12 Days of Christmas Welsh Edition
The festive season is a time to embrace traditions, and one of the most iconic is the "12 Days of Christmas." In Wales, we have our own unique customs and cultural treasures that make the holiday season special. Let’s reimagine the "12 Days of Christmas" through a distinctly Welsh lens, celebrating our language, history, and traditions.
On the First Day of Christmas, My True Love Sent to Me:
A Red Kite soaring free
Graceful and majestic, the red kite (Barcud Coch) is a symbol of Welsh wildlife. Once threatened, its resurrection reflects the life-giving spirit of Wales.
On the Second Day of Christmas, My True Love Sent to Me:
Two Welsh lovespoons
Lovespoons (llwyau caru) are carved with intricate designs and represent the timeless ideal of love and loyalty, making them a romantic gift for a holiday celebration.
On the Third Day of Christmas, My True Love Sent to Me:
Three Welsh cakes
Delightfully sweet and rolled in sugar, Welsh cakes (pice ar y maen) are an easy, comforting treat for the cold months.
On the Fourth Day of Christmas, My True Love Sent to Me:
Four Leeks for cooking
The leek (cenhinen), a Welsh national symbol, is a symbol of strength and serves as a rich component in Christmas soups.
On the Fifth Day of Christmas, My True Love Sent to Me:
Five Golden Harps
The golden harp (telyn aur), a Welsh art form, recreates the sounds of our ancient predecessors and lends festive magic to any event.
On the Sixth Day of Christmas, My True Love Sent to Me:
Six Dancing dragons
The red dragon (Y Ddraig Goch) represents strength and pride. Just imagine six playful dragons livening up a Welsh winter wonderland.
On the Seventh Day of Christmas, My True Love Sent to Me:
Seven Bards a-singing
Paying homage to the Eisteddfod, Wales’ festival of poetry and song, poets would wail songs and poems.
On the Eighth Day of Christmas, My True Love Sent to Me:
Eight Woolly jumpers
Made of soft Welsh wool, these cozy jumpers make an ideal gift for a wintry night by the fire.
On the Ninth Day of Christmas, My True Love Sent to Me:
Nine Corgis prancing
Loved worldwide, these dogs bring fun and life to any celebration.
On the Tenth Day of Christmas, My True Love Sent to Me:
Ten Mari Lwyds parading
One of the oldest, most obscure traditions, the Mari Lwyd involves a horse’s skull wrapped in ribbons, carried door to door as part of a playful, lyrical contest.
On the Eleventh Day of Christmas, My True Love Sent to Me:
Eleven Choirs a-singing
Wales, known as the "Land of Song," brings voices together in harmony, singing traditional Welsh Christmas carols to warm our hearts during the chilly winter nights.
On the Twelfth Day of Christmas, My True Love Sent to Me:
Twelve Castles gleaming
From Caernarfon to Cardiff, the old castles of Wales stand tall, buried under snow, and offer a window into the nation’s medieval history.
From the uncanny spectacle of the Mari Lwyd to the sweet flavour of Welsh cakes, the Christmas period is one of Wales’s magical traditions. Whether you’re singing Welsh carols or making a lovespoon, the traditions are reminding us of the richness of culture that enriches every celebration.
Here are the verses together for you to give it a go:
On the First Day: A Red Kite soaring free 🦅
On the Second Day: Two Welsh lovespoons 🥄
On the Third Day: Three Welsh cakes 🫓
On the Fourth Day: Four Leeks for cooking 🥬
On the Fifth Day: Five Golden Harps 🎵
On the Sixth Day: Six Dancing dragons 🐉
On the Seventh Day: Seven Bards a-singing 🎤
On the Eighth Day: Eight Woolly jumpers 🐑
On the Ninth Day: Nine Corgis prancing 🐶
On the Tenth Day: Ten Mari Lwyds parading 🐴
On the Eleventh Day: Eleven Choirs a-singing 📖
On the Twelfth Day: Twelve Castles gleaming 🏰
What would you add to the song? Daffodils? Bucket hats? Share your ideas in the comments below! ⤵️
Welsh "12 Days of Christmas" Quiz!
1. What symbol of Welsh wildlife is featured on the First Day of Christmas?
- a) Red Dragon
- b) Red Kite
- c) Golden Harp
- d) Corgi
2. Which traditional Welsh gift, representing love and loyalty, is sent on the Second Day of Christmas?
- a) Woolly jumpers
- b) Leeks
- c) Lovespoons
- d) Welsh cakes
3. What sweet treat is given on the Third Day of Christmas?
- a) Bara Brith
- b) Welsh cakes
- c) Pudding
- d) Mince pies
4. What unique Welsh tradition involves a decorated horse’s skull carried door to door?
- a) Eisteddfod
- b) Mari Lwyd
- c) Nos Galan
- d) Calennig
5. How many castles gleaming are sent on the Twelfth Day of Christmas?
- a) Ten
- b) Eleven
- c) Twelve
- d) Nine
Learn more festive Welsh songs here!
