January 6 – Little Christmas / Women's Christmas in Ireland

Posted on January 6, 2020

The whole world is breathing a giant sigh of "it's over" - "it's" meaning a kajillion different holidays that has kept us busy for more than a month. That's why today is considered Back to Normal Monday (see the link below, under the "Also on this date" heading).

Except...

Except for many, many people in the world, today is very much a holiday. I have already written about Epiphany (all over the world) or Three Kings Day  (in Spain, Latin America, and Hispanic communities and families); see link below. In some nations and communities, January 6 is called Little Christmas or Old Christmas. Examples include Irish people (who also celebrate January 6 as Women's Christmas) and Amish people. Finally, for those who belong to one of the Eastern Orthodox Churches (Armenian Church, Greek Orthodox Church, Russian Orthodox Church, etc.), tonight is Christmas Eve, and tomorrow is finally Christmas itself!!! Tomorrow is Ganna (Christmas) in Ethiopia as well...

Pant, pant! These holidays just keep going and going and going!

On Nollaig na mBan (Little Christmas / Women's Christmas), in Ireland, men take on household duties for the day. Some women host parties for women only, and others go out to restaurants or bars to celebrate with other women. It's also the day when Christmas trees and decorations are taken down and discarded (trees) or stored away (decorations) until next year. 


Here are a few photos of Ireland just chillin' in the winter:






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