Each of them... (Patreon)

Each European nation celebrated this tricky time of the year after their own fashion. The eastern Slavic nations called this time a festival of Koliada, the Winter Solstice (‘Solntzevorot’ in Russian). Germanic nations celebrated Yule. Even Romans had a similar holiday – the Saturnalia

This celebrations included bonfires, decorating with holly, mistletoe and the boughs of evergreen trees, ritual sacrifices, feasts, and gift-giving.