Our stout Christmas tree stands bravely beneath 92 feet of colored lights. One year, after the tree had been decorated and the lights turned on for the first time, I batted my eyelashes repeatedly at my husband and boldly asked for a mere 46 feet more of lights, but I was overruled. Apparently, undecorating the tree to add another string of lights is a ridiculous notion, in some people’s minds!

Most years our tree has a sort of “au naturel” theme. Popcorn and cranberry garland, homemade cinnamon ornaments, natural pine cones of every shape, rings of dried oranges, and pretty slices of apple with their starry centers and festive red edges usually grace our tree. But this year we’ve gone wild with glitzy ornaments. I want the tree dripping, oozing, drenched in showy adornments.

Bead garlands, pine cones decorated with sparkling glitter, shiny glass ornaments and frosty-looking snowflake ornaments hang from the branches. Chiffon ribbon blazing with red and burgundy poinsettias, each edged with pretty gold embroidery, is wound around our (some would say) outrageous tree. These decorations make the hundreds of tiny lights dance and splash about the deep green branches of the fir.

The tree is deliciously gaudy and extravagant. I’m in love with every square inch of it!

The Christmas tree is all about bringing light to the darkest days of winter. Since the winter solstice falls on this weekend, we’re afforded the perfect opportunity to gaze thoughtfully at lighted trees and celebrate what some consider the true end of the year: the shortest day, the longest night.

Another winter tradition in our home is the making and burning of a yule log. It’s a nice tradition and beautiful sampling of some of nature’s prettiest offerings. But the roots of the holiday ritual are somewhat superstitious and an interesting reflection on the ceremonies of our forebears.

The custom of burning the yule log is thought to date back to the 12th century, to pagan Norsemen, or Vikings. Some say the log should be burned on the solstice, others perform the ritual on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. It was customary to save a portion of the yule log to start the fire in the next year’s celebration.

Originally, the celebratory log was a massive section of freshly cut wood, one end of which would be placed with great ceremony in the hearth and burned for at least 12 hours. Family and friends would gather for the festivities, pushing the log into the fire as it burned. Some would toss holly onto the flames to cast off the evils of the past year and protect the house from dangers in the future.

When large hearths were replaced by cast-iron stoves, the tradition of the yule log transformed to a smaller log, often decorated with evergreen branches and candles.

Our log is a section of paper birch, decorated with sprigs of fir and cedar. German statice placed on the needled branches give the appearance of a snowy covering. Rose hips, slices of oranges, cinnamon sticks and tiny spruce and mugho pine cones decorate the top.

Whether small or large, a homemade yule log is the perfect decoration for the holiday season or the winter solstice. In this period of darkness, it is an excellent reminder of nature’s perennial reawakening after the bleakest days of winter. So, go out into your yard or woods, gather what you can, and celebrate this night with light and the beauty of nature.

Diana George Chapin is the NEWS garden columnist. Send horticulture questions to Gardening Questions, 512 North Ridge Road, Montville 04941, or e-mail them to dianagc@midcoast.com. Selected questions will be answered in future columns. Include name, address and telephone number.