So, I am not sure how the 12 days of Christmas turned into being the 12 days leading up to Christmas. I guess somehow it became a mix of the Advent calendar and a reason to build up anticipation of the big day. The 12 days of Christmas are actually the 12 days between Christ's birth, Christmas Day, December 25th and the coming of the Magi, Epiphany, January 6th. Some have tried to attribute Christian coding into the song The Twelve Days of Christmas but there is no evidence there is any religious symbolism in the song and no mention of it until the 1990s.
I am celebrating the 12 days for the Chosen One. He'll have a gift to open each day but the gift may not be material, it may ......... what if this is one of those rare occasions he reads the blog..... those kinds of things. I have 12 boxes all ready but still need to decide on exactly what a few gifts will be.
What I do know is that they will be selfless gifts, they will be gifts of time and love because he deserves them.
Here's a link to the free printable tags I found.
I had this post waiting in auto post for tonight and during the day read a friend's FB post on leaving her tree up and the same topic along with a link to good info about the 12 days of Christmas. Loved one of the comments left by her friend, Susan " There is a lot to be said for waiting until a couple days before Christmas to put up a cut tree. society has it backwards; if we spent more time observing the anticipation of Christmas (Advent) and savored Christmas between December 25 and January 6, we wouldn't be tired of it by December 26!" Oh and like her, I keep my tree up until January 6th, Epiphany or "Old Christmas" as my Mama would call it.
Leave some suggestions in the comments for these types of gifts for your romantic love, your parents, child or friend. I'll compile a list to share in preparation for The Twelve Days of Christmas 2014.
D did an advent one and part of that was a meal for two cooked by her. Was lovely to receive. I always keep my tree up til 6th. All the best for 2014 xx
ReplyDeleteJo, the very best kind of gifts in my opinion :)
ReplyDeleteI have to confess to loving the run up to Christmas and having my trees and decorations up by the beginning of December....but Christmas goes on longer here in Spain, as the traditional time for gift -giving is Epiphany ( the festival of the Three Kings)
ReplyDeleteAlison xx
Oh how lucky for The Chosen One! What a great idea. I think gifts of time are perfect!
ReplyDeleteWonderful idea! I think with my boys, especially Mayhem, gift certificates good for "One Card Game Night" or "One Board Game Night" would be perfect because he loves those & DH and I are a bit harder to convince.
ReplyDeleteI like to have my tree up by the first for advent and keep it up until the 6th for the epiphany! It has always bothered me that people think 12 days of Christmas is the 12-24....but oh well.
ReplyDeleteWE definitely savour the days after Christmas here - the computer is off and we spend time together and I love it! The preparations are great, but those days are my favourites. You make a great point.
ReplyDeleteI love your approach. I really enjoy this week but have to admit to not feeling very Christmas-y anymore. Although I will be doing Christmas cards this week! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI took down the tree and decorations but left the Nativity Set up and will leave it up until epiphany.
Rinda