Following Festive Traditions and Superstitions

We very much look forward to the local free magazines popping through our letterbox, and as such the festive edition of The Grapevine has proved to be a most riveting read. There was an article on healthy hair, always a subject  of special interest  to Darrell, one on caring for your poinsettia for me and for Nigel, one about wasps nests, particularly as he found one towards the end of the summer which was rapidly cordoned off by pest control once the alarm was raised.

But the most interesting article for all of us was on Christmas Traditions and Superstitions, heaven forbid that any of one of us does something in all innocence that could then have a diverse affect on the festive season and/or coming New Year.

According to the writer putting candles in a tree to ward off evil spirits is always a good idea. This is second nature to us as we always hang a lantern up on Christmas Eve to remember our loved one who can no longer share Christmas with us, so we can tick that box without even thinking.

However, on Christmas Eve, we must also be aware that we shouldn’t spin or sew, grind grain or leave any dishes unwashed, including, I suspect, the glasses used for  one of Darrell’s promised potent Yuletide cocktails. 

We also very much hold to a rigid 5 a day regime, so eating an apple at midnight,  with the promise of keeping us in rude health all the year round holds no problems ……. alarms may have to be set to do this as we are usually fast asleep by then, however it will have to be a hurried eat as we also don’t want to risk Santa seeing/hearing us on the most magical night of the year.

However, we do have a problem with the first one to venture downstairs on Christmas morning having to take a broom to sweep away trouble from the front to the back door, as we don’t actually have any stairs, a broom or a back door, so we might have to give that one a miss and be prepared for any consequences!

Wearing new shoes on Christmas Day is not recommended, as is giving them as a present …… unless you want to see that person walk out of your life ….. and it’s best to finish the day with a bath to ward off toothaches and fevers in the coming year.

It also sounds a tiny bit complicated but Darrell has promised to come up with a spreadsheet to help prevent us from falling foul of any festive faux pas that could come back and bite us on the bum ….. bless him.   Happy Days!