Description

On Dec 21, members gather in the courtyard to share mulled apple juice, shine lights, make noise and celebrate the solstice.

Sample Calendar Entry 

Saturday, Dec 21, 5:30pm. Courtyard. Winter Solstice. Come show off your lantern or glow sticks, and make some noise to drive away the darkness.

Sample Online Announcement

Dec 21 is the Winter Solstice, so if you're around at 5:30 dress up warmly and head for the courtyard for some fun in the dark. Come down for some mulled apple juice, and show off your lantern, glow stick, bike light, candle, whatever you have to scare off the darkness for another year! Bring a drum and make some noise, let's drive away the dark! Mulled cider provided, bring your own lights and lanterns and drums. Please bring your own mugs if you can, especially for the kids.

Here are some instructions for a easy tin can lantern - but be warned, you need to freeze your can a day or so in advance, so don't leave it 'til the last minute!
http://inhabitat.com/how-to- recycle-a-tin-can-into-a- gorgeous-outdoor-lantern-for- summer-parties/diy-tin-can- lanterns-lead/

How to make tissue paper lanterns:
https://mangotheory.wordpress.com/2011/10/03/shine-a-light-tissue-paper-lanterns/ 

Notes for Hosts

Next year, get sparklers for the kids!

The common room has an annual repeating booking for Dec 21 for this event.

Mulled cider recipe

2 crockpots = 8 litres of cider

For each pot, use:

• 3 cans apple juice (3.6 litres) (2 bottles of 1.75l apple juice)
• 2 large orange
• 2 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
• 6 cinnamon sticks
• 2 heaping tablespoons of apple pie spice

Apple Pie spice:

• 1/4 cup ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp ground allspice
• 2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground cardamom (optional)

In the past we have had lantern making workshops, however the workshop leaders have left the co-op. People have expressed an interest in having a parade or a more elaborate event, but again we've not been able to find hosts.