The winter solstice is just around the corner, and the Winter Solstice Windsock from the United States Flag Store is the perfect way to welcome the shortest day of the year!

The winter solstice is December 21 at exactly 11:38PM and refers to the moment when the Earth is at the farthest point from the sun in its orbit. Although the solstice only occurs for an instant, the term is used to refer to the first day of winter and also the shortest day (longest night) of the year. From this day forward, the days will gradually get longer until the summer solstice, in June.

Many cultures have and continue to honor and observe the winter solstice. In ancient times, surviving the winter was not always certain, so reaching the winter solstice marked an important time to make sure one had enough food in reserves to last until spring. In more temperate areas, the winter solstice marked a final celebration that included slaughtering animals that wouldn’t survive the winter and drinking the first of the fermented grains prepared from the wheat harvest. Still other cultures celebrate the birth or rebirth of sun gods.

Even now, many people gather at the winter solstice in order to have something to look forward to on the darkest day of the year. These gatherings most notably occur in arctic regions of the world where winter daylight hours are few and seasonal depression is more common.

No matter what your winter solstice traditions are, the Winter Solstice Windsock is a great way to beat the winter blues! Featuring a bright wintry scene complete with trees, stars, and snow in bright and bold blues and greens, just looking at this windsock will brighten your day! Even better, it’s fade and mildew resistant so it’s sure to last a harsh winter. Don’t forget to order the matching garden flag to really brighten your outdoor décor!