The shortest day of the year is not only the darkest, but often the coldest day. Here are some ways to celebrate the fact that after December 22, 2007 at 6:08 AM GMT, the days will start getting longer: 1. Get up at first light and watch the sun rise
2. Go for a hike and observe the twigs and leaf scars of the skeletal trees
3. Observe tracks in mud or snow. Can you tell what happened by where the tracks are?
4. Count the number of different evergreen plants you see
5. Collect rose hips, wintergreen leaves or pine needles and make tea
6. Study the hibernation behavior of a green frog, a chipmunk or a woodchuck
7. Write or tell stories about your happiest childhood memories
8. Honor the memory of an important person who has passed on
9. Light one or more candles
10. Create a welcome back ceremony for the sun