Step away from the mound of pine needles heaped by the ChristmasTree.
Leave the children in their pjs and get out of the house.
That’s an order to all the women in the county from donegaldaily.com
to go out and grab a cuppa, read the entire newspaper (bliss) or just
time to mark Nollaig na mBan tomorrow, Friday.
There is a strong tradition in some parts of Ireland, particularly, Co
Cork, that on January 6th – Women’s Christmas or Little Christmas –
husbands, partners, brothers and fathers acknowledge the hard work of
the women over the holiday period and take over the household chores.
We, at donegaldaily.com, know that housework should be equally shared
all year round and not just on one day but believe Nollaig na mBan is
a good way to start the New Year.
We would hope the tradition of Nollaig na mBan is celebrated
throughout the county and if you’re planning a get- together with
friends then tell us about it.
Tradition dictates that Christmas decorations are taken down on this
date and chucked into the attic(maybes that’s just our house) for
another year.
In the Christian calendar it is also the Feast of the Epiphany – when
the Three Kings arrive to see the baby Jesus in the manger.
In France at this time you may have the delight of tasting the galette
des Rois – Epiphany cake made with puff pastry with a frangipane
filling.
It doesn’t have to be a lavish day out (if only) it could be coffee
and cake with friends at home without having to multi-task, a
leisurely walk knowing you’re going home to dinner and a chilled out
evening.
Forget the chocolates, flowers and perfume and give time to the woman
in your life. All the time.
Happy Nollaig na mBan!
(If the editor even thinks about using a pic of Mrs Doyle from Father
Ted to illustrate this, I’ll kill him!)
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