Today, Friday, June 21st we celebrate the Summer Solstice, the first day of summer and the longest day of the year.

My ideal way to celebrate this day would be on a yacht in the Caribbean (who’s with me), I think I will spend the afternoon next to the water or even better, a waterfall.

How are you going to celebrate?

Here are some ideas from one of my ultimate favorite reference books, Old Farmer’s Almanac. (Be sure to visit the site to see the pictures.)

1. Light a bonfire: The solstice day was traditionally celebrated by dancing around the bonfires. Check out our dramatic fire bowls and fire pits.
2. Go fishin’: We love to get out on the water. Consult our free Best Days for Fishing chart—plus, tackle-box and bait tips.
3. Plant a seed or a tree: Traditionally, to the farmer, the solstice is the midpoint of the growing season, halfway between planting and harvesting, and an occasion for celebration.Browse our neat seeds kits and containers.
4. Cook outside: There’s nothing as tasty as grilled food. Have a big cook-out on the solstice. Get a taste of our mouthwatering Grilling and BBQ sauces.
5. Camp: Plan a camp-out to enjoy the great outdoors whether it’s a tent in the backyard or a cabin in the woods! Check out the camping store page for some fun ideas. Don’t forget the best natural insect repellent on Earth to enjoy the outdoors in peace.
6. Listen to songbirds: We love our feathered friends. Attact birds to your garden with our beautiful bird feeders.
7. Get pampered. Midsummer Day, near the solstice, was said to make old people look younger. It was also thought that walking barefoot in the dew would keep one’s skin from getting chapped. Summer certainly does cure the winter dries. You can also check out popular gardener’s lotions and fisherman’s soaps to soften calloused working hands. There’s even an “annulment of time” rejuvenating cream!
8. Let the light in! With all this extra daylight, hang one of our gorgeous suncatchers or decorative accents for your window or porch. Here is the Almanac suncatcher, shot in our town of Dublin, NH, against the backdrop of Dublin Lake.
9. Read a book. Temperatures rise and lazy days ensue. Relax on the beach or the porch and read up on gardening tips, natural health, and more. See our great books and guides.
10. Watch the night sky! In ancient Egypt, the new year was celebrated when the star Sirius rose around the time of sunrise. This roughly coincided with the summer solstice and the annual flooding of the Nile River. Click for our free monthly Sky Map and explore the night sky fom your own backyard!