Eden Project

Time of Gifts Advent Calendar: Day 21: How to create human warmth in deep midwinter

On this shortest day of the year, let’s create some human warmth!  Here are five simple things you could do to spread some cheer at this cold time of year, ranging from good deeds to thoughtful gift ideas to ways to celebrate the festive season. Don’t stick to our suggestions, though, use your imagination to share the lurve.

1. Do a random act of kindness. With all this snow around, why not pop in to visit an elderly neighbour to check if there’s anything they need that they’ve been unable to pop out and get.

2. Give your time for Christmas. Some of the most memorable presents are quirky ideas that you’ve thought up yourself. Instead of splashing out on last minute gifts, why not draw up some special vouchers that your friends and family can redeem for, say, ‘a cup of tea in bed’, ‘walking the dog’, ‘an evening’s babysitting’ or ‘a massage’?

3. Plant a seed of community spirit. Spread the word about The Big Lunch, the annual neighbourhood celebration kick-started by the Eden Project. Get your neighbours to pencil it in for Sunday 5 June, to tie in with people just like you doing it nationwide.

4. Bring some cheer to the homeless. Crisis is always looking for willing volunteers to muck in at their residential and day centres, helping do things like serve up Christmas lunches.

5. Get singing to warm the spirits. If you can’t find any carol services or outings in your locality, you could invite friends or neighbours around for a few songs – with maybe a few mince pies thrown in for good cheer. Voices alone will do, or you could add piano accompaniment or even the humble recorder.

Did you know?

• The winter solstice (21st December in the Northern Hemisphere this year) occurs when the Earth’s axial tilt is farthest away from the sun, and people experience the shortest day, the longest night and a particularly low sun. Around the world, cultures celebrate midwinter festivals with food, drink, light and entertainment – as the last feast before deep winter begins.
• The word ‘community’ comes from the Latin meaning ‘together in gift’. People have exchanged gifts for centuries, but not in the ‘here’s yours, where’s mine?’ way we do at Christmas. They gave when they could, shared bounty when they had it – even without something in return. That’s why at Eden we call our winter festival – focussing on light, food and music – A Time of Gifts.

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A Time of Gifts Calendar, Community

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A Time of Gifts, Christmas, Community