By Tequila Mockingbird
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 12/25/24 – Every year, my agent Janet Cunningham hosted a legendary Twelfth Night party. It was a tradition that drew everyone who knew her—actors, friends, and colleagues alike—all of us dressed in our finest attire, gathering at her charming little house. We would indulge in good food, drink, and sometimes, a bit too much merrymaking. The party was always a reflection of her deep love for the traditions of New Orleans, and at the center of it all was a King Cake, in true Creole style.
Janet wasn’t just a party host—she was a keeper of holiday spirit. Even during the times when we were actors struggling to make ends meet, she sustained the tradition with her Monday night red beans and rice, feeding the whole town. These gatherings brought together people from all walks of life, united by Janet’s hospitality and her commitment to making every holiday feel alive with meaning.
Sadly, before Janet passed, we gathered one final time with her at the nursing home to celebrate Twelfth Night. Though her health had declined, there were moments when she was still lucid, and she cherished the presence of her friends around her. We all loved her dearly, and when I think of Twelfth Night, it’s impossible not to think of her, the Christ Child, and the true spirit of Christmas—a season that’s not about a single day or a commercialized frenzy, but about the communion of friends and the quiet joy of shared traditions.
Understanding Twelfth Night: The Tradition and the Song
The “Twelve Days of Christmas” is an English Christmas carol that has become a part of the holiday fabric, but Twelfth Night—the final day of the Christmas season—is when the true celebration culminates. These twelve days span from Christmas Day (December 25th) to January 5th, marking a period of feasting, merriment, and reflection.
Twelfth Night is traditionally seen as the end of the Christmas season and the start of the Epiphany, celebrating the arrival of the Three Wise Men. The day is full of rich traditions:
- Feasting and Merriment: Twelfth Night is synonymous with parties, elaborate feasts, and revelry as friends and families gather to mark the season’s close.
- House Cleaning: Many households engage in a thorough cleaning to prepare for the new year.
- Wassailing: This ancient custom involves singing and drinking wassail, a hot spiced drink, to bless the fruit trees in orchards for the coming year.
- King Cake: A special cake, often with a small trinket hidden inside, is baked. The person who finds the trinket is crowned “King” or “Queen” for the day.
The “Twelve Days of Christmas” song, with its escalating list of increasingly extravagant gifts, has become a cultural phenomenon. Some even suggest the song is a coded Catholic catechism, though others simply enjoy its whimsical and humorous take on holiday giving.
Key Takeaway: While the song may capture the imagination, Twelfth Night itself holds significant cultural and historical weight as a time for feasting, social gatherings, and a moment of renewal before the year ahead. For those who, like Janet, keep these traditions alive, it’s a reminder that the true essence of the season lies not in the commercial hustle, but in the connections we share with friends and the joy of celebrating together.
