As you scroll through your social media feeds this holiday season, you might notice a shift. Amidst the usual glitter and glam, or “Ralph Lauren Christmas” vibes, a quieter, more natural aesthetic is taking hold. It’s filled with the warm glow of candlelight, the scent of pine and cinnamon, and a deep sense of peace. TikTok and other social media platforms are calling it the “Yule aesthetic,” and people are embracing it as a way to connect with the simple, cozy joys of the season.
The trend is more a feeling than a decor style, a gentle alternative to the commercial rush, inviting us to slow down and find beauty in the natural world. Whether you’re spiritual or simply seeking a more mindful holiday, the traditions of Yule offer a beautiful way to celebrate.
What Is Yule
Long before Christmas as we know it, ancient peoples, particularly Germanic and Norse cultures, celebrated Yule. This festival marked the winter solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year. It was a time of watching and waiting for the sun’s return. Yule was a celebration of rebirth and renewal, a festival of light in the heart of darkness.
Families would gather to feast, light bonfires, and decorate their homes with evergreen branches, which symbolized life’s persistence through the cold winter months. Many of these customs, like the Yule log and decorating with holly and mistletoe, have woven their way into modern holiday traditions.
Bringing the Yule Vibe Home
You don’t need to be pagan or spiritual to appreciate the harmony and warmth of the Yule aesthetic. It’s about creating a sanctuary of peace in your own home. You can easily incorporate this feeling into your own celebrations with a few simple touches.
Start by bringing nature indoors. Crafting a wreath from foraged pine branches, holly, and ivy is a classic Yule activity. Another popular and beautiful decoration is a dried orange garland. Slicing oranges, baking them until they are dry, and stringing them together creates a stunning, fragrant decoration for a tree or mantle.
Candlelight is central to the Yule spirit. As a festival of light, filling your space with the soft flicker of candles is a perfect way to create a cozy atmosphere. You can also take a quiet moment to set intentions for the coming year. The winter solstice is a natural turning point, making it an ideal time for reflection and looking forward to the new light and new beginnings the new year will bring.
A Cozy Trend on Social Media
The appeal of this peaceful celebration is clear on platforms like TikTok. A video from last year by creator @moremagicalthanpractical, which has over 212,000 likes, perfectly captures the feeling. The clip shares warm, cozy glimpses of her Yule traditions. Cats doze on a mantlepiece, tea is poured into a rustic mug, cake batter is stirred and studded with cranberries, and handmade dried orange garlands decorate an evergreen tree.
@moremagicalthanpractical The coziest time of the year☕ @✨🧜🏽♀️Siren Witch🧜🏽♀️✨ #yule #yuledecor #yuleaesthetic #kitchenwitch #kitchenwitchery #witchtok #witchyvibes #cottagewitch #cottagechristmas #cozychristmasaesthetic #hearthwitch #darkchristmas #cozybaking #bakingrecipe #holidaybaking #cozylittlechristmas #winterwonderland #cozywinter #wintersolstice ♬ original sound – Jax The Bard
The comment section, with over 1,000 responses, is filled with appreciation for the tranquil vibe. “This feels like home,” one user wrote. Another commented, “This is the Christmas I’m looking for.” The video resonates because it taps into a collective desire for a holiday season that feels less about consumption and more about connection and comfort.
As we move through the darkest season of the year, the Yule aesthetic reminds us that there is profound beauty in simplicity. It’s about finding warmth in the company of loved ones, seeing the promise of life in an evergreen branch, and lighting a candle against the dark. It is a quiet celebration of hope, reminding us that even on the longest night, the light is preparing to return.
