By Kate Hodges
05th January 2018
RECIPE and EVENT Lording It Up
Traditionally, a Twelfth Night celebration was held on January 5, a night of feasting, games and giving gifts, all presided over by the Lord Of Misrule. The Lord was chosen by sweetmeat lottery – whoever found a bean in their slice of Twelfth Night Cake became the ruler for the night, organising the entertainment and setting ludicrous commands. There’s a lovely piece here about the celebrations, complete with a recipe for a rich cake to make (if you can face more sweet stuff!) If you’re in London, don’t miss the fun Lions Part celebrations this Sunday – one of our favourite yearly events.
MAKE Pine Away
Sad to say goodbye to your Christmas tree? If it’s not a potted or pretend one, there are some great ideas for crafty ways to reuse it here. We particularly like the idea of turning it into a didgeridoo, making twig gnomes, and creating a wood slice necklace. Browse the Pinterest board of ideas here
EVENT Bye Bye Geffrye
We’re sad that London’s stylish Geffrye Museum is closing its doors for two years – but excited that it’s for a transformational development. Say goodbye to the old place this weekend at the free, outdoor Farewell Party - see the period rooms for the last time, sing traditional carols, make badges, join an East End knees-up, make a glitter clip, help pack up the museum, listen to tales of Christmas past and watch the traditional crowning of the Epiphany King and Queen (the title might even go to you!) More here
EVENT and COOK Join the Resolution
The giant, chaotic game of Haxey Hood has been played on January 6 in the small village in Lincolnshire since the 14th century. Legend has it that it commemorates the time when Lady de Mowbray’s riding hood blew into a field and was returned by farm workers. This Saturday, the whole town (and many more) will turn out for what’s said to be the oldest tradition in England. It starts with a pub crawl for the players, with plenty of folk singing, traditional costumes, speeches, children’s games, and ends in a giant brawl of 200 players, all attempting to get the hood into one of the four pubs in either Haxey or Westwoodside. If you can’t make it to Lincolnshire, why not devise your own site-specific game to play in your garden or favourite wild spot and make it a new family tradition? More here
DO and MAKE Reach for the Stars
Winter is a great time for stargazing – the early evenings mean that even tiny kids can experience the dark. We’ve got some great ideas for places to visit for excellent sky-watching here, and what to look for here. If it’s cloudy, or you can’t face the cold, try these constellation crafts; we love the constellation sewing cards and DIY constellation flashlight.
