A very Happy New Year to all our friends!
Here's to all the wonderful New Year customs and traditions celebrated across the country at this time of year. Wales is no exception - where some pretty strange traditions prevail. Customs that date from pre-Christian pagan times are still celebrated in many areas and include:-
'Hunting the Wren' - a custom which entailed capturing a tiny bird in a cage and carrying it from door to door asking householders to pay for the privilege of peeping at the animal. This was to signify that in the days surrounding the shortest day, pagans believed the natural order could be turned on its head - the wren symbolising the smallest most insignificant creature becoming the most important animal.
'Wassailing' where funny shaped bowls full of spiced beer were, again taken from house to house and toasts raised for bumper harvests in the coming year.
'The Mari Lwyd' where a horse's skull was decorated with ribbons and carried around challenging householders to a battle of rhyming insults!
So rejoicing in the preservation of these New Year customs, check out Blodwen's New Year Sale Section here. Enjoy!
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