Vintage Customs of the 12 Days of Christmas

 

Christmas Tree, 1910

Library of Congress

The 12 Days of Christmas, celebrated from December 25 (Christmas Day) to January 5 (Twelfth Night), are steeped in vintage customs and traditions that vary across cultures and time periods. Here are some notable customs.  Maybe you can revive one this year!

1. Christmas Day (December 25)

• Families celebrated with a large feast, often including roast meats, puddings, and special desserts.
• Groups of carolers would sing door-to-door, spreading festive cheer.
• Acts of giving to the poor were common, reflecting the spirit of goodwill.

2. St. Stephen's Day (Boxing Day, December 26)

• People would give boxes of money or goods to servants, tradespeople, and the less fortunate.
• Groups in Ireland would parade through the streets carrying a wren, a symbol of martyrdom, as part of a ritual.

3. Day of the Holy Family

• This day focused on spending time with family, reflecting on the bonds and shared blessings.

4. Feast of the Holy Innocents (December 28)

• Traditions often involved blessing children or giving them small gifts in memory of the biblical massacre of the innocents by King Herod.

5. Traditional Games and Wassailing

• Singing and toasting with a spiced cider or ale to ensure a good harvest and well-being, called “wassailing”. This might involve blessing apple trees.

6. Gift Giving Over the 12 Days

• In some cultures, instead of giving all gifts on Christmas Day, they were spread out over the 12 days, reflecting the song "The 12 Days of Christmas."

7. Twelfth Night Revelry (January 5)

• A special cake was baked with a hidden bean or coin inside. The person who found it would be crowned the "King" or "Queen" of the feast.
• Twelfth Night parties often featured revelers in costumes or masks.
• Performers or "mummers" would enact traditional plays, often centered around themes of renewal and good versus evil.

8. Epiphany (January 6)

• Families would mark their doorways with chalk to bless their homes for the year ahead.
• Sacred water might be blessed and sprinkled around the home.

9. Burning of the Yule Log

• Traditionally, a Yule log would be burned in the fireplace throughout the 12 days as a symbol of warmth and light. Ashes were often kept as charms for good luck.

10. Decorations Left Up

• Christmas decorations were traditionally kept up until the end of the 12 days. Removing them before Twelfth Night was considered bad luck.

11. Feasting and Merriment

• Each day was an opportunity for communal meals, storytelling, and singing. Wealthier households hosted lavish parties.

12. Focus on Spiritual Reflection

• Many customs involved attending church services or reflecting on the meaning of the Nativity and Christ’s life.