Winter solstice

[Anna]

While the winter will not seem to have been too long this year, due to the exceptionally mild October and November, there is still a terrible dearth to this time of the year.

Christmas can be so gloomy, but, it's one date on the calendar, my only indulgence is Dr. Who, other than that, it's over in 24 hours and then, on with the motley. I hate New Year though

[vinteuil]

I hate to put a downer on it but the solstice is on the first day of Winter, a quarter away from Spring.

... well, actually (as discussed many times on these Boards... ) for meteorologists Winter begins on 1 December, Spring on 1 March...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Season

[cloughie]

... well, actually (as discussed many times on these Boards... ) for meteorologists Winter begins on 1 December, Spring on 1 March...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Season

All depends on weather you are a traditionalist or a meteorologists. Actually I reckon the only reason the Met Office goes for 1st of the month is that it it is tidier summarising the months!

[Biffo]

This year the Winter Solstice falls on December 22nd (most years it is on the 21st). As the 22nd is my birthday I think that is ample reason for celebration.

[Don Petter]

This year the Winter Solstice falls on December 22nd (most years it is on the 21st). As the 22nd is my birthday I think that is ample reason for celebration.

You have my sympathy. I bet you've never had a 'proper' birthday present either. (Mine is on 7th January.)

[Serial_Apologist]

This year the Winter Solstice falls on December 22nd (most years it is on the 21st). As the 22nd is my birthday I think that is ample reason for celebration.

Damn it - I'd earmarked tonight for Stonehenge...

[Biffo]

You have my sympathy. I bet you've never had a 'proper' birthday present either. (Mine is on 7th January.)

With my father's birthday on the 8th and my older brother's on the 27th of December, it was usually 'joint' Christmas and Birthday presents all round. My parent's wedding anniversary was the 26th so that didn't get much of a look in either except the 25th and 40th.

[Anna]

I do like decorating with swags of holly and ivy, bringing the greenery indoors, somehow that feels right and really cheerful, and oranges pierced all over with cloves hung on the swags. That owes more to Prince Albert than the Solstice I think, unless there is some dim racial memory lurking.

My sister out-law's birthday is the 25th, her father on the 26th. She was never happy at only getting one combined pressie. But then she was inclined to be miserable most of the year.

[old khayyam]

if nothing else, we can celebrate the longer daylight hours. Only seems like last week we put the clocks back/forward.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

ah well it may only seem like last week that the clocks fell back, but it is months afore they spring forward .... even though the days lengthen ....

[greenilex]

The longest night has started....and even after the solstice itself there'll be an hour or two of darkness. May as well enjoy it. Still have the same Armagnac bottle but have soaked some prunes and am considering whether to indulge in a Midnight Feast. Cheers!

[cloughie]

The longest night has started....and even after the solstice itself there'll be an hour or two of darkness. May as well enjoy it. Still have the same Armagnac bottle but have soaked some prunes and am considering whether to indulge in a Midnight Feast. Cheers!

Do it with aplomb! Perhaps you should play a Darkness CD

[Petrushka]

With my father's birthday on the 8th and my older brother's on the 27th of December, it was usually 'joint' Christmas and Birthday presents all round. My parent's wedding anniversary was the 26th so that didn't get much of a look in either except the 25th and 40th.

I have 5 family and two friend's birthdays between December 15 and 31! It makes for an expensive time of year made worse because I do insist on always treating their special day as if it was in June (like mine).

[Serial_Apologist]

Do it with aplomb! Perhaps you should play a Darkness CD

No he's doing it with a prune... or prunes. Quite, er.... moving, one imagines...

[greenilex]

Very tasty, I must report, but so far little emotion.