The Old Farmer's Almanac Companion Newsletter

Slowly, without sun, the day sinks
toward the close of December.
It is minus sixty degrees.

–John Haines (1924–2011),
Fairbanks Under the Solstice

Thursday, December 21, 2017
355th day of the year
Winter begins today

Kiefer Sutherland (actor) was born on this day in 1966.
Marc Connelly (playwright) died on this day in 1980.

Question of the Day
When did we figure out how to make maple syrup out of maple sap? Answer

The Winter Solstice

The First Day of Winter: Winter Solstice 2017
Winter officially begins with the Winter Solstice on Thursday, December 21, 2017. This is the astronomical first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Enjoy our winter solstice facts, folklore, FAQs, and more!

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SPONSORED

Remember when the power went out…

…and you wished you had a generator? Not everyone knows how much power they use, and even fewer are aware of their emergency power needs. We found this easy-to-use calculator to help you get an idea of what you’ll need.

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Ancient Solstice Sites

Five Ancient Sites Aligned With the Solstice and Equinox
Across time, people have marked the changes of seasons—sometimes in dramatic ways! Here are pictures of five amazing ancient sites aligned with the solstice and equinox.

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What Causes The Seasons?

The Reason for the Seasons
What causes the seasons? Here are the key astronomical reasons from The Old Farmer’s Almanac. (Remember, astronomy is at the core of any almanac, which is a “calendar of the heavens.”

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The 2018 Old Farmer's Almanac Weather Watcher's Calendar

Features amazing photography, weather proverbs, historical weather events, and trivia! Makes a great gift for a weather watcher!

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$9.99

Winter Solstice Plants

Plants of the Winter Solstice
The winter solstice falls on December 21, marking the official start of winter. It is the shortest day and longest night of the year.

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The 2018 Old Farmer's Almanac Everyday Calendar

Great stocking stuffer! Start each day with a tidbit of Almanac fun: weather wisdom, quirky historical facts, useful hints, and time-tested proverbs.

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$14.99

Mouthwatering Shortbread

True Scottish Shortbread

A true Scottish Shortbread recipe uses butter and flour to produce that mouthwatering taste. A proper recipe should result in a hard cookie that keeps well.

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The 2018 Old Farmer’s Almanac Gardening Boxed Daily Calendar

Gardeners will be delighted with this nicely illustrated and gift-boxed page-a-day calendar!

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$14.99