Warm Cozymas To You!

The timing of Christmas never entirely made sense to me. I know, the end of the year has been a traditional time for feasting and celebration and bringing in the evergreen for centuries, but our December Christmas nowadays comes at a time when my head is still full of the last of autumn's color, and the heavy, thick, insulating snows of winter haven't yet arrived. We dream of a white Christmas because snow is still a novelty.

I love Christmas, and ultimately I wouldn't change a thing about it, but much like Pippin in Lord of the Rings, I can't help but wonder: what about second Christmas? Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a second celebration that took place in the bleak part of winter, at a time when we struggle the most to feel like there's something to look forward to?

And for that matter, what about those of us who take down our cheerful, festive Christmas lights and decorations in jewel tones of ruby and emerald and feel even bleaker to see the empty, clear space it leaves behind? I do understand that some people find the cleaning and the empty space after Christmas cathartic, and put up minimal decorations afterward. But what about those of us for whom the loss of the lights, and the glow, and the warmth of Christmas only adds to a growing sense of seasonal depression and unease?

We need a new winter holiday. I don't know about you, but January and early February are the times when I most need the comfort of ritual and joy, of something to look forward to.

So I propose we make something up. I propose we create a second Christmas. And I suggest we call it...Cozymas.

Because that's the best part of these months. That's what I want to lean into: the feelings of cozy comfort against the bleakness. The weather outside is frightful, the temperatures dip from the 30s of December to the 10s and lower of true frigid winter. The nights are dark. But...candles glow softly and warmly in that dark. And thick blankets feel incredibly comforting to bundle under. These are incredibly hygge and comforting things that cannot be enjoyed in quite the same way in the warm sunny days of summer, even if we crank up the air conditioning.

Instead of a Christmas tree, I want to lean into the season. Decorate a stark winter branch or a prelit faux birch tree with decorations from a winter nature walk. Each new day, we could write down something to be hopeful or thankful for on a piece of ribbon, and tie it around a branch, to be read off on Cozymas itself.

Instead of feeling the need to buy or make gifts for all of the family, we could write letters instead, beautiful handwritten ones, as many as we can get through during the month and a half between the New Year and Cozymas. (Bonus points if written by candlelight) And perhaps we could choose just one different loved one each Cozymas for whom to make a handmade gift, focusing on comfort and self-care.

Ghost stories are a part of Victorian Christmas tradition, so I'm going to steal that for Cozymas. But let's read fairy tales. Sit by a candle or a fire, some sort of natural flame, and read stories of wonder and magic. Make shadow puppets on the walls...cut out paper silhouettes to illustrate the story read together.

Cozymas would best be celebrated on a weekend, since I doubt it will take off to the point of becoming a national holiday. (chuckle) So maybe the third Saturday of February? But like Christmas, the traditions would also span the season leading up to it.

Imbolc is a traditional pagan holiday in early February that celebrates the first signs that we have made it through the hardest part of winter (although honestly? Sometimes in Ohio March can be the harshest of months), the warmth of fire, and the beginnings of lambing season. Brigid is the goddess of the holiday, and straw Brigid's Crosses and corn dollies are often made. None of this contradicts the goals and symbolism of Cozymas, so the holidays can be celebrated as part of each other...sort of like Yule and Christmas.

These are just a few initial thoughts I"ve had. SO what do you think? Do you want to join me for a second Christmas, something to warm the heart in the bleak months? Something with low pressure and expectation that leans into the feeling of hibernation we naturally gravitate toward during these dark cold grey months? What else would you suggest we add to our celebration? This is OUR holiday, so please feel free to throw out ideas. I hope this is just the beginning of something fun, a light against the winter cold that also celebrates the fact that without that cold, without the long night, candles don't burn as brightly, and thick blankets don't hold the same comfort.