Blessed Yule!
Yule, or the Winter Solstice, is the pagan holiday that honors the longest night and the return of the sun. Decorations include greenery that can survive the winter and things that look like the sun, such as lights , candles and oranges. Actually, many things we think of for Christmas are actually based on old Pagan traditions. So put up a tree, grab some mistletoe, and light some candles!
Yule Log
One way to combine the greenery of the season with honoring the sun's return is making a Yule Log. This is a log that you decorate with natural materials and display as a decoration or on an alter. Then on the eve of the Solstice, it's burned to bring light to the darkest night and welcome back the sun.
Any log will do, but traditionally oak is used to bring in strength and health for the coming year. Pine is used as well for prosperity and abundance. Whatever log you choose, make sure it’s very dry and well seasoned so it’ll burn.
Wrap a ribbon made of natural fiber around the log and tuck pine boughs, pine cones, holly, and other natural materials underneath it. Finding the materials can be part of your Yule tradition. Try to mainly take things that are on the ground already, but if you want some greenery, ask the tree and give it thanks before cutting any branches. You can also write your hopes for the upcoming year and tuck them in as well.
On the night of the Solstice, turn off all the lights as you prepare to light the Yule log. Be quiet in the darkness as you think about the year that has past. Light the log and as it begins to burn think about the hopes you have for the year ahead. It's traditional to light a candle from the Yule log and use that to light candles throughout the house, spreading the warmth of the returning sun.
For more details and to add an element of the Oak King and the Holly King, check out this article.
Bird Seed Ornaments
Another way to celebrate is to share our bounty with our animal friends as winter begins. One way to do this is to decorate an edible Yule tree. The simplest ornament to make is to coat pine cones in peanut butter and roll them in bird seed. Tie a ribbon or string made of natural fibers to the top and hang it outside.
This page has more ideas for edible decorations and how to make them kid friendly.
Orange and Clove Pomanders
Oranges symbolize the sun's return and the bright, zesty scent mixed with spicy cloves is a great way to brighten up this dark time of year. Simply poke the long end of whole cloves through the skin of an orange in a festive pattern. Stick a wire through the center of the orange, securing it on the outside of the bottom and forming a loop at the top to hang it. As it dries it will release its bright aroma.
For more details, check out this page.
Food
Holiday cookies are fun to make for Yule. Cinnamon cookies such as snickerdoodles have that warm seasonal flavor. Sugar cookies in the shape of a star or tree are also very Yule appropriate.
Winter vegetables like winter squash, brussel sprouts, potatoes, kale, and carrots are good to use in a Yule supper. This stuffed butternut squash makes a tasty and beautiful centerpiece for any meal! I also enjoy a good lentil and mushroom wellington, the flaky puff pastry with the savory filling is perfection!
Drink
Mulled apple cider or wine are tasty Yule beverages. Just simmer over low heat with cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, allspice berries and orange wheels (poke the cloves into the skin of the orange circles to prevent them from getting sipped!). A drink called Wassail is also traditionally made for Yule. You can find a recipe for that here.