Winter Solstice - Game Night

We acknowledge the Solstices so much more here.  Party because the light during the day is an hour more or less on that day depending on if it is Summer or Winter Solstice.  And it is significant in both seasons to really take note of it. 
These past few weeks it has been dark, like really dark, when we leave for school by bike at 7:40.  We have to wear our reflective vests and be extra careful biking.  And it is starting to get dark by the time Josie gets out of school and completely dark before 4 PM.  I think sunset time in Berlin on the solstice was 3:55 PM! 

So we make a bigger deal of it here, partly because it seems Europeans acknowledge it more but also, at least for the winter solstice, we are so SO happy that the tide is now turning and the days will now slowly be getting longer.  To know you made it to the darkest, shortest days feels like an event to take note of and mark in some way.

Last year we did it right and went to the Tropical Island with the Neves.  What a way to celebrate the shortest and darkest day of the year by spending it on a warm, sunny "beach" an hour outside of Berlin.  This year we didn't have such big plans but the night before we decided to have a family game night with game snacks.  The kids were super excited.  We played hours of games after dinner until we were all too tired to play anymore.
Happy Winter Solstice 2018.  Bring on the longer, brighter days.