Welcoming Winter: A Celebration of the Solstice

Holiday focus in the studio: Connecting with family and friends

I am a botanical artist and gardener from Ann Arbor, Michigan. My background is in botany, plant ecology, and environmental science and policy. I am new to Substack as a writer/poster (I’ve been a reader/subscriber for a long time). I look forward to spending more time on this platform and am excited to share my process with you through painting, photography, and words. My garden and studio, which are one and the same when the weather permits, are where I spend most of my time and get most of my inspiration for my art.

Seasons provide a perfect structure for communicating what I do, so the winter solstice is a perfect time to start. I will be sharing what is happening in my studio, which is mostly about connecting with family and friends this time of year.

While the winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year in the Northern hemisphere, the moment when half the earth is tilted the farthest from the sun, it is also a celebration of the return of the light – which is how I’ve usually chosen to see it.

Regardless of how you choose to look at it, the first official day of the winter season will arrive, something that has taken me a long time to embrace. But as I enter my 14th winter living in the north (meaning north enough to have seasons and snow and all the things…) I can say that I have come to appreciate the slowing down of time, and how I can tap into my creativity in a way that is so different from my usual pace.

So, amid all the celebrations that come with the transition from fall to winter, I love to mark the solstice with quiet intention. My time in the studio tends to be more about creating a cozy holiday space and making gifts for family and friends. Here are a few of my favorite ways to celebrate:

• Sit by a fire outdoors

• Take a walk in the woods

• Use only candlelight and let go of technology for the evening

• Make a Yule log dessert

• Cook and share a meal with friends

• Make homemade gifts and decorations

  • Plant winter bulbs in rustic pots or found containers – amaryllis and paperwhites are simple reminders that spring will come again

  • Dry citrus rings – they are perfect for garlands, gift toppers, or put them in jars and give them as gifts to use in cocktails/mocktails

  • Wrap gifts with natural botanicals like sprigs of evergreen, dried flowers, or pinecones

Winter is an invitation to slow down and celebrate the simple joys of the season. I’d love to hear how you mark the solstice—do you have your own rituals or traditions?