9. The Grey Mare
This next tradition is less exclusive to Christmas and more about the period between Christmas and New Year. Its one of those traditions that can only go down in small town areas because if a someone came knocking on your door with a horse skeleton youd most definitely slam the door shut. The purpose of Mari Lwyd, a Welsh custom that translates to Grey Mare, is that you go from door to door in the hope of being allowed in for some food and drink. It is said to be rooted in Welsh history, originating from an ancient ritual of the Horse Goddess Rhiannon. It is mainly carried out in the south and south-east of Wales. How does one make one of these grey mares? Well you need a horse's skull. If you can't get your hands on one you can make it from wood or go even cheaper and make it from cardboard. Stick the skull on the end of a wooden pole. Then drape a white sheet over your creation so that the pole and the person carrying the Mari are invisible. Other essential accessories are two ears made from cloth that are sewn on together with some coloured ribbons and small bells for a mane and eye sockets made from green bottled ends. If you really want to push the boat fix a spring into the horse's jaw so that the person operating the horse can operate the mouth as well and snap it at passers by. So you have your horse, now what? You need to memorize a traditional Welsh stanza which must be delivered to as you knock on someone's door. With this song you must declare your desire to gain entrance. Once you've sung your verses its time for a pwnco a bit like a rap battle in which the people inside the house are allowed to hurl some witty insults at you. If youre able to stick it out you can enter, as long as you produce another song once youre indoors.