A dusting of snow, like the most ethereal of glitter, elegantly wafted to the ground. It did not stick around for long, but its presence let all and sundry know that fall’s death knell had rung out across the land.

By mid-November, multiple inches were accumulating. For a while a few gentle reminders of autumn managed to hang on a wee bit longer. True to form for this area (and much of the country, for that matter) though, winter had in fact arrived more than a month before its official start date.

In the Western Hemisphere, that date (the Winter Solstice) falls on Wednesday December 21^st this year.

The Winter Solstice houses the shortest day and longest night of the entire year (these two appear in the reverse order on the Summer Solstice).

For many who opt to follow the Wheel of the Year, the Winter Solstice ushers in not only the beginning of winter itself, but also the Pagan sabbat of Yule.

I would venture to say that, particularly in contemporary times, no other sabbat is more familiar to the broader public sphere than that of Yule.

The words “Yule” and “Yuletide” are to this day still often used somewhat interchangeably with “the holiday season” and “Christmas” – as well as being another name for the Winter Solstice itself.

Case in point, we hear Yule sung about in numerous Christmas songs.

For example, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”, in which appears the line, “We wish you the merriest, the merriest, the merriest Yule cheer.”

There is also “Cool Yule” (Louis Armstrong’s version is my personal fave), Deck the Halls (with its classic line, “troll the ancient yuletide carol”), and Cool Yule, to name but three more.

Last year we got in the festive Yule spirit – and put our craft rooms to especially good use – with a roundup of 50 Awesome DIY Yule Decorations and Craft Ideas You Can Make For the Winter Solstice.

This time around, I thought it would be a great idea to help celebrate Yule by putting it at the heart of the latest edition in Witchcrafted Life’s Free and Low-Cost Ways to Celebrate the Pagan sabbats series.

If you are new to this series or haven’t had a chance to check out the other entries that have appeared as part of it so far, you can do so via the following three links.

–10 Free and Low-Cost Ways to Celebrate Imbolc (post written for the site The Witch of Lupine Hollow, when I was a content contributor there)

–10 Free and Low-Cost Ways to Celebrate Ostara

–15 Free and Low-Cost Ways to Celebrate Mabon

Before we hop straight into our meaningful selection of 12 Free and Low-Cost Ways to Celebrate Yule and the Winter Holiday Season, let’s take a moment to explore the history and significance of Yule itself.

A brief history of Yule

There is something cozy and beautifully timeless about the word Yule. Just as there is regarding the thoughts, memories, and imagery that Yule conjures up for many of people.

Yule does not have as many alternative names as some of the other Pagan sabbats that comprise The Wheel of the Year. That said, it is also known in English by such titles as Yulefest, Yuletide, Yule Time, and Yule Season.

The word Yule itself is a modern take on a handful of similar Old English words, including ġēol (which covered the traditional 12-day festival of Yule) and ġēoli, which indicated the month of Yule.

These words are thought to have even older etymological roots that stretch back to languages such as Old German, Old Norse, Icelandic, Norwegian, and Faroese, as well, possibly, as Old French.

Interestingly, the pedigree of the word Yule is not completely agreed upon and remains a point of interest and friendly debate amongst scholars and linguists alike.

The festival of Yule or the broader season of Yuletide is one that was historically observed by the Germanic peoples, including the Norse.

Yule is thought to trace its roots back to the concept of The Wild Hunt and to the powerful Norse god named Odin.

This god was, and still is for some, known by many different names, including Jólnir. This name translates to “the Yule one” in English.

As well, some of Yule’s roots are most likely planted in the Anglo-Saxon Pagan celebration known as Modranicht (an Old English word that translates to “Night of the Mother’s or “Mother’s Night”). This annual December event was held on or around December 24^th, the day we now assign to Christmas Eve.

Traditionally, Yule was an indigenous winter festival that was observed by a wide range of Germanic peoples. Early Yule celebrations transpired between mid-November and early January.

Even though Yule was subjected to Christianization, which attempted to sway it away from its Pagan roots, many older traditions refused to die out.

Some were revamped, but others appear to have remained fairly true to their pre-Christian origins. For example, the burning of Yule logs, as well as classic Yule goats and Yule boars, plus Yuletime singing.

Written records pertaining to Yule are known to exist dating back to at least the 4^th century CE.

Yule is also discussed in some of the classic Norse Sagas, including the Saga of Hakon the Good (in which is it stated that Yule was traditionally celebrated for three nights from Midwinter – aka, the Winter Solstice – onward).

As with a great deal of the past, the precise origins and elements that comprised early Yule celebrations may never be known in their entirety these days.

What is broadly accepted, however, is that Yule celebrations likely centered on the general time period of Midwinter (again, the Winter Solstice), included feasting and drinking, marked the return of days that would once again start to grow longer, and may have involved various forms of religious activities, such as sacrifice and ancestor veneration – plus that ongoingly popular and beloved classic, the Yule log.

As with the Summer Solstice and both the Spring and Fall Equinoxes, Winter Solstice celebrations were by no means confined to those of Central and Northern Europe.

Early peoples from around the world had long celebrated, honoured, and rejoiced in the shifting of the seasons, as well as the tilting of the earth’s axis that brings about the return of (literal) brighter days.

For example, the ancient Egyptians honoured the return of their sun god, Ra, in December and the same month would play host to the ancient Roman’s well-known celebration of Saturnalia. This revelry and merriment-filled event, which began around December 17^th, lasted for a week and honoured the god Saturn.

The name Midwinter itself is quite interesting, as – just as with Litha/the Summer Solstice’s alternative name, Midsummer – it speaks of a calendar and rhythm to the seasons that is not per se in direct keeping with our current mainstream versions.

Instead, the word Midwinter tells us at that for certain earlier communities, the third week of December (or the general Yule period itself) was not seen as the start of winter, but rather its midway point.

Some people still strive to live in step with these earlier seasonal lines, which add more weight to Imbolc (at the start of February) being viewed as the unofficial start of spring.

This short overview of the history of Yule barely scratches the holly and ivy-covered surface of this ancient wintertime festival. I hope, however, that you found it informative and interesting all the same.

If you are keen to learn more about the history, customs, folklore, and traditions of Yule, I highly suggest checking out the entries listed in my post Your Ultimate Guide to Books About the Pagan Sabbats. This roundup includes numerous titles that either focus solely on Yule or contain a wealth of knowledge about Midwinter.

Some themes and meanings of Yule

For both the ancients and many individuals to this day, Yule is a time to celebrate light and life.

The second half of December might not win any awards for the sunniest or warmest half of the year (north of the equator), but the Winter Solstice does mark the return of longer minutes of precious daily sunlight and that is well worth celebrating.

Hearty, resilient plants such as evergreens, birch, yew, oak, holly, ivy, and mistletoe (many of which have strong connections to the Celts of yore) help us to feel all the more connected to Mother Nature as darkness and frigid temperatures envelop our world.

These plants are amongst those that often manage to hold on and keep growing – or at least not wither and die off for the season entirely – during late fall and early winter. The depth of their verdant hues coupled with their festive connotations make them beloved classics for Pagans/witches and non-Pagans/witches alike.

Honouring light and welcoming longer days (even if we have to wait several more weeks still to really get a sense of this shift towards lengthier periods of daily sunlight) is an integral part of many peoples’ Yule celebration.

Candles, artificial light sources, and warming fires can all help to honour the sun and the invaluable role it has in sustaining life on this planet.

In much the same vein, we warm our bellies and spirits alike by turning to comforting, hearty foods during Yuletide.

Beloved favourites such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, allspice, cardamon, citrus fruits, baked goods of all kinds, root vegetables, a wide array of roasted dishes, sweets, punches, wine, ale, and eggnog are just some of the classic foods that are frequently enjoyed during Yule.

Just as they are for many during the Christmas and New Year season.

For those who follow certain Neopaganism traditions/paths, the archetypical legend of the age-old battle between the Oak King and the Holly King (each of whom is viewed in some traditions as being duel aspects of the male Horned God) is another cornerstone of Yule time celebrations.

Come Midwinter, the Oak King once again bests the Holly King and takes his rightful place on the throne from Yule until Litha/Midsummer. When, at that time, the two duke it out once more. Only that time around, it is the Holly King that comes out victorious for the summer and autumn-filled half of the year.

However, some belief systems see the two winners reversed, thus the Holly King rule supreme from the Winter Solstice onward to Litha.

Either way, these legends/beliefs help to remind us of the cyclical and ever-repeating nature of the seasons. They speak of ancient times when deities were often nature-based and the shifting of the seasons held a powerful magick to it that had not yet been demystified by a greater scientific understanding of the natural world.

In addition to representing the light and dark halves of the year, as well as that of the universe itself – to say nothing of things such as human nature and magickal workings.

It is not uncommon to see representations of either the Oak King or the Holly King appear in winter holiday season art and décor.

When we encounter depictions of the Holly King, he is often portrayed as proto-Santa Claus of sorts. A jolly, bearded fellow who may be wearing flowing robes and earthy, woodland-worthy hues. At times, he is also pictured with a group of eight stags – not unlike St. Nick and his famous team of reindeer.

His sparring partner, the Oak King is more apt to be pictured as the classic Green Man figure, though it is not unheard of for the Oak King to resemble an old-fashion style Kris Kringle as well.

Yule is also when some believe that the Goddess gives birth to the Sun and/or the Sun God. This birth materializes via the end of the darkening half of the year and the start of the lighter, sunnier half.

Midwinter is a time of opposites uniting. We acknowledge and honour both death and life, light and darkness. The past year and the present twelve months that lay beyond the threshold of January 1^st.

Colours associated with Yule overlap, not surprisingly, a good deal with those that have long been linked with Christmastime.

In the colours of Yule, one is greeted with a palette of green, red, burgundy, white, yellow, gold and silver, as well as grey and black.

These represent such things as wintertime itself, snow and ice, the battle between the Holly and Oak Kings, the rebirth of the sun, and the start of the lighter half of the year.

Much as it is for all eight sabbats that comprise The Wheel of the Year, feasting is strongly connected to Yule.

Some Pagans and witches create a Yule meal that shares much in common with a classic Christmas Day feast.

Others may opt for foods that represent their ancestry, their homeland, their particular branch of Paganism/Wicca, or ingredients that pertain to kitchen witchery that they are currently engaged in.

Gathering with loved ones, coziness (not to mention hygge), sharing folklore stories, singing holiday songs, burning Yule logs (or making the edible version of this classic Midwinter tradition), looking ahead to the return of spring, leaving offerings (be it for house spirits, the fae, deities, ancestors, or others), setting up and working with Yule altars, all things candle related, and finding ways to stay warm and well during the winter months are amongst the many different activities that can be enacted at Yule.

I am an ardent believer that you need not break the bank to celebrate Yule – or any holiday, festival, or sabbat or that matter.

After two years of living in a pandemic-filled world – which has also been rocked by countless other tragic events events as well throughout that time – many of us have tightened our purse strings more than ever.

Splashing out for Yule, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, New Year’s, or any other wintertime celebration may not be feasible. (And that is 110% okay!)

Even if we are blessed to have more wiggle room in our budget, we are under no obligation to allocate for the holidays.

The following list of ways to celebrate the Yule season has been handpicked with affordability, spiritual meaning, and enjoyment alike in mind.

12 Free and Low-Cost Ways to Celebrate Yule and the Winter Holiday Season

1. Collect and record your favourite Yule/holiday season recipes: In this day and age, when it often seems like fifteen versions of every recipe under the sun are at our beck and call 24/7 thanks to the internet, it can be easy to accidentally forget just how wonderful it is to collect + use treasured recipes of our own or those belonging to loved ones.

If you are not already doing so, consider using this Yule season as a great opportunity to start recording your favourite and most important holiday recipes (whether they are used as part of your kitchen witchery or not).

You can do so either in analog (handwritten) or digital form. Passionate writer + paper crafter alike that I am, I favour analog recipe record keeping, but readily see the ease and appeal of doing so on the commuter or a phone/tablet app, too.

If you do not currently have many of your family favourites on hand, contact loved ones to ask for recipes that you believe they may have and will be willing to share with you.

Slipping a simple note into your holiday season greeting cards that is tailored to each person you’re requesting recipes from, such as “Growing up, your gingerbread cookies were one of my favourite elements of the holidays. Would it please be possible for you to share the recipe for them with me?” is often all it takes to receive the recipe in question.

In my experience, relatives will frequently include other favourites, too, and/or pass along memories associated with their recipes or of the holiday season in general.

If you have loved ones who might appreciate a copy of this family holiday recipe book, consider making additional copies to give as future Yule/Hanukkah/Christmas/etc presents.  

2. Decorate a Yule tree: Christmas trees are familiar to many people the world over and are a long-standing, beloved December tradition.

This year, why not decorate a Yule tree instead of, or in tandem with, a Christmas tree?

You can adorn your Yule tree however you please, though you may find it especially fitting to work with themes that relate directly to Yule itself.

This includes such things as candles (never have open flames on a tree; keep candles unlit or opt for LED-powered ones instead), suns, moons, stars, snowflakes, cinnamon sticks, dried citrus fruit, cranberries garlands, popcorn garlands, figures that represent the Oak and/or Holly King(s), poinsettias (always be careful when using real poinsettias, however, as they are very poisonous for cats, dogs, and many other animals), pinecones, Yule goat decorations, religious/spiritual symbols, ornaments with runes on them, crystals, and various animal ornaments such as deer, bears, and wintertime birds.

You could also place a miniature Yule tree on your altar or even turn a larger tree into a seasonal altar of its own – after all, there is nothing that says an altar has to be on a flat surface.

3. Go Wassailing at Yule: Wassailing is the precursor to the act of Christmas carolling, with roots stretching back to pre-Christmas times when some early Europen people would walk through their communities and fields around Midwinter singing, chanting, and hollering as a means to chase away any unwanted spirits that might be lurking there.

Over time, wassailing and the later act of carolling both came to involve going door-to-door singing festive songs.

Traditionally, wassailers and carolers would often be invited in to peoples’ homes or otherwise handed a hot beverage to help keep them warm and buoy their energy levels during a busy night of singing around the town or village.

If doing so under these ongoing pandemic times is something you and your fellow singers feel comfortable with, consider gathering a group of friends, coworkers, relatives, coven mates, etc together to go wassailing around a safe, well-lit part of your own town.

Agree upon a selection of anywhere from around forteen to twenty songs beforehand that you will sing during your wassailing session.

For a multitude of reasons, you may wish to stick with nonsecular holiday songs. However, if everyone involved is genuinely comfortable with it, religious entries are certainly okay as well.

You could also consider picking a selection of holiday/Christmas songs that are now in the public domain (and thus free of possible copywrite issues) and altering the words to create more Pagan/witchy/Yule-focused lyrics instead.

And the especially musically or writerly inclined can also create their own original Yuletide songs as well and share those with the group.

I would suggest a dry run or two at home in the days before your designated night of wassailing, to get a sense of how long your list of songs takes to complete, how everyone feels about it, and to make sure your voices will not run hoarse by the end.

Come the big night, go out early enough that most people are still awake (say, between 6 and 8 pm, for example).

Stroll through the neighbourhood close to homes (it is up to you and your group as to if you are comfortable knocking on doors, especially if you are not looking to receive anything in return for your singing) and let your festive notes dot the chilly winter air like musical snowflakes.

And, naturally, you and your group may want to cap off your evening of lyrical merriment by returning home to a warm mug of the drink (also called) wassail, which was traditionally given to wassailers in the UK.

The wonderful cooking blog Yummy Healthy Easy has an alcohol-free wassail recipe that looks thoroughly delicious.

4. Work with stones and crystals for Yule: Many of us work with stones and crystals the whole year through. I am convinced, however, that crystals are sometimes reached for more often during the sunny months.

This winter, celebrate Yule all the more by integrating crystals that are well-suited to the snowy season into your spiritual/magickal practices.

The following is a selection of crystals and stones that are a good fit for Yule:

-Morganite

-Garnet

-Ruby (small, raw ruby pieces and chips are often considerably easier on the wallet than their polished jewelry industry peers)

-Red tiger eye

-Bloodstone

-Dragonstone

-Citrine

-Goldstone (including green goldstone)

-Pyrite

-Emerald

-Aventurine

-Malachite

-Galena

-Snowflake obsidian

-Black onyx

-Obsidian

-Diamond

-Selenite

-White howlite

-Moonstone

-White chalcedony

-Snow quartz

-White calcite

-Clear quartz

Some ways of working with crystals – be they the ones listed above or otherwise – during the Winter Solstice include placing crystals and stones around your Yule altar, peppering them throughout your festive décor, wearing them or carrying them (in a pocket or in a small pouch around your neck, for example) on you during the holidays, creating a Yule crystal grid, charging your crystals in the light of the Yule night moon, presenting gifts of your favourite Yule crystals and stones to fellow crystal fans, working with Yule crystals in some of your spells, and meditating with your Yule crystals during the holiday season.

5. Create your own Yule wrapping paper, gift tags, and/or greeting cards: While it is possible to buy Yule cards from various sources, including Etsy, if you are so inclined, it can be both wonderfully fun and especially meaningful to create your own Yule gift wrap and cards.

I would suggest starting with a versatile material such as brown mailing paper, butcher’s paper, or rolls of blank newsprint for the wrapping paper.

Stamp, hand draw, or paint desired Yule-themed imagery, such as candles, pentacles, pine boughs, holly leaves and berries, poinsettias, suns and moons, Yule logs, yule goats, or snowflakes. Allow images to dry completely before wrapping gifts.

Carry the same types of themes over to things like gift tags and greeting cards as well. In these two cases, you may have the abilitiy to computer generate and print out Yule sentiments and/or images as well, if that option appeals to you.

Consider using an extra special product or two, such as handmade paper, mulberry paper, metallic cardstock, glitter cardstock, velvet ribbon, festively hued baker’s twine, or winter/Yule themed charms to give your handmade paper crafts even more festive season loveliness.

6. Incorporate a Yule log as part of your Midwinter celebration: If you are fortunate to have a wood-burning fireplace, you can likely opt for the real deal.

If that isn’t the case – or in addition to an actual Yule log – consider making or purchasing a Yule log candle holder.

Here is a handy tutorial on How to Make a Yule Log Candle Holder.

If you are more in the mood for some festive sweet treats, then you may want to give Yule Log Cookies, Yule Log Cupcakes, Ice Cream Yule Log, or a classic Yule Log Cake – also known as a Bûche de Noël – a spin.

For those, like me, who cannot have or do not wish to eat gluten for any reason, here is a scrumptious looking Gluten Free Yule Log Cake recipe.

And, if like me as well, you also need to eat Low FODMAP, allow me to present this stellar Low FODMAP Yule Log Cake.

Those who partake in the Paleo diet are apt to swoon up a storm over this beautiful Paleo Yule Log Cake.

For low carb eaters who partake in dessert, this Keto Yule Log Cake is likely to be a big hit.

For those who do not, or cannot, eat animal products, this Vegan Yule Log Cake looks terrific.

And this recipe for Gluten-Free Vegan Yule Log Cake is just the ticket if animal products and gluten are both no-goes in your kitchen.

7. Reflect on what you are grateful for this year: It is safe to say that 2021 has not been a particularly easy or low stress year for a lot of folks (myself included).

We would be here until at least next Yule if I listed all of the global events that made this such a challenging year.

Instead of doing that, let’s take a few heartfelt, peaceful minutes this festive season to stop and give thanks for those positives, whatever their size or scope, that we were fortunate to encounter in 2021.

Find the good that shines like starlight in dark times, count blessings both known and unknown, and make a point of telling those you appreciate just how truly grateful you are for their presence in your life.

8. Get your home ready for the coming year: Either before, during, or just after the Yule season, if possible, take some time to assess your home and what you could do here and now to spruce it up, declutter, or otherwise improve your living space.

Yule, situated as it is on the precipice of a fresh new year is a superb time to tackle organizational, home repair, cleaning, and, weather permitting, yard work jobs.

Give yourself and, if applicable, those who live with you the gift of a cleaner, more organized home as you head into 2022.

I have been doing this for many years now and find that my autumn/early winter cleaning is generally more important (and larger) than my spring one, as I am especially eager to get our nest in the nicest shape possible as we hunker down inside for the new few snow covered months.

9. Make a Yule (or Christmas) kissing ball: While many of us are familiar with holiday season wreaths and springs of mistletoe suspended from ceilings and doorways, the classic Yule or Christmas kissing ball is less well known.

This centuries old tradition involves making a ball shaped decoration from wintertime greenery (real or artificial) and hanging it up in your home or workplace as a symbol of friendship, peace, respect, love, and blessings to all who encounter it.

You can jazz up your Yule kissing ball with other accoutrements, such as ribbons, tiny ornaments, pinecones, nuts in their shells, dried fruit slices, wintertime berries, cinnamon sticks, whole star anises, or candles (keep candles unlit for safety’s sake or use LED candles if you wish to light them).

Check out this great post on the blog A Pumpkin and a Princess for details on how to make your own DIY Christmas Kissing Ball.

And if making a kissing ball from scratch isn’t in the cards, but you are keen to decorate with one this year, check out Christmas tree farms and lots, nurseries, and florist shops for pre-made versions. Or, skip the real greenery and opt for a lovely little ornament, such as this gorgeous Mistletoe Kissing Ball Ornament by Ganz, instead.

10. Do as little work as possible: Tradition holds in some European cultures (particularly amongst the older Germanic and Icelandic peoples) that one is to undertake as little work as possible during Yule.

Instead, the emphasis is to be on family/friends, celebrating the holiday, and the meanings + messages that Yule holds for each of us personally.

If you are a in position to take things easy and not work (be it for a few hours, a day, or longer), give yourself that gift this festive season.

Consider taking a social media or full-on internet break, only responding to the most urgent or important of phone calls and text messages, and unwinding alongside the serenity of winter.

If you cannot step away from your work entirely, is it possible to carve out a couple of quiet hours one day to engage in peaceful activities that bring tranquility and happiness to your heart?

This can be something as low-key as taking a quiet nature walk through a snowy wood, curling up with a warm blanket and watching your favourite holiday season films, or ordering in dinner to spare yourself the work of cooking that evening.

11. Put together a Yule season playlist: Use your favourite music app or create a YouTube playlist of videos featuring songs that hold particular meaning and/or enjoyment for you during the holiday season.

Or write out your selection and use analog forms of music such as records, cassette tapes, and/or CDs to put together a list that you can assemble and play througout Yuletide.

You could opt for all instrumental and/or soft music or chanting songs. This can be especially lovely to listen to while meditating, engaging in ritual or spell work, as a way to help you unwind during the hectic holiday season, or even as a sleep aid when it is time for bed.

Revisit your festive song selection each December, adding or subtracting from it as desired so that you always have a meaningful Yuletide playlist that you adore at the ready.

12. Give freely in the ways that you can this Yule season: So often we associate the words “giving” and “holiday season” with presents that deliver a one-two punch to our bank accounts.

I am not opposed to giving gifts that you pay for, but I also believe that there is a good deal that some of us can give that costs little to nothing in terms of money.

For example, you can offer someone with young kids two evenings (or weekends, if you’re up for it!) of babysitting. You can make and take homemade treats (preserves, jams, breads, muffins, cookies, dried soup mixes, spice blends, pickles, salsas, etc) to neighbours and loved ones – always checking for food allergies, intolerances, dietary requirements and so forth first.

Some other ideas include:

-Walking someone’s dog for a few days

-Offering to housesit for a long weekend

-Teaching someone the basics of a skill you have mastered

-Hosting a clothing and/or home goods swap party

-Doing a holiday baking exchange with a few people

-Volunteering to foster a shelter/rescue pet

-Inquiring at your local community centre or place of worship if there are any jobs they need done during the winter months

-Shovelling snow for your neighbours (especially if they have medical challenges, are elderly, or otherwise unable to do so themselves)

-Making a quilt or blanket to donate to a local homeless shelter or mission

-Creating wintertime birdseed bells for a gardening or birding enthusiast in your life

-Offering to help someone declutter or do simple DIY jobs around their house

-Scanning and digitalizing a loved one’s printed photos

Or simply ask someone you care about what you could do for them that wouldn’t cost much (or anything), but would be a tremendous help.

Trust me, this gesture often means the world to people and can be every bit as helpful and appreciated – if not more so – than the majority of things you could purchase online or in a shop.

And while you’re at it, strive to get children, grandkids, or other little ones in your life involved with the concept of giving gifts that go beyond store-bought items and instead focus more on their own time and abilities.

I wish you the merriest, the merriest, the merriest Yule cheer!

Like many of us, I have quite the mixed bag of December and early January memories. Some great, some awful, some funny, some sad, some joyful, and plenty that are, well, simply what they are!

Along with a fair number – but certainly not all – of my fellow witches and Pagans, I opt to celebrate both Yule and, in a secular sense, Christmas.

Not unlike Samhain and Halloween, I see them as being akin to two sides of the same (icy cold) coin.

One is intimately woven into the fabric of my spiritual path, the other is laced with a lifetime of memories, traditions, cultural references, treasured activities, festive recipes, and delightful holiday season songs.

Okay, come to think of it, my Yule celebration includes all of those things at this point, too.

However, as a solitary witch, I observe Yule solo, whereas Christmas is shared with my (non-Pagan/witchy) husband and other loved ones.

When possible, I strive to celebrate Yule for at least twelve days. Finding meaningful ways to honour, celebrate, and rejoice in the magick and ancient energy of this potent chapter of the year.

Some traditions, particularly amongst the Norse/Heathens, have long viewed the twelve days of Yule as being mini representations for the twelve months of the year.

I adore this concept and find that it resonates deeply with my own Wheel of The Year focused path.

It was the concept of the twelve days/nights of Yule along with the classic twelve days of Christmas that determined the number of entries included in this very blog post.

I know that this time of the year is not everyone’s cup of wassail. I respect this fact and wholeheartedly understand how and why December can be a highly difficult month for some people.

Just as I do the fact that not everyone wants to be – or can be – as jolly as Santa come the dark, challenging days of December.

However the year’s last month unfolds for you and whatever you choose to celebrate (or not), know that it is my heartfelt wish that you have a safe, meaningful, and, hopefully, positive December.

May the ideas in this post help to inspire your own Yule and winter holiday season happenings, and may you have the very merriest of Yuletide seasons, dear friends!

Which of the twelve budget-friendly Yule ideas above appeals to you the most? What are some of your favourite ways to celebrate the Winter Solstice?

The post 12 Free and Low-Cost Ways to Celebrate Yule and the Winter Holiday Season appeared first on Witchcrafted Life.

I was not raised in a house with Paganism or witchery, and neither my parents nor anyone else in my family took much note of the Winter Solstice. Nor – especially beyond the very earliest grades – do I remember it being focused on in a classroom setting.

Yet, I knew that in the Western Hemisphere Yule meant the very gradual return of precious minutes of daylight each day. And that, as snow-heavy as this chapter of the year is, at its heart, one of the key elements of the Winter Solstice is the sun.

Then, as now, it was not that I disliked winter. Quite the opposite! As challenging a season as winter can be for many of us at times, I experience a powerful kinship to the darkest, coldest chapter of the year.

Winter feels in a sense like the oldest of the seasons. Its existence helps to bring the other three segments of the annual calendar into being. For, as in so much in the universe, light and life can only exist when they do in tandem with darkness and death.

Growing up in Canada, I can well recall days in which we both entered and existed school in the inky, not-quite-black, not-quite-grey sky of winter. Our only glimpses of daylight visible during recess and the lunch hour.

Later, as is the case for many people the world over, the first working years of my life saw me indoors for even longer hours. In those instances, I often went for months at time with my only daytime exposure to the sun being on the weekends or other days that I had off from my job.

These days, I am fortunate to be able to spend considerably more time outdoors during the winter and to lap up what little light manages to squeeze its way in between the snowflakes.

I still look forward to Yule’s return with the same gusto though. Indeed, even more so, because as a Pagan witch who embraces the Wheel of the Yule, I delight greatly in the traditions, meanings, lessons, joys, and blessings of the Winter Solstice.

And while I do celebrate Christmas as well in a secular sense, Yule (which I observe both on the Winter Solstice – as many Pagans/witches do – and throughout the days surrounding it) is the main holiday in December for me personally.

Just as it is for many a fellow Pagan, witch, and Wiccan around the world. Yet one need not adhere to any of these paths to enjoy and honour the Winter Solstice.

As with the Summer Solstice and both the Fall and Spring Equinoxes, these seasonal shifts occur regardless of one’s beliefs or spirituality.

Much like the rising and the setting of the sun, the ebb and flow of the tides, and the natural cycle of life and death inherent to all living things, the changing of one season to the next was here long before we arrived on the scene. And, chances are, it will most likely be here for eons after we’re gone.

At Yule, we celebrate the fact that, little by little, the days will grow longer and that, in a few weeks or months’ time (depending on where you live in the world) the earliest signs and stirrings of spring will grace our world again.

In the dark heart of the year, it is natural that we want to adorn our homes festively. Winter’s landscape is not without its charms – and a vista blanketed in pristine snow can be nothing short of gorgeous – but it is almost as though many of us crave and need reminders that greenery and warmth will return once again.

We bring heavenly scented evergreen trees and boughs into our homes, hang mistletoe, adorn doors with leave and pine cone filled wreaths, sing songs that venerate such wintertime plants and holly and ivy, and create foods in the shapes of various plants and trees (i.e., Yule log cakes and holly shaped sugar cookies).

For even in the high tech, mile a minute world of the 21^st century, we are still made of ancient star stuff and it is hardwired in us to seek out nature.

This year, the winter holiday season – whatever that entails for you personally – is apt to be different in at least some respects. The collective soul of the world has taken one mighty blow after another and we have all endured a great deal to make it this far into 2020.

Assuming that doing so is realistically feasible and you feel in the mood to do celebrate, I see the challenges of this year not as a reason to shy away from being festive this December, but embrace the joys, traditions, and meanings of this season all the more.

One of the loveliest ways to connect with the winter holidays is to create some of our own decorations or to make festive crafts that we can either keep for our own joys or bestow on others in the hopes of elevating theirs.

Many of us are watching our pocketbooks more than ever due to the impact of the pandemic on our lives. We may be forgoing giving presents or scaling back if we do opt to give out presents this year.

The virtues and heart-touching importance of handmade presents cannot be overstated. Nor, if you ask me, can the benefits of decking one’s halls – boughs of holly optional.

With each passing year, I strive for a simpler and less commercial Yuletide season.

The sights of a family of deer traversing the new-fallen snow in our backyard, the intoxicating aroma of warm winter spices, and the blessing of knowing my loved ones are well each matter a great deal more to me than anything that could ever fit into a stocking or be bought at the mall.

We don’t have, nor to we need, throngs of decorations. Those that we call our own are treasured though, and I greatly enjoy creating handmade Yule and Christmas ornaments and decorations to help inject even more festive cheer into our December.

I know that many of you feel much the same way, too, and with that in mind, I wanted to share with you 50 winter holiday season craft projects created by talented, resourceful individuals around the world.

Each of these DIY projects includes instructions, meaning that if you want to give any of them a go, doing so should be a lot easier than trying to reverse engineer how something was made from a photograph alone.

Most of these Yule craft projects can easily be used for Christmastime as well – just as a lot of them can be enjoyed all winter long.

The majority are relatively low cost or perhaps even free, depending on what supplies you have on hand or can easily source from nature.

I should note that while not every one of these craft projects was shared by their original creators as being intended for Yule specifically (many are geared towards Christmas), they all share in common the fact that they are wonderfully suited to the Winter Solstice.

Indeed, the fact that these lovely, resourceful projects work so well for Yule is what landed them on this list in the first place.

And so, with that said, let’s jump with both (winter boot clad) feet forward into exploring…

50 Awesome Yule Decorations and Craft Ideas

You Can Make for the Winter Solstice

1. Clear Quartz Winter Solstice Ornaments: Stunning to look at and packed with the energy of both clear quartz and the Yule season itself, these beautiful decorations are equally at home on a tree, hanging from a mantle, or dangling from various doorknobs around your home.

2. Embroidered Felt Holiday Trees: The winter holiday season and needlework are natural partners in my mind, and I’ve long enjoyed creating both handmade stitched presents for others as well as some of our own décor over the years.

Few things symbolize the Yuletide period quite like pine trees. If you’d like to whip up a forest (or just a single tree) of your own that is apt to last even longer than real evergreens, than this splendid embroidered felt project has you covered. 

3. DIY Clay Moon Ornaments: Understatedly gorgeous and easier than sugar cookies to whip up, these charming DIY clay moon ornaments can be left au naturel, painted, dipped in glitter – whatever your creative heart desires. And, either during or after the December holiday season, they would be fantastic as part of an altar or other sacred space setting.

4. Scrap Ribbon Christmas Tree Ornaments: If you are a fellow crafter, fan of decorative gift wrapping, or simply enjoy a good sewing notion, chances are you have some ribbon scraps on hand. If so, why not put them to good use in this sweet, wonderfully easy to make Christmas tree decoration that is bursting with timeless appeal?

And, should you want to make this project but not have any suitable ribbon to hand, thankfully, ribbon can often be purchased very inexpensively from places such dollar stores and thrift/second hand/charity shops – or simply ask a crafty friend for some, it’s quite likely that they have plenty to spare and share.

(Melissa also has a similar project post that will help you make beautiful Primitive Scrap Fabric Tree Ornaments, too or instead of the ribbon iteration above. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention her cute meets timelessly classic Beaded Candy Cane Ornaments as well.)

5. Painted or Burned Wooden Round Yule Ornaments: Endlessly versatile, this lovely Yule ornament idea can be customized to your heart’s content.

Why not try painting to burning a set of ornaments with the witches runes on them? Or what about a handful showing some of the local flora and fauna that are common in your area during the winter months?

Celestial bodies such as the (very apt) sun, moon, stars, and planets would be fabulous as well.

6. Spun Cotton Mushroom Ornaments: A little more advanced in terms of the technique involved than some of the other entries on this list, but not necessarily difficult, the end results of this spun cotton craft is nothing short of breathtaking.

The humblest of materials are transformed into a fairyland-worthy sea of sweet, shimmery toadstools that can be used on the tree, mantle, in centrepieces, as part of your holiday season gift wrapping, gathering into a decorative bowl – the ideas go on and go.

7. Salt Dough Spiral Countdown Calendar for Yule: Growing up as a child, my family used the same adorable Avon Christmas mouse Advent calendar each year (see an example of this darling 1980s fabric advent calendar here).

All throughout the lead up to December 25^th, my two siblings and I would take turns moving the wee little grey mouse from one date to the next. This tradition was amongst my favourite of the festive season and it helped to spark a lifelong love of calendars – be they advents or otherwise – in me at an early age.

Advent or countdown calendars, as they are also known, can be used to mark the progress of days leading up to any event you desire. They have a natural affinity with December, and while many are associated with Christmas, they are just as open to Yule as well.

If you’re looking for a wonderfully easy to make, visually and spiritually impactful Winter Solstice countdown calendar, this charming Salt Dough Spiral may be just the ticket.

8. DIY Mini Cranberry Wreath Place Cards: For centuries now, people have decorated for December by stringing various natural or manmade edibles (popcorn, nuts, candy, etc) into lengths both short and long.

This particular project is equally parts darling and elegant, and sees plump garnet red cranberries strung together to create simple wreaths that can be used for place card holders, as well as dangled from the branches of your Yule or Christmas tree, if you should fancy.

9. Adorable 3D Painted Woodland Ornaments: Whether you’re wild about all things forest-inspired, swoon over darling décor, or have a wildlife lover in your life who would enjoy these super cute ornaments, chances are, you’re going to want to make a whole forest’s worth of them!

10. DIY Pinecone Kissing Ball: Mistletoe is a perennial favourite. However, if you’re looking for a fun and festive alternative to adorn your ceiling with come December, may I suggest this thoroughly beautiful DIY Pinecone Kissing Ball instead?

11. Felt Poinsettia Decorations: Whether you favour red, pink, or white (or, in craft form, any other colour your heart desires), one thing is for certain, poinsettias are widely adored mainstay of the winter holiday season.

If you’re keen to create some of your own this year from commonplace crafting supplies, this wonderful tutorial from Katie at Made to Be a Momma will have you churning out a hothouse’s worth of felt poinsettias in no time. (And while there, check out Katie’s super cute DIY Pinecone Christmas Trees post as well.)

12. Rustic Twig Star Ornaments: As timeless as the stars in the night sky themselves, this beautiful project celebrates the earthy blessings of nature and is a cinch to put together.

And, for those of a Pagan/witchy persuasion, the finished projects have a distinctly pentagram look to them that is right at home in the spiritual paths many of us follow.

13. Mason Jar Oil Candle Lamps: The flickering of a candle flame, soft, comforting, and familiar is one of the most endearing elements of the holiday season.

This year, why not branch out and try your hand at creating a classic oil lamp candle in a mason jar? Not only can these festive candles help illuminate your own holiday season, but they make for absolutely wonderful gifts, too.

14. Let It Snow Scrabble Tile Ornaments: Whereas once, pretty much the only way to acquire Scrabble tiles was to buy a complete Scrabble game, these days various sources for Scrabble letter tiles abound online, as well as at many craft and dollar stores. Plus, bags of second hand Scrabble tiles can sometimes be found at sources such as thrift/secondhand/charity shops and yard sales.

This clever and wonderfully festive DIY Scrabble tile ornament spells out a popular Christmas song line and is all kinds of adorable!

You can easily take this idea and run with it if you’d like. Instead of “Let It Snow”, why not spell out words such as “Yule”, “Winter Solstice”, “Blessed Be”, or any other message(s) that resonate with you?

15. Double-Sided Winter Solstice Wooden Tree Ornament: With a glowing yellow sun on one side and a frosty blue snowflake on the other, this festive handmade wooden tree ornament is a meaningful way to honour the returning sunlight that the Winter Solstice ushers back into our lives. As well as the abundance of snow that calls this chapter of the year home in many corners of the world.

16. Embroidery Hoop Buffalo Plaid Mini Wreath: As this recent Christmas card project share post of mine discussed, I’m head-over-heels for black, red and green as a holiday season palette.

If you’re feeling it too, then this terrific little buffalo plaid + embroidery hoop wreath might beckon to you every bit as much as it called my own name.

17. Cinnamon Stick Tree Ornaments: Crafters – paper and otherwise – rejoice! Here is a fun and festive way to put some of our abundant button stashes to good use.

Cinnamon sticks and some faux greenery, partnered with those aforementioned buttons, are at the heart of this cute, cheery, and wonderfully scented holiday season decoration.

18. Glittered Clothespin Snowflakes: It never ceases to delight and inspire me when I see the humblest of everyday items turned into a gorgeous piece of holiday season décor.

These glistening snowflakes are made with nothing more than two different sizes of clothespins (aka, clothes pegs), white paint, two types of glue, and coarse crystal glitter.

The end result is enchanting, and would be stunning on any festive season tree, hanging in a window, or on a Yule altar.

19. Cinnamon Stick Candles: Candles and Yule (much like Candles and Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanza, respectively) have been BFFs for ages at this point time, their flickering flames a comforting and poignant reminder that the Winter Solstice marks the beginning of longer periods of daylight between now and the Summer Solstice/Litha.

Likewise, cinnamon and the winter holidays go waaayyyy back as well. Pair these two beloved elements of the festive season together in this easy, elegant, and scrumptiously scented DIY cinnamon stick candle holder from none other than well-known fashion blogger Louise Roe.

20. Yule Season Witch Balls: Much beloved the whole year through by many a magickally inclined soul, witch balls – which can be created for many purposes, protection being one of the most common – can easily double as (or be made specifically for the purpose of) Yule tree ornaments or Winter Solstice season décor elsewhere in your house.

21. DIY Rustic Acorn Marble Ornaments: If, like me, you adore it when some of your fall time home décor items can easily transition into ones that suit winter every bit as nicely, then you may be a big fan of this sweet, beautiful way to craft colourful acorns that might just prove so popular, you’ll leave them out all year round!

22. Winter Cardinal Shadow Box: For those who enjoy making 3D crafts, this darling winter cardinal shadow box is a beautiful way to celebrate one of winter’s most iconic and beloved birds, while also adding additional festive cheer to your home décor.

Cardinals have long been linked to winter. Their fiery hues a welcome splash of colour in an often pale and snow-covered landscape.

These gorgeous birds are associated with serenity, passion, creativity, balance, commitment, prosperity, goodness, hope, strength, and happiness – all themes that most of us gladly welcome into our lives with open arms at the Winter Solstice. 

23. Cute Pinecone Winter Gnome Ornaments: Gnomes are anything but new on the winter décor scene. It’s fair to say however that they’ve been having a rightly deserved moment in the spotlight in recent years.

If you’re keen to add a few felt versions of these mythological beings to your festive décor, then this handy DIY tutorial from Better Homes and has you covered

24. DIY Paper Bag Stars: If you enjoy the art of cutting out snowflakes from folded paper, then this beautiful spin on that classic practice is likely to appeal to you as well.

These stars are chic and charming, festive and fun – and can definitely do double duty as part of both your New Year’s and Imbolc décor, too.

(Plus, I was instantly struck by the thought that stars cut from yellow paper would look a good deal like the sun, and thus be an especially apt version of this project for Yule/the Winter Solstice).

25. Pipe Cleaner Pentacle Wreath Ornaments: Witchy meets mid-century kitschy in this super easy, wallet-friend decoration that is big on both Pagan symbolism and festive cheer. (Be sure to check out the other terrific Pagan Yule decoration ideas on this page as well.)

26. Mason Jar Lid Mini Christmas Wreaths: This is another awesome example of a few everyday items combining to create one seriously eye-catching and fabulously fun holiday season decoration.

Mason jar lids, twine, and a smattering of festive embellishments are all it takes to make these adorable little decorations, which can just as easily be made into Yule wreaths, Hanukkah wreaths, or simply all-season wintertime wreaths, if you prefer.

27. Simple Bell Noisemakers for New Year’s Eve: But wait, Autumn, I hear you saying, isn’t this a post about Yule appropriate decorations and crafts?

That it, is my dear reader, but allow me to put forth the suggestion that this cute meets chic holiday season noisemaker could easily be incorporated into one’s Yule celebrations and magickal workings as well.

How about ringing/shaking it rhythmically while chanting, in prayer, or as soft background noise at a coven ritual? Simply letting its bells ring loud and clear as way of proclaiming the rebirth of the sun, the return of the Oak King (who triumphs over the Holly King, until they swap places again come the Summer Solstice)?

Or why not use it as a means to set the energy tone before beginning your Yuletide workings?

28. Farmhouse White Berry Felt Ornaments: Classic and sweet, these pretty felt decorations have a timeless appeal that lends them staying power not only at Yule, but straight onto the final days of winter.

Indeed, I cannot help thinking how beautiful they would be as part of one’s Imbolc décor or altar.

29. DIY Mini Wreath Garland: Glitz and glamour undoubtedly have their rightful place in the canon of holiday décor, but sometimes you just want simple, understated, rustic, and sweet. This elegant mini wreath garland delivers big time on all those fronts and is perfect to leave up well into the coming winter months.

30. Wishing Ornament or Mini Yule Log: That beloved winter jack-of-all-trades, the humble pinecone stars in this festive craft which can be used as both a wish/intention spell and/or a mini yule log. (Amanda also shares five other wonderful DIY Yule projects in this same post, which you’ll certainly want to check out as well.)

31. Rustic Twine Wrapped Candy Cane Ornaments: Much as with Christmas, those who celebrate Yule usually have certain décor and/or altar item styles that we’re particularly drawn to.

Personally, I tend to favour those of either a woodland, vintage/antique/Victorian, primitive, or rustic nature. So when I recently spied this dreamy rustic take on candy canes, it was love at first sight.

If you’re a fan as well or know someone who is and might enjoy a set of these easy to make twine wrapped candy canes as a gift, hop on over to Natasha’s photo rich post for all crafty details.

(Candy canes themselves are not generally thought to have distinctly Pagan roots, though their sweetness can represent the hopes, dreams, goals, and positive things we hope for at Yule and in the coming year, while their colours can easily be a part of seasonal colour magick.)

32. Simple Greenery Filled Ornaments: This is perfect Yule season ornament project for anyone who enjoys incorporating nature-based/woodland elements into their seasonal décor.

These timelessly pretty decorations can be customized to your heart’s content and left out, if you wish, all winter long (you can place them in a bowl or vase after the tree comes down).

33. DIY Forged Triangle Christmas Tree Wreath: Round wreaths are a beloved favourite the world over, but sometimes one wants to shake things up and go beyond the traditional Christmas (or Yule, etc) wreath shape.

If you’re in the mood for a chic, modern and very attractive holiday season wreath, this forged triangle-shaped version is a fantastic option.

34. Victorian Gilded Walnuts: A once highly popular Christmas season decoration that has largely fallen out of fashion over the past several decades, gold-hued gilded walnuts were quite the in-thing during the Victorian era.

Aside from their historical connections and inherent beauty, I adore how the gleaming gold hue is a wonderful representation of both the sun’s gradual return and of the warmth of spirit we strive for during the Yule season.

This splendid tutorial – complete with numerous historical quotes that reference gilded walnuts – from Lina at Sew Historically will have your Yule or Christmas tree (or a bowl on your favourite table) filled gilded walnuts in no time. 

(Her recent post on how to make gilded leaves is another fab project to check out if you enjoy using metallics in your holiday décor.)

35. 12 Nights of Yule Salt Dough Ornaments: This is a deeply meaningful winter craft project that is great to involve little ones with, if applicable.

It entails creating a set of twelve different salt dough ornaments to honour the Twelve Nights of Yule, and is bound to become a treasured part of your annual Winter Solstice season celebration.

Note: If, like myself, you have Celiac disease, a gluten allergy, gluten intolerance, or otherwise need to avoid gluten, you can easily make gluten-free salt dough ornaments instead.

36. DIY (Faux) Deer Antler Wreath: If ever there was a Yule season wreath that is apt to appeal to may a nature adoring/worshiping Pagan and witch, this awesome DIY project might just be it!

Starring pinecones, feathers, and resin faux deer antlers, this eye-catching wreath is so stunning you’ll want to leave it out all year round.

37. Sweet Little Almond Bird Ornaments: It’s hard to look at these precious little felt birdies in their cozy winter toques and not say “aww” out loud – especially since their bodies are based on unshelled almonds.

Why not create a few for your own winter décor? They’re apt to have all those who see them chirping with festive cheer.

38. Felt Yule Goat Ornament Tutorial: The Yule Goat has been a part of various Northern European and Scandinavian traditions since early Pagan times, later being adopted as part of Christmas celebrations as well.

Traditionally, Yule Goats were often made from the last sheafs of wheat that were harvested during the fall and saved specifically for various Yule season purposes including this one.

The connection between Yule and goats may stem from the Norse god named Thor, who traversed the sky in a chariot pulled by two goats named Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr.

Those who are of Scandinavian, Germanic, or Northern European ancestry and/or who follow a Heathenistic spiritual path, may find that the inclusion of a Yule Goat in their Winter Solstice décor is an especially apt one.

This festive barnyard friend can be a part of anyone’s holiday celebration though, and remains as one of the most popular Christmas decorations in various Central and Northern European countries to this day.

Modern Yule Goats are often made of straw. This adorable DIY iteration sees them spring to life via felt and thread, and makes for both a terrific holiday season ornament and handmade present.

39. Easy DIY Finger Crochet Garland: Love the look of chunky knits? Adore crocheted crafted, but have never given crocheting a go yourself?

If you answered yes to either of those questions, then this fun, beginner-friendly tutorial is here to help guide you through making a beautiful finger crochet garland of your own this holiday season.

40. Fragrant Herb Chairback Decorations: Aromatically and visually pleasing in equal measures, these elegant bundles of fresh herbs can just as easily adorn chairs as they can the mantle, tied to open railings on stairways, or as part of your festive Yule season altar/sacred space.

(Warning: Please ensure that any herbs you use are safe and non-toxic for children and/or pets, if you will be placing these bundles anywhere where either could potentially reach, and potentially injest, them.)

41. Handmade Family Tree Ornaments: Decorate a tree, line a mantle, or place a few of these heartwarmingly beautiful photograph-filled decorations down a runner on your dining room table.

They are a sweet, meaningful way to honour both your ancestors and living loved ones throughout the winter holiday season.

42. Pine Needles Keepsake Ornaments: Preserve some of the needles from your holiday tree, gathered from a wintertime woodland walk, or collected from your own backyard, team them with air dry clay + Mod Podge and you’ve got these gorgeous handmade keepsake ornaments.

(I also really like Tara’s tutorial post on how to make Pinecone Nature Confetti Shakers for New Year’s Eve.)

43. Rustic Cinnamon Stick Ornaments: Cinnamon sticks are truly one of the multi-purpose wunderkinds of the winter holidays.

From jazzing up delicious beverages to appearing in seasonal potpourri blends, and being a popular mainstay in many a festive craft, there’s seemingly no limit to what this wonderful spice can do!

Case in point, these darling glitter adorned cinnamon stick ornaments which can easily work on trees, mantles, hang in various spots around the house, or used as embellishments of holiday season gifts.

44. DIY Glitter Dipped Deer Silhouette Decorations: Whether of the more everyday kind or those who call the North Pole home, deer are amongst the animals most closely associated in many parts of the world with wintertime, Yule, and the Christmas season.

This timelessly pretty craft project requires but a few products to whip up a glitter-adorned deer (or two… or ten!) that is thoroughly festive now, but not so on-the-nose wintry that it couldn’t easily be left out all year through.

45. Holiday Magick Yule Pomander: At Three Pagans and Cat, Pathos blogger Gwen has put together a meaningful and endearingly lovely witchy iteration of the classic holiday season Pomander which is the kind of spellwork that’s perfect for the often all-too-busy days of December. These sophisticated pomanders also have the added bonus of smelling sublime!

46. Rosemary Mini Wreaths: Quick and clever, this fun holiday project sees a beloved herb turned into beautifully scented little wreaths that you can hang on the tree, use as napkin rings or placeholders, or tuck atop of a prettily wrapped gift for someone special.

47. Winter Solstice Outdoor Ice Ornaments: While lights are strung, wreaths hung, and various lawn decorations are placed outside come December, we don’t generally think to decorate our properties with ice itself during the chilliest season of the year.

As this creative and rather delightful project demonstrates, it’s high time we gave doing just that a spin – especially if you live in a climate where the temperature will ensure your handmade ice ornament creations are not apt to melt anytime soon.

48. Barnwood Ribbon Star Wall Hanging: Sometimes simple really is best and this strikingly pretty winter home décor project drives that point home in spades.

Ribbon, screws, and a suitable wooden backdrop (though, you could use small finishing nails or sewing/craft pins and an artist’s canvas instead) are all it takes to whip up your own eye-catching beautiful ribbon star wall hanging.

49. Yule Countdown Log: Another deeply lovely Pagan take on a Yule season countdown calendar, this 21-day long version includes the use of a handmade candle (though a store-bought one could just as easily be utilized as well), plenty of tea lights, and a suitable surface to place them on.

50. Cinnamon Dough Ornaments: Way back in time when I was just a few years old, my mom, siblings and I made a slew of cinnamon dough ornaments shaped like gingerbread people one Christmas season.

Each was decorated with glitter glue and included a narrow strip of ribbon tied to its top so that it could be hung from the tree. Incredibly, after more than twenty-five years, not only do some of these darling handmade Christmas ornaments still exist, but they have retained their beautiful cinnamon scent to this day. #truestory

Cinnamon dough ornaments are a beloved holiday season craft and one that is every bit as open to Pagans as it is to non-Pagans.

Indeed, for my fellow witchy and Pagan folks, culinary magick can be imbued via the ingredients used in this ornament dough recipe. As can things such as etching/shaping your ornaments into spiritually meaningful shapes, involving sigils, press leaves/branches/flower petals into them (as in this specific project), or creating a set of cinnamon dough runes.

This lovely blog post from (fellow British Columbia blogger) Stephanie Rose gives you all the dets to make your own cinnamon dough ornaments, which, with any luck, will also last – and retain their enchanting aroma – for decades to come.

(Note: All 50 images used above are copyright of their respective creators. Please follow the coordinating link in each list entry to be taken to the craft project shown and described therein.)

The importance of creating our own light

One of the most important things that Yule reminds of us of is that even the darkest chapters end at some point. Light will return one more. It may be gradual and hard to see at first, but over time things will get brighter, life will spring anew.

As we lean into another lengthy stretch of ice and snow, chattering teeth, and warm woollen mittens, it can be beneficial to remember that we often have within us the ability to brighten our own lives and days in a myriad of ways.

Gratitude and kindness are two of the greatest means by which to do just that, but they are from the only ones.

By making our homes cozy and festive, ensuring our spiritual journey is an ongoing focal point of our lives, doing our best to support and help one another, and holding tight to the hope of a pandemic-free future, the winter days are apt to feel considerably easier to get through.

It has been many a year since I was last a little girl, yet my heart gets no less giddy as Yule returns.

I welcome the light, while also embracing the darkness of winter. Both provide stability and comfort, and each is vital to life on this planet.

The craft projects highlighted above are wonderful ways to help make your home and your holiday season a little brighter and, hopefully, all the merrier as well.

Plus, amidst the hustle and bustle of December, sometimes a few quite minutes or hours of peaceful time spent focused on creating something – whether it is a Yule decoration, Christmas wreath, batch of delicious Hanukkah sufganiyot, or festive centrepiece for New Year’s – can often be a meaningful and comforting gift unto itself.

Do you enjoy creating your own winter holiday decorations or gifts? Which of these Yule craft projects appeals to you the most?

PS: Be sure to follow me on Pinterest, where I frequently pin a wide range of witchy and Pagan crafts, as well as tons of posts pertaining to each of the eight sabbats – including Yule. Along with many other interesting Pagan and witchcraft related topics.

The post 50 Awesome DIY Yule Decorations and Craft Ideas You Can Make for the Winter Solstice appeared first on Witchcrafted Life.