A Catskills Solstice Yule
Saturday, December 21, 2024

The word solstice means “sun stands still.” In the spirit of what can imaginally open in a momentary pause, we invite you to join us for an evening evoking the half-forgotten memories of how ancestors celebrated the sense of promise of the returning light on the year’s darkest day. Join us to remember and revel in the season.

Three ways to play:

• Come for the evening: A Yule Feast & Festivities
• Come for the day: Bringing in the Yule, The Yule Feast & Festivities
• Stay the night: The Full Yule – Bringing in the Yule, The Yule Feast & Festivities and Overnight Stay
  

Please join us! Space is limited, so advance reservations are required.

Bringing In the Yule

• 1 to 4 PM: Our plan for yuletide ritual and celebration for the afternoon …
  • Making the Yule Log: We’ll head out into the woods to find and adorn a yule log to burn in the evening.
  • Pomanders: Oranges were a sign of the sun on winter solstice, and we’ll arm you with oranges and cloves to make your own pomander to take home with you.
  • Medieval Gingerbread: More candy than bread, and a little like the coolest edible play-dough you’ve ever seen, we’ll make sculpted gingerbread shapes using a recipe straight from Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.
  • The Orchard Wassail: We’ll have traditional wassail on hand, and with drums and noise makers will wander out to encourage the apple trees at Spillian to thrive and bring us glorious fruit in the coming year.
  • The Bar will open at 1 PM if you need some liquid courage, and we’ll have some Spillian-made snacks on hand for noshing in the afternoon.

The Yule Feast & Festivities

A traditional yule feast echoing medieval merriment around our extraordinary mahogany dining table, all dressed for the occasion. This table is a true place of convivium, where tales are topped, ideas are birthed, and friendships created. We will have both carnivore and vegivore menu choices, just let us know which would prefer when you buy your tickets.

Chef Christian’s Menu

Geno’s House-Made Baguettes

Salad and Soup
Arugula, Fennel and Blueberry Salad with Citrus dressing
Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Roasted Chestnuts and Crème Fresh (V)

For the Carnivores
Mincemeat Stuffed Game Hen with Chasseur Sauce
Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Honeycrisp Apples and Fried Sage

For the Vegivores
Mushroom Wellington With Apple Cider Balsamic Reduction
Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Honeycrisp Apples and Fried Sage

Dessert
Flaming Traditional Figgy Pudding 

Iced Tea, Lemonade, Cucumber Water, Coffee, Tea

The Schedule

• 5 PM: Cocktail hour featuring wassail and other bar treats.
• 6 PM: We’ll light the Yule Log with ceremony and ritual in the Great Room fire place.
• 7 PM: The Yule Feast topped by a flaming figgy pudding.
• After Dinner: Feel free to gather around the fire to dream with the Yule Log.

Pricing
Advance reservations required.

A Yule Feast & Festivities: $80 per person
Join us for the cocktail hour, supper, and festivities. Cocktails begin at 5 PM, dinner at 7 PM. Includes dinner, and the evening’s entertainment. Cash bar, tax and gratuities not included.

Bringing in the Yule, A Yule Feast & Festivities: $95 per person
Join us for an afternoon of seasonal revelry to bring in the yule, cocktail hour, supper, and festivities. Games begin at 1 PM. Includes afternoon activities, dinner, and the evening’s entertainment. Cash bar, tax and gratuities not included.

The Full Yule: $395 per couple SOLD OUT

Sorry, but all of our rooms are now sold out. But, you’ve got some great other options if you’d like to come for the weekend! Please reach out to our friends and neighbors at:

• Shadowcrest
• River Run Bed and Breakfast
• The Arts Inn
• Belleayre Lodge
• The Gateway at Pine Hill
• Alpine Four Seasons Lodge at Belleayre

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