Winter Solstice

I have been looking on the Internet to find out how the Winter Solstice is celebrated. I must confess that until tonight I had no idea how it was celebrated (I never celebrated it when I was growing up)

This is what I have found out so far:

1. I need to decorate my home with colors (Red, green and white) and herbs of ancient ancestries. Array plants of the season, pine cones, holly and pine boughs. Mistletoe above the entrance brings good luck in the coming year to all who enter.
2. Visiting people and inviting others to visit me. I time for sharing time with those who we love and bringing about an atmosphere that sparkles and sings.
3. Share food and thoughtful gifts with loved ones. Winter solstice is a celebration of generosity and goodwill. Laughter rings out in the warm glow of candlelight and hearth fires.
4. Light the yule log in the hearth and let the flickering of candles adorn my home with their laughing faces.
5. Decorate my home with the images of the Goddess who is renewed from Crone to Maiden. The following goddesses are appropriate for this time of the year; Isis, Horus, Tonantzin, Holda, Bona Dea, Ops, Lucina and Belfana.
6. Honor the new Solar year with light. I will need to do a Solstice Eve ritual by meditating in the dark and then welcoming the light by lighting a candle.

You can see how Christmas has been created by using the winter Solstice. I think I can still do both though. I think that the present that we give for the Solstice should be something that we have made.