Many years ago when I got involved in backyard gardening in an area with relatively short growing season, the June 21 used to be a kind of sad day thinking that from now on every next day will be relatively shorter and I still feel the same come June 21. However, December 21 makes me smile a bit thinking the revers that every next day will be relatively longer than the previous day; this despite knowing what is ahead like arctic deep cold follwed by slush mud etc. Obviously early pagans were smart or winter-stricken or both to have picked the Winter Solstice as a day of celebration.

Merry Christmas, Happy Winter Solstice, Happy Holidays........

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/neweng/msg121253156387.html

a day definitely i've been looking forward to. when the day light gets little longer and longer until we have full sun ai 8:30pm, or at least feels like that. another yr to look forward to and another fig season to enjoy :)

Merry Christmas, Happy Winter Solstice, Happy New Year and all the other holidays i probably don't know how to spell :) 

Spring can't come fast enough. This December has been more like January or February. More snow and colder than the norm.

Happy Solstice everyone!

Completely agree about today being a happy day for plant enthusiasts up here in the northern hemisphere!

As someone who grows in a passive solar greenhouse, this is hump day.  Even though the temps outside will keep getting colder for a while, there will be more and more solar energy going into my greenhouse to warm it and fuel plant growth. 

After reading this post I don't feel so bad, nor abnormal.  It has been only 2 or 3 years that I look forward to Dec 21 knowing that the days are now getting longer. : )  Maybe this happened about the same time I started to hate cold and snow!

I think a little different on this point. When I look out and see all the cold rain or sleet/snow this time of year, I think of all the water being stored for my plants to grow on next year. When the days are short, I think of it filling up the chilling requirements for my raspberries and blueberries so they will be filled with fruit. And best of all, when the nights are cold it is one more reason to snuggle with my loving wife of 27 years.

Merry CHRISTmas to you all

Yes, I agree - winter solstice means a lot more to me now that I am an avid gardener.  The other reason is that I'm an avid bike commuter and it won't be too long and I'll be able to ride home in the daylight again.

GenDaniel
That shows you are not from the NorthEast or North.

Hi, to be precise the days will begin to grow on the 25th December, that is why it is Christmas ... They were all growing figs I guess :)
Surprisingly , and to the contrary to what the tv and school and child-books taught me, those are not my coldest weeks in the year.
In fact, the four weeks of February are the colder where I live so that since I grow fig trees, I'm not happy after 21st december nor the 25th but after 1st march !

Agree with you jdsfrance.
Our coldest, in my opinion, is from about January 2o to February 20.

I start feeling happy earlier in anticipation even though we are deluged with heavy snow storms and on average very cold temperature earlier than normal. Probably we may expect city announcing that snow removal budget is already consumed and be ready for tax surcharge. I hope they don't read this post to get an idea of surcharge. That will make us feel more colder...

No hurry for spring.it is 85 degrees at the moment:)