For a millennia Yule has been a time of feasting and merriment and many of its old customs are still practiced in our modern celebrations. Traditions such as the greening the home with pine, holly, and mistletoe, decorating a tree, wassailing, baking specialty cakes, cookies, and breads, and the baking of the Yule log all can be traced back to antiquated Solstice customs. Even Santa, the bearded jolly old soul, parallels stories of the god Oden and the Norse Yule Elf who leaves gifts on the Solstice to those who give him offerings. From England he is Father Christmas, from Germany Kris Kringle, from Holland St. Nick and from Russia Father Winter. Gathering together for the feast, the giving of gifts, putting up lights, and the hanging of wreaths are all symbols of the Yuletide and these symbols of the season have origins dating back more than 5,000 years.