Daughter of Claus: Day XXVII
The Twelve Days of Christmas
On the jukebox: The Twelve Days of Christmas by Straight No Chaser
As you might have guessed, I will absolutely wring every last drop of Christmas I can get out of the festive season. This doesn’t just include the build-up, but also the full twelve days of Christmas. I always used to consider Twelfth Night the 6th of January, but more recently I have decided that if I follow (the more) common (western) understanding of Twelfth Night being the 5th of January, then that gives me the 6th of January, Epiphany, as a whole other day of celebration at the end of the Christmas season. Obviously, this means that in accordance with tradition the decorations need to come down a day earlier, on the 5th January instead of the 6th January, but it does offer the opportunity for celebrations on both Twelfth Night and on Epiphany.
At a time of year which already holds so many traditions, I am excited about creating new ones. And, for years, I have really enjoyed the thought of creating a something for Twelfth Night. I haven’t decided exactly what, yet - certainly something in some way based on folklore - but I am looking forward to us all figuring it out as a family. I suspect it will focus on the burning of the Christmas Tree and festive greenery, though there is also the tradition of wassailing to consider integrating in some way.
I am a firm believer of ‘each to their own’, but I do find it sad when people see Boxing Day - even Christmas Day - as being the end of Christmas. I have known people who take down their decorations the day afterwards, which to me seems like a missed opportunity to really lean back into the season and enjoy the many opportunities it offers for relaxation and reflection; those important moments when you can take a breath, take stock. I thoroughly enjoy doing this every year, even if I am not on holiday between Christmas and Hogmanay.
This year, as I mentioned, we are in Cumbria with all the family on Euan’s side for two whole weeks. We got here late evening on the 22nd December, and the Spanish side of the family didn’t arrive until Christmas Eve. As a result, it still really does feel like we’re only just getting started on the festive season. And that is rather delightful.
I would love to hear about your own Christmas folklore and memories. Do you have any particular traditions that relate specifically to the time of the season between Christmas Day and Twelfth Night?