Some Christmas customs are gentle. The Mari Lwyd is not. From late December through to Twelfth Night, in parts of South Wales, a group would go from house to house carrying a horse's skull on a pole, draped in a long white sheet and dressed with ribbons and bells. Whoever was hidden beneath the sheet could make the jaw snap.
A battle of rhymes at the door
The visitors would sing at the door, asking to come in. Those inside answered with verses of their own, and the two sides traded rhymes — a contest known as pwnco. When the household ran out of replies, the Mari and her party were let in for food and drink.
You can try your own hand at it in our free game, Pwnco'r Fari.
Read the full story
Our lore page tells the tale in more detail: Mari Lwyd — The Grey Mare at the Door.
Bring a little Welsh midwinter home
The grey mare also appears on our Mari Lwyd design. For more ideas, see our Welsh Christmas gifts or the Christmas gift guide, including £12 Christmas T-shirts and Mythôn candles.