Christmas card investigating the origins of the traditional Yule log. Text reads:
While the chocolate Christmas log eaten these days probably only dates as far back as the late 18th century, the burning of an actual log is first attributed to the Scandinavian winter solstice festival of Jul, or Yule in the Old English. The log would be decorated and anointed with oils, before being burnt in the hearth to bring good luck for the coming year.
An important element of the custom was to light the Yule log using the charred remains of its predecessor, which had been stored away safely the year before.