From wow.incgamers.com

History

The later seasons of Azeroth are marked as a time of change in many cultures. The Dwarves and the Tauren especially look to a legend of the coming Winter Veil - the blanketing of the land in snow, thus heralding a time of renewal - as a time for celebration.

The term "Winter Veil" is said to stem from a supernatural being referred in many cultures to as Greatfather Winter. As he would walk the land late in the seasons, winter itself would be his billowing cloak. In his wake was the blanketing of the land in snow, and thus it is said that Greatfather Winter would cast his wintry veil over the land. Though parts of Azeroth may lie in snow, it gives the land time for rebirth and renewal.

The idea of feasting during this time of year is one that traces its origins to the legend itself. As Greatfather Winter walked Azeroth, it is said he would provide a bounty for those who welcomed his presence. As such, the idea of feasting during the winter veil would bring together communities as they shared whatever they had. Typically, a single day of merriment and feasting welcomed the change, all in anticipation of the land's renewal.

Other cultures have begun to recognize the Feast of Winter Veil as a time of great celebration, though not in the same traditions as the legend bases it in. Customs, often unrelated to anything other than a chance for celebration and gift exchange, have made their way into modern observation of the season. Even the image of Greatfather Winter is sometimes used, but more as a harbringer of commercial exploit rather than as a supernatural titan. ~ Blizzard

The Event

The Feast of Winter Veil has arrived, and is busy spreading holiday cheer! Here are some of the experiences players can hope to enjoy:

• The Goblins of Smokeywood Pastures are hiring brave adventurers to find a shipment of holiday goods that has disappeared.
• Check out the Jinglepocket Goblins and their seasonal fare shops, which have sprung up in major cities.
• Adventurers can purchase many holiday items including [Unknown Item: Candy Cane]s, [Unknown Item: Greatfather's Winter Ale], [Unknown Item: Recipe: Gingerbread Cookie]s, and [Unknown Item: Mistletoe].
• Reports are coming in that consuming [Unknown Item: Egg Nog] during a snowball fight can have some strange side-effects.
• is feeling hungry after spreading all the good-cheer, and he is looking for adventurers to get him his daily fix of [Unknown Item: Ice Cold Milk] and [Unknown Item: Gingerbread Cookie]s.

Winter Veil Quests

The following quests are only available during the festival.

Winter Veil Goodies

The following items are only available during the festival.

	[Unknown Item: Candy Cane]	Restores 61 health over 18 sec. Must remain seated while eating.
	[Unknown Item: Formula: Enchant Weapon - Winter's Might]	Teaches you how to permanently enchant a weapon to grant up to 7 additional frost damage when casting frost spells.
	[Unknown Item: Greatfather's Winter Ale]	A strong alcoholic beverage.
	[Unknown Item: Holiday Spices]	Used in the recipes for [Unknown Item: Gingerbread Cookie] and [Unknown Item: Egg Nog] (as below)
	[Unknown Item: Holiday Spirits]	A fairly weak alcoholic beverage.
	[Unknown Item: Pattern: Gloves of the Greatfather]	Increases healing done by spells and effects by up to 18. Increases damage done by Nature spells and effects by up to 10.
	[Unknown Item: Pattern: Green Holiday Shirt]	Teaches you how to make a [Unknown Item: Green Holiday Shirt].
	[Unknown Item: Plans: Edge of Winter]	Teaches you how to make the [Unknown Item: Edge of Winter](axe). Chance on hit: Blasts a target for 30 Frost damage.
	[Unknown Item: Recipe: Egg Nog]	Restores 61 health over 18 sec. Must remain seated while eating. If you spend at least 10 seconds eating you will become well fed and gain 2 Stamina and Spirit for 15 min. If you're hit with a snowball during this time you'll change to a snowman.
	[Unknown Item: Recipe: Elixir of Frost Power]	Increases spell frost damage by up to 15 for 30 min.
	[Unknown Item: Recipe: Gingerbread Cookie]	Restores 61 health over 18 sec. Must remain seated while eating. If you spend at least 10 seconds eating you will become well fed and gain 2 Stamina and Spirit for 15 min.
	[Unknown Item: Schematic: Snowmaster 9000]	Allows an experienced engineer to turn water into a snowball. The Snowmaster requires a day to build up enough chill to freeze another snowball.
	[Unknown Item: Snowball]	Can throw these at people. You can even knock people in your party but they don't cause damage. Throwing these at someone under the influence of Egg Nog will cause them to turn into a snowman.
	[Unknown Item: Winter Veil Disguise Kit]	Change yourself into something more befitting the wintry season. Requires a Snowball to use.
	[Unknown Item: Graccu's Mince Meat Fruitcake]	Use: Restores 5% of your health and mana per second for 20 sec. Must remain seated while eating. You should also probably like the taste of fruitcake.
	[Unknown Item: Wand of Holiday Cheer]	Use: Fills targets with holiday cheer.
	[Unknown Item: Wand of Holiday Cheer]	Use: Fills targets with holiday cheer.

Anything Else?

• 

  

  Gnome Teleporter
  Locate Winter Revelers at Inns and perform a /kiss on them. You'll get 5 x [Unknown Item: Mistletoe], and you can also get some [Unknown Item: Fresh Holly] which turns your mount into a Reindeer for 30 minutes. both of the items are soulbound and have a 7 day timer.
• Locate a teleporter (IF outside & SW trade quarter) and walk onto it. It will dress you in a santa suit.
• High level mobs drop green or red santa hats which you can wear all year round.
• Fancy a snowball fight? During the Feast of Winter Veil holiday, Holiday Snow is found in parts of the Alterac Mountains that are covered in snow; looting these gives the player [Unknown Item: Snowball]s. Alterac Valley also has Hardpacked Snowdrifts, which when looted, produce 5 x [Unknown Item: Hardpacked Snowball]s.
• The Feast of Winter Veil ends on 2nd January.

New for 2007

• The [Unknown Item: Preserved Holly] that players can get from completing special holiday quests can now be used on flying mounts. This will temporarily turn their flying mount into a flying reindeer that trails sparkles as it flies through the air

• Handful of Snowflakes - this is a new item you can obtain by /kiss -ing a Winter Reveler NPC. It will create a light snowfall above any targeted player.

• Burning Crusade Holiday Bosses - as in past years, certain bosses will be dressed in a festive fashion and will drop seasonal hats when defeated. The holiday versions of the bosses will begin on Dec. 25 and end on Jan. 2. These bosses include:

(Shattered Halls)

(Shadow Labyrinth)

(Auchenai Crypts)

(Durnholde Keep)

(Mechanar)

(Botanica)

• Mechanotoy - This is a new gift that can be obtained from under the Winter Veil tree in Ironforge and Orgrimmar. It lets you summon a Mechanotoy non-combat pet to follow you around.