How to Decorate for Epiphany

Traditionally, Epiphany, or Twelfth Night, is the time for taking decorations down. But if you are having a celebration, of course, you will need to decorate to make it festive. Choosing items that are attractive, fun and symbolic of the occasion (the visit of the Three Wise Men to the Christ child) can be done easily by looking at the traditions that surround this holiday.

Things You'll Need

• Decorative lights
• Candied fruit
• Yule log
• Tree
• Crèche
• Cookies
• Crackers
• Holly
• Paper and cardboard crowns
• White candles
• Ornaments

Instructions

Decorate For Epiphany

1. Make a "progressive crèche" or manger scene. You can start at the beginning of Advent by putting the figures of Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and the wise men at various points around the room and moving them closer and closer to the manger. At Epiphany, make a ceremony out of placing the
   Wise Men in the Christmas scene.

2. Decorate with food. The traditional "Three Kings Cake" is studded with colorful candied fruit to represent the jewels in the kings' crowns. Bake cookies in the shape of stars (like the one the kings followed) and crowns.

3. Deck a small, live tree especially for Epiphany with gold- and jewel-like ornaments and star-shaped lights.

4. Use crowns of paper and cardboard. You can place crowns on the cake, on the tree and on your guests.

5. Light white candles to show that Jesus is the "Light of World."

6. Burn a Yule log if you have a fireplace. Provide nuggets of incense or chemicals that turn colors or smell sweet for the guests to throw into the fire.

7. Drape strings of real or artificial holly around the fireplace, windows or across the table. The sharp leaves symbolize the crown of thorns that Jesus wore at his crucifixion and the red berries represent his blood.

8. Pass out "crackers," which are colorful, often shiny, cylinders that make a loud "pop" when they are opened. They usually contain a paper hat or some other decorative item.

9. Put a small cardboard crown or crown ornament at the top of the Christmas wreath. This brings to mind the never-ending love of God and the eternal kingdom of Jesus.

10. End the celebration by taking everything down and formally putting away the crèche. Tradition says that decorations left up after Twelfth Night will bring bad luck.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep all the decorations in line with the theme of Epiphany--the kings, their gifts and honoring the Christ child.

• It is traditional for the priest or minister to put a special blessing on the house at Epiphany. The guests may join in, wearing their paper crowns.

• Be careful with paper decorations. Keep them away from candles and hot lights.