A boy with Calennig

Description

The giving of gifts on New Year's Day is an ancient custom. In Wales it took the form of collecting calennig (New Year's Gift) Children would form groups and go from house to house, bearing good wishes for the health and prosperity of the family during the year to come. This was symbolised by the skewered apples, stuck with corn and sprigs of evergreen, which they carried in their hands. Verses were sung at the door of the house, and they would receive small gifts of food or money for their troubles. Latterly, the carrying of the apple has been discontinued, and only the recitation of a few versess and the collecting of pennies mark the custom in those districts where it has survived.