Ah, the televised burning Yule log, a symbol of the holidays that, depending on how you look at it, can be either cozy or cheesy ... or a little bit of both.
The history of the iconic log is one that dates back centuries – well before medieval times, according to almanac.com. Contrary to popular belief, Yule is not about Christmas, rather, it’s a celebration centered around the winter solstice. The tradition began in Europe and came to the United States, where, like a lot of traditions, it made its way to television and hence the burning of a Yule log for all to watch.
Now, thanks to the internet, and for this purpose, specifically YouTube, you can watch pretty much any type of themed Yule-log burning you want, any time and for as long as you can stand it.
With that in mind, here’s our gift to you – the top seven videos you should check out on Christmas. Don’t say we never gave ya nothin’:
7. Christmas With Squirrels & Relaxing Christmas Music. This hourlong video features squirrels digging through presents and birds (and more squirrels) bellied up to the nut dish in a living room featuring a burning Yule log – is this their house? We don’t know. Occasionally, the action moves outside into the snow. A nice, calming video that your pets might not even hate – crowd around, everyone!
6. Holiday Horror Yule Log – Chucky Roasting on an Open Fireplace. This one goes out to the horror movie fans. While it’s true that Christmas has its share of horror movies (“Black Christmas,” “Silent Night, Deadly Night,” etc.), and in some cultures, Krampus comes a’calling for bad little girls and boys, the horror-themed Yule log game is pretty weak. Not anymore: Those with an extra seven hours to spare can watch that nasty little possessed doll Chucky from “Child’s Play” get his by becoming the Yule log and being engulfed in flames for hours.
5. Open Range Yule Log. We live in the West, the land of wide open spaces – nothing can keep us inside, which is why this outside Yule log made the cut. Coming in at just under 30 minutes, you’ll probably spend the whole time waiting for the two cowboys to say something. But Shhhhhhhhhhh!! Just enjoy the quiet.
4. Baby Yoda/Grogu Yule Log Christmas Music. You couldn’t swing a dead Ewok over your head this year without hitting something having to do with Grogu, or “Baby Yoda,” that insanely cute creature featured in Disney+’s Star Wars series “The Mandolorian.” Here, that cutie little patootie hovers near a crackling blaze while hits from the 1980 album “Christmas in the Stars” plays. The highlight: “What Can You Get A Wookiee For Christmas (When He Already Owns A Comb).”
3. Ozzy Osbourne – Blizzard of Ozzy Yule Log. Let’s face it: Christmas music can be pretty cloying – all that holly-jolly malarkey featuring pop princesses, old-timey crooners and endless boozy saxophones can really do a number on your last nerve. If “All I Want for Christmas is You” has you digging your fingernails into your palm so hard it really, really hurts, sit back with rock legend Ozzy Osbourne while he soothes your metallic soul with more than an hour of his hits and some Yuletide pyrotechnics.
2. WPIX The Original Yule Log (two-hour version). You can never go wrong with an original, and this is the granddaddy of all Yule log videos – it puts the “O.G.” in log. Heck, there’s even an entire fan website dedicated to the history of the broadcast (www.theyulelog.com). According to the website, the original Yule Log video was first broadcast on Saturday, Dec. 24, 1966, on New York City’s WPIX-TV Channel 11. The film, a three-hour program, was made from a 17-second, 16 milimeter filmed loop accompanied by traditional Christmas carols.
1. A Relaxing 2020 Holiday Dumpster Fire. We’ve heard 2020 referred to as a dumpster fire at least a million times in the last few months, and it’s kind of hard to argue the contrary. So, our No. 1 pick for the best YouTube Yule log video has to go to this 10-hour doozy, although to be fair, 10 hours is nothing compared to how long this year actually felt.Merry Christmas!
katie@durangoherald.com
