December 24–31
Community • Courage • Found Family
Riftmas is a Stranger Things-inspired year-end holiday that runs from December 24-31. It's built around the themes that matter most: community, courage, and found family.
We mark safe spaces with light, check in on people who might be struggling, and celebrate the bonds that hold us together through the dark times.
This isn't about replacing other holidays—it's about creating intentional space for connection and gratitude during the week between Christmas and New Year's.
Merry Riftmas. Light hold. Circle close.
A string of multicolored bulbs that marks a safe space. Hang one in your main window or doorway to signal you're part of the circle. Two crossed Riftlights mean open house/welcome.
A woven knot ornament representing the bonds that hold reality together. Each strand represents a bond: friend, family, neighbor, community, self. Tie them together and hang somewhere visible.
A tree decoration hung inverted to acknowledge the other side. One ornament for remembrance and awareness. Two means "please check in" (only if your circle agrees on that meaning).
Hang a Riftlight across your main window or doorway. Read a short story of courage (one page is enough). Text one person: "Light hold?"
Put waffles on the table before the main meal as a playful guardian nod (inspired by Stranger Things' Eleven and Eggos). Keep it light, not precious. Share them afterward.
Wrap gifts in brown paper with one stamped sigil only. Recipients guess the giver with one question each. Keep gifts small, thoughtful, and personal.
Set aside a small plate of food for drop-offs to someone who's alone, sick, broke, grieving, or overloaded.
Three days where you check in on people and leave small tokens at doorways.
20-40 minutes with lanterns or flashlights. Stop at marked houses (Riftlight visible). Exchange small charms with one sentence:
A public board where people pin notes for those lost, or those who helped. Prompt cards:
Goal: "seal" a mock gate by completing four trials together.
Rule: one line each, and you must include one of: a light, a door, a signal, or a choice.
Optional twist: One person plays "The Static" and can interrupt once per round with a prompt like "the lights flicker," "the map changes," or "someone lies."
One person can hold multiple roles. Two people can share one role.
Builds the scavenger hunt and runs "The Seal" game on Dec 30.
Puts up the first Riftlight and leads the Gate Night reading on Dec 24.
Makes and teaches how to create Sigil Knots for the community.
Organizes check-ins and coordinates token drops during The Watch (Dec 26-28).
Runs the Remembrance Wall and keeps track of community stories.
Print these pages to share with your community. Use your browser's print function (Ctrl+P or Cmd+P).
Dec 24-31. I built Riftmas to honor community, courage, and found family.
We mark safe spaces with light and check in on people.
Print and cut out these symbols to use as stamps or gift wrap decorations.