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When I think about the holiday season, I picture it spent relaxing, watching holiday movies, and sipping hot chocolate by a cozy fire. But in reality, it’s nothing like that. Instead, my time gets sucked up with gift shopping, cooking, decorating, wrapping presents, hiding them, and essentially project managing the holidays. By the time Christmas Day arrives, I’m usually too exhausted to appreciate it, and then before I know it, the holidays are over. I move on, take down the tree, and promise myself next year will be better.
But before you put away those Christmas decorations, I have a little remedy that will help make all the Christmas chaos seem worthwhile. There’s an old tradition in Ireland called Nollaig na mBan (pronounced Null-ig na Mon), meaning “Women’s Christmas.” It’s a day — January 6, to be exact — for hard-working women to put their feet up, party with friends, and look back and appreciate all the work. It’s the day many need after the busyness of Christmas, and a perfect way to combat the January blues.
Back in the day, women in Ireland did most of the housework, so Nollaig na mBan was a reward for all the hard work over the holidays. It’s celebrated every year on January 6, right at the end of the Christmas season. This special day was a time for the women of Ireland to take a break from all the chores and spend an evening with their friends. The dads, grandfathers, and older boys were expected to take over all domestic duties for the day.
In olden-day Ireland, this was probably a huge deal. Women would visit friends for tea, chat, and have cake. It was traditional to light candles in the window on the eve of Nollaig na mBan, a little light to celebrate the last hurrah. In later years, women would sometimes meet in the pub for singing, dancing, and drinks. It was the perfect excuse to take some well-deserved time out, decompress, and share all the Christmas gossip.
How I Participate in Nollaig na mBan Today
Every year, Nollaig na mBan comes at just the right time, when I need it most. It’s a quiet tradition with no Hallmark expectations or themed sweaters to ruin it. It’s my treasured time to meet up with friends and have a laugh. Sometimes it’s a simple catch-up with tea and cake or a movie night with good friends and takeout. Other times, it’s a big night out that usually ends with dancing and hoarse voices. But one rule I stick to is to avoid making it a potluck or asking anyone to contribute. The whole point is to keep it simple and make it fun.
January is such a dark month (literally), and this is the one holiday that brightens my mood and gives me something to look forward to. It’s a soft landing after the whirlwind of the Christmas season, and a chance to have some fun before returning to the humdrum of the school run and everyday life.
For a while, Nollaig na mBan quietly slipped out of fashion in Ireland, but in recent years, it’s made a joyful comeback. These days, Irish women celebrate with afternoon tea, indulgent dinners, and even the occasional plunge in the icy Atlantic to raise money for women’s charities.
Times may have changed in Ireland, but the core idea remains the same. It’s a day to recognize the people who make Christmas possible. And it doesn’t have to be just for women. Whoever takes on the role of Christmas project manager in your home, whether it’s Mom, Dad, Granny, or your very organized teenager, deserves a break and some good times, too.
How to Host Your Own Nollaig na mBan
You don’t need to be Irish to celebrate Women’s Christmas. And I think it’s a holiday that more countries should embrace. It’s a great time to gather and celebrate another year of surviving the festive flurry — like a Galentine’s Day in January.
How you celebrate is completely up to you. Your idea of a good time could be a wild night of karaoke and dancing, a fancy afternoon tea with dainty cakes and Prosecco, or maybe it’s just a cozy meal at a restaurant with your closest friends. The beauty of this holiday is that there are no rules, and you can celebrate it exactly as you choose.
Women’s Christmas is a little different now, and thankfully, men do much more around the house these days. But it’s still a tradition absolutely worth hanging on to. Think of it as your well-earned reward for getting through Christmas with your sanity intact.
So, mark January 6 on your calendar, circle it twice, and send a text to the group chat. Plan your Women’s Christmas now and give yourself something joyful to look forward to this month. You’ve earned this night off!
