Today is...

Well we've done Boxing Day and St. Stephen's Day, but what about Wren Day?  Back in medieval times, young boys would go out today to capture a wren, which they would then tie to the top of a pole and parade it round the town, singing songs and begging for money.  It was just a today thing - it was considered spectacularly unlucky to harm a wren on any other day of the year.  The origin of the custom is lost in the mists of time, but is probably connected to the pagan idea of making sacrifices to the gods at this time of year in the hope of ensuring the return of the longer, warmer days.  The tradition is still kept alive today in some parts of Ireland and Wales - thus lending credence to the suggestion that it was originally a Celtic  practice - although today a fake wren is used rather than the real thing.