As the days grow shorter and the world outside tucks itself into a long winter nap, many families turn their thoughts toward holiday traditions. For years, our family celebrated the religious holidays common to our culture. But as we have evolved and embraced a more secular worldview, we have discovered something wonderful. Leaving religion does not mean leaving behind meaningful traditions. In fact, it has opened up a whole new world of intentional celebration.
If you are a family that has stepped away from religious observances but still craves meaning, history, and wonder during the deep winter months, the transition can feel a little uncertain. It is a common struggle to figure out how to create magical, memorable traditions without relying on familiar religious narratives. We found our answer in the oldest holiday of all, the Winter Solstice. I have put together a free three week unit at the end of this post to help you bring these same rhythms into your own home.
For us, the Winter Solstice is not about a specific deity or dogma. It is about connecting with the natural world, understanding human history, and celebrating universal experiences like the rhythm of the seasons, the importance of light, and the resilience of hope.
This shift has allowed us to craft a December that is educational, inclusive, and truly low stress. Instead of rushing through crowded aisles, we spend three weeks exploring the human story of winter from around the globe. This connects us to thousands of years of human ingenuity. We have learned that cultures long before colonization had powerful rituals for surviving the dark, from Roman Saturnalia to Norse Yule to indigenous winter storytelling practices.
This shift has allowed us to craft a December that is educational, inclusive, and truly low stress. Instead of rushing through crowded aisles, we spend three weeks exploring the human story of winter from around the globe. This connects us to thousands of years of human ingenuity. We have learned that cultures long before colonization had powerful rituals for surviving the dark, from Roman Saturnalia to Norse Yule to indigenous winter storytelling practices.
I use a three week secular winter traditions unit to structure the month of December for my own kids, who range from age six to sixteen. The plan is specifically designed to be secular and inclusive. It focuses purely on history, astronomy, and mythology rather than religion. It is also low prep, using household items, library books, and simple discussions.
Everything builds toward the actual Solstice date on December 21st. The whole unit culminates in a beautiful, simple celebration of the longest night, featuring our favorite family ritual, the Yule Spiral.
We create a simple spiral path on the floor and gather with unlit candles. One by one, we walk the path into the deep dark, use a central flame to light our own small candle, and walk back out, placing our light along the path. The spiral slowly fills with light, symbolizing the sun’s certain return.
This simple, physical journey from darkness to light is beautiful and memorable. It captures the essence of hope better than any store bought holiday could.
You do not need to choose between a life free of religion and a life rich in tradition because you can absolutely have both. If you are looking to build meaningful and gentle traditions for your family this December, I have packaged my homeschool plans into a free downloadable unit. Inside you will find a week by week plan exploring secular winter myths from the origins of Santa to the history of the Solstice along with daily low prep activities and my complete celebration plan for the Yule Spiral. [Download Your FREE 3-Week Unit Plan Here]
I hope this free unit plan brings light, history, and intentional tradition to your family this winter!