Welcome to day 4 of Blogmas! As we count down the days to Christmas, I’m excited to share a little holiday cheer with you. Each day until December 25th, I’ll be posting festive content to help get you into the spirit of the season. From the way we see the holidays in pop culture to the way Christmas is celebrated around the world, I hope these posts bring a little extra joy and warmth to your holiday preparations. So grab the eggiest of nogs, wrap up in your slanket, and let’s celebrate the most wonderful time of the year together!

Beyond the 25th: Christmas Traditions That Keep the Magic Alive

Ah, Christmas. That magical time of year when we all come together to celebrate peace, love, and the birth of Jesus Christ. For many of us, the festivities revolve around December 25th – a day filled with gift-giving, family gatherings, and enough food to make even the most ambitious elastic waistbands cry out in protest.

But here’s the thing: Christmas isn’t just a one-day affair. In fact, there are plenty of traditions around the world that extend the holiday season well beyond the 25th. From the luminous St. Lucia Day in Sweden to the gift-bearing Three Kings’ Day in Spain and Latin America, these celebrations keep the Christmas spirit alive long after the last piece of fruitcake has been (reluctantly) consumed.

St. Lucia Day: Sweden’s Festival of Light

Picture this: It’s December 13th in Sweden, and the winter darkness is suddenly interrupted by a procession of young women dressed in white, each wearing a crown of candles on her head. No, this isn’t some sort of avant-garde fashion show – it’s St. Lucia Day, a celebration of the martyr St. Lucia, who is said to have brought food to persecuted Christians hiding in the catacombs of ancient Rome.

On this day, the eldest daughter in each family rises early to prepare a breakfast of coffee and saffron buns for her family. She then dons a white robe and a crown of candles (thankfully, battery-operated ones have become more common in recent years) and leads a procession of her siblings, each carrying a candle, to wake their parents with songs and treats.

The festivities continue throughout the day, with schools and workplaces holding their own St. Lucia processions and performances. It’s a beautiful tradition that brings a little light and warmth to the darkest days of the Swedish winter.

Three Kings’ Day: Keeping the Gift-Giving Going

If you thought the gift-giving ended on Christmas Day, think again. In Spain and many Latin American countries, the real action happens on January 6th, also known as Three Kings’ Day or Epiphany.

According to Christian tradition, this is the day when the three wise men (or kings) arrived in Bethlehem to present the baby Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. To commemorate this event, children in these countries leave out their shoes on the night of January 5th, hoping to wake up to find them filled with gifts from the three kings.

But the celebrations don’t stop there. On January 6th, many cities and towns hold colorful parades featuring floats, musicians, and performers dressed as the three kings. Children line the streets, eagerly awaiting the candy and treats that are thrown from the floats.

And let’s not forget the Rosca de Reyes, a sweet bread decorated with candied fruit that is traditionally eaten on Three Kings’ Day. Hidden inside the bread is a small figurine of the baby Jesus, and whoever finds it in their slice is responsible for hosting a party on Candlemas Day (February 2nd). Talk about keeping the party going!

Keeping the Christmas Spirit Alive

So there you have it – proof that Christmas isn’t just a one-and-done kind of holiday. From the glowing crowns of St. Lucia Day to the gift-bearing kings of Epiphany, these traditions remind us that the spirit of Christmas can be kept alive long after the decorations have been packed away and the last of the eggnog has been polished off.

And who knows? Maybe it’s time for us to start incorporating some of these traditions into our own holiday celebrations. After all, who couldn’t use a little extra light and joy in the depths of winter?

But I’m curious to hear from you, dear readers. What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions that extend beyond December 25th? Do you have any unique or lesser-known celebrations in your own families or cultures? Leave a comment below and let’s keep the holiday cheer going all winter long!