The start of Lent is always preceeded by Shrove Tuesday, pancake day. We love pancakes in our home and we have savoury and sweet pancakes for dinner.

Ash Wednesday is the next day and this is when I’ll update the nature table. It will be covered in hearts for Valentine’s day and these are all tided away for next year.

The seasonal table is a great way to gently show how the period of Lent can be postive in your home. For me, Lent is chance to simplify our lives, start good habits, or aim to reduce the things that aren’t so healthy.

You can choose to completely clear the area to reflect the time of Lent but I find this is too stark, especially when all the nature is waking up outside.

Initially, on Ash Wednesday:

• I will collect a small bowl of ash from the log burner to add to the table (it might be worth popping this in a jar if you have inquistive fingers in the house).. This opens up the chance to discuss the history of the day and the fact Lent is starting.
• A brand new candle is added to the table , but not lit until Easter Sunday. This shows that Lent (like advent) is a period of waiting.
• The branches are stripped from all the pretty decorations and laid bare.

The ash and the candle can be incorporated into an Easter Garden on Palm Sunday – visit my post “Marking the seasons : an Easter garden” to find out more about this.

As grown ups, we can choose to spend Lent in a period of abstinence to help our inner selves to connect with the wonder of the new life that is celebrated at Easter.

For children this complexity can be hard to grasp. Don’t worry about this as understanding will grow at they watch you over the years. They may have their own ideas to join in by avoiding chocolate, limiting TV time or writing in their journal everyday, but don’t place too much pressure or emphasis on it.

Over the next forty days I gradually add more to our nature table such as birds and imitation nests and new leaves. Palm Sunday is the chance to build an Easter Garden, and on Easter Sunday the day the flowers, eggs and new life arrive with a fanfare!

What do you do during Lent in your house? I’d love to hear your family traditions.