For those living north of the Equator, the winter solstice is the shortest day of the year—it has the fewest hours of sunlight. (The vernal [summer] equinox, the longest of the year, has the most hours of sunlight.)

Using the Gregorian* calendar, the December solstice occurs between December 20th and December 23rd. Based on the rotation of Earth, the North Pole is tilted furthest away from the sun at the winter solstice, and closest to the sun at the vernal equinox.

Since antiquity, man has celebrated the winter solstice with feasting, gifts, visiting, drinking and more of the pleasures that counter the daily hardships of life.

If you don’t have the energy for feasting, enjoy a simple cup of warm cider with a cinnamon stick and an apple wheel. As a spirited option, add an ounce of rum, tequila or vodka.

*The Gregorian calendar, used in most western countries, has 365 days in a year, 366 days in a leap year.