DECEMBER

Yule

YULE, n.  Christmas, the day itself and the festive season associated with it, frequently commencing before Christmas Day and continuing until after the New Year especially in Shetland.

1808 Jamieson:
He, who first opens the door on Yule-day, expects to prosper more than any other member of the family during the future year, because, as the vulgar express it, "he lets in Yule." The door being opened, it is customary with some to place a table or chair in it, covering it with a clean cloth, and, according to their own language, to "set on it bread and cheese to Yule." Early in the morning, as soon as any one of the family gets out of bed, a new broom besom is set at the back of the outer door.

1816 Scott Antiquary xxiii.:
Ye ken a green Yule makes a fat kirk-yard.

1894 H. Haliburton Furth in Field 25: It was no uncommon practice some sixty years ago to invite a person to his 'Yule' on the last day of December. It was the usual practice . . . for the farmer to give his servants their 'Yule' or 'Hogmanay' on the closing night of the old year. This consisted at least of a dram of whisky, with 'cheese and bread'. The same entertainment was repeated on the first Monday morning on the New Year.

Auld Wirds