…
Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year and marks the official start of summer. It invites us to slow down, get outside, and soak up the sweetness of the season. One of our family’s favorite solstice traditions is packing a backpack full of snacks, taking a hike, and enjoying a picnic in one of our favorite spots. I love baking this Solstice Sun Bread to bring along. It’s easy…
Wrapping holiday gifts has become a well-established seasonal ritual. However, the costs associated with this tradition can hit especially hard during a time of the year when there are already so many other expenses. Buying gift wrap and bags can really add up. Fortunately, there are alternatives to flashy, store-bought wrapping papers and glittery gift bags that are kinder to our wallets. Making your own gift wrap is an affordable…
An important aspect of Samhain rituals is reflecting on the cycle of life & death and remembering our ancestors. In Ecuador, Día de los Difuntos (Day of the Deceased) is a similar celebration that honors loved ones who have passed on. After living and raising my kids in Ecuador for the past several years, I find that many of our family’s seasonal rituals blend aspects of nature-based celebrations from the…
Brew up a batch of this magical color shifting herbal tea to sip this spooky season.
Furoshiki, hailing from Japan, is a centuries-old technique of gift wrapping using reusable fabric. It’s like giving two gifts in one – the present inside and the exquisite eco-printed cloth that wraps it. Not only does it look stunning, but it also minimizes waste. This traditional method is gaining recognition worldwide, and for good reason. With Furoshiki, you can wrap gifts of various sizes without relying on disposable wrapping paper.…
This article is an accompaniment to the article Autumn Pumpkin Fairy Abodes by Rebecca Riyana Sang in the featured in the Autumn Vol 2 | Issue 6 | 2023 edition of Botanical Anthology. A plant lover’s dream, it is a seasonal, plant centered quarterly magazine bringing you over 50 articles from 49 contributors to incorporate herbs in your apothecary, kitchen, foraging and gardening, crafts, and celebrations. To learn more about…
Vanillegipfeli, more commonly known as vanillekipferl, is a crescent shaped cookie made with ground almonds, hazelnuts, or walnuts and dusted with vanilla sugar. It’s popular in Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, & Slovakia and is traditionally made at Christmas-time.