December 26th - January 6th - we leave funny little things for each other for the twelve days of Christmas (notes, poems, jokes, inspirational message, expression of a feeling (if hubby writes a poem, time may stop!), favourite treats, IOU's for special favours, very small presents-always useful stuff) It's different from Secret Santa because this is tangible. I don't think the total of all of the little presents for both of us is even $25
December 27th - January 5th - shopping at the huge clearance sales for presents, replacement/ new decorations, wrapping paper, cards etc.
December 28th - Feast of the Holy Innocents (Spain) If we're with little ones, they give silly orders to the adults. If the adults don't do as they're told, they must pay a fine. It's alot of fun.
December 31st - New Year's Eve. Pretty normal stuff ... we're thinking of incorporating some Scottish and Japanese traditions but are unsure.
January 1st - I put away all santa related decorations.
January 2nd - 5th - put up all my star decorations, trinkets, candles, table cloth etc.
January 6th - Epiphany. This is when we get together with our best friends and we all exchange presents (purchased at 50-70% off during the sales). The presents flood out from under the tree, it looks like a tidal wave. We have a huge dinner of anything except turkey. The theme is stars - to represent the Star of Bethlehem that the Wise Men followed to reach the manger. In Quebec, Canada, it is also known as La Fete du Roi with a tradition of making a cake with a bean in it and whoever gets the bean is the king/queen for the evening. When we first introduced this to our friends they were very sceptical ... after the first time, they won't go back to the Dec 25th celebration with us. It takes so much stress off, it's unbelievable. It also saves a truckload of money (because of sales) and, especially for the kids, it gives them something to look forward to once they've ripped open all the pretty packages by 10:00 am on Christmas Day. Our friends don't give their children any presents from themselves on Christmas morning, they're now saved until Epiphany too. Now Mom & Dad aren't taken for granted or ignored because Santa was so good to them. It also means that Mom & Dad can be the heros and get the kids the presents they really wanted but Santa or Gramma forgot. It's totally relaxing and enjoyable. I LOVE Epiphany.
January 7th - Christmas in Egypt. We eat zalabya (donuts) and bouri (fish) ... traditional foods for this occassion.
January 13th - St. Canute's Day (Sweden) - we throw out our Christmas tree and eat any edible decorations (if possible)
January 19th - It's Jesus' baptism day according to Armenian tradition. Their traditional meal that day is rice pilaf - so that's what we have too.
February 2nd - Candlemas. This was the day of the ritual of purification of Mary after giving birth. I have a bath by candlelight instead of a shower (what a sacrafice eh?). I buy new candles. This is the day we take down the rest of our Christmas decorations and pack them away for another year.
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No specific date:
Our creche (nativity scene) - we put a new piece in each day, with the baby put in on December 25th and the wise men on January 6th. Each year we seem to accumulate a new piece - either through gifts or January sale finds.
We hang holly, mistletoe; have egg nog, wassail and tortierre. There are alot of traditional foods, candies and baked goods etc.
We watch anything Christmasy that may be on tv, video, local schools, church plays etc. We try to take in as many community pageants as possible. Yearly tv favourites are The Huron Christmas Carol, Charlie Brown's Christmas, It's a Wonderful Life and How the Grinch Stole Christmas (amongst others).