So often we feel that the countdown is on + there is never enough time to do everything we want to do; our list, shopping for gifts, wrapping, sending, making, baking decorating, parties to attend! As you are making your list + checking it twice, put this at the top: Choose what + how I want to celebrate.

One of my favorite things to do at this time of year is spend time in my friend Eileen’s kindergarten classroom. What can be more uplifting than a group of sweet 5 + 6 year olds greeting you with their wiggling + gap toothed grins, filled to the brim with excitement of the season.

In Eileen’s class, starting in early December, they celebrate Winter Lights. Each child shares their family traditions that are connected to winter + light. They learn that across the world there are many different ways to celebrate with the common thread throughout all traditions being the connection of family + friends.

As the weeks progress, the classroom is filled with symbols the children make about the traditions they have shared. Because we live in the Bay Area, the traditions are as diverse as the kids are themselves! It is such a wonderful, inclusive way to embrace them all.

Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza, Diwali, Ramadan & Winter Solstice are better known celebrations of light that take place in the winter months, but every year there are families who share what is special to them + each year it is different.

One year, visiting grandparents from Sweden came in costume with specially baked buns & shared the Dec. 13th tradition of St. Lucia. Another year a Burmese family taught us about Nadaw, other years a Mongolian family showed us how to celebrate White Moon, a Persian family Yalda, a Japanese family Oshogatu, a Tibetan family Goo-Thook. I can’t wait to see what this years brings!

Winter Light traditions around the world offer the perfect antidote to seasonal overload by showing us how embrace simple goodness, light + love:

Gather round with those you hold dear. Eat something delicious. Hold the light of hope out for others. Raise a glass in gratitude.

However you celebrate the season, we hope it is warm + wonderful, filled with whatever you love best. Don’t forget to take some time for yourself, so that you are not too frazzled or tired to enjoy your family + friends. We have a few good ideas at Supple about selfcare + wellbeing we are happy to share.

From all of us to all of you, we wish you all the joy + peace this season can hold.