little woman's christmas

How To Make little woman's christmas

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  “Nollaig na mBan” or “Little Women’s Christmas” is an old custom that’s still celebrated by women all over Ireland. It goes back to the days when large families were the norm. Men never lifted a finger in the house to help, and were never expected to. If a man washed the dishes, he would be called an “auld woman” by other men. No full blooded Irish man was prepared to risk that! But each year, after the Christmas holiday, tired women finally got a break – for one day, at least. On January 6th (the same day as the Epiphany), men would take over of the housework, offering women a chance to go out to relax with each other. Never one to break with tradition, I returned to my hometown of Cork this year (from Dublin) to join my sisters and women friends to celebrate. As we sat overlooking the River Lee from Cork’s Metropole Hotel dining room, I thought, “We keep the tradition alive but, not in the same way our mothers did.” From:http://www.ireland-fun-facts.com/little-womens-christmas.html
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  In celebration of the feast of the Epiphany in Ireland, January 6th is marked by Nollaig na mBan or Women's Little Christmas. On this day it is the tradition in Ireland for the women to get together and enjoy their own Christmas, while the men folk stay at home and handle all the chores. It is also common for children to buy their mothers and grandmothers presents on this day, though this custom is gradually being overtaken by Mothers Day. Although Nollaig na mBan is slowly dying out in many parts of Ireland, in Co. Cork on the South West coast, the tradition is still very strong. Many bars and restaurants in Cork City report a near 100% female clientele on this day, as the Corkonian women meet up with girl friends, sisters, aunts and mothers to celebrate their own little Christmas with Nollaig na mBan. http://www.myguideireland.com/nollaig-na-mban-womens-little-christmas Picture:River Lee. Cork City, Ireland Taken by:George
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  Celebrate with food and drink, shopping, or even a day at the spa getting a facial and mani/pedi. Or you could stay at home and invite friends over and have a catered party. Whichever, take time for you and have some fun on Jauary 6th. "Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat. Please put a penny in the old man's hat. If you haven't got a penny, a ha'penny will do. If you haven't got a ha'penny, God bless you! Irish rhyme
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  So, I had my first Annual Little Woman's Christmas today 1/6/13 with a small group of close friends. We started out with some 20 minute massages and 20 minutes pedi's....I served up two different iced fruit waters along with lovely music playing in the background. https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/drink/non-alcoholic-drink/pineapple-peppermint-iced-water.html?p=4 and https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/drink/non-alcoholic-drink/raspberry-lime-water.html?p=5
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  Here is a pic of some fancy feet! hehe....love having pedi's in the dead of winter; it is so refreshing to take my socks off and see my toes lookin' snazzy and sparkly! So, can you guess which piggy's are mine? LOL
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  We had some fresh fruit and raspberry cream dip to snack on while taking turns with our pampering.
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  For dinner we had mini shepherd's pies with homemade gravy & nested potato skins. https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/dessert/pie/mini-shepherds-pies.html?p=1 and https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/side/potatoes/nested-potato-skins-3.html?p=1. Both are easy to make and simply delish!
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