As winter draws to a close, we are reflecting on the traditions we make to keep the light in our lives throughout the darker months. We reached out to our community to learn about some of the ways they have been embracing the cosy moments that this winter has had to offer.

“Music has been a balm for me this winter. I’ve been tending to the things that make me feel warm and enriching; singing with friends, learning how to play new instruments, percussive rhythms and gathering with the intention of creating heart warming exchanges”

Olivia, Hazelbrook

“I love to bring light in to the home during the colder, darker days. Honouring the light that burns within us all, stoking the inner fire. I light a candle every late afternoon and then cook dinner, then I place it on the dinner table as we eat. The kids take turns to blow it out each day.”

Lulu, Katoomba

“Cups of tea in front of my wood fire, yummy feasts with children, our lovely Italian, Chinese, Irish/Scottish extended families, or friends…and playing guitar with like minded musicians! That’s what makes my winter cosier and warmer. And of course braving the cold to walk in the bush, or feed my chickens, weed and prepare for spring planting to grow the next round of organic vegetables. I enjoy these winter traditions of resilience found in most cultures.”

Erst, Lawson

“I grew up in a Japanese style house (in the middle of suburban white Australia!). We had a kotatsu (low table with blanket over the top and heater inside) in the centre of our living room. My memories as a kid was sitting inside the kotatsu watching Totoro, eating chips and falling asleep with the warmth!

The home has always been a space for culture for me. When we moved up to the Blue Mountains, we moved into a really small house. It’s taken me a year to realise the thought of returning back to some ideas of a Japanese house. The way we consider small space. We got rid of some big furniture like the lounge and chairs and got a simple chabudai (floor tea table). We don’t have a kotatsu set up but this table is next to the fire. We sit around this table on the floor with zabuton (floor cushions). This is how we spend time as a family together. Eating, watching TV, building Lego, drawing, working! These simple cultural things are comfort and traditions for me.”

Yumi, Mount Victoria

“Having an afternoon tea with family. We have been doing it for years with my young grandsons who are in primary school. It’s a good way to communicate and model good family practices.”

Roy, Leura

“I make up a big batch of calendula balm when the days become slower. I collect and dry calendula flowers through the warmer months. When the flowers are dry I infuse them in almond oil in a dark cupboard for a few months. By early winter I have beautiful golden oil that I use to make my calendula balm. I use the balm for almost everything. I give it to my friends who have babies and they use it as a nappy balm. It's great for healing cuts and scraps. I also use it as my one and only face cream. The golden colour of the balm is really special and to me it feels infused with the joyful goodness.”

Jules, Blackheath

(Check out Jules’ calendula balm recipe here)

“We don’t have any particular rituals. We do like to go away in our camper for winter escapes which is lovely.”

Susan, Lawson

“We love lighting our wood burner and have it going all winter on a loop to keep the space cosy all the time and then we have the luxury of cooking on it because it’s always hot.”

Mel, @frankie.farm in Sun Valley

“We love having hot pot in winter. It’s a Chinese tradition where you have a big pot of broth simmering away on a portable cooktop at the dinner table. The food (a mixture of leafy greens, thinly sliced meat, mushrooms and tofu) simmers away as you eat and you continue to add to the pot throughout the meal. It’s communal eating and cooking. It brings me straight back to my childhood.”

Rosie, Lawson

“My biggest winter ritual this year has been waking up before anyone else, padding out to our cold living room and lighting the morning fire for my family. I’ve really taken it on this season to be the one to do that particular job. Among other things, I’ve really valued the discipline it has created for my morning routine and the extra comfort it has brought my family as they each sleepily arrive to the fireplace and warm themselves up. The evenings too are similar, I’ve placed a whopping great big chair right beside the fireplace, slightly (haha incredibly) impractically, and relish the moment everyone has gone to bed and I get the fire all to myself. I have definitely bookended my winter days by the fire.”

Jeri, Springwood

A Reflection on Winter Traditions