There is a complex tapestry of holidays in December, and so many different ways to celebrate. I tend to pick an emphasis each year to avoid overload. Below are some traditional elements to include during the winter months, if you are looking for new additions to your altar space.
Candle Colors
Blue
Advent/Christmas: Theotokos, Hope, Heaven
Yule: Peace, Serenity, Forgiveness, Kindness
Gold
Advent/Christmas: Royalty, Love
Saturnalia: Celestial Light, Return of the Sun
Yule: Sunlight, Prosperity, Success
Silver
Advent/Christmas: Starlight, Celestial Light
Saturnalia: Return of Light
Yule: Moonlight, Intuition, Dreams
Green
Advent/Christmas: Faith, Rebirth
Yule: Sunlight, Growth, Prosperity, Healing
Purple
Advent/Christmas: Sacrifice, Penance, Royalty
Yule: Power, Ambition, Wisdom
Pink
Advent/Christmas: Joy, Love
Yule: Kindness, Love, Empathy, Friendship
Red
Advent/Christmas: Holy Spirit
Saturnalia: Sunlight at it’s Zenith
Yule: Passion, Divine Feminine, Rebirth, Courage
White
Advent/Christmas: Purity, Unity
Yule: Purity, Cleansing, Unity, Snow/Ice, or as always, a neutral color that can be substituted for any other
Black
Yule: Divine Feminine, Underworld, Warding
Juniper
Advent/Christmas: Protection (especially with red cord), Holy Family, Blessing
Saturnalia: Healing
Yule: Protection, Healing, Crossing the Hedge
Holly
Advent/Christmas: Eternity, Passion of Christ (keep a piece to burn later on Shrove Tuesday)
Saturnalia: Sunlight, Rebirth
Yule: Protection, Eternity, Rebirth
Ivy
Advent/Christmas: Unity with God, Protection
Saturnalia: Revelry, Celebration
Yule: Eternity, Divine Feminine, Luck
Evergreens (Cedar, Fir, Pine)
Advent/Christmas: Strength, Resilience, Eternity
Saturnalia: Good Luck, Celebration
Yule: Resilience, Eternity
Mistletoe
Advent/Christmas: Protection, Healing, Love, Peace
Saturnalia: Joy, Celebration, Healing (do not let it touch the ground)
Yule: Joy, Protection, Love, Rebirth, Healing
Rosemary
Advent/Christmas: Protection, Theotokos, Faithfulness, can be used as a substitute for Frankincense
Saturnalia: Remembrance, Love, Healing
Yule: Protection, Love, Cleansing, Loyalty, basically this can be used as a substitute for any herb
Wreath
Advent/Christmas: Eternity of God, Everlasting Life in Christ
Saturnalia: Victory, Celebration, Return of the Sun (with candles)
Yule: Return of the Sun (lit on fire or with candles), Cycle of the Year, Protection, Prosperity
Pomander Balls / Oranges
Advent/Christmas: St. Nicolas originally filled stockings with gold, and it morphed into oranges (another rare treat). It was especially popular during the Victorian period.
Yule: Protection, Healing, Good Luck
Often tied with a red ribbon and dressed with oils
Apples
Advent/Christmas: Humanity, Adam’s Fall, Creation
Saturnalia: Used as food offerings and added to spiced wine or decorated in gold
Yule: Healing, Isle of Avalon, Rebirth
Yule Log
Advent/Christmas: Represents the fire the shepherds made to keep the child warm on Christmas night, usually a bundle of twigs, rather than a single log. It can also be represented by lighting a single log on Christmas Eve and allowing it to burn all night long.
Yule: There are all sorts of traditions, but overall it is seen as protection, representing the return of the sun. Part of it is saved for the next year, and the ashes have magickal properties. They can be inscribed with runes / sigils before setting them on fire, and some practitioners burn petitions in the flames.