TL:DR Lots of Christmas folklore and another plug for my book (we’re all very busy).
Keeping it short and sweet as I’m sure you’re all wrapped up in other things given we’re now three sleeps until the Big Day. Unless, of course, you do Christmas on Christmas Eve, and then it’s two sleeps. Or you did Christmas on the 5th, and then it’s no sleeps. Irrespective, stuff needs doing. So here are my top ten household folklore tips for the season:
10. Make sure to clean your home before Christmas, as the spirits of our ancestors are apt to make a call and judge you on your housekeeping skills.
9. Should you want to tell said spectral relatives to bugger off without offending them, serve them their festive meal (for you should make a small extra plate for them) slightly cold and on slightly chipped crockery. Such questionable hosting should hopefully persuade them to visit someone else’s house next time.
8. If you suspect you have worms, just pluck several holly leaves from your midwinter wreath, blend with some fresh sage in a dish of water, bend over the dish and yawn. It’s said the worms will just drop right out.
7. Speaking of wreaths, make sure you incorporate fresh rosemary and bay leaves into yours – the rosemary will repel ghosts and the bay will protect your house from lightning.
6. If you have time on Christmas Eve morning, bake some bread. It’s said bread baked on Christmas Eve morning has magical medicinal properties, especially when it comes to constipation.
5. If you’re after attracting some romantic company, slip an ivy leaf into your pocket before going for a walk and the first person you’ll meet is destined to become your spouse (even if they are already married!).
4. Get ready for some Twelvetide divination! It’s said every day of the twelve days of Christmas corresponds with a month in the coming year, so the first day equals January, the sixth June etc. You can use tarot cards, bibliomancy, the weather, dreams, your general mood etc as your guide to what the matching month may hold in store. For more on Twelvetide divinations, click here.
3. Don’t forget to score a cross on the bottom of your sprouts, as this will protect you from the demons said to live between the leaves.
2. At midnight on Christmas Eve, on the threshold of Christmas Day, throw open all your doors and windows to let out any malevolent spirits inhabiting your home.
1. Should you be the first person to go out of the house on Christmas Day, be sure to open your front door and welcome in Old Father Christmas, or the Spirit of Christmas, before leaving.
For more folklore of the home (Christmas or not), there’s still time to get Household Lore for someone you love this festive season! Just click here or go to your nearest bookshop. It’s the perfect gift (even if I do say so myself), terribly handsome, smells great and according to these guys, a bit of alright on the inside too…
However you celebrate your midwinter festival, may your tatties be crisp, your pudding burn bright and your glass remain full! Joyeux Noël!
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