Now it is done out of habit rather than necessity or reason. The time of the Winter Solstice varied from year to year as did the seasons. Generally it is celebrated on or around the 21st of December, when the night is the longest of the year and the days begin to grow longer. In all, the original true meaning of Yule or Christmas has been lost in the politicized eloquence that has become known as the 'legal' holiday. It is time to return to the true meaning of real giving and celebration of the return of the light.
Traditional colors are red and green.
Traditional items are evergreens, such as ivy, cypress, holly, yew, and the Yule tree.