Wednesday, December 21 marks the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, also known as the shortest day. This 24 hour period has the fewest daylight hours of the entire year.
So what can I do on the shortest day of the year?
Get outside! With the fewest daylight hours, it makes sense to get outside and enjoy the day while the sun is up. With the cooperation of the weather you could enjoy some fresh air with a walk through a winter wonderland! Mississauga is home to more than 500 parks ranging from small green spaces to larger destination parks. Visit your favourite trail or explore a new one. To find the parks and trails around you visit mississauga.ca/parks. When the sun goes down, set up some chairs in your backyard or grab a seat on a park bench and enjoy the night sky. Look for constellations, shooting stars and enjoy the brightness of the moon in winter’s night.
Light up the night! We typically wait until the sun goes down to enjoy the warm glow of outdoor lights and decorations. With the sun going down earlier, it’s a great opportunity to turn your lights on a little earlier. Take a stroll down your street and enjoy your neighbours’ displays!
Winter Magic at Celebration Square – Skate on the City’s largest outdoor skating rink and enjoy the holiday lights, glowing installations, heated patios and more! Winter Magic at Celebration Square runs from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. For more information visit mississauga.ca/wintermagic.
Last minute holiday shopping? Mississauga has more than 2,800 local shops, boutiques and retailers. Whether you want to shop and support local or hit the malls, there is something for everyone on your list. The City also offers some great gift ideas including a Living Arts Centre gift certificate or a Recreation gift card.
Enjoy some quality time at home – Try a new recipe, curl up with a good book or maybe challenge a friend or family member to your favourite board game or a game of cards. Put on a good vinyl album, watch a holiday movie or call it an early night!
Plan for a safe holiday – Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to ensure they are working. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms can lose efficacy over time and expire after 10 years. Alarms can be upgraded to newer models with longer battery life. Visit your local home and building store if you need to replace your alarms. Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms save lives! It’s also important to remember to be safe when lighting candles indoors. Extinguish candles before you leave a room or your home, or before going to sleep.
While it may be the shortest day of the year, the possibilities on how to spend your day are endless!