Just calculating which night is Twelfth Night is a madness of calendars and churches. I am afraid to even say with certainty that the twelfth day of Christmas is Epiphany, since not everyone agrees. (Susan King had an explanation or two about the date ) So I will not declare today, January 6th, anything at all but will talk about Twelfth Night in general.
Way back in 567 the twelve days from Christmas to Epiphany were declared a sacred, festive season. The Tudors, naturally enjoying festivities, decided Epiphany was the start of still another season called Epiphanytide to extend the fun and games. They hid a bean or pea inside a Twelfth-night cake and whoever found the pea in their slice became king or queen of Twelfth-night and led the feast and fun.
The feasting and fun included Christmas carols, mumming (a blog all of its own about costumed 
characters!), wassail and wassailing, and king cake (a New Orleans tradition to this day. Our esteemed Jo Beverley had more to say here). In many places, decorations had to come down on this day, but this was also the day to add the kings to the nativity scene. In earlier times, Christmas trees were decorated with fruits and nuts—hard to come by and expensive—so when the tree came down, everyone gathered to feast on the ornaments. I kind of prefer that to stuffing all that junk back in boxes to be stored for another year! Of course, this was also the night the Yule Log was removed, leaving only a flame to light the next fire.
Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night was written to be played on this night’s revels. That’s a rather fine mummer’s play! A little bit more about mummers here .
(although this image appears to be Italian and a lovely spring day, not exactly an English 12th night!)
I’m not sure I have the energy to carry festivities for twelve entire nights! Christmas and New Years are about my limit. I wonder if in medieval times this wasn’t a way of the poor squeezing just a little bit more food out of the wealthy during a time of year when food was hard to come by? They could dress in costumes, put on plays, and the wealthy would provide banquets for the entertainment. Food has certainly been a large part of Christmastide, with little to do with the perceived origin of the holiday.
But today we all go back to work, so I’m guessing king cakes aren’t on anyone’s agenda. When do you take your tree down?
This was a difficult year for us. We always wait until after December 14th to put up our decorations as it is our son’s birthday. Then he’s not sharing it with Christmas. This year we got the news of my stepmum’s passing at the same time and things just somehow didn’t get done. But it was strange. We didn’t miss them. We are in a tiny place so it’s hard to decorate as you have to move so much to put up even a small tree. So for the past decade we’ve decorated our hanging table (it’s vaguely tree shaped!). It holds ornaments and presents fit rather nicely under it. But this year it was okay to leave it decorated with just the hummingbirds that usually adorn it. There are two. One is stained glass and I got it for my Birthday just after my father died this year. The other is a First Nation’s carving. I hung it just before my stepmum died. It seemed appropriate to leave just them up as they are a symbol of healing in the First Nation’s lore in our neck of the woods. It was like my Dad and his beloved wife were here with us.
So I think however you decorate or don’t doesn’t really matter if the spirit of the season is there with you anyway. 🙂 And the turkey was good either way!
This was a difficult year for us. We always wait until after December 14th to put up our decorations as it is our son’s birthday. Then he’s not sharing it with Christmas. This year we got the news of my stepmum’s passing at the same time and things just somehow didn’t get done. But it was strange. We didn’t miss them. We are in a tiny place so it’s hard to decorate as you have to move so much to put up even a small tree. So for the past decade we’ve decorated our hanging table (it’s vaguely tree shaped!). It holds ornaments and presents fit rather nicely under it. But this year it was okay to leave it decorated with just the hummingbirds that usually adorn it. There are two. One is stained glass and I got it for my Birthday just after my father died this year. The other is a First Nation’s carving. I hung it just before my stepmum died. It seemed appropriate to leave just them up as they are a symbol of healing in the First Nation’s lore in our neck of the woods. It was like my Dad and his beloved wife were here with us.
So I think however you decorate or don’t doesn’t really matter if the spirit of the season is there with you anyway. 🙂 And the turkey was good either way!
This was a difficult year for us. We always wait until after December 14th to put up our decorations as it is our son’s birthday. Then he’s not sharing it with Christmas. This year we got the news of my stepmum’s passing at the same time and things just somehow didn’t get done. But it was strange. We didn’t miss them. We are in a tiny place so it’s hard to decorate as you have to move so much to put up even a small tree. So for the past decade we’ve decorated our hanging table (it’s vaguely tree shaped!). It holds ornaments and presents fit rather nicely under it. But this year it was okay to leave it decorated with just the hummingbirds that usually adorn it. There are two. One is stained glass and I got it for my Birthday just after my father died this year. The other is a First Nation’s carving. I hung it just before my stepmum died. It seemed appropriate to leave just them up as they are a symbol of healing in the First Nation’s lore in our neck of the woods. It was like my Dad and his beloved wife were here with us.
So I think however you decorate or don’t doesn’t really matter if the spirit of the season is there with you anyway. 🙂 And the turkey was good either way!
This was a difficult year for us. We always wait until after December 14th to put up our decorations as it is our son’s birthday. Then he’s not sharing it with Christmas. This year we got the news of my stepmum’s passing at the same time and things just somehow didn’t get done. But it was strange. We didn’t miss them. We are in a tiny place so it’s hard to decorate as you have to move so much to put up even a small tree. So for the past decade we’ve decorated our hanging table (it’s vaguely tree shaped!). It holds ornaments and presents fit rather nicely under it. But this year it was okay to leave it decorated with just the hummingbirds that usually adorn it. There are two. One is stained glass and I got it for my Birthday just after my father died this year. The other is a First Nation’s carving. I hung it just before my stepmum died. It seemed appropriate to leave just them up as they are a symbol of healing in the First Nation’s lore in our neck of the woods. It was like my Dad and his beloved wife were here with us.
So I think however you decorate or don’t doesn’t really matter if the spirit of the season is there with you anyway. 🙂 And the turkey was good either way!
This was a difficult year for us. We always wait until after December 14th to put up our decorations as it is our son’s birthday. Then he’s not sharing it with Christmas. This year we got the news of my stepmum’s passing at the same time and things just somehow didn’t get done. But it was strange. We didn’t miss them. We are in a tiny place so it’s hard to decorate as you have to move so much to put up even a small tree. So for the past decade we’ve decorated our hanging table (it’s vaguely tree shaped!). It holds ornaments and presents fit rather nicely under it. But this year it was okay to leave it decorated with just the hummingbirds that usually adorn it. There are two. One is stained glass and I got it for my Birthday just after my father died this year. The other is a First Nation’s carving. I hung it just before my stepmum died. It seemed appropriate to leave just them up as they are a symbol of healing in the First Nation’s lore in our neck of the woods. It was like my Dad and his beloved wife were here with us.
So I think however you decorate or don’t doesn’t really matter if the spirit of the season is there with you anyway. 🙂 And the turkey was good either way!
Tomorrow is the 6th for me here in Ireland. We call the 6th Little Christmas and my mother always said the decorations should not be taken down until after that. So I stick to the tradition and they will probably come down on Tuesday. I was ill over the holidays and didn’t really get to enjoy much so I may leave them up for another day or so just to get the fun part.
My birthday was Christmas week too so I kinda lucked out this year. However, here’s hoping the year to come will be good for all.
Tomorrow is the 6th for me here in Ireland. We call the 6th Little Christmas and my mother always said the decorations should not be taken down until after that. So I stick to the tradition and they will probably come down on Tuesday. I was ill over the holidays and didn’t really get to enjoy much so I may leave them up for another day or so just to get the fun part.
My birthday was Christmas week too so I kinda lucked out this year. However, here’s hoping the year to come will be good for all.
Tomorrow is the 6th for me here in Ireland. We call the 6th Little Christmas and my mother always said the decorations should not be taken down until after that. So I stick to the tradition and they will probably come down on Tuesday. I was ill over the holidays and didn’t really get to enjoy much so I may leave them up for another day or so just to get the fun part.
My birthday was Christmas week too so I kinda lucked out this year. However, here’s hoping the year to come will be good for all.
Tomorrow is the 6th for me here in Ireland. We call the 6th Little Christmas and my mother always said the decorations should not be taken down until after that. So I stick to the tradition and they will probably come down on Tuesday. I was ill over the holidays and didn’t really get to enjoy much so I may leave them up for another day or so just to get the fun part.
My birthday was Christmas week too so I kinda lucked out this year. However, here’s hoping the year to come will be good for all.
Tomorrow is the 6th for me here in Ireland. We call the 6th Little Christmas and my mother always said the decorations should not be taken down until after that. So I stick to the tradition and they will probably come down on Tuesday. I was ill over the holidays and didn’t really get to enjoy much so I may leave them up for another day or so just to get the fun part.
My birthday was Christmas week too so I kinda lucked out this year. However, here’s hoping the year to come will be good for all.
one of our readers said they keep some of their ornaments up all year long just because theyre pretty. So the tree probably should come down G but celebrate all year! And you deserve at least a second holiday for having a birthday at Christmas.
one of our readers said they keep some of their ornaments up all year long just because theyre pretty. So the tree probably should come down G but celebrate all year! And you deserve at least a second holiday for having a birthday at Christmas.
one of our readers said they keep some of their ornaments up all year long just because theyre pretty. So the tree probably should come down G but celebrate all year! And you deserve at least a second holiday for having a birthday at Christmas.
one of our readers said they keep some of their ornaments up all year long just because theyre pretty. So the tree probably should come down G but celebrate all year! And you deserve at least a second holiday for having a birthday at Christmas.
one of our readers said they keep some of their ornaments up all year long just because theyre pretty. So the tree probably should come down G but celebrate all year! And you deserve at least a second holiday for having a birthday at Christmas.
that sounds like the perfect way to celebrate–with memories. The spirit of the season is definitely what matters most.
that sounds like the perfect way to celebrate–with memories. The spirit of the season is definitely what matters most.
that sounds like the perfect way to celebrate–with memories. The spirit of the season is definitely what matters most.
that sounds like the perfect way to celebrate–with memories. The spirit of the season is definitely what matters most.
that sounds like the perfect way to celebrate–with memories. The spirit of the season is definitely what matters most.
I have an artificial tree and I have white lights on it with some ornaments. Lost my husband just before Christmas 4 years ago and this is the second year I put the tree back up. Our anniversary is early Jan. and I keep the tree up, for the lights mostly, well into middle January. It sits in the front window and I do not think the neighbors mind seeing the lights in the dark of winter.
I have an artificial tree and I have white lights on it with some ornaments. Lost my husband just before Christmas 4 years ago and this is the second year I put the tree back up. Our anniversary is early Jan. and I keep the tree up, for the lights mostly, well into middle January. It sits in the front window and I do not think the neighbors mind seeing the lights in the dark of winter.
I have an artificial tree and I have white lights on it with some ornaments. Lost my husband just before Christmas 4 years ago and this is the second year I put the tree back up. Our anniversary is early Jan. and I keep the tree up, for the lights mostly, well into middle January. It sits in the front window and I do not think the neighbors mind seeing the lights in the dark of winter.
I have an artificial tree and I have white lights on it with some ornaments. Lost my husband just before Christmas 4 years ago and this is the second year I put the tree back up. Our anniversary is early Jan. and I keep the tree up, for the lights mostly, well into middle January. It sits in the front window and I do not think the neighbors mind seeing the lights in the dark of winter.
I have an artificial tree and I have white lights on it with some ornaments. Lost my husband just before Christmas 4 years ago and this is the second year I put the tree back up. Our anniversary is early Jan. and I keep the tree up, for the lights mostly, well into middle January. It sits in the front window and I do not think the neighbors mind seeing the lights in the dark of winter.
oh, I love that. A little piece of light in the dead of winter to hold your warm memories!
oh, I love that. A little piece of light in the dead of winter to hold your warm memories!
oh, I love that. A little piece of light in the dead of winter to hold your warm memories!
oh, I love that. A little piece of light in the dead of winter to hold your warm memories!
oh, I love that. A little piece of light in the dead of winter to hold your warm memories!
No tree and no decorations this year. But I’ll put away the gifts tomorrow.
Sometime between 30 and 60 years ago, while I was a copy editor, the editorial staff shared a French weekly magazine. One time the magazine had an advertisement for the Complete Shakespeare in French translation. I could recognize most of the plays even in the translated name, but the play calle “Epiphane” (sp?) stumped me for half a day. Then the light dawned: “Twelfth Night.” This incident has made me realize that I have a distinct niche for each of those names. Epiphany is when the Magi arrive, and therefore I think of it as a religious event. Twelfth Night is about secular celebrations, and therefore is in a separate category.
I am not saying this is how people “should” think. Simply pointing out a quirk in my thought processes.
No tree and no decorations this year. But I’ll put away the gifts tomorrow.
Sometime between 30 and 60 years ago, while I was a copy editor, the editorial staff shared a French weekly magazine. One time the magazine had an advertisement for the Complete Shakespeare in French translation. I could recognize most of the plays even in the translated name, but the play calle “Epiphane” (sp?) stumped me for half a day. Then the light dawned: “Twelfth Night.” This incident has made me realize that I have a distinct niche for each of those names. Epiphany is when the Magi arrive, and therefore I think of it as a religious event. Twelfth Night is about secular celebrations, and therefore is in a separate category.
I am not saying this is how people “should” think. Simply pointing out a quirk in my thought processes.
No tree and no decorations this year. But I’ll put away the gifts tomorrow.
Sometime between 30 and 60 years ago, while I was a copy editor, the editorial staff shared a French weekly magazine. One time the magazine had an advertisement for the Complete Shakespeare in French translation. I could recognize most of the plays even in the translated name, but the play calle “Epiphane” (sp?) stumped me for half a day. Then the light dawned: “Twelfth Night.” This incident has made me realize that I have a distinct niche for each of those names. Epiphany is when the Magi arrive, and therefore I think of it as a religious event. Twelfth Night is about secular celebrations, and therefore is in a separate category.
I am not saying this is how people “should” think. Simply pointing out a quirk in my thought processes.
No tree and no decorations this year. But I’ll put away the gifts tomorrow.
Sometime between 30 and 60 years ago, while I was a copy editor, the editorial staff shared a French weekly magazine. One time the magazine had an advertisement for the Complete Shakespeare in French translation. I could recognize most of the plays even in the translated name, but the play calle “Epiphane” (sp?) stumped me for half a day. Then the light dawned: “Twelfth Night.” This incident has made me realize that I have a distinct niche for each of those names. Epiphany is when the Magi arrive, and therefore I think of it as a religious event. Twelfth Night is about secular celebrations, and therefore is in a separate category.
I am not saying this is how people “should” think. Simply pointing out a quirk in my thought processes.
No tree and no decorations this year. But I’ll put away the gifts tomorrow.
Sometime between 30 and 60 years ago, while I was a copy editor, the editorial staff shared a French weekly magazine. One time the magazine had an advertisement for the Complete Shakespeare in French translation. I could recognize most of the plays even in the translated name, but the play calle “Epiphane” (sp?) stumped me for half a day. Then the light dawned: “Twelfth Night.” This incident has made me realize that I have a distinct niche for each of those names. Epiphany is when the Magi arrive, and therefore I think of it as a religious event. Twelfth Night is about secular celebrations, and therefore is in a separate category.
I am not saying this is how people “should” think. Simply pointing out a quirk in my thought processes.
We undecorated (is that a word?) on the 4th as my husband was available to help. I have to admit to missing our colorful tree lights; I could easily persuaded to put up a string of lights to shine 24/7!
We undecorated (is that a word?) on the 4th as my husband was available to help. I have to admit to missing our colorful tree lights; I could easily persuaded to put up a string of lights to shine 24/7!
We undecorated (is that a word?) on the 4th as my husband was available to help. I have to admit to missing our colorful tree lights; I could easily persuaded to put up a string of lights to shine 24/7!
We undecorated (is that a word?) on the 4th as my husband was available to help. I have to admit to missing our colorful tree lights; I could easily persuaded to put up a string of lights to shine 24/7!
We undecorated (is that a word?) on the 4th as my husband was available to help. I have to admit to missing our colorful tree lights; I could easily persuaded to put up a string of lights to shine 24/7!
we used to take ours down on the weekend for the same reason. I think lights all winter sounds like a great idea!
we used to take ours down on the weekend for the same reason. I think lights all winter sounds like a great idea!
we used to take ours down on the weekend for the same reason. I think lights all winter sounds like a great idea!
we used to take ours down on the weekend for the same reason. I think lights all winter sounds like a great idea!
we used to take ours down on the weekend for the same reason. I think lights all winter sounds like a great idea!
I have a friend who has trouble getting her tree down. Once she left it ups for 3 years. So we kid her about her valentine’s day tree, St.Patrick’s day tree, Memorial Day tree, etc.
I have a friend who has trouble getting her tree down. Once she left it ups for 3 years. So we kid her about her valentine’s day tree, St.Patrick’s day tree, Memorial Day tree, etc.
I have a friend who has trouble getting her tree down. Once she left it ups for 3 years. So we kid her about her valentine’s day tree, St.Patrick’s day tree, Memorial Day tree, etc.
I have a friend who has trouble getting her tree down. Once she left it ups for 3 years. So we kid her about her valentine’s day tree, St.Patrick’s day tree, Memorial Day tree, etc.
I have a friend who has trouble getting her tree down. Once she left it ups for 3 years. So we kid her about her valentine’s day tree, St.Patrick’s day tree, Memorial Day tree, etc.
LOL! Maybe she needs a new tree!
LOL! Maybe she needs a new tree!
LOL! Maybe she needs a new tree!
LOL! Maybe she needs a new tree!
LOL! Maybe she needs a new tree!
I loke the idea of lights all winter. After all, most cultures seem to have some celebration in mid winter.
But in the early middle ages, it was a religious festival. People didn’t work for the twelve days, but it was more about going to church and giving alms to the poor than revelry. That’s how I understand it. I would be interested in finding out when it changed.
I loke the idea of lights all winter. After all, most cultures seem to have some celebration in mid winter.
But in the early middle ages, it was a religious festival. People didn’t work for the twelve days, but it was more about going to church and giving alms to the poor than revelry. That’s how I understand it. I would be interested in finding out when it changed.
I loke the idea of lights all winter. After all, most cultures seem to have some celebration in mid winter.
But in the early middle ages, it was a religious festival. People didn’t work for the twelve days, but it was more about going to church and giving alms to the poor than revelry. That’s how I understand it. I would be interested in finding out when it changed.
I loke the idea of lights all winter. After all, most cultures seem to have some celebration in mid winter.
But in the early middle ages, it was a religious festival. People didn’t work for the twelve days, but it was more about going to church and giving alms to the poor than revelry. That’s how I understand it. I would be interested in finding out when it changed.
I loke the idea of lights all winter. After all, most cultures seem to have some celebration in mid winter.
But in the early middle ages, it was a religious festival. People didn’t work for the twelve days, but it was more about going to church and giving alms to the poor than revelry. That’s how I understand it. I would be interested in finding out when it changed.
I dont think the twelve days changed. Each church has a different way of celebrating. And people have always had different ways of giving alms. Even today, I know tons of people who spend their holidays helping others or donating to good causes. But those are traditional and not newsworthy.
I dont think the twelve days changed. Each church has a different way of celebrating. And people have always had different ways of giving alms. Even today, I know tons of people who spend their holidays helping others or donating to good causes. But those are traditional and not newsworthy.
I dont think the twelve days changed. Each church has a different way of celebrating. And people have always had different ways of giving alms. Even today, I know tons of people who spend their holidays helping others or donating to good causes. But those are traditional and not newsworthy.
I dont think the twelve days changed. Each church has a different way of celebrating. And people have always had different ways of giving alms. Even today, I know tons of people who spend their holidays helping others or donating to good causes. But those are traditional and not newsworthy.
I dont think the twelve days changed. Each church has a different way of celebrating. And people have always had different ways of giving alms. Even today, I know tons of people who spend their holidays helping others or donating to good causes. But those are traditional and not newsworthy.