Merry Yule to you all! It is that wondrous time of year when we gather together around the fire, drink mugs of steaming cocoa and tell stories all night... isn’t it?

Revisiting Tradition
The tradition of telling stories goes back as far as we can imagine, and was once the way all families taught their children, passing down myths and legends, folklore and knowledge in the form that was then passed from generation to generation in an oral tradition. Over time, details were added or left out, changing the focus, the result, and indeed the lesson in the story, as times changed and messages developed.

These days as we rely more and more on watching TV or movies, or even separating into our own spaces on hand held digital devices, I want to urge you to use this festive season to bring the family back together and share the joy of storytelling. Whether you choose your favourite books, or tell stories of your childhood to your kids, the very act of sitting in a circle to listen to each other is deeply bonding.

Family Night
We all know how valuable bedtime stories are to our little ones, but why stop when they get older? Why not introduce Story Night into your family routine, maybe on a Sunday for an hour before bed, or as a way of celebrating the week that’s passed on a Friday night.

When it comes to visiting the grandparents, bring story time into the mix and urge elders to share stories of ‘the olden days’ and be willing to take the long way around – answering questions and going off at tangents as you go. Prepare some delicious snacks, grab your blanket and a pillow and settle in for an evening spent learning about each other or sharing your favourite poet or author. For the natural performer there is always the fun of ‘doing the voices’ and ‘acting out the actions’, which kids can’t get enough of.

Unique Perspective
We all have a tale to tell and a unique perspective to share. You do not need to be educated or privileged to have a story to share and if you happen to have led a life of adventure, travelling or meeting interesting people through your work, then an adult evening of storytelling around the dinner table can be time well spent. Who doesn’t enjoy orating over a fine wine and a good stilton?

Story time can be a great way to share the Christmas Celebration too, from reading Christmas tales, to singing Carols together, gifting books or, better still, journals and pens to encourage the writing of new stories. Encouraging little ones to make up and tell their own stories is such fun; let them use picture books as prompts or maybe a favourite toy to speak through. You will gain so much from the experience of this age old ritual and, who knows, it may just make this Christmas, the best Christmas ever!