How to Celebrate Welsh Christmas

Welsh Christmas traditions are very interesting. The three main customs are the Plygain, Mari Lwyd, and Calenigg. Read on for some basic information on how to celebrate these three traditions.

Things You'll Need

• Apple
• Three twigs
• Almonds
• Spray of evergreen

Instructions

How to Celebrate Welsh Christmas

1. 

   One Welsh Christmas tradition is Plygain. In order to celebrate Plygain, you must gather in church between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Christmas Day, to sing primarily unaccompanied in a service that lasts for about three hours. This is a tradition which is still celebrated in parts of mid Wales.

2. 

   Celebrate Mari Lwyd. The Mari Lwyd is the gray mare that brings good luck. To celebrate this tradition you are challenged to a battle of insults by a man who rides a horse and carries a skull. The exchange of insults will continue until you can no longer think of a rebuttal. Then the Mari Lwyd will either give its blessing and go away or be granted entrance into your home. This is a pre-Christian custom that's still acted out in some parts of Wales today.

3. 

   The final major tradition is the Calenigg. This began as a Roman custom of giving olive branches on New Year's as a sign of peace. As Christianity spread, the reason behind this custom was lost and it began to represent a symbol of good luck. In many parts of Wales, the Calenigg is still given. You need an apple with three twigs for legs. You then stick almonds into the apple and a small spray of evergreen into the top. You then give the Calenigg to children to take around the neighborhood and sing carols. They will typically receive a few pennies or candy in exchange for the luck the Calenigg brings.

4. Drink from the wassail bowl. The ornate bowl is typically filled with spices, sugar, fruit, and topped up with warm beer.

5. Make Welsh taffy, a special kind that's made with brown sugar and butter.

Tips & Warnings

• It is considered to be very unlucky to refuse the Mari Lwyd. However, it is possible to outwit and outverse the Mari Lwyd in the challenge and answer game.

Resources

• Christmas in Wales