The Council of Tours in 567 declared January 5, Epiphany Eve, as the Twelfth Day of Christmas. Epiphany on January 6 is the day celebrating the arrival of Wise Men bearing gifts for the Christ Child. The council named this 12 day period between Christmas Day and Epiphany: Christmastide.

The Twelfth Night celebration includes singing carols, chalking the door, having one's house blessed, and attending church services. Wassail and a Christmas cake with a hidden bean and pea inside are also served. The man who finds the bean is King for the night and the woman who finds the pea is Queen for the night.

Some areas mark this as the beginning of Mardi Gras season. Others continue the Christmastide celebrations until Candlemas on February 2 and begin Mardi Gras celebrations after February 2. Most traditions say that Christmas trees and wreaths should be taken down on Twelfth Night and no later than sunset on January 6 or bad luck will follow.

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