So the decorations are down and the cards are ready to be recycled. It’s a flat sort of day. Especially since the next day is a Monday this year, and Real Life starts up in earnest for everyone.
Until the mid-nineteenth century, though, Twelfth Day in Britain was a celebration (and also the Feast of the Epiphany). In those days, the ones I mostly write about, Christmas went on after December 25th, instead of peaking on the day. And our Christmas cake developed out of the old Twelfth Cake, with its bean and other tokens and its turning upside down of the usual rules.
In Ireland, the rules were kicked over too. January 6th was known as Little Christmas (Nollaig Bheag), or Women’s Christmas (Nollaig na mBan). On this day, the men took over all the housework and the women got a well-earned rest, or the chance to enjoy themselves with sisters, daughters or friends.
I’m not planning any misrule today, but I’m going to celebrate Twelfth Day with a few photos of my first Christmas. So here we are, me and my parents…
Slightly bored baby, handsome but serious parents…
Perking up a bit now Mum’s stroking me
That’s better!
My mother used to have a party on January 6th, so today’s poignant for me, but with happy memories.
Here’s a very rich recipe for Twelfth Cake, if you’re into baking. Have you got any Twelfth Day/Night traditions?
A Rebel Hand 
Beautiful photos Frances 😉
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Thanks, Alona!
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Fascinating info Frances. Embarrassed to admit I never quite knew what that 12 day of Christmas Song as all about … oops. Then I got distracted off looking at the recipes and following up links and MORE recipes 🙂 Love the photos and must say you parents are such a handsome looking pair but your mum is exceptionally beautiful.
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Thank you, Catherine. I get that wandering off thing, too – oh, those tempting links. Like the Elephant’s Child, I suffer from insatable curiosity.
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My darling mum constantly shook her finger at me and warned… “Curiosity killed the cat, Catherine!” which should have been a worry cos my younger bro liked to call me Katz, or sometimes Cacky, when he was feeling grumpy … ha ha ha!!!
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Haha! Did you ever hear the other bit of that saying? ‘Satisfaction brought it back’?
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Gorgeous photos of you and your proud parents (I think your Mum is looking a bit like a young QEII here). We didn’t have any traditions around Epiphany other than going to church….again.
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Thank you, Pauleen! I must try to find some photos of me smiling… I did look a bit glum there…
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Have to agree with Pauleen.. the likeness struck me as well… related to royalty and haven’t told us yet? 🙂
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Hahaha – only ‘Australian royalty’, ie convicts…
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Lovely post, and poignant photos. What a handsome trio!
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Thank you! It was wonderful to rediscover the photos.
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