In my heritage lies the practice of celebrating ‘Old Christmas‘.
In Rodanthe, a few families gather on January 5th to celebrate Old Christmas. There’s usually an oyster roast with music and dancing. Part of the celebration revolves around Old Buck. Every year a family is entrusted with the care of Old Buck, and it is seen as good luck to be chosen.
Old Buck was, according to some, a wild bull that gave folks trouble until he was shot and killed. Every year two folks don the guise of Old Buck to particpate in the celebration. A troublesome bull like Old Buck never really dies, you know.
My family celebrated Old Christmas in name only - there was no oyster roast or dancing and song on Jan 5. However, this year my father and I are going to try to observe it in some way. I have things here for Jasper to learn about Old Christmas and I look forward to teaching him about it through the years.
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As a kid back in Stumpy, I used to get one present on Old Christmas. One year it was a GI Joe jeep.
And it is more than just a few families that gather in Rodanthe, at least up through the 90s. People came from all around. It was a full out party with a live band.
What is an oyster roast?
This is how they do it in the other Carolina, but it’s close enough to give you an idea.
http://www.charlestonlowcountry.com/about/oysterroasts.html
Basically, it’s an excuse to have a bonfire and an outdoor party. Lots of fun.