Midwinter

Across the The Kingdom of Arden, a special day known as Midwinter is celebrated. As per The Standard Arden Calendar, this day falls at the end of the first month of the year, Januar.
Midwinter has its roots firmly embedded in the times before the Kingdom, where more paganistic beliefs were rife across the land. It is thought to have originated in Nelheim, which often bears the brunt of the colder winter months. As it name suggests, Midwinter occurs at the height of the winter months, where the days are long and dark and food scarce. It is thought the original celebration was a gathering to pray that the winter months pass quickly. This was done at home, surrounded by relatives and close friends, with slightly more extravagant food and meals served.
Over the years, the celebration of Midwinter has changed and adapted as the culture of Arden has changed. With the religion changing from the worship of Old Gods to that of The Holy Light, so did Midwinter and how it is celebrated.
Nowadays, most of Arden celebrates Midwinter to some degree, although the Provinces and even individual towns and villages can vary in how this is done. There are several main traditions that can be found in most places.

Church Attendance and Work

With the rise of the Holy Light throughout the land, many followers of the religion often attend services at churches or shrines. Most holy days host a service, but Midwinter is an exception to this. It is seen as a time of family and the hearth, and should be spent as such. In the days running up to Midwinter, religious services may address the celebration, but the day itself is reserved for the home.
It is also expected that many will not work on the day of Midwinter, and several Kings of Arden have declared this in to law over the years. Markets and stalls will shut, and tools will lay still, as all but only the most crucial of work is halted for the day.

Decorations

Candles are a large feature of Midwinter, with the symbolism of the light they produce matching with the Holy Light itself. Elaborate displays of several candles may be set up in the home, with home-made decorations dedicated to the Holy Light and the Great Hero Arden being common. Small statues of the Guardians of the Light may also be seen.
In Nelheim ad parts of Eastfold, decorations made of the leaves of ritualistic plants may be seen above doorways and windows. It is said that these are used to ward off evil spirits and witches, and are often made from tree branches and the leaves of holly, ivy and mistletoe.

Music and Songs

Music is used across Arden for celebration, and much is the same for Midwinter. Families will gather around before or after meals to join in traditional songs, often passed down from generation to generation. It is often encouraged that those that know an instrument will prepare several songs and tunes to play for everyone to join in with. In the darker winter months, such songs are often kept light-hearted and upbeat. There are more traditional songs that are sung, however, that have a darker tone and seem more like an invocation of warding.
One such traditional song is the Rhyme of Midwinter. There are many different verses that go with the song, but the chorus largely remains the same:

The fire's warmth, a beacon strong,
Midwinter's heart, where dreams belong.
The spirits of the past draw near,
As candles dance, dispelling fear.
In the hush of snow, a tale is told,
Of spirits brave and hearts grown bold.
Midwinter's kiss, a timeless song,
In nature's arms, where we belong.

Traditional Cuisine

It is expected that a large meal will be prepared for the family on Midwinter's day, and many families will prepare a feast to be enjoyed at home. What food is prepared will vary dependant on the wealth of the home, but it is not uncommon for rarer or more expensive foodstuffs to be kept in anticipation for the day. Often the Lords and Ladies of a given estate will share some of their own more exotic stores with those that work in their domain and land, seeing that the people under them both continue their loyalty and are rewarded for their work.
The food prepared itself depends what is available, with local cuisine often dictating what is cooked. However, a custom that has swept the land in the past 300 years is that of the Midwinter Pie. Typically filled with minced meat, it stands out by the use of spices such as ginger, coriander and cinnamon. Many will decorate the Midwinter Pie with intricate patterns of pastry on top.
Drinking is also common in a Midwinter celebration, with a cup or glass of traditional spiced mead being had after the Midwinter meal. For the wealthier amongst the citizens of Arden, wine is drunk in vast quantities. For the common peasants of the land, ale is much easier to access for a more reasonable price, and drinking will often go long in to the night.

Gift Giving

A tradition that has long been associated with Midwinter is the exchanging of gifts. Scholars believe this is a holdover from the origins of the celebration. It is thought that back in the more tribal days, weapons would be given to the men, and shields to the women, each having been made by hand, or taken from battle. Ribbons of dyed wool would be tied around these and presented to partners and family members, so that all may better defend their family and tribe.
Nowadays this tradition takes the form of any gifts, usually associated with the interests and likes of the person receiving the gift. Ribbons will still be tied around the gift for when it is presented, which is usually the morning of Midwinter, or sometimes after the Midwinter meal.