It is also the time to pack up everything - my late Grandmother was a stickler for observing such things, insisting that anything that is forgotten has to stay up for a year. Please tell me she was not the only one who believed such things ...
Do you follow these old traditions? The Geffrye Museum in London is such a believer that it holds a Farewell To Christmas event on the 6th January and encourages the public to come and burn their old decorations in a communal celebration.
'Twelfth Night combines elements of the Christian feast of Epiphany, the visit of the wise men to the stable at Bethlehem and the end of the 12 days around the pagan feast of Saturnalia, centred around the Winter solstice,' they told Good Housekeeping.
My 4 year old poinsettia has responded to the understairs treatment & there is a good sign of red bracts at last ..
Our tree has been a light in the darkness & it is now packed away safely again ...
The dining room fortunately was easier to pack up - I rather like my 2 ladies with their Xmas hats.
The ladies also wore lights when their Christmas hats are needed
The warmth of the purple tartan is always welcome in Winter ...
This little tree usually holds my special hand beaded ornaments from South Africa - there are some new ones that the girls brought back from their recent visit . They are a link to my roots in Africa & are an important part of my Christmas ...
The other beaded ornaments adorned the hallway notice board again - a reminder of home as I come & go at home ...
The others plates are from the Emma Bridgewater Christmas collection - all gifted to me over the years ...
The Oliver Bonas marble topped cheese board (bottom left on the sideboard) was brilliant for the festive cheeses, the matching marble topped cake stand is always in demand because it is sturdy & elegant.
Daughter set out a lovely cheeseboard for us - who else loves festive cheeses as much as I do. The cheeseboard top swivels & it holds the marble topped cheese knives.
We all love cheese - Shropshire blue, a Welsh Brie, Wensleydale with cranberries, Welsh Black Bomber (a creamy cheddar) & the chilli cheese - perfect with local savoury biscuits ....
The many cards are pegged on colourful threads on the fireplace. They are always appreciated, especially as they are on display.
Our main tree has been lovely to look at with the berry colours in soft pink, purple, lilac, raspberry & pearl colours which all sat well with each other. The corner always seems empty once it is packed again.
I always miss the garland which spans the fireplace; the lights always make it special too as they twinkle each evening. The fireplace always looks bare once as it comes down for another year ...
There are superstitions that bad luck will fall on a home that takes decorations down before the Twelfth Night – and if they're not removed by the fifth, you're supposed to keep them up for the whole year instead!
One of the last tasks is to remove the garland from the front door - it is still looking lovely so it will again be moved to the back garden where it will stay for a bit longer.
Traditions are good to observe as they punctuate our lives with a rhythm & purpose; my decorations packed away on the Twelfth Night again. Do you observe these traditions & is yours all packed away. Thank you for stopping by & taking time to read & comment ...
Dee ~💕~
Stripped of its bow & adornments, it is attached to the from of the chimnea on the patio so it is visible from all the back windows of the house. The little robins, blue tits & sparrows have already been showing an interest in it ....
Dee ~💕~
I do observe the 12th night tradition, but I had not heard about "the bad luck of staying out for the year"...ooops, I just took the last little bits and bobs to the storage shed on Saturday. My red and white transferware will stay out for the remainder of the winter, and I still have some greenery with lights over the kitchen windows. Guess I will have to leave it there until next winter :^)
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely and blessed week,
J
Hi Jaybird - Hope you are well across the sea. Red & white transfer ware - I am jealous as most of mine (inherited) is blue & white. You can never have too much greenery in the house so enjoy yours.
DeleteHave a lovely week, D