What’s the deal with Women’s Little Christmas?

It’s January 6th. The day the tree comes down, all the decorations go back to the attic and you are forced to accept that, yes, Christmas is well and truly over for another year.

But for the women of Ireland, January 6th also marks a very unique Irish celebration - Nollaig na mBan or Women's Little Christmas.

Wishing all ladies happy Women's Christmas aka Little Christmas Tradition decorations come down today.I'd better get busy! #littlechristmas

— Catherine Teahan (@MidOceanEire) January 6, 2015

Held every year on the Feast of the Epiphany, Women's Little Christmas is traditionally when the nation's womenfolk, absolutely exhaustedafter all the festive cooking and housework, were given their annual day off. The men would do a bit around the house so their other halves could go out for a bite to eat, a few drinks and generally be able to let loose without worrying that everything would go to ruin in their brief absence from the homestead.

Today, the practice is largely dying out around the country but the tradition is still going strong in Kerry and Cork where anecdotal evidence suggests that there will be many ladies packed into restaurants and pubs this evening.

And there are attempts to update and expand the tradition onto the modern era - and further up the country - with events such as the Nollaig na mBan panel discussion organised by the Women's Museum of Ireland and the Anti Room in the Irish Writer's Centre in Dublin. It is unfortunately sold out but they are inviting everyone to meet them for a drink after the event in the Black Sheep.

And, as always, there is the usualTwitter debate over the actual name of the thing.

Not sure if I'm the only person to never get the whole #LittleWomensChristmas or is it #WomensLittleChristmas

— Olivia Trought (@OliviaTrought) January 6, 2015

#NollaignamBan Actually- NOT Little Womens' Christmas. It's Womens' Little Christmas. When women get to eat food they didn't cook. Imagine!😰

— @marygtroche.bsky.social (@marygtroche) January 5, 2015

Right. Better get in early. It's Nollaig na mBan, Women's Christmas or Little Christmas. Not Little Women's Christmas. Thanks.

— Sinéad-BumblesofRice (@BumblesofRice) January 5, 2015

Happy Little Women/Women's Little Christmas, everyone! Will you be celebrating?

Ht - BreakingNews.ie