Sounds, Smells, and Rituals of Christmas
For so many of us bound up with the pressures of Christmas: baking, finding the perfect ideas for gifts, home and hearth decorating, and sharing time with family and friends, of all those things the ones that sticks with me the longest are the sounds, smells, and rituals that trigger the emotions that make me love the season.
Despite the effort it takes to make Christmas special for everyone I’ve always thought that if we didn’t have it, we’d have to invent it because it is so important to us emotionally as it evokes our deepest memories.
The sounds – some are grand and jubilant, others soft and intimate fill the December air. They form a symphony of humanity: of celebration, reflection, and connection. The Christmas season doesn’t just sparkle with lights or shimmer with tinsel – it sings.
Perhaps the most iconic of all Christmas sounds is music. From the first notes of a carol drifting through a frosty evening to the familiar jingles piping though our phones and shops, music sets the emotional tone of the season. Their harmonies fill churches and concert halls; many like White Christmas or Jingle Bell Rock fill kitchens and car rides with cheer blending nostalgia with playfulness.
Even the small chime of the doorbell as visitors arrive feels festive at this time of year. The season also brings quieter sounds, those that invite stillness and peace. The gentle crackle of a fireplace, the whisper of wind brushing against frosted windows, the soft hiss of logs catching flame – offer comfort against the cold. Step outside and the world grows hushed. Snow muffles the usual city sounds, transforming the landscape into a tranquil world where even footsteps seem to fall in rhythm with wonder. The squeals of laughter of children on Christmas morning bring joy to our hearts.
Beyond the walls of home, the community hums with its own festive rhythm. Outdoor markets buzz with chatter and music; in Basel one Christmas season our hearts swelled with joy as pianos were wheeled onto the streets and groups of singers belted out Christmas songs – oh, the joy! The metallic scrape of skates on ice echoes across frozen ponds. Everywhere, sound draws people together – around performances, traditions, and moments of generosity.
And yet, amidst all this abundance of sound, one of the most powerful moments comes when everything falls silent. Late on Christmas Eve, when lights are dim and snow is drifting down, there’s a pause that feels sacred. It’s a moment when the world seems to listen – to hope, to gratitude, to peace. That silence is as much a sound of Christmas as any carol or bell, because it carries the weight of everything the season means.
In our home, because we have friends of every faith and some without and the husband is a scientist, we celebrate the winter solstice to ensure all our friends of every cultural background is included in our festive celebrations.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
Photo credits: Lorne Kingwell
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