Celebrating the Twelve Days of Christmas – One Day at a Time

“But Jiminy Crickets, it’s after December 25th! Is it not too late for the 12 Days of Christmas?” you say.

Not to fear, Chanticleerians! The 12 Days of Christmas begins on December 26th! And it continues to the 6th of January – Three Kings Day. The four weeks leading up to Christmas are known as Advent.

Some say that December 25th is the first day of Christmas, but we are going with the medieval date of the 26th because revelry could not take place on the 25th as it was a holy day. And the Twelve Days of Christmas are about revelry!

So if you haven’t finished wrapping presents, sending out those cards, and baking cookies—don’t worry—you’ve got an extra 5 days!

Happy Holidays to You from the Chanticleer Team! 

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me

Seven Swans A-Swimming

Six Geese A-Laying

Five Golden Rings

Four Calling Birds

Three French hens (Chanticleer’s favorite #justsaying)

Two turtle doves

And a partridge in a pear tree 

Seven Swans A-Swimming by Carolyn Bell

International Holiday Traditions – The Seventh Day of Christmas is also known as New Year’s Day!

Kiffer’s family tradition (Southern U.S.) is to eat Hoppin’ John on New Year’s Day. Eating black-eyed peas, pork, greens (kale or spinach), and cornbread

for good luck, health, peace, and prosperity in the new year. 

In Japan, people welcome the new year with a bowl of soba noodles made from buckwheat. The noodles symbolize longevity and the buckwheat resilience.

In Italy, people wear red underwear on the first day of the new year to bring good luck. 

Walloon (Belgium) and Flemish (Netherlands) farmers wish their livestock a happy new year along with extra feed or treats. 

And people go for a dip in freezing cold water around the world —brrrrrr—polar bear plunges! 

What do you do to celebrate New Year’s Day? 

On the Seventh Day of Christmas, Chanticleer brings to me…

Seven Tiers of Achievement

While winning an Award always feels amazing, one of the best parts about signing up for a Book Award Program is the long-tail digital marketing that comes with it. What do we mean by that?

Every time your book advances in our Awards, we post about it on our website, on our social media, and in our newsletter. This puts your name and your book out in front of thousands of people, and it tells search engines that you’re doing something right. Being discoverable is key as more and more books are published every year. You can see our Book Awards Program here and submit today!