Yule Crafts & Decorations

Yule Log - Traditionally, the Yule log is made early in the season and made of oak to symbolize the rebirth of the Oak King. If you do not have access to a piece of oak, then any wooden log will do. I usually try to find a piece of wood that is from a tree that has fallen naturally. Sometimes (in a pinch) I have used wood that has been harvested for the wood stove we use to heat our apartment in the winter. Now that you have your log, you decorate it with all the things the solstice represents to you. I use all natural ribbons and decorations because on Yule night, I put the log in my wood stove fire to symbolize the calling back of the sun and would not want to burn plastic or other synthetic items.

Some things you can use are:

-Ribbons that represent the God and the Goddess.

-Holly sprigs

-Wooden beads

-Candles (you can drill holes in the log to set the candles into)

You can use any other item that symbolizes the calling back of the sun and its fertility. Never burn candles down to the wood or leave unattended. Some people save their Yule log as a decoration for each year rather then burn it in their fire place. The choice is yours. Have fun!

Wreaths - You can make wreaths out of any material you wish. First you need to decide, 'will you make this every year, or do you want this one to last for many years?' If you are making one to bring out for decking the halls every year, use the artificial holly leaves and attach them to a metal ring with florist wire. If you are making it for this winter season, go and harvest some fresh holly. When you harvest your holly try to take from several different bushes rather then just one, especially if you are making a large wreath. Also do not forget to leave a thank you for the plant and the earth. I like to leave the pine cone decoration I will describe next. You might also want to use pine sprigs and evergreen branches. Again, use the florist wire and attach the branches to your metal ring. You can use the same metal ring each year. My friend likes to use the green florist foam that is shaped like a ring. You could also use ribbon and tie your items to a grapevine wreath. Try different things and really focus on the solstice and the rebirth of the sun.

Pine Cone Decorations - This is one of my favorite things to do. This is easy, fun for us, and is a great offering to the animals, especially the birds. All you do is collect pine cones that have already released their seeds. Then attach a hanger to the top (use cotton yarn or thread and just tie it to the top.) Make sure you leave enough room to tie the pine cone to a tree after. Now you are going to spread peanut butter all over the pine cone. The you cover the peanut butter with bird seeds. It has been a tradition for my daughter and I for several years now. We make up a bunch of these and give them as gifts. We bring them to my grandma's house and help her hang them out on the trees. She really enjoys the visits from the birds.

12/13/00 -This is a variation that was emailed to me: Merry meet! I use apples instead of pine cones all you do is cut big slices of apples then the peanut butter and bird seeds the birds love the apples they go really fast also try hanging orange slices in the trees they love that to Blessed Be Celtic Wish (celticwish@celticcrow.com).