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This is a mix of FAQ and general topics related to my celebrations.

1.  Yule

1.1  Isn't that the same as Christmas?

I see Christmas as a Christian holy day. I was raised with it as religious and I respect that. Yule is the Norse Pagan holy day that a lot of modern Christmas traditions are based on, so in that sense they are the same. In Scandinavia it's still called Yule, though it has the Christian elements and has become very similar to Christmas.

1.2  12 Days of Yule

For most NeoPagans, Yule is just the solstice. However, Yule in the Norse tradition (where the name for the day comes from) is Mother's Night (Yule eve) and the next 12 days. It generally goes from the solstice to around New Years. This is where "12 days of Christmas" comes from.

1.3  Santa

Modern Santa is based on many images. One of them is Odin, a Norse God. There was a line of "history of santa" ornaments that included an Odin ornament. There is a story of him riding through the sky on his 8-legged horse collecting the souls of those who have passed away to bring them home. For me, Santa is religious and I gravitate to the older wise-looking Santas because they remind me of Odin.

1.4  Yule Log

The Yule log is a complicated tradition. I generally do a simplified version - have a fire going in the fireplace on Mother's Night and a Yule log candle holder to burn during Yule.

1.5  Yule Tree

I have a Yule tree with traditional straw and red thread ornaments. I keep the color scheme of red, gold/tan, and silver/gray.

1.6  Gift giving / Share the Wealth

It is tradition from pre-Christian times to share your wealth/food this time of year. Therefore, I try to donate to some sort of charity. I also try to hand-make most of my gifts. The exceptions have been purchasing meaningful gifts and purchasing gifts for a few family members who are hard to make something for. I generally don't get into the commercialization of the season because for me making handmade gifts feels more spiritual and appropriate to the nature of wintertime.

1.7  Yule Sheaf (Julkärve)

This is a sheaf of grain that is put out as a gift to the birds. Once again, this is part of sharing the wealth.

1.8  Yule Goat (Julbock)

This is a straw goat that is a big tradition in Sweden. It was originally Thor's goat (Thor being the God that is protector of our world). It's a reminder of how even during the coldest and darkest time of year, Thor protects us.

1.9  Feasting

Feasting is a very old Pre-Christian tradition in the Norse tradition. Yule feasts were a major thing. So, I end up cooking for days before Mother's Night. I also often go to other feasts during Yule. Pork and ham are traditional. My family's tradition is pork chops and sauerkraut for New Years, but since New Year's meaning to me is the end the Yule, I fix the dish during my Mother's Night feast instead.

1.10  Sun

We celebrate the lengthening of the days. Sunna, the Goddess of the sun, is also celebrated this time of year, so I honor her by making sun-colored spritz cookies and lighting candles.

2.  Winter Holiday Bitterness

I'm saddened by the bitterness that exists during the holiday season. Here are my responses to the bitterness I've seen:

2.1  Jesus is the reason for the season.

Historians know Jesus was not born in winter, though his actual birthdate is unknown. Christians celebrate it in winter based on the Pagan celebrations around the winter solstice. The symbolism of the return of the light fits will with the Christian story of Jesus being born, so it's not odd to celebrate it then since his actual birthday is unknown. However, celebrations this time of year have been going on long before Jesus was born, so he is not the original reason for the season, though for you he may the reason for your celebrations. If so, I wish you a very meaningful and spiritual Christmas.

2.2  It's a CHRISTMAS tree, not a holiday tree

Actually the practice of decorating a tree in wintertime is a pre-Christian tradition. Pagans tend to be more than happy to share their traditions with others. Just please don't steal it by claiming you own the tradition. I personally like the idea of common symbols that we each find our own spiritual meaning in. It allows us to celebrate side-by-side easier.

2.3  Just say "Merry Christmas"

I truly believe the essence and intention of the greeting is much more important than the words. I do not celebrate Christmas and only say "Merry Christmas" to those I know celebrate it. I do not mind others telling me "Merry Christmas" as long as their true intention is to wish me happiness (positive essence to their greeting). Unfortunately, I've seen some who say it out of bitterness of the fact that others say "Happy Holidays," and instead of passing on the joy, they are passing on their bitterness. If this is the case, I'd rather not hear anything at all. I know some feel Jesus is getting less recognition this time of year by the public, but the holiday's meaning is something deep inside and that doesn't go away. More people are being aware of the fact that some of us find different meanings during the season. Please do not be bitter that we exist in the public, now, too. We can share joy and peace in the holiday. This is why I say "Happy Holidays" to someone when I do not know what they celebrate. I don't want to assume they celebrate Yule like I do, which is a fairly common holiday in Portland. I want to include Christians who celebrate Christmas and Jewish people who celebrate Hanukkah, so I say "Happy Holidays" when I am not sure what someone celebrates. I know some claim that everyone who celebrates Christmas should wish others a Merry Christmas and avoid wishing them happiness on their holiday, but that seems odd to me. Why wish them to enjoy celebrations they don't part in? I'd rather wish someone joy in whatever celebrations they take part in, in the best way I can. Of course, I recognize that Christmas is a fairly common holiday in our culture, and therefore many just assume others celebrate Christmas. This is why I don't mind being wished a Merry Christmas when someone seems to genuinely be wishing me happiness. I do, however, get warm fuzzies when someone recognizes I may celebrate something other than Christmas.

2.4  My holiday isn't represented!

Well, how about you offer to work with them to represent it? As our country makes the change to be more inclusive of our cultural and religious diversity, it's going to cost money to represent these things. Many places do not have the money to purchase more holiday decorations and if there are complaints, they most likely will remove the decorations. Government places have to represent faiths equally (not endorsing on religion over another), so if the faiths themselves are being represented, work with them, maybe offering to donate decorations to represent your faith's holidays seeing as they most likely will have tight budgets. Be understanding and keep positive instead of being bitter. Change can't happen over night and if it does, it means no decorations in the public atmosphere.

3.  Ostara

3.1  Easter

The name for the holiday comes from Pagan celebrations. We know this from the historical writings of Jacob Grim and Bede. The term "Easter" comes from a Pagan Spring/Fertility Goddess who is nearly lost in history. Ostara is a modern version of her name.

3.2  Bunnies, Eggs, Flowers, etc.

These are symbols associated with the abundant life becoming visible after the winter. We celebrate the joy of new life.