DIY sun catcher
This month, we experience the shortest day of the year during the winter solstice.
With parents almost always feeling short on time, this measly stretch of daylight can suck the wind from even the most determinedly optimistic caregiver’s wings. So, let’s seek advice from those who came before us in the cultures of the past, where people celebrated displays of light as darkness lay heavy on the year.
Dancing Lights
While researching the moon schedule this month, I learned that the Geminid meteor shower will be visible in Pennsylvania, peaking around Dec. 13 and 14. Meteor showers are best viewed away from light pollution, so head into the woods with snacks and hot chocolate for a night full of wishes. The full moon will occur on Dec. 4, and what better way to celebrate light than the celestial options found in the night sky?
If you’re more into city lights, Negley Park in Lemoyne offers a view of the illuminated Harrisburg skyline. For those who don’t enjoy being outside at nighttime, you can see the skyline at Negley Park from the safety of your car. If you will be outside, hit up the dollar store for some glowsticks before your nighttime adventure so children stay visible while they run around. We divided into neon color coded teams and had a wild game of flashlight tag that had everyone sweating and laughing. For even more glowstick fun, tape them to your clothes in line with your arm and leg bones to make a glow-in-the-dark skeleton illusion. I cannot recommend enough recording your family doing a glowing skeleton choreographed dance. If you’ve never choreographed a dance before, just turn on a video from KPop Demon Hunters and rehearse some of the simpler moves, then bump the soundtrack while your family recreates the dances. In the dark, no one notices imperfections, so just have fun!
Gift of Giving
On the tune of music, the Susquehanna Folk Music Society is hosting the band Windborne at the Unitarian Church in Harrisburg on Dec. 9. Windborne is a folk band that stands out with their engaging four-part harmonies, mystifying young and old alike with masterful, old timey performances. Volunteer with SFMS to earn free tickets to their events. Volunteers help with set up/tear down of chairs and tables, greeting patrons to hand out flyers, selling merchandise before/after the show and other tasks.
Another way to volunteer this holiday season is to get involved with The Brethren Housing Association in Harrisburg. They offer Adopt-A-Family programs where folks are matched with those in need to provide holiday gifts for a whole family. This is a wonderful option for kids to get involved, selecting items that will be celebrated by another person their age. Families can provide holiday meals by donating food items listed on the BHA website. BHA is in need of household items like toilet paper, paper towels, dish soap and other items that can be found on their website.
Catching Rays
Inspired by the spirit of celebrating unique forms of light, we made upcycled suncatchers this month. Suncatchers require a flat or semi-flat translucent surface to decorate, so we cut off the top of a plastic strawberry container and used that. We chose to make our suncatcher square, but they can be circles, stars or any shape that feels right.
There are endless options to decorate your suncatcher. For a classic look, cut up crepe or tissue paper and glue it in a pattern, then draw lines of black with marker for a stained-glass effect. For a natural alternative, use dried flowers or leaves that are coated with Mod Podge. Paint is an easy option for decorating a suncatcher. Just remember that light moving through the paint will show your brush strokes, so watch out for globs. Markers are another tried-and-true method that allow for a lot of detail and easily let light pass through. Make your suncatcher extra exciting by combining art supplies for a mixed media creation. We added tassels to ours that went with our “Wicked” theme, but feel free to add gemstones, glitter, beads or any other treasures that will look pretty in a window.
They say that it is not the lantern that illuminates a path, but the light inside. The solstice is the day my kiddo came into the world, bringing with him an inextinguishable brightness. Each year, we find new ways to celebrate the light that can be found on even the darkest days. As we move into this winter season, focus on the people who bring you warmth and the moments that glow.
Negley Park is located at 210 Cumberland Rd., Lemoyne.
For more information on Susquehanna Folk Music Society, visit www.sfmsfolk.org.
For more information on Brethren Housing Association, visit www.bha-pa.org.
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