The Art of the Twelfth Night (holiday) Bash: all you need to know

Twelfth Night (holiday) celebrations, which can fall on either January 5 or 6, have been held in various parts of the world for centuries. It is the last day of the Twelve Days of Christmas and is celebrated as the Feast of the Epiphany because it is traditionally believed that on this day the Three Wise Men (or Three Kings) presented their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus at the stable in Bethlehem.

The custom of hosting a party in honor of the occasion is more common in nations like France, Spain, and the United Kingdom than in the United States.

The following are ideas on how to throw a twelfth night (holiday) party:

Giving Gifts

It’s fitting that you should receive presents on the night that honors the presenting of gifts to Jesus. Leave your visitors gold party favors or have everyone bring a Secret Santa gift in gold wrapping paper so everyone receives a gold gift, like the one King Melchior brought to Jesus, according to the Gospel of St. Matthew.

Decorating in Gold

As a last nod to the gold that Melchior brought to Jesus, consider adding some glittering gold streamers to the tree and some gold trinkets to the house before everyone takes down the Christmas decorations. Make sure your house still wears red and green, the traditional colors of Christmas, with loads of holly and Christmas berries.

Light and Healthy Snacks

Rather than preparing a full Christmas dinner, serve a dozen little appetizers during your Twelfth Night celebration. By early January, most people will be sick of eating rich, heavy cuisine, so these appetizers should go over well at your party. Asparagus wrapped in bacon, for instance, would make a much better party snack than hot dog weenies.

Cake Fit for a King

One of the most recognizable symbols of Twelfth Night is the king’s cake, which is most commonly linked with Mardi Gras in the United States. Some nations where the custom is still widely observed include France, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, Greece, and Bulgaria. King’s cake, much like fruitcake, is a ring-shaped fruit or bread cake. Whoever obtains the piece with the hidden plastic baby Jesus or other prize inside is crowned “king” for the evening and responsible for making the cake the following year.

The Nativity

Displaying a nativity scene is a lovely way to remind guests of the history behind the Twelfth Night celebration, which commemorates the period when the Three Kings traveled to Jerusalem to pay their respects to Jesus.

An exceptional playlist.

A gathering’s success or failure often hinges on the playlist. Play Christmas carols like “The Twelve Days of Christmas” and “Silent Night” to mark the close of the holiday season. As a party favor on the 25th, you can hand out decorations in the shape of drumming ninjas. Listen to seasonal standards like “Silent Night” and “O Come, All Ye Faithful”