There's just something magical about the Yuletide season, no matter where you live or who you are. As bright candlelight mingles with the smells of pine and warm cookies and we perform our yearly rituals of song and family gatherings, the spirit of peace and goodwill seems to reach the heart of even the most cynical Scrooge.

In the pages of Yule, Dorothy Morrison presents a wonderful potpourri of holiday lore from around the world and throughout history, along with fun crafts, delicious recipes, and even a calendar of celebrations for every day in December.

Learn where the traditions of the season originated — for instance, did you know that the ringing of bells was meant to drive away the demons who inhabited the darkest days of the year? That leaving cookies for Santa mirrors the old tradition of leaving a loaf of bread on the table overnight to bring prosperity in the new year? That the Yule log can be traced back to the ancient Greeks?

You'll find recipes within these pages for a traditional wassail and for plum pudding, and plenty of ideas to make the season special by making your own decorative crafts and gifts. Best of all, Yule shows that the spirit of the season is universal and, however we choose to celebrate, we can all join together in a spirit of peace, love, and harmony at this special time of year.