Public Relations & Social Marketing Insight

According to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association, only about half (52 percent) of American homes have a fireplace. For the 48 percent of us who are flueless, it's not easy getting into the holiday spirit—not when just about every popular conception of Christmas revolves around chestnuts roasting on an open fire and Santa Claus coming down the chimney.

Fortunately, there is a substitute: the Yule log.

Chances are you've already noticed, and probably watched, one of these ersatz holiday fireplaces. But in case you haven't, the Yule log goes like this: It's a video of a fireplace with logs burning inside it. You watch it. That's it.

Some Yule logs can get pretty elaborate. Virtual Fireplace, for example, allows viewers to select their own pile of logs and even choose from several different combustion sounds. Some of them are themed, such as the Darth Vader Yule Log, which shows the famous villain's remains atop the logs. (Say what you want, but the thing has over 1.2 million views.) Still others feature internet stars. Celebrity cat Lil Bub, for instance, has his own Yule log video....