We’ve made a decision this year to focus on the entire long season as opposed to just one day. In year’s past we always celebrated the pre-season, Advent, and all the festivities leading up to Christmas. This year though we’re extending it even further, beyond New Year’s day even, all the way to the Epiphany. Who doesn’t want to celebrate a day called Epiphany? Religious or not!
Growing up my mom always extended the season all the way to The Epiphany, a.k.a. Three Kings Day and the original meaning behind the 12 days of Christmas. On the Epiphany, we would receive boxes of Cracker Jacks, wrapped up in tin foil, and left on the back porch. As if they were actually left by the three kings. Forget Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. How about Cracker Jacks?
Over the years that kind of fell out of my own family traditions. But this year again I am embracing the full on season, from December 1 all the way to January 6th. This has taken a lot of the pressure off to get things out on time. We are creating our family packages to be shipped knowing full well they won’t arrive by Christmas, but they just might make it to their destinations before January 6th. We’re doing a community book drive in January and not worrying that it’s not before Christmas. We’re making our holiday crafts this week and next. I may even wrap up some Cracker Jacks in tin foil too while we’re at it!
I’m loving the feeling of extending the season. I’m loving the pressure being off, not that there really was any true pressure, but still. I’m loving also the realization that traditions can come and go and even come back again and morph along the way to suit each family’s needs.
Got any morphing traditions in your house?
3 Comments to 'Ringing in the whole long season'
December 22, 2009
Awesome!! That makes so much sense. I am really into the idea of that, too. I don’t like saving all the gifts to open on just the one day, either. What’s the point, and then so much just gets lost in the shuffle. Also, we decided last year to give gifts to my sister-in-law’s family on Valentine’s Day. I think it’s a much better idea, rather than cause ourselves undue financial stress. Keep spreading the word, Bernadette!! Less-Stress holidays are the best!
December 22, 2009
I love all of these ideas! Seriously, why not elongate the season? Move gifts to another holiday with certain family members? Make up new ways of doing it? I am crazy about this whole idea of making the season your own. Thanks Bern and Kami!
December 26, 2009
I LOVE this tradition! Ever since we lived in Mexico, we have adopted the 3 Kings’ Day tradition. Knowing we have all 12 days to celebrate Christmas is such a relief! Our Christmas cards don’t go out till after the 25th and they are often thank you notes as well. As a family, we have downtime to work on the cards as a family. On the 6th, we take down our tree and have a bonfire/marshmallow & weinie roast. The 12 days after Christmas between the 25th and the 6th when the pressure is off and relaxation begins is usually my favorite.
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