November. Where I live it's dark out long before we've cleared the dinner dishes. And we've still another month to go before the days are at their shortest and the light slowly returns. This season most evenings are quietly spent indoors – with books, toys, knitting, and conversation. This shift feels natural to me. Healthy even.
But we still do venture out.
Last night the we enjoyed a fall lantern walk with dear friends. The children enjoyed the freedom and responsibility of carrying the lanterns with lit candles, and we explored a bit in the darkness of November.
I shared how we made the lanterns here with a variation using glass jars over here. (Just add a wire loop for a handle in the second post.) Or use what you have on hand in your candle collection. Just be sure to have something that blocks the wind, and pop a box of matches and a few extra votives in your pocket, just in case.
I hope you are inspired and make some to take out with your little ones. This is an activity that is much bigger than its parts. It borders on magical in my eyes. So go out and shine your lanters into the November Night. You are, after all, a glimmering spark in the darkness.
P.S. If you are looking for more lantern walk inspiration, Google "Martinmas Waldorf Festival" and you should find some good leads.
We have never done this lantern walk and now I am wondering why. I really does look magical. I think I will plan one sometime this week! Thanks Rachel.
So very magical! We had ours last week under the full moon. But now I am thinking we need to do it again!
My little one just had a day at school creating lanterns with an artist for a local lantern walk. They used willow and have fairy lights inside…I have to admit I am just as excited as he is about the event, so I might try making one of your lanterns for me! 😀
I love the idea of making the glass jar lanterns! my little one is still really young and she’ll be able to participate more in the crafting of that project, versus the paper lanterns. i think we’ll make some for Christmas presents! thanks for the reminder.
Your lanterns turned out so wonderful 🙂 We are in the dark here before dinner time as well. I can’t believe that in a few short weeks it will be dark by 4:30pm. It truly is such a lovely time though for cozying up by the fire and knitting and reading 🙂 We had our first lantern walk this year and it was so much fun making our paper mache lanterns. We can’t wait to do it again next year 🙂
I think that’s the same lantern walk we were planning on participating in, but my girls weren’t up for the drive after a long day. Looks lovely 🙂
We actually missed that one too as my kids requested a pass that night for some quiet time at home. But we do one together as a family each year and we were sorry to have missed the HS one so we simply did our own again. Next year!
we enjoyed tamarack’s martinmas celebration this year…so magical. thanks for sharing this beautiful idea with many more here. peace. and enjoy the new puppy. such fun!