Tea and cake, ladies? Before the Christmas festivities come to an end there is one last event that us girls like to celebrate, Women’s Little Christmas. Also known as Nollaig na mBan, Ireland is the only country in the world to celebrate the event and it’s very much a Munster tradition that has been enjoyed for generations. That doesn’t mean that ladies across the country can’t join in on the fun.

Traditionally, it was the day on which women – supposedly worn out by doing the Christmas cooking – were allowed to take a break and let the men do the housework. So while Christmas is marked by whiskey and turkey, Women’s Little Christmas is more about the delicacies in life – cake, tea and wine.

Here is a glimpse of how some ladies will be celebrating their day with friends and family.

Cork Ladies Head to the Clarion

Cork ladies have always embraced the tradition of Women’s Little Christmas and, not surprisingly, one of the biggest celebrations will be taking place in the Clarion Hotel on Sunday, 5 January 2014, with all proceeds of the event going towards Breakthrough Cancer Research.

Helena Slattery is the organisations’ event coordinator.

“As Women’s Little Christmas is falling on a Monday this year, we moved our event to the weekend, so more ladies can celebrate before they return to work.

“Ours is certainly one of the biggest celebrations in the country, with over 250 women pampering themselves for the third year running.

“Arriving at 2pm there will be a drinks reception. Afterwards ladies can indulge in afternoon tea of finger sandwiches, fruit scones and a variety of cakes and patisseries. The fun doesn’t stop there, ladies can get their hair done, peruse our craft stalls and there is also a fashion show featuring some of Munster’s top boutiques. The day has always been an excuse for ladies to put on their nicest outfits, so there will also be a Best Dressed Competition.”

Marguerite Tierney from Tipperary attended the event last year with friends.

“A friend of mine does volunteer work for Breakthrough Cancer Research and she got a big gang of us to go, her friends, her mother, mother-in-law and sisters. It was a great day and a lovely end to the holidays.

“We felt really pampered and the afternoon tea was the perfect treat before we all start the January healthy eating buzz. There were ladies of all ages there and everyone was out for the same purpose, to have a lovely day out with the girls. To be honest, last year was the first time I celebrated Women’s Little Christmas, but it is definitely a new tradition that I’ll be continuing into the future.”

To buy tickets for the event, log on to www.breakthroughcancerresearch.ie

IFA Farm Family Lunch

For the farming ladies of Limerick, there is only one place you’ll find them celebrating Women’s Little Christmas and that’s the Dunraven Arms in Adare.

“They give us a great deal every year so we keep going back,” laughs Maria Bucke from the Limerick IFA Farm Family.

In fact, the ladies lunch has become a real tradition with over 30 women attending each year, some travelling from as far as Kerry and Clare.

“We now have a core group who are always there and we’ve new people coming on board each year. Its great fun, we usually start with a hot punch reception at 12.30pm before sitting down to a lovely lunch. Last year, we did Kris Kringle and everyone won a little spot prize.

“Speeches and formalities are kept to an absolute minimum. This isn’t a business day, there isn’t an agenda. It’s a lunch to enjoy, socialise and talk to friends, old and new. Events like these are few and far between and I think that’s why more and more women join each year.

“Women’s Little Christmas isn’t as popular as it used to be, but it was something we always celebrated at home. Myself and my sisters helped my father cook for my mother. It’s a lovely end to Christmas and we hope events like our IFA Farm Family lunch will help keep the day alive for many more years to come.”

If interested in attending the lunch, contact Maria Bucke on 086-261-9955 or Mary Mullane 087-656-0208.

The Perfect Excuse to DRESS Up

Women’s Little Christmas is always a day for the ladies to dress up and there are few ladies that know style quite like Celia Holman Lee.

“Women’s Little Christmas is a tradition that is dying a bit so I think it’s great to celebrate it in whatever way you can. I don’t tend to go to big organised events. Instead, the last few years I have gone to the Cornstore in Limerick with a few close friends.

“I’ve had the same gang of friends for years and years. Some I’ve known for more than three decades. It’s important to find the time to sit, talk and enjoy each other’s company. That’s how true friendships last the test of time and Women’s Little Christmas is the perfect excuse to set time aside for this.

“I’d like to see more restaurants creating events for the day, encourage ladies to organise a night out and enjoy themselves before the holidays end and we have to step back into the day-to-day hustle and bustle.” CL