ca. Dec. 21st 2024 – Jan. 1st 2025
Oft associated with Christmas due to a mix of religious synchritism and the Christianisation of historical Germanic peoples, Yuletide (also called Yule), was a Germanic festival tradition that was celebrated the days following the winter solstice as the sun at last began to reverse its descent and slowly remained longer and longer in the sky.
Yule today is celebrated as a separate festival from Christmas by many Norse and Germanic Pagans or Heathens, Reconstructionists, Wiccans, and others from a variety of other neopagan practices. Modern Yule celebrations can vary in timing and tradition because of this, but many of them may include more familiar practices such as the burning of the Yule Log or the hanging of evergreen wreaths. Others might include Scandinavian traditions like crafting or decorating with straw Julbocken (Yule Goats).
Whatever your celebrations might entail, here are 5 handmade gifts from our artisans to help get you into the Yuletide spirit!
Table Of Contents
- 12 Days of Yuletide – Christmas and Tea Advent Calendar
- Winter Holiday Card
- ‘Tis the Season Card
- Cernunnos Devotional Candle
- Holiday Mushroom Infinity Scarf
1. 12 Days of Yuletide – Christmas and Tea Advent Calendar
Handmade in Virginia, USA
by Rhi at Honeysuckle Witches Brew
For many, Yule today is considered to span over a period of twelve days. But whether they’re full of traditional feasting and drinking or you prefer a more introspective observance, count down the days of Yuletide with this tea-themed “advent” calendar, complete with a different tea for each day, and even the occasional extra goody!
Pre-Order your calendar by December 13th to have it shipped out between the 16th and 20th, just in time for the start of Yule!
2. Winter Holiday Card
Handmade in Oregon, USA
by Jessica at The Chrysalis Imagery
Depending on your tradition, you might choose instead to follow a lunar calendar and celebrate Yule starting on the first full moon after the winter solstice–and what could be a more perfect representation of both than this watercolor holiday card depicting the calm and stillness of that longest night of the year?
This blank 4.75″ x 4.75″ card is printed on post consumer 130# Forest Stewardship Council certified card stock.
3. ‘Tis the Season Card
Handmade in Oregon, USA
by Jessica at The Chrysalis Imagery
From a Heathen perspective, Yule celebrations might include some toasts to the gods, but especially Odin, who is thought to have been traditionally associated with the festival.
This “‘Tis the Season” holiday card depicting an upside down raven holding a sprig of mistletoe could make a perfectly subtle nod towards the Alföðr or his messenger ravens, Huginn and Muninn, (especially for any Heathens still in the broom closet!).
4. Cernunnos Devotional Candle
Handmade in Manitoba, Canada
by Meg at Confused Duck Press
For Wiccans, you might be celebrating Yule as the period in which The Horned God is reborn. (And while it’s no Yule Log, burning candles is a slightly more practical alternative to the tradition!)
This handmade soy candle to Cernunnos is an Amber Mahogany Spice scent and topped with stones and trinkets associated with Him.
5. Holiday Mushroom Infinity Scarf
Handmade in California, USA
by Leah at Ragavon
Whether it’s a whole spruce tree or a simple wreath, humans have had a desire throughout history to bring a bit of life and greenery inside with them during those often grey winter months. It just looks pretty!
Now you can bring some of that same green spirit with you everywhere with this soft flannel infinity scarf patterned with snowflakes, mushrooms and–of course–evergreen branches (almost as good as the real thing, and all without the inevitable dried up needles getting all over the floor!).
Find More Gift Guides
Explore our blog for more Holiday gift guides and handmade gifts crafted by our very own Artisan Member-Owners and Supporters!
Happy Shopping!
About Artisans Cooperative
We are growing an online handmade marketplace for an inclusive network of creatives: a co-op alternative to Etsy.
Shop the marketplace!