Although banned in England during the Reformation, the nativity crib persisted through the centuries disguised in country custom such as the Derbyshire �Kissing Bunch�. This combined elements of the Christmas tree and the crib. It was a frame of two hoops covered with evergreens, ribbons and paper flowers. Within the frame were three small dolls, elaborately dressed and secretly representing Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

The dolls were hung within a frame on strings and were surrounded until almost hidden by apples, oranges and various ornaments suspended in the same manner. Sometimes, the dolls were arranged in a group to more directly represent the nativity scene.

Wassailing the trees in Twelfth Night is another old country tradition.

Many years ago in Devon each farmer and his workmen would carry a pitcher of cider down to the orchard and forming a ring round one of the most fruitful trees, would three times drink a special toast.

�Here�s to thee, old apple tree

Whence thou mays�t bud, and whence thou mays�t blow!

And when thou may�st bear apples enow,

Hats Fill! � caps full!

Bushel � Bushel � Sacks full!

And all my pockets full, too!�

In Herefordshire, on Twelfth Night Eve, twelve small fires and one large one were lit in a wheat field to represent Jesus and the twelve Apostles. The fire representing Judas Escariat, after being allowed to burn for a brief time, was kicked about and extinguished. Later the best cow was led to a shed near the fires and a Twelfth Night cake covered with almond paste impaled on one of its horns. The oldest labourer then took a pitcher of cider and addressed to the cow.

Here�s to your pretty face and thy white horn

God send thy master a good crop of corn

Both wheat, rye and barley and all sorts of grain

And next year, if we live, we�ll drink to thee again.

He then threw the cider into the cow�s face which made the creature toss its head, throwing the cake to the ground. If it fell forward it was an omen, that the next harvest would be good and if backward a bad harvest would be sure to follow.