Darina Allen: Nollaig na mBan treats for all the hardworking mammies, grannies and aunties

I just love that the tradition of celebrating Little Christmas or Nollaig na mBan, as it was known, has once again become super cool. Why wouldn’t it? 

The 12th day of Christmas is the special day when all the hardworking mammies, grannies and aunties who have lovingly laboured to create a fun, delicious and hopefully carefree Christmas for all the family get to enjoy time off, kick up their heels and get out to celebrate and feast and have fun together.

The tradition is particularly strong in Cork, Kerry, the West of Ireland and the Gaeltacht areas but the custom is enjoying a popular revival all around the country, a welcome excuse for us girls to get together. The tradition where the men and women swapped roles and the men did the chores was passed on orally from one generation to another.