Flames Not Enough? Here Are 8 Alternative Yule Logs
If getting completely hypnotized by flickering flames as holiday classics play on a loop while you watch the traditional Yule log on TV isn’t your thing, there are plenty of worthy alternatives.
Related: Finally! Our Burning Yule Log Questions Answered
1. Darth Vader Yule Funeral Pyre
Your Star Wars adventures don’t have to go on hold as you hunker down with your families for the holidays. You can trade in the serene log view, take a turn to the Dark Side, and watch as Darth Vader burns slowly to a crisp over the course of five hours. Yes, we said five hours. No music here either, just crackles and crunches.
2. Holiday Yule Dogs
Didn’t find a puppy under the tree this year? That’s okay — those fuzzy fellas are a lot of work. These aren’t though. You can get your furry fix with this one-hour video by In Demand available for free on cable’s On Demand. They may not be able to give you kisses, but they just want to love you.
3. Nick Offerman’s Yule Log
We know that’s not just hot cocoa in your mug, so don’t drink alone. For 45 minutes, Ron Swanson sits in front of a fireplace and savors his Lagavulin Scotch whisky looking at you looking at him. You might as well join him.
4. Michael Bublé
Few things can warm our hearts quite like the dulcet sounds of Michael Bublé wishing us a Merry Christmas. His logs may be simple, but the 30 minutes of him crooning carols is the definition of loveliness.
5. Pentatonix
The a capella crew followed Bublé’s no-frills model, but their Christmas tree takes no frills to another level. You can watch for just a single song, or stay for a full playlist.
6. My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic
This clip is only 11 minutes long, but considering the audience it’s after, that seems about right. Even though it’s animated and the décor shown on the hearth isn’t real, we kinda really want one of those Rainbow Dash stockings of our own to hang with care.
7. Minecraft Yule Log
Attention spans for Minecraft continued to be massive this year, so you might as well stay mesmerized by it for two hours with this pixilated gem.
8. Jimmy Dean’s Sausage Yule Log
This is actually 11 hours of sizzling sausages and instrumental holiday tunes. We could write more here, but we’re hoping to stay on Santa’s “nice” list.